Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

MIDDLE EAST

PALESTINE

GAZA STRIP - The continuous Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip brought the death toll in Gaza to 13,000, including 5,500 children and 3,500 women, since Oct. 7, according to the latest Palestinian statistics.

The Israeli ground attack in the Strip continues with 2 more Israeli soldiers killed on Sunday, raising the death toll to 59 soldiers since its launching of ground offensive in end of October and to 378 since Oct 7.

The health and humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate in the Gaza Strip. The UNRWA warned on Sunday that “the health sector in Gaza is on the verge of complete collapse due to running out of fuel and a lack of medicines,” while the World Food Program announced on Sunday that a small number of trucks delivered food supplies to families in Gaza whose members have been without food for several days.

PALESTINE

WEST BANK - The Israeli army conducted raids in various areas of the occupied West Bank Sunday. The army detained three women and two journalists among 70 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank bringing the number of Palestinians detained by Israeli forces in the West Bank to 2,920 since Oct. 7. A total of 214 Palestinians have been killed in attacks by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and Jerusalem, according to Palestinian statistics.

LEBANON

BEIRUT - The continuing tension in southern Lebanon and on the Lebanese-Israeli border as the Israeli army and Hezbollah group traded mortar shells Sunday. The Israeli army conducted 'heaviest' bombardment of Kfar Kila town in southern Lebanon since Oct. 8, firing shells containing white phosphorus, reports Lebanese media.

ISRAEL

TEL AVIV - The internal situation in Israel in the light of the increasing criticism against Netanyahu and the increasing calls for him to resign for his inability to release the Israeli hostages held by Hamas and implement his declared goal of the attack on Gaza, which is to eliminate the Palestinian movement.

TEL AVIV - Following developments after a cargo ship was hijacked by the Houthis group in the Red Sea. The Israeli army said the ship was heading to India “without Israelis,” stressing that "this is not an Israeli ship," while the Yemeni group vowed to target ships owned or operated by Israeli companies in support of Gaza “in the face of the Israeli-American aggression.”

EUROPE

GERMANY

BERLIN - Chancellor Olaf Scholz to host African leaders in Berlin for “G-20 Compact with Africa” conference. African Union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, and African Union chairperson Assoumani Azali will be among the participants.

UK

LONDON – Former Prime Minister David Cameron to be introduced as a new peer to the House of Lords, as he returned to the Cabinet as foreign secretary.

LONDON – Members of the House of Commons to ask questions from ministers from the Ministry of Defence.

FRANCE

PARIS - Air controllers to stage a walkout, flights to be canceled in Paris and other cities.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

SARAJEVO - NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to continue his visits to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia and North Macedonia. He begins the day in Sarajevo, where his schedule includes a joint press conference with chairperson of the Council of Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina Borjana Kristo before heading to Pristina where his schedule includes a joint press conference with President Vjosa Osmani-Sandriu.

ASIA-PASIFIC

CHINA

BEIJING - Top diplomats from key OIC member states, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia, and Palestine, visit China for a two-day mission. Beijing said the mission is aimed at "in-depth communication and coordination on ways to deescalate" the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict, protect civilians and seek a just settlement of the Palestinian question.

INDIA

NEW DELHI - India and Australia to hold 2+2 Defense and Foreign Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi. The defense and foreign ministers from the two Quad allies will meet in the Indian capital for extensive bilateral discussions.

PAKISTAN

ISLAMABAD - Islamabad High Court is expected to announce its verdict in official secrets case, known as cipher case, against former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday. Khan is accused of exposing state secrets when he accused the US of interference in domestic politics of Pakistan which allegedly resulted in toppling of his government last year.

THE ECONOMY

BERLIN – Destatis to release Germany’s producer price inflation for October. Producer prices in Germany fell 14.7% year-on-year in September, at the steepest pace since 1949, when data collection began thanks to a base effect.

SPORTS

GERMANY

LEVERKUSEN - UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round's final matchday still continues. Italy to visit Ukraine in a critical Group C match as both teams have same points and are vying for the qualification spot in the group won by England. Italy qualify for next summer's EURO if they avoid defeat, meanwhile Ukraine must win to reach finals.

Spain, Scotland, France, the Netherlands, England, Türkiye, Albania, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Serbia, Denmark, Romania, Switzerland, Portugal and Slovakia qualified for EURO 2024 to be held in Germany.

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘Room for accountability’ now after decades of impunity for Israel, says veteran war crimes prosecutor

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) – Interview with Reed Brody, a Hungarian-American war crimes prosecutor, about the possibility of Israel being held accountable for its excessive actions in the ongoing assault on the Gaza Strip. Brody speaks about the reasons why Israel has enjoyed what he terms “decades of impunity” over the Palestine issue, giving details of past cases and instances where efforts for legal action have been thwarted. He says the current cycle of violence has drawn the world’s attention to the issue once again and cites strong statements by the current prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a reason for possible concrete action against Israel. Brody also goes into detail about the ICC’s past stance on the issue, as well as the pressure that the court and its prosecutors have faced from various quarters, including powerful nations such as the US.

New wave of kidnappings, violence threatens to derail Colombia peace talks

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) – Report about the resurgence of violence and kidnappings for ransom in Colombia and how that is threatening to disrupt peace talks between the government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group. It includes an interview with Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst for Colombia at the International Crisis Group, about the ELN’s recent violent activities and stance on the peace talks. She explains why the resurgence of kidnappings, epitomized by the recent abduction of the father of football star Luis Diaz, is being viewed as an indicator that “Colombia is headed back down a devastating path toward conflict.” The report also gives comparative data and figures about violence in Colombia, as well as historical context of previous rounds of peace dialogues.

In Pakistan, one of the world’s oldest juniper forests faces lurking threats

By Aamir Latif

ZIARAT, Pakistan (AA) – Report about a juniper forest located in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, considered one of the world’s oldest and largest of its kind. The story focuses on the impact of climate change and increasing deforestation on the forest, which has some of the world’s oldest trees dating back to between 1,500 to 2,500 years. The report includes interviews with ecologist Rafi-ul-Haq, environmentalist Hamid Sarfraz, and Umar Farooq, a conservator with Balochistan’s Forest Department. They give details of the various factors contributing to the degradation of the historic forest and the efforts being made to redress their impact, while also discussing possible future conservation and afforestation.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEOS - Latest developments in Israel-Palestine conflict

Reports covering developments in Israel-Palestine conflict, including packages from correspondents on the ground, updates about the overall situation, and other major developments.​​​​​​​