Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) — Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Israel-Lebanon cease-fire

More developments and reactions related to the US- and France-brokered cease-fire deal between Israel and Lebanon came into effect early on Wednesday.

According to the terms of the cease-fire, Israel will gradually withdraw its military south of the Blue Line in phases, while the Lebanese army deploys its forces in southern Lebanon in up to 60 days.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday evening that Israel's government supported a cease-fire for the key reasons of "focusing on the Iranian threat, fully restoring Israel's military strength, and isolating Hamas by separating the various conflict arenas."

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Wednesday reiterated his country's commitment to implementing the 2006 UN Security Council Resolution 1701 following the cease-fire deal with Israel.

Arab countries, including Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Palestine, and Jordan, welcomed the deal, hoping it becomes a prelude to stopping Israel's genocidal onslaught onslaught in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers fired at and injured two reporters covering the return of displaced civilians to the southern Lebanese town of Khiam and the Israeli withdrawal from the area, Lebanon's state news agency reported Wednesday.

Furthermore, the Israeli army said Wednesday that it had detained four people for allegedly approaching its forces in southern Lebanon.

Israel's relentless genocide in Gaza Strip

Well into its second year, the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip continues to devastate Palestinian lives, claiming countless victims and plunging the region into even harsher living conditions.

A medical source said Wednesday that 10 Palestinians, including three children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Al-Tabi'een school, which shelters displaced people in Gaza City.

Wednesday saw

Four more Palestinians were killed and others injured in an Israeli airstrike on a home in the Shejaiya neighborhood of eastern Gaza City, Anadolu was also told by a medical source Wednesday.

Another Palestinian journalist was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip, raising the overall death toll since last year to 190, local authorities said on Wednesday.

At least 33 more Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday as total deaths since last year rose to 44,282, according to the Health Ministry in the enclave.

Israel's blockade, ground incursion in northern Gaza Strip

The Israeli incursion and bombardment of the northern Gaza Strip, ongoing for more than a month, have exacerbated shortages of food, water, fuel, and medicine, leaving most of the population on the verge of imminent famine.

Three Palestinians were killed by an Israeli airstrike on a group of people near the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia on Wednesday, according to medics.

The Israeli army also besieged a school in the Beit Lahia Project area, forcing the displaced people inside to leave.

Raids in the occupied West Bank

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

Two Palestinians were injured Wednesday in a military operation by the Israeli army in the city of Tubas and the Al-Fara’a refugee camp in the northern West Bank, the Palestine Red Crescent Society reported.

Israel has killed nearly 800 people since October last year, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,600 others, with more than 11,800 taken into custody.

Turkish president to host Omani sultan for talks, agreements

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will welcome Sultan Haitham bin Tariq bin Taimur Al Said of Oman at the presidential complex in the capital Ankara.

Following bilateral and delegation-level meetings, an agreement signing ceremony and joint news conference will be held.

Reactions from US' Biden administration on Lebanon cease-fire

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

Native American National Day of Mourning

United American Indians of New England will hold a day of mourning coinciding with Thanksgiving. Indigenous people will hold an annual rally in Plymouth, Massachusetts to commemorate the National Day of Mourning. Many native people do not celebrate the arrival of the pilgrims and other European settlers.

Meeting in Brussels of Global Alliance for implementing two-state solution

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib will convene the second follow-up meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, co-hosted by the EU and Belgium. The meeting comes in the wake of a cease-fire in Lebanon and reports of a peace deal initiative to end the Israeli genocide in Gaza.

Sweden, Poland to sign strategic partnership agreement

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and his Polish conuterpart Donald Tusk will sign a bilateral strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.

Nigerian president’s state visit to France

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will pay France a two-day official visit for talks with his counterpart Emmanuel Macron, marking the first such trip by a Nigerian president in 24 years. Peace and stability in West Africa are high on the agenda, as well as economic issues.

Paris has been in a difficult position in the region for the past two years, having withdrawn its troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where it faced strong popular and political opposition.

Quarterly release of UK immigration statistics

The British Home Office will release figures on the number of people migrating to the UK, those extending their stay temporarily or permanently, those who have gained citizenship, those applying for asylum, and those detained or removed, as well as immigration for work, study and family reasons.

The statistics include finalised data on Ukraine visa applications. The Home Office also publishes quarterly figures on irregular migration to the UK, including small boats.

WHO briefing in Geneva

The World Health Organization (WHO) will hold a virtual news conference on global health issues, with WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus leadnig the event as other WHO officials specializing in different fields stand ready to respond the questions of reporters.

Russian top diplomat to attend meetings of CSTO in Kazakhstan

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will attend a joint meeting of the Foreign Ministers Council, Defense Ministers Council and the Committee of Security Council Secretaries of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in the Kazakh capital Astana.

Participants are expected to exchange views on the military and political situation in the member state of the Russia-led alliance, while also discussing the results and development of cooperation within the organization.

Top Moldovan court to rule on October presidential election's legitimacy

Moldova's Constitutional Court will announce its decision on the results of the elections and its approval of the presidential mandate.

Palestinian envoy to host news conference for International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People

A news conference dedicated to the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, celebrated yearly on Nov. 29, will be convened by Palestine's ambassador to Russia, Abdel Hafiz Nofal.

Nofal will answer reporters' questions on the current situation in the conflict with Israel.

Reactions to ICC arrest warrant against Myanmar junta chief

Expected reactions and statements after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against Myanmar's military chief Gen. Min Aung Hlaing over the persecution of the Rohingya community in the Southeast Asian country.

Crucial Budget session begins in Japan

A budget session began in the Japanese parliament on Thursday, seen as crucial to the minority government of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, which lacks the support of the required 233 lawmakers. The government proposal can only sail its $252 billion economic stimulus package through parliament with the support of the opposition.

Australian lawmaker suspended before proposing changes to laws governing genocide prosecution

An Australian lawmaker was suspended before she could propose changes to laws governing genocide prosecution in the country. Senator Lidia Thorpe said her suspension by Parliament was meant to "shut down" any debate on genocide and injustice.

Until now, the attorney-general had sole power to decide whether or not an individual could be held accountable for such crimes. The decision to suspend Thorpe assumes significance amid an ongoing genocide case against Israel over its war on Gaza.

Singaporean Premier Wong visits Thailand

Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is visiting the Thai capital Bangkok on an official trip. Wong is the first foreign leader hosted by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra since she took office in August this year. The two sides are to hold bilateral meetings to discuss enhancing cooperation in different sectors, including trade and economy.

Nepal's top diplomat visits China

Nepalese Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba embarks on a three-day visit to China to prepare the ground for an upcoming official visit of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to its northern neighbor. Oli is expected to pay his first visit to Beijing in early December, a break from tradition that a new Nepalese premier would first visit India.

Uneasy calm prevails in Pakistan after opposition rally foiled

Tense calm prevails in Pakistan after government forces disrupted a rally by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party. While the government has vowed not to allow any further disruption, the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan has said it plans to continue protests.

South Africa braces for downpour, thunderstorms, floods

South Africa’s coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal is on high alert for severe thunderstorms and heavy rains that could lead to flooding. The province has a history of severe floods, which claimed over 400 lives in 2022.

Africa's public health agency to provide latest updates on mpox outbreak

The director general of Africa Centers for Disease Control, Jean Kaseya, will hold a joint news briefing with Rwanda’s Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana to share the latest insights and urgent actions being taken to combat the mpox outbreak in Africa, particularly its epicenter in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as the ongoing Marburg eruption in Rwanda.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye's foreign trade

The Turkish Statistical Institute will release foreign trade statistics for October and the country's Economic Confidence Index for November. Türkiye's foreign trade deficit narrowed 31.1% on a yearly basis to $60.43 billion this year as of September.

Germany’s Inflation

Germany's Destatis will share annual inflation figures for November. Consumer prices rose 2% in October after 1.6% in September.

SPORTS

UEFA Europa League league phase matchday 5

AZ Alkmaar vs. Galatasaray

Lazio vs. Ludogorets

Besiktas vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv

Slavia Prague vs. Fenerbahce

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Roma

Real Sociedad vs. Ajax

UEFA Conference League league phase matchday 4

Heidenheim vs. Chelsea

Fiorentina vs. Pafos

EuroLeague

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

SPECIAL REPORTS

Lebanon cease-fire: Will it lead to a truce in Gaza soon?

Report on the cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon, and the burning question of whether it could lead to a similar agreement to halt Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.

The story explores the reasons why Israel could have agreed to a deal in Lebanon and addresses the global concerns over whether the truce will hold.

For Gaza, the report focuses on the possible reasons why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could still be averse to a cease-fire, with experts explaining how a truce does not fit in with Israel’s larger and more sinister objectives for the besieged Palestinian enclave.

It includes comments from multiple regional and international analysts, including Lebanese security analyst Ali Rizk, Israeli academic Ori Goldberg, and Palestinian academic Sami al-Arain.

Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL

Could SAARC be revived to enhance integration in South Asia?

Report about a potential push to revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), a bloc with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka as its members.

The story gives the history of SAARC and the reasons for its waning influence over past years, shedding light on the various internal disputes among its more powerful members, and explains how and why efforts are being made by certain countries to revive the forum.

It includes comments from Binoj Basnyat, a strategic analyst and former major general from Nepal; Mushahid Hussain, a senator and former minister in Pakistan; Praveen Donthi, senior India analyst at the International Crisis Group; Shahab Enam Khan, an international relations academic from Bangladesh; and Sri Lankan political scientist Jayadeva Uyangoda.

Faisal Mahmud

DHAKA, Bangladesh

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Lebanese security analyst Ali Rizk about their assessments on the durability of the Israel-Lebanon cease-fire, and whether it could lead to a similar deal to stop Israel’s genocide in Gaza.