DIARY

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Israeli violations of cease-fire deal with Lebanon

Eighth day of a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, which halted over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.

On Tuesday, the Israeli military continued its violations in southern Lebanon. A shell struck the Marjayoun plain, while an Israeli Merkava tank advanced toward the area between Deir Mimas, Burj Al-Molouk, and Kfarkela.

Israeli airstrike killed a shepherd in Shebaa, southern Lebanon.

Lebanese army redeployed forces in the southern city of Tyre as per the cease-fire deal.

For his part, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Tuesday that diplomatic contacts are underway to halt Israeli violations of cease-fire and ensure Israel’s withdrawal from border towns.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened to attack Lebanese state targets if a cease-fire deal with Lebanon collapses.

According to an Anadolu count, the Israeli army committed 117 violations since the Nov. 27 cease-fire.

Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza

In its second year, the Israeli genocide continues, leading to further Palestinian casualties amid the crumbling humanitarian conditions.

On Tuesday, at least 11 Palestinians were killed and others injured as Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple locations in the Gaza City and Rafah, including a school, a sports club sheltering displaced individuals, and a civilian gathering.

The total death toll due to the Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip surged to over 44,500, with nearly 105,500 others injured, the Gaza Health Ministry said Tuesday.

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

Israel's 2-month siege, incursion, and bombardment of northern Gaza Strip continue, exacerbating shortages of food, water, fuel, and medicine, and leaving most of the population there on the verge of a famine.

On Tuesday, an Israeli drone targeted a group of people in Beit Lahia town, killing three Palestinians and injuring several others.

Israeli artillery also carried out intense shelling around Al-Awda Hospital in the same town.

Since last October, Israel has launched a large-scale ground operation in northern Gaza to allegedly prevent the Palestinian resistance group Hamas from regrouping.

More than 2,700 people have since been killed in northern Gaza, according to Palestinian health authorities.

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 continue unabated.

On Tuesday, two Palestinians were killed and another was injured in an Israeli drone strike on Aqaba town in Tubas city.

Israel has killed at least 803 people since October last year, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,600 others, with more than 11,800 taken into custody.

Red Sea tensions

Red Sea tensions and the exchange of attacks between Israel and the US-UK coalition from one side and the Yemen’s Houthi group from the other.

On Tuesday, the group claimed to have carried out three drone attacks against targets inside Israel in the last 48 hours in cooperation with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.

UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Saudi Arabia

Speeches of the Arab representatives in the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

On Tuesday, United Nations report, which was launched by the UNCCD, warned that global drought costs the world over $300 billion annually, calling for investment in nature-based solutions.

The conference, which will run from Dec. 2 to Dec. 13 under the theme “Our Land... Our Future,” brings together representatives from 196 countries, the European Union, experts, and civil society to support global efforts to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought while promoting sustainable development.

Deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in Sudan

Humanitarian and security situation continue to worsen amid intensified clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The battles escalated over the past few days, leaving military and civilian casualties.

On Tuesday, the Sudanese Health Ministry said that 43 new cholera cases were recorded across several states, without reporting fresh fatalities, bringing the total number of cases to 44,729 and 1,205 deaths.

Turkish President Erdogan to meet Japan's Crown Prince Akishino

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will host Japan's Crown Prince Akishino at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.

American reaction to developments in South Korea

Monitoring statements from Biden administration after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol backtracked on his short-lived effort to impose martial law on the country.

UN Security Council to discuss Ukraine, Middle East

UN Security Council to meet to discuss the effects of the war on children in Ukraine and in afternoon members are expected to receive a briefing in closed consultations on Lebanon. France and the US requested the consultations following the announcement on Nov. 26 of a cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel.

US reaction to Syrian groups' territorial gains

Monitoring statements from Biden administration regarding developments in Syria as anti-regime groups continued to take areas from Syrian regime forces.

Impact of violence in Haiti on children

Noting the impact of violence in Haiti on children, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has said the children in Haiti are displaced and are malnourished.

NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting concludes in Brussels

Two-day meeting of foreign ministers from the alliance concludes. At 8:2a.m. CET this morning, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte gives a doorstep statement and then foreign ministers meet on 9a.m. A family photo is scheduled for 11:05a.m. and then Rutte holds a closing press conference at 11:45a.m.

French National Assembly debates no-confidence motion against Barnier-led government

A debate followed by a vote is scheduled this afternoon on a motion of no-confidence (motion de censure) against the government led by Prime Minister Michel Barnier. The motion was triggered by Barnier's decision to use the controversial article 49.3 to force through the social security funding bill.

Chancellor Scholz to address German parliament in Berlin

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will deliver a statement addressing current political and economic challenges, followed by an extended question-and-answer session with lawmakers.

UK prime minister hosts Emir of Qatar

On Dec. 4, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts talks with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who is on a state visit to the UK. The emir will attend a dinner at Mansion House given by the Lord Mayor and City of London Corporation.

UK prime minister faces questions from lawmakers

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will respond to questions from lawmakers in the House of Commons. Questions may include situation in the Middle East as well as UK support to Israel and the war in Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Ministry's weekly press briefing

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

Putin to participate in Investment Forum

Russian President Vladimir Putin to take part and address the 15th VTB RUSSIA CALLING! Investment Forum in the capital Moscow. The forum will serve as a platform for discussing key macroeconomic trends, as well as the development and reinforcement of Russia’s financial sovereignty. It will also explore new partnership prospects with countries Russia is cooperating with.

US President Joe Biden wraps up historic visit to Angola

On the third day of his Africa visit, US President Joe Biden is expected to attend a US-Angola business forum, where he is expected to announce several memorandums of understanding. He is also expected to visit the port of Lobito. Biden arrived in Africa on Monday with a stop in the West African island nation of Cape Verde.

UN summit on harmful practices against women begins in Senegal

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) begins a three-day summit in Dakar, Senegal to discuss ways to end harmful practices against women in Africa. Several experts, government officials, rights activists, journalists, and UN staff from West and Central African countries expected to attend.

Congolese health officials expected to update public on strange illness that killed 143

The Health Ministry in the Democratic Republic of Congo is expected to update the public after reports emerged of a strange illness that has reportedly killed 143 people in southwest of the country, currently the epicenter of the mpox outbreak on the continent.

African Union, UN to launch Global Humanitarian Overview 2025 in Kenya

The African Union and the United Nations office for humanitarian affairs (OCHA) expected to launch the 2025 Global Humanitarian Overview in Nairobi Kenya.

Political crisis in South Korea as lawmakers reject president's move to impose martial law

Monitoring developments as political crisis engulfed South Korea amid dramatic turn of events after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. But the government was forced to lift the martial law within hours as majority of lawmakers struck down Yoon's decision which shocked the far eastern nation.

Rift in ruling coalition deepening in Philippines

Political crisis in Philippines is growing following the filing of an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte at the House of Representatives as local think tank warned that it could exacerbate political divisions, provoke discontent within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and distract the government from addressing pressing economic challenges.

Lao prime minister to embark on official visit to Cambodia

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone to embark on two-day visit to Cambodia on Wednesday. During the visit, he will have a bilateral meeting with Cambodian prime minister to discuss bilateral relations and expanding beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Kuwaiti foreign minister on India visit

Kuwait's Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya to hold talks with Indian counterpart in New Delhi. Bilateral relations to be discussed during the meeting.

India to launch Proba-3 mission satellites

Indian Space Research Organization is set to launch the PSLV-C59/Proba-3 mission on Wednesday from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The space agency says the mission's goal is to demonstrate precise formation flying.

Death toll from massive floods in Thailand, Malaysia continues to rise

Search and relief operations are underway as death toll from last week's devastating floods is gradually increasing in Thailand and Malaysia, following forecast of a new monsoon spell to lash out the two countries in coming days. So far, 31 people have been killed and tens of thousands have been displaced in the two countries.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Rights group seeks ICC action against 1,000 Israeli soldiers, senior officials

Report on cases filed by a rights group at the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli officials and 1,000 soldiers for war crimes and other crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.

The story is based on interview with Haroon Raza, a Dutch lawyer and co-founder of the Hind Rajab Foundation, the organization that has filed multiple cases against Israeli individuals at the ICC and local courts in the Netherlands.

Raza discusses details of the cases, which include complaints against dual national soldiers, Israeli officials and other high-ranking military leaders, and discusses the foundation’s expectations for the pending legal process.

Trump's return: How it emboldens Europe’s far right and challenges continent

Report about how far-right forces in Europe are viewing Donald Trump’s election victory, exploring the ways in which it makes them feel more empowered.

The report explains how European far-right parties and leaders could try to capitalize on Trump’s time in the White House, and the threats this could pose to Europe’s political and societal landscape.

It includes interviews with Patrick Chamorel, a senior resident scholar at Stanford University, and Georgios Samaras, assistant professor of public policy at King’s College London.

Timeless tradition: History under the hammer at Istanbul’s ‘sahafs’

Report on the centuries-old practice of book and ephemera auctions held at Istanbul’s second-hand bookstores, called “sahaf” in the Turkish language.

The story presents the history of this unique Istanbul tradition, which dates back to the Ottoman Empire, and a view of the current situation as the practice continues after undergoing transformations in modern times.

The report includes interviews with owners of the stores, collectors and auction enthusiasts, who explain the bidding process and speak about the reasons for the tradition’s enduring charm.

After extreme weather, smog chokes Pakistan’s agriculture

Report on the economic effects of smog on Pakistan’s agricultural industry, focusing specifically on the production of citrus, one of the country’s key exports.

The story details how citrus farmers and production have been affected in various areas affected by the climate change-driven problem of hazardous smog, particularly in the agricultural hub of Punjab.

The report includes latest statistics and interviews with Waheed Ahmed, head of the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association, and Shaukat Ali Chadhar, head of non-governmental agricultural advisory and research organization.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Haroon Raza, a Dutch lawyer and co-founder of the Hind Rajab Foundation, about the multiple cases that the organization has filed against Israeli officials and soldiers at the ICC and other courts.​​​​​​​

VIDEO – Report on the centuries-old practice of book and ephemera auctions held at Istanbul’s second-hand bookstores, including interviews with store owners, collectors and auction enthusiasts.