Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing / breaking stories):

Israel’s destructive assault on Gaza

Relentless Israeli bombardment continues to cause rising Palestinian casualties in the face of worsening humanitarian conditions.

Four Palestinians were killed on Thursday in an Israeli airstrike on the Salah el-Din school, which shelters displaced people in Gaza City, the Palestinian news agency said.

Another Palestinian was killed and others were wounded in Israeli attacks on the al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, a medical source told Anadolu Thursday.

The overall death toll in the Palestinian enclave since October last year soared to 43,736, with 103,370 others injured, the Health Ministry in the enclave said on Thursday.

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

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

The Israeli army on Thursday killed at least 13 Palestinians, including two sisters, in its ongoing onslaught on the northern Gaza Strip.

Israeli onslaught in Lebanon

Israel's attacks on Lebanon and the simmering conflict with Hezbollah continues as the group targets Israel with rockets and drones.

An Israeli military statement said 10 rockets were fired from Lebanese territory, causing air raid sirens to sound in Upper Galilee in northern Israel.

Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes in southern Beirut on Thursday shortly after issuing evacuation orders for residents in the area, Lebanese media said.

At least nine people were killed and five others injured on Thursday in an Israeli airstrike targeting Baalbek, eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.

Scandals in the office of Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu

Developments on several unfolding scandals linked to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

The scandals include attempts to alter documents regarding early warnings before the October 2023 Hamas attack, efforts to blackmail a senior officer for classified information, and a video showing former Defense Minister Gallant being blocked from entering Netanyahu's office after the Gaza war began.

Tzachi Braverman, chief of staff to Netanyahu’s office, is being questioned in the case of protocol falsification, Israeli Channel 13 reported Thursday.

Braverman is also suspected of blackmailing a military officer to alter minutes of War Cabinet meetings by threatening him with a sensitive video recording.

West Bank raids

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

Two Palestinian children were injured by Israeli army gunfire on Thursday during a raid on the town of Beit Furik, east of Nablus in the northern occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said.

Israel is using arrests, passport confiscations, and deportations as part of its policy against foreign activists in the occupied West Bank, Israeli daily Haaretz said on Thursday.

Israel has killed 780 people since last October, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,300 others, with over 11,700 taken into custody.

Chancellor Scholz hosts Romanian President for talks

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will welcome Romanian President Klaus Iohannis to the Federal Chancellery for high-level discussions. The meeting is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations, addressing shared European challenges, and coordinating positions on key international issues.

French and Saudi foreign ministers meet in Paris

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot to host his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

UN briefing

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

US President Joe Biden in Peru for APEC summit

US President Joe Biden is in Peru’s capital Lima to attend an Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Biden will hold a trilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. He will also meet Peruvian President Dina Boluarte Zegarra.

Trump's second term cabinet picks

Monitoring developments in President-elect Donald Trump's picks for his cabinet as he prepares for his second term at the White House.

US defense chief traveling to Australia, Philippines, Laos, and Fiji

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to depart for a trip to Australia, the Philippines, Laos, and Fiji to take part in a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings. Desk will monitor for key developments from his nine-day regional tour.

Peru hosting APEC summit

Peru’s capital of Lima is hosting two-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit attended by world leaders including the US and Chinese presidents. Desk will monitor key developments from the summit.

Explosions outside Brazilian government buildings

Monitoring developments after Brazil’s federal police said that two explosions outside government buildings in the capital were not an isolated attack and are being investigated as a terrorist plot by far-right extremist groups.

Row with US ambassador

Monitoring developments over row between US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who criticized his comments about the nation's strategy for handling violence, saying that Mexico is an independent country.

Thousands of illegal miners fearing arrest continue to hide in closed mine in South Africa

Thousands of illegal miners fearing arrest continue hiding in a closed mine in South Africa’s North West province, where they are said to be running out of food and water. Police and the military have been deployed at exits from the mine. Police have been carrying out an operation to curb illegal mining, which is rampant in the mineral-rich country.

Post-election protests expected to continue in Mozambique

Opposition protests disputing declaration of Daniel Chapo of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front party as winner of the Oct. 9 presidential elections expected to continue. Since last month, opposition presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane has been calling on his supporters to protest what he says were rigged elections.

Nigeria sees fresh fatalities linked to suspected Lassa fever outbreak

Health authorities in Nigeria’s Oyo state have shut down two hospitals following a suspected Lassa fever outbreak which has claimed four lives. Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic illness, mostly transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or droppings.

Official results of parliamentary polls expected in Sri Lanka

Officials results of the parliamentary polls for 225 seats are expected to be announced in Sri Lanka. Millions of people cast their votes on Thursday.

Pyongyang silent on Donald Trump’s win amid heightened tensions on Korean Peninsula

North Korea has maintained silence on US reelection of Donald Trump amid heightened tensions on Korean Peninsula, with Seoul accusing Pyongyang of transporting soldiers to Russia. Monitoring developments between rival Koreas as well as possible reaction to win by Trump, who as president held three summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Chinese, South Korean, Japanese leaders to meet in Peru

China's President Xi Jinping is expected to meet newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Peru where they are attending an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Ishiba are also expected to meet as Seoul and Tokyo have forged closer ties, including the US, as North Korea has closed ranks with Russia.

S.Korean court to give verdict in case against main opposition leader

A South Korean court is expected to announce its verdict in the election law case against main opposition Liberal Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. Lee is facing charges for allegedly lying on television during his last presidential campaign.

Russia's special envoy on Afghanistan to hold talks in Pakistan

Zamir Kabulov, the Russian president’s special representative on Afghanistan, to hold talks with Pakistani diplomats in Islamabad. The two sides will review the situation in Afghanistan and discuss the role of neighboring countries in promoting regional peace and stability.

Pakistan's top diplomat to visit UAE

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to pay official visit to United Arab Emirates to attend 15th Sir Bani Yas Forum, which lasts through Sunday. Dar is likely to engage in high-level dialogue with global leaders and experts, addressing critical issues of regional security, economic cooperation, and sustainable development.

SPORTS

2024/25 UEFA Nations League Matchday 5 (Football)

Denmark - Spain (League A Group A4)

Portugal vs. Poland (League A Group A1)

SPECIAL REPORTS

Trump’s indifference could embolden Israel, expand Middle East wars: Experts

Report on US President-elect Donald Trump’s possible policies for the Middle East and their implications for the region and wider world.

The story explores the strategies that Trump’s second administration could favor for dealing with a Middle East firmly gripped by turmoil as Israel expands its wars on Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon, and continues an escalatory cycle of attacks with Iran.

It includes interviews with Matt Dus, a former foreign policy advisor to Senator Bernie Sanders, and Mark Katz, professor emeritus of government and politics at George Mason University.

What Trump’s return means for global climate action

Report on how the second Trump administration’s policies could impact the global fight against climate change.

The story explains the possible policy path Trump could take on the issue, building on his recent statements on plans to back the fossil fuel industry, rolling back pollution regulations, and withdrawing from international climate agreements.

The report includes interviews with Neil Grant, a climate and energy analyst, Patrick Kinney, a professor of environmental health at Boston University, and Richard Klein a senior research fellow at the Stockholm Environment Institute, who speak about Trump’s previous steps, expected future measures, and their global implications.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interviews with climate and energy analyst Neil Grant and Stockholm Environment Institute senior research fellow Richard Klein about the incoming Trump administration’s possible climate policies and their impact on the global stage.