Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing / breaking stories):

Israel’s genocidal onslaught on blockaded Gaza

Unabated Israeli bombardment, leading to further Palestinian casualties amidst the crumbling humanitarian conditions.

On Monday, several people were killed and others injured in an airstrike by Israeli forces on a commercial establishment in Gaza City.

Israel’s enlarging blockade, ground invasion in northern Gaza Strip

Israel's over month-long siege, incursion, and bombardment of northern Gaza Strip exacerbating shortages of food, water, fuel, and medicine.

On Monday, three people, including an elderly woman were killed and five others were injured in an artillery strike targeting the Jabalia al-Nazla area and the Nuseirat refugee camp in northern Gaza.

Israeli aggression in Lebanon

Israel's attacks on Lebanon and the Hezbollah group's targeting of Israel with rockets and drones.

On Monday, three people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the town of Srifa, southern Lebanon.

Israeli airstrikes targeted several southern Lebanese areas including Nabatieh, Khiam, Qana, Seddiqine.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said that it targeted the Shraga and Zovolon bases in northern Israel with rocket barrages in addition to targeting the Goren and Avivim settlements in northern Israel.

Israeli media said that 20 rockets were launched from Lebanon toward Safed, Rosh Pina, and surrounding areas in the Upper Galilee, northern Israel.

In another development, Israeli Defense Minister Gideon Sa'ar claimed progress in negotiations for a cease-fire in Lebanon, saying that “the main challenge is to implement what is agreed upon.”

However, Hezbollah said that it did not receive any official proposal for a cease-fire with Israel.

Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s office scandals

Developments on unfolding scandals in the office of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu's office is involved in leaking manipulated military documents to foreign press in an attempt to mislead public opinion regarding the prisoner exchange deal with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and altering protocols from security discussions held during the Gaza war.

Israeli media revealed that Tzachi Braverman, chief of staff to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is suspected of blackmailing a military officer to alter minutes of War Cabinet meetings by threatening him with a sensitive video recording.

Haaretz said that the crimes linked to Netanyahu's office could rival “those of a mafia.”

Israeli strategic affairs minister's anticipated visit to Washington

Statements from Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer during his visit to Washington to discuss a cease-fire deal with Lebanon and achieving a hostage deal with Hamas, normalization with Saudi Arabia, and post-war plans for Gaza, according to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth.

Dermer flew to the US Saturday night for talks with US President Biden and senior White House officials regarding a cease-fire deal.

West Bank raids

Israel’s almost daily military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank, and illegal settlers' violence against Palestinians and their properties.

On Monday, five Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire during clashes that erupted in the Jalazone refugee camp, north of Ramallah.

Israel has killed 780 people since October last year, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,300 others, with over 11,600 taken into custody.

Red Sea tensions

Red Sea tensions and the possible exchange of attacks between Israel and Yemen’s Houthi group.

The group on Monday reported nine US-UK raids on the provinces of Amran and Saada in northern Yemen.

NATO Secretary-General to visit France

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will travel to Paris and meet with President Emmanuel Macron. Rutte is also expected to discuss with representatives from the French defense industry. Macron and Rutte will hold a joint news conference in the afternoon.

Berlin Foreign Policy Forum

High-ranking politicians and experts will discuss Germany's role amid an increasing fragmentation of the global order. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will open this year's Berlin Foreign Policy Forum.

Humanitarian situation in Gaza – UK select committee session

International Development Committee session in the House of Commons on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Witnesses represent the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Medical Aid for Palestinians and Human Rights Watch.

UN agencies’ briefing

The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists in Geneva.

Panel discussion on the safety of journalists in crises and emergencies

Co-organized by OHCHR, the Permanent Mission of France, and UNESCO, the panel will address journalist safety during crises and the legal drivers behind impunity.

Fighting between Russian, Ukrainian troops continues in Kursk, Donetsk

Russia and Ukraine continue fighting in Russia’s border region of Kursk, where Kyiv began an incursion in August, and in eastern Ukraine, where Moscow continues to claim advances on multiple fronts. Developments to be followed on Russian President Vladimir Putin's claims that about 2,000 Ukrainian troops are encircled in Kursk.

COP29 climate summit in Baku

The UN annual climate summit is underway in Azerbaijan’s capital, where thousands of representatives from the world gather to discuss how to tackle the climate crisis.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is one of the leaders who will attend the summit.

Biden's meetings with Israeli, Indonesian counterparts

President Joe Biden to host his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog at the White House. Biden will also meet Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who is also expected to meet with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon.

Trump's election win

Monitoring developments after Republican Donald Trump won presidential election to become 47th president of US. Trump continues to announce new names for his administration.

Gaza deadline for Israel nears

Developments regarding a deadline set by Washington for Israel to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza in 30 days or risk US military aid.

House Republicans - press conference

House Speaker Mike Johnson to lead a press conference alongside Republican representatives following the Nov. 5 elections. Key outcomes from the press briefing to be followed.

Sudan briefing at UN Security Council

UN Security Council to convene for a high-level briefing on the situation in Sudan. UK’s Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Africa Lord Collins of Highbury will chair the meeting. The council will later hold meeting on protection of civilians in armed conflict.

Briefing on risk of famine in northern Gaza

UN Security Council to hold a briefing under the agenda item of “protection of civilians in armed conflict” to discuss the risk of famine in northern Gaza. Expected briefers are Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris, and a representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Appointment of new prime minister in Haiti

Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council appointed businessman and former senate candidate Alix Didier Fils-Aime as the country’s new prime minister after firing Garry Conille. Developments in the violence-hit nation to be followed.

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba expected to make policy statement

Reelected Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is likely to make policy statement after he won parliament vote from a coalition government of Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito. However, Ishiba failed to secure support of 233 lawmakers, least required to form a government. His minority government is likely to face hurdles in policy implementation.

Monitoring situation on Korean Peninsula

Situation on Korean Peninsula remains on edge amid ratification of pact between Russia and North Korea which provides for the immediate provision of military and other assistance if either Moscow or Pyongyang is subjected to an armed attack by a third party. Pyongyang has been alleged to have deployed soldiers to Russia which is in war with Ukraine.

Beijing unveils stealth fighter jet at Airshow China

Beijing unveils J-35A stealth fighter jet at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China. The six-day air show is being held in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai where Russia's Su-57 advanced stealth fighter also makes its debut.

Foreign Ministry holds briefing in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news briefing in Beijing where it is expected to speak about President Xi Jinping’s trip to Peru, Brazil besides situation on Korean Peninsula.

South Africa to release report on race relations, politics

South African Institute of Race Relations will host an online briefing to release its latest report on race relations in the country and the political goodwill surrounding the Government of National Unity (GNU) formed in June after the African National Congress party, which had governed the country without a coalition for 30 years, lost its parliamentary majority.

COP29 to feature high-level meeting on clean cooking in Africa for climate solutions

The African Union and Tanzania will join forces in a high-level side event at COP29 in Azerbaijan to urge African leaders to prioritize a campaign for clean cooking in their countries as a central part of the global climate agenda.

Most households in Africa rely on traditional cooking methods such as the use of firewood and charcoal which have health impacts on users and the environment.

The AU and Tanzania, which have emerged as leading advocates for clean cooking in Africa, will advocate for innovation in cooking technologies across the continent.

Türkiye’s current account balance

Turkish Central Bank to share current account balance figures for September. Türkiye's current account balance posted a surplus of $4.3 billion in August. The goods deficit was at $2.9 billion, while services posted new inflows of $8.97 billion; under services, tourism saw a net inflow of $6.8 billion in the month.

Türkiye’s retail trade figures

Turkish Statistical Institute to share Türkiye’s retail trade figures for September. The total retail sales volume rose by 5.3% in August in Türkiye on a yearly basis, while trade sales increased by 5.3%. The institute will also share turnover indexes for September.

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘Window of opportunity’: Experts offer optimistic but cautious outlook for Türkiye-US ties under Trump

Report on expectations for Türkiye-US relations after Donald Trump takes office for his second term in January.

The story recaps Ankara and Washington’s ties during Trump’s first term and presents an overview of how things could look different under his new administration, with experts presenting their assessments on ways for the two sides to forge closer cooperation over the coming years.

It includes interviews with James Jeffrey, a former US ambassador to Türkiye; Robert Ford, a former US ambassador to Syria; and Luke Coffey, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington.

Lebanon needs urgent help as Israeli assault destroying economy, workforce: Minister

Interview with Lebanon’s Labor Minister Moustafa Bayram about the fallout of Israel’s escalating attacks on the country.

Bayram speaks particularly about the impact on Lebanon’s labor force, sharing latest data and details illustrating the catastrophic effect on the economy and workers.

He also shares details about the complaint Lebanon has filed against Israel at the International Labour Organization over the deadly pager explosions in September.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interviews with former US ambassadors James Jeffrey and Robert Ford, along with Hudson Institute senior fellow Luke Coffey, about expectations for Türkiye-US relations under Trump’s second administration.

VIDEO – Interview with Lebanon’s Labor Minister Moustafa Bayram about Israel’s ongoing attacks on the country, particularly the impact on the labor force and economy, and the urgent need for international intervention and support.