Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza

In its second year, the ongoing Israeli genocidal war in the Gaza Strip continues to claim the lives of more Palestinians and worsen their living conditions.

On Tuesday, the body of a Palestinian man was recovered after Israel targeted a group of civilians in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

An Israeli airstrike targeting the vicinity of Al-Iman Mosque in the Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City, resulted in the deaths of two Palestinians and injuries to eight others.

The overall death toll in the Palestinian enclave since October last year soared to nearly 44,000, with more than 104,000 others injured, according to the Health Ministry.

Israel’s broadening 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 Tuesday, at least two Palestinians were killed in attacks on Beit Lahia twon and Jabalia refugee camp, as the Israeli army continued destroying homes in both areas.

The army has launched a deadly offensive in the northern Gaza Strip since last month to allegedly prevent Palestinian resistance group Hamas from regrouping.

Palestinians, however, accuse Israel of seeking to occupy the area and forcibly displace its residents.

Israeli aggression in Lebanon

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

On Tuesday, Israeli airstrike targeting the Chiyah area in the southern suburbs of Beirut resulted in two fatalities and several injuries, according to the Health Ministry.

Hezbollah said that it launched attacks on multiple Israeli military bases, including the Glilot base in the outskirts of Tel Aviv, the Bayt Lid base east of Netanya in central Israel, and the Ramat David base southeast of Haifa in northern Israel.

For its part, the Israeli army said the it identified 75 rockets fired from Lebanon towards northern and central Israel. It also reported that a soldier lost his life, and three others were seriously injured in southern Lebanon clashes.

Lebanon cease-fire efforts

Developments on ongoing efforts to draft a cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon.

US envoy Amos Hochstein told a press conference in Beirut following his talks with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri Tuesday that a cease-fire agreement between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah to end their conflict is “within our grasp.”

The US envoy called his discussions with Berri “very constructive".

Hochstein arrived in Lebanon on Tuesday to push for a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah. He is also set to travel to Israel on Wednesday.

Last week, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri confirmed that Beirut has received a US proposal for a cease-fire with Israel.

He, however, denied that the proposal “includes any kind of freedom of movement for the Israeli army in Lebanon,” a condition he described as “unacceptable” and non-negotiable.

Gaza cease-fire developments

The developments following Qatar’s announcement that it is ready to resume the Gaza cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Qatar if the parties showed seriousness.

On Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said that his country has suspended its mediation “due to the lack of seriousness from the parties.”

The Qatari spokesman said Hamas negotiators are not currently in Doha and “moving between various capitals,” disputing reports of closing the movement’s office in Doha. “If the Hamas political office is closed, it will be announced by the Qatari Foreign Ministry, not through other media outlets.”

On Nov, 9, Qatar said that reports claiming it had withdrawn from mediating a cease-fire in Gaza were “inaccurate.” However, the Gulf state stated that its mediation efforts are presently suspended.

Mediation efforts led by the US, Egypt, and Qatar have so far failed to achieve a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner swap deal, but Washington maintains that Israel’s killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on Oct. 18 may lead to a breakthrough in talks.

Hamas, however, says the conflict will only end when Israel stops its military campaign in the blockaded enclave.

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 Tuesday, three Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire in a military raid near the West Bank city of Jenin.

Israel has killed over 785 people since October last year, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,450 others, with over 11,700 taken into custody.

Deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in Sudan

Humanitarian and security situation continue to deteriorate in Sudan amid clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

On Tuesday, Sudan welcomed Russia's veto of a UK-proposed UN resolution addressing its conflict, criticizing it as foreign interference aimed at serving specific powers.

The draft resolution, submitted on Monday, called for halting violence and protecting civilians but did not specify which parties were responsible for implementing these measures.

Senate vote on resolutions to block US arms sales to Israel

Senators to vote on whether the US should halt $20 billion of arms sales to Israel. Bernie Sanders introduced the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval, backed by five other senators Jeff Merkley, Brian Schatz, Elizabeth Warren, Peter Welch, and Chris Van Hollen so far.

Antony Blinken to brief US Senate Committee

Senate Foreign Relations Committee to receive a briefing behind closed doors from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Worldwide threats to the homeland

US House Committee on Homeland Security holds hearing on worldwide threats to the homeland. Witnesses include Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas; FBI Director Christopher Wray; and National Counterterrorism Center Acting Director Bret Holmgren.

House Ethics Committee meeting

The House Ethics Committee to meet amid an ongoing debate over whether it should release its report into former Congressman Matt Gaetz, who President-elect Trump has announced as his nominee to be the next US Attorney General.

Vote on draft resolution on Gaza war

UN Security Council to vote on resolution demanding a cease-fire in Gaza and release of all hostages as well as to improve humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave. The resolution has been drafted by the E10, or 10 elected members of the Security Council.

UN Security Council briefing on Haiti

UN Security Council to hold an open briefing on Haiti, followed by closed consultations. The meeting will discuss a proposal to transform the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission into a UN peacekeeping operation. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo will brief members.

Lula-Xi meeting in Brazil

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is expected to host his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for talks in the Brazilian capital following the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Nationwide emergency in Ecuador

Developments after Ecuador declared a national emergency due to water shortage, drought and forest fires, which have consumed more than 10,000 hectares in the south of the country in November.

French President Macron visits Chile

French President Emmanuel Macron visits Chile following his attendance at the G20 summit in Brazil. He will meet on Wednesday morning with his Chilean counterpart Gabriel Boric and on Thursday morning will deliver an address to the country's Congress. Macron’s meetings with Chilean officials are expected to focus on French expansion plans in Latin America in various sectors such as energy, mining, agribusiness, finance and services.

UK prime minister faces questions from lawmakers in London

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will respond to questions from lawmakers in the House of Commons. Questions may include latest situation in the Middle East, Ukraine and the recent G20 summit held in Brazil. The G20 leaders, in a joint declaration, extended their “united” support to a cease-fire in Gaza, as well as in Lebanon. Starmer can be asked about the recent reports about US authorization of use of long-range missiles sent to Ukraine on targets inside Russia. The UK and some other European countries are expected to follow suit to give such authorizations on their weapon systems.

Other questions to Starmer can include the changes to farmers’ inheritance tax, which has prompted large farmers’ protests in the UK. Thousands of farmers gathered in Parliament Square to urge government to reconsider the proposed tax changes.

Nordic-Baltic defense ministers meeting in Copenhagen

Denmark hosts two-day gathering on Nov. 20, where defense ministers from the Northern Group countries (Nordic and Baltic countries, the Netherlands, Poland, the UK and Germany) will discuss Ukraine’s needs and their countries’ support to Ukraine in 2025. On Nov. 21, Nordic defense ministers meet within the framework of the Nordic Defense Cooperation (NORDEFCO), with the agenda including the development of continued Nordic cooperation, NATO and transatlantic cooperation between the countries. Press conferences are planned on both days. The gathering comes amid news of undersea internet cables in the Baltic Sea apparently being sabotaged, impacting telecommunications in the region.

UK foreign secretary visits Moldova

Foreign Secretary David Lammy visits Moldova, where his agenda includes bilateral meetings with members of the Moldovan government focused on security and tackling corruption. UK is expected to reiterate support for Moldova as the country’s relations with Russia are at all time low amid security concerns.

Relations between Russia and Moldova, a former republic of the Soviet Union, have deteriorated since 2003 and completely degraded since Maia Sandu, who is seen as pro-Western, was elected president in 2020.

Turkish defense manufacturers attract visitors at Pakistan arms exhibition

Turkish weapons manufacturers are attracting large number of visitors at the ongoing four-day multinational arms exhibition in Pakistan's commercial capital Karachi. Defense manufacturers from 55 countries are showcasing their products at the event where Pakistan has put on display its domestic arms and weaponry.

India's richest state of Maharashtra goes to polls

The western state of Maharashtra goes to polls. Polling takes place on 288 seats of the country's richest state. The election will also test the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bhartiya Janata Party.

ASEAN defense ministers meet in Laos

Three-day summit of defense chiefs of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) kicks off in Laos’ capital Vientiane. The defense chiefs of the US, China, Australia, India and other partner countries are also expected to attend the summit.

China's Foreign Ministry to hold regular briefing

China’s Foreign Ministry holds regular news conference in Beijing. The ministry spokesperson is likely to discuss outcomes of the G20 summit, fresh escalation between Russia and Ukraine as well as Moscow’s renewed nuclear policy.

Southern African leaders meet to discuss regional security

Heads of state and government from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional bloc of 16 members to meet in Harare, Zimbabwe, for an extraordinary summit to discuss regional security and the post-election violence in Mozambique. About 50 people have been killed in a wave of protests disputing last month’s elections in Mozambique, while conflicts continue in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Supporters of Mali’s military leaders to protest against prime minister

Protests against Mali’s Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga are expected in capital Bamako days after he criticized the ruling junta, urging them to discuss ending the transition period. Mali has been ruled by the military since coups in 2020 and 2021. Supporters of the military leaders are calling for Maiga’s resignation.

Search operation continues in Tanzania after building collapse

Rescue operation expected to continue in Tanzania’s commercial capital Dar es Salaam after a four-story building collapsed on Saturday, killing 16 people and injuring dozens. More than 80 people are reported to have been rescued from the rubble, with efforts ongoing to locate others still trapped.

Malawi hosts 52nd Global Fund conference

Hundreds of delegates from across the world meet in Malawi's capital, Lilongwe, for the 52nd meeting of the Global Fund to discuss ways of uniting to build healthier, safer, and an equitable future. The delegates include global health leaders, advocates and stakeholders in the fight against epidemics.

ECONOMY

House sales in Türkiye

Turkish Statistical Institute to share house sales figures for October. Türkiye recorded 140,919 house sales in September, marking a 37.3% increase year-on-year. While house sales to foreigners fell by 31% year-on-year to 2,022 units over the same period.

US Inflation

The US to reveal annual inflation figures for October. It was at 2.4% in September, above market expectations. Similar level is expected for the month of October.

SPORTS

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Round 11 Basketball

Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. Fenerbahce Beko

SPECIAL REPORTS

1,000 days of war: Is the Russia-Ukraine conflict going nuclear?

Report on recent developments in the Russia-Ukraine war that have escalated the threat of a wider and potentially nuclear conflict.

The story explains the latest steps taken by Russia, Ukraine and the US, such as Washington’s authorization for Kyiv to use its long-range missiles to strike targets in Russia, Moscow’s approval for retaliatory strikes, and other factors like the involvement of North Korean soldiers.

The report discusses the possible impact of these moves, the reasons behind increasing Pyongyang-Moscow cooperation and China’s role, and how the geopolitical situation could evolve in the coming days.

It includes interviews with Leonid Petrov, a senior academic at the International College of Management in Australia; Simon Schlegel, senior Ukraine analyst at the International Crisis Group; Beijing-based political analyst Einar Tangen; and Jingdong Yuan of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

We all have to fight to protect journalists and journalism: Diego Luna

Interview with Mexican actor and director Diego Luna about his advocacy for protection of journalists and an end to impunity for crimes targeting media workers.

The interview focuses on Luna’s recent production, State of Silence, a documentary about the challenges faced by Mexican journalists working on narco-politics and systemic corruption.

Luna shares insights about the documentary and speaks about the global conditions for journalists, calling for collective worldwide action to ensure media professionals get the protection they deserve and people have the right to access information.

Bangladesh’s climate refugees face double threat of displacement, toxic air

Report on the climate refugees of Bangladesh and how the environmental crisis has disrupted their lives.

The story is based on the experiences of Bangladeshis who were displaced from coastal areas due to rising sea levels and floods, and now face other threats of smog and air pollution in urban centers such as Dhaka.

The report includes interviews with displaced Bangladeshis, environmental science expert Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, and
Shamir Shehab, founder of the Bangladesh Youth Environmental Initiative, a platform advocating for climate justice.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Mexican actor Diego Luna about his new documentary about the challenges faced by Mexican journalists, where he speaks about the project and the need for global action to end impunity for crimes targeting media workers.