ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday with, including Israeli bombardment around Al-Shifa Hospital, French President Emmanuel Macron calling for a cease-fire in Gaza Strip and Russia's alarm about nuclear waste storage in Ukraine reaching unsafe levels.
TOP STORIES
- Violent bombardment shakes areas around Al-Shifa Hospital, Al-Shati Camp
Government agencies in the Gaza Strip confirmed Friday that areas surrounding the Al-Shifa Hospital and the Al-Shati Camp are subjected to “violent” bombardment by Israeli forces.
“The Israeli occupation is currently launching a series of violent raids in the vicinity of Al-Shifa Hospital and Al-Shati Camp, west of Gaza City, interspersed with the launching of phosphorus bombs,” said the Interior Ministry.
Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qudra, in a separate statement, condemned the “insane” bombing around hospitals in Gaza City and the northern Strip.
- Macron urges Israel to stop 'killing babies and women' in Gaza
French President Emmanuel Macron urged Israel on Friday to stop "killing babies and women" in Gaza.
It is important for Israel's security to "recognize that all lives matter," Macron told the BBC at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris.
He hoped that other leaders would join his demand for a cease-fire.
"De facto - today, civilians are bombed - de facto. These babies, these ladies, these old people are bombed and killed. So there is no reason for that and no legitimacy. So we do urge Israel to stop," he said.
- Russia raises alarm about nuclear waste storage in Ukraine reaching unsafe levels
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the "situation with dangerous nuclear waste storage in Ukraine is taking a disastrous character."
She said the volume of nuclear waste at the Prydniprovsky Chemical Plant, located in Kamianske, has reached 42 million tons.
"The plant was constructed during the Soviet era, and it is processing wastes that are presently stored in nine open-air dumping grounds containing sand-like low-radioactive residue,” she said.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday that half of the hospitals in Gaza are non-operational, stressing that the health system in the Palestinian enclave is "on its knees".
- US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will meet next week, according to the White House. Spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said the meeting would take place on Nov. 15 in San Francisco.
- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg pledged continuing military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.
- China urged the G-7 nations to cease “interfering in the internal affairs” of other countries, including Taiwan.
- Germany reiterated its strong support for a two-state solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict amid the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza. Foreign Ministry deputy spokesperson Kathrin Deschauer said the two-state solution is the "only" promising way to create "a life in peace for Israelis and Palestinians."
- Saudi Arabia said Saturday it will host an extraordinary joint Arab-Islamic summit to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip.
- The UK condemned increased settler violence in the West Bank but again refrained from demanding a cease-fire in Gaza, where Israeli bombardment since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack has killed more than 11,000 Palestinians.
- Ceremonies commemorating the 85th anniversary of the passing of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, were held worldwide.
- Illegal logging and deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest decreased 22.3% between August 2022 and July 2023.
- China and the Philippines again engaged in a maritime tussle when Philippine ships were sailing to deliver supplies to its personnel on disputed islets.
- The US and Indian foreign affairs and defense chiefs began a top-level ministerial dialogue with a focus on strengthening the partnership and working together on regional and global issues.
- New Zealand's political parties have failed to reach a consensus to form a new government in the wake of last month’s elections, leading to an extension of the current caretaker arrangements.
- The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that October broke the monthly global temperature record, indicating a continuing trend of high land and ocean surface temperatures and low sea ice.
SPORTS
- Atletico Madrid renew contract with manager Simeone
Spanish La Liga club Atletico Madrid announced they have renewed the contract with manager Diego Simeone.
The Argentine coach will stay with the team until June 30, 2027.
The 53-year-old, who joined Atletico in December 2011, has led the team to two Spanish La Liga titles (2014, 2021), one Copa del Rey trophy (2013) and two UEFA Europa League trophies (2012, 2018) along with two UEFA Champions League finals (2014, 2016).
- Real Madrid manager Ancelotti gives update on Arda Guler's injury
Real Madrid's manager Carlo Ancelotti provided an injury update on Turkish star Arda Guler.
"Unfortunately, he picked something up ahead of the game against Braga. It didn't seem like anything serious but it's still bothering him. It's nothing important," Ancelotti said in a statement.
The Italian head coach said Guler is currently experiencing a mix of emotions, specifically sadness.
"The player is a bit down because he's young, he wants to play and to contribute. It's a setback but we have the international break to get him back fit," said Ancelotti.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Sony's April-September net profits drop 23.1% to $2.76B
Electronic manufacturer Sony Group reported a 23.1% drop in net profits for April-September, falling to 417.6 billion yen ($2.76 billion).
Net profits were $2.76 billion, down 23.1% from the same period last year. Sales revenue rose 19.3% to 5.79 trillion yen ($38.3 billion) while operating profits dropped 29.7% to 516 billion yen ($3.4 billion).
The Japanese company, which set an annual sales target of 25 million for the PlayStation 5 gaming console, achieved sales of 8.2 million consoles during the six-month period, or about one-third of the yearlong goal.
- Inflation expectations in US climb in November
In November, US inflation expectations surged, with year-ahead expectations reaching 4.4%, the highest since April 2023, and long-run expectations rising to 3.2%, the highest since 2011.
The University of Michigan's consumer survey reported a decline in consumer sentiment, dropping 3.4 points to 60.4, influenced by ongoing global conflicts and notably affecting lower-income and younger consumers.
Short and long-term gas price expectations reached their highest levels this year.
Additionally, the index of current economic conditions fell 4.9 points to 65.7, signaling concerns about the economic outlook.
