Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Cease-fire agreement between Israeli and Lebanon

Developments and regional reactions to new cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

On Tuesday evening, the Israeli Security Cabinet convened a special session to approve the agreement, according to Israeli media reports.

An unnamed senior Israeli official told Israeli news outlet Walla that the agreement is expected to take effect on Wednesday morning.

Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz approved continuing attacks in Lebanon “until the last moment before a cease-fire.”

Israeli aggression in Lebanon

Israel's deadly attacks on Lebanon and the Hezbollah group's targeting of Israel with rockets and drones despite a cease-fire deal set to come into effect.

On Tuesday, Israel’s army intensified its airstrikes on the center of the Lebanese capital Beirut. The strikes targeted several areas and killed at least seven people and injured others.

In Tyre, southern Lebanon, at least two people were killed and 22 others injured by three Israeli airstrikes on the Rashidieh Palestinian refugee camp.

The Israeli army said 10 rockets were fired from Lebanon into Upper and Western Galilee areas along with Haifa Bay in northern Israel.

The overall death toll in Lebanon since October last year soared to 3,754, with over 15,600 others injured, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Sunday.

Israel's relentless genocide in Gaza Strip

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, at least nine people were killed in an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced civilians in Gaza City.

Israeli assaults on the besieged enclave since Oct. 7, 2023 have claimed the lives of more than 44,250 people and injured over 104,700.

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

Israel's more than month-long incursion and bombardment of the northern Gaza Strip have exacerbated shortages of food, water, fuel, and medicine, leaving most of the population there on the verge of famine.

On Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike hit a house in Jabalia, killing two people and injuring several others.

Since Oct. 5, Israel has launched a large-scale ground operation in northern Gaza to allegedly prevent Palestinian resistance group Hamas from regrouping. Palestinians, however, accuse Israel of seeking to occupy the area and forcibly displace its residents.

West Bank raids

Almost daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, and illegal settlers' violence against Palestinians and their properties.

On Tuesday, Israeli army forces raided Birzeit University in the West Bank city of Ramallah and detained at least two students.

Israel has killed nearly 800 people since last October, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,450 others, with more than 11,800 taken into custody.

Turkish president to chair AK Party group meeting at parliament

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will chair Justice and Development (AK) Party group meeting in parliament.

UK prime minister to face questions from lawmakers

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will respond to questions from lawmakers in the House of Commons, including on the situation in the Mideast as well as UK support to Israel and the Ukraine war. Questions on whether the UK will arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant after the ICC issued arrest warrants for them are likely.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy at select committee session in London

Foreign Secretary David Lammy and FCDO Permanent Under-Secretary Sir Philip Barton to speak with Foreign Affairs Committee. Questions may include situation in the Middle East as well as UK support to Israel and the Ukraine war. Questions on whether the UK will arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant after the ICC issued arrest warrants for them are likely.

Nordic and Baltic countries to attend summit in Sweden

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to host summit in Harpsund of leaders from Nordic and Baltic countries, plus Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Discussions include transatlantic relations and regional security in the Baltic Sea region as well as continued long-term support for Ukraine.

Russian president to pay state visit to Kazakhstan

Russian President Vladimir Putin to pay two-day visit to Kazakhstan and hold talks with his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. During the talks, the parties will discuss strengthening the Russian-Kazakh partnership as well as current international and regional issues.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to hold weekly press briefing

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold briefing on current foreign policy issues.

Russia, Ukraine trade accusations over missile attacks

Since early this week, Kyiv and Moscow have accused each other of using long-range Western missiles and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), respectively. The accusations followed US President Joe Biden’s authorization to Ukraine to hit Russia's territory with MATO missiles, which Moscow claims happened last week when it downed US-made ATACMS and UK-made Storm Shadow missiles over its territory. Later, Russia said it struck a plant in Ukraine using a new ballistic missile. Official remarks and statements on the issue from both Moscow and Kyiv are expected.

Reactions from Biden administration on Lebanon cease-fire

Monitoring reactions from Biden administration after Lebanese and Israeli governments agreed to a US proposal to end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The cease-fire went into effect early Wednesday morning.

UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine

UN Security Council to meet to discuss peace and security in Ukraine. Desk will monitor for key remarks from representatives of member states.

Trump's threat of tariffs for Mexican imports

Monitoring reactions from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who said Mexico could retaliate with tariffs of its own, after US President-elect Donald Trump said he would impose 25% import duties on Mexican goods if the country does not stop the flow of drugs and migrants across the border.

Escalating violence in Haiti

Monitoring developments in Haiti amid escalating gang violence in and around Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Haiti has faced instability since 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, which left thousands of people dead and displaced.

Monitoring developments after a Brazil police report accused former President Jair Bolsonaro of plotting to overturn outcome of 2022 election he lost to current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Government pushes out opposition rally from Pakistani capital

In massive security operation, government pushed back thousands of opposition supporters who had entered capital Islamabad to demand release of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan besides other political detainees. The rally led by Tehreek-e-Insaf party had camped in Islamabad pushing demands including probe into alleged mass rigging of general elections.

Indonesia holds local elections

Indonesia for the first time holds simultaneous local elections across 548 regions, including 37 provinces, 415 regencies, and 93 cities. Spread across more than 17,000 islands with three different time zones, voting will begin at 7 am and end at 1 pm. (0000-0600GMT). More than 204 million people are eligible to cast votes.

Foreign Ministry to hold briefing in Beijing

Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference in Beijing on regional and international issues.

Monitoring aftermath of 6.4 magnitude in western Japan

Monitoring aftermath in wake of a 6.4 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan off the west coast of Ishikawa province. No immediate damage or tsunami warnings were reported. The same province was hit by a devastating tremor on New Year’s Day, killing 281 people.

Namibia to hold presidential and parliamentary elections

Namibians head to the polls to elect new president and National Assembly members in contest that experts believe could be the most competitive since independence in 1990. The ruling South West Africa People's Organization, which has been in power for 34 years, is fielding current Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, as its presidential candidate. Fifteen political parties are competing for the position of president as well as seats in the National Assembly. If Nandi-Ndaitwah wins, she will become Namibia’s first female president.

Hundreds of illegal miners expected to be retrieved from abandoned mine in South Africa

Mining experts in South Africa are expected to start bringing to surface hundreds of illegal miners who are hiding in an abandoned mine in the country’s North West province. The miners have been underground for a month, fearing coming out due to possible arrest. Two weeks ago, police blocked routes miners used to get food and water supplies underground. A court ordered police to allow the miners to get food, water, and medications. The miners are said to be very weak and some too sick to come out on their own.

THE ECONOMY

US GDP

US to release provisional GDP figures for third quarter. Quarter-on-quarter GDP growth rate was at 3% in second quarter and market expectations for the third quarter are at 2.8%. Country to also share jobless claims figures.

World Halal Summit

Four-day World Halal Summit is set to start Wednesday in Istanbul with the main theme “10 Years of Halal Success." It will host trade delegations from 60 countries. Halal Expo 2024, which brings together experts from various sectors around the world such as halal food, finance, fashion, health, tourism, and private labels, aims to increase business opportunities and promote sustainable halal practices.

SPORTS

UEFA Champions League league phase matchday 5

Liverpool vs. Real Madrid

Monaco vs. Benfica

Aston Villa vs. Juventus

SPECIAL REPORTS

COP29 deal: Climate finance disaster or what was ‘politically achievable’?

Report on outcomes of the COP29 summit and the firestorm of criticism from developing nations over lax pledges.

The story breaks down the final points of the summit’s declaration and explains their potential impact, covering all aspects from financing to rehabilitation and prevention strategies.

Report includes interviews with Chris Aylett, research associate at Chatham House’s Environment and Society Center; Chris Hilson, climate and environmental law professor at the University of Reading; Michael Wilkins, executive director of the Centre for Climate Finance & Investment at Imperial College Business School; and Iskander Erzini Vernoit, co-founder of Morocco-based think tank Imal Initiative for Climate and Development.

Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL

Hate pushing Muslims away but UK government yet to ‘openly accept Islamophobia exists’: Human rights law

Interview with Aamer Anwar, British political activist and human rights lawyer, on the rise of racism and Islamophobia in the UK.

Interview focuses on how conditions for Muslims are deteriorating in the UK and how the situation is closely interlinked with repression of pro-Palestine voices and those opposing Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

He also speaks about the British government’s policies and actions, or lack thereof, and how they have been pushing Muslims to leave the country as influential political figures have been fanning the flames of Islamophobia and racism in the UK.

Burak Bir

LONDON

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with British human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar about rising racism and Islamophobia in the UK, criticizing lax government policies and explaining how inaction is fueling alienation and fear among Muslims and other vulnerable communities.