ANKARA (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu’s English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
MIDDLE EAST
PALESTINE
GAZA – On day 46 of devastating Israeli war on Gaza Strip, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said reaching a truce agreement with Israel is “close.”
Following developments in Israeli ground operation in Gaza Strip, especially in the north, where the Israeli army expanded its operations on Monday and besieged Indonesia Hospital near Jabalia refugee camp, as it did earlier in Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, while Israeli military vehicles retreated in Gaza City.
Monitoring deteriorating humanitarian and health situation and attempts to provide humanitarian aid to Gazan people, especially transportation of patients outside the strip for treatment. On Monday, 61 patients evacuated from Gaza arrived in Türkiye. Also, 28 premature babies were evacuated from the southern Gaza Strip to Egypt.
Since Israel started bombing Gaza after a surprise Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, at least 13,000 Palestinians have been killed, including over 9,100 women and children, and more than 30,000 others have been injured, according to latest figures by Palestinian authorities.
Israeli death toll stands at 1,200, according to official figures.
WEST BANK – Following Israeli raids in various areas of occupied West Bank. Since Oct. 7, about 3,000 Palestinians have been detained by Israeli army and 217 Palestinians have been killed in attacks by Israeli forces and settlers, according to Palestinian statistics.
LEBANON
BEIRUT – Tension running high in southern Lebanon and on Lebanese-Israeli border as Israeli army and Hezbollah group traded mortar shells on each other’s positions. On Monday, Israeli army struck a home in southern Lebanon belonging to a Lebanese lawmaker close to Hezbollah, while Lebanese group said that it had fired anti-tank missiles at Biranit military camp in northern Israel.
US
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden to hold meeting at White House to accelerate efforts to counter flow of fentanyl into US.
WASHINGTON – Jill Stein to launch her presidential campaign, seeking Green Party’s nomination for 2024 presidential election in US.
NEW YORK – UN Security Council to hold meeting on maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.
EUROPE
GERMANY
BERLIN – Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser to deliver speech at German Islam Conference, forum for dialogue between authorities and representatives of Muslim community.
SWITZERLAND
GENEVA – UN Information Service to hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists.
UK
LONDON – South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to pay state visit to UK.
FRANCE
STRASBOURG – Kenyan President William Ruto to address European Parliament.
SERBIA
BELGRADE – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to continue his visit to Western Balkans with Serbia and North Macedonia. Stoltenberg will begin the day in Belgrade, where he is scheduled to attend joint news conference with President Aleksandar Vucic. He will later head to Skopje, where he will hold joint news conference with Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski before addressing parliament.
EURASIA
RUSSIA
MOSCOW – Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to pay official visit to Russia on Nov. 21-22. As part of this visit, Rahmon expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
MOSCOW – Putin to attend extraordinary BRICS summit via videoconference to discuss Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
MOSCOW – International conference of Human Rights Council under Russian presidency to be held in Moscow, dedicated to 75th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Representatives from 60 countries are invited to attend event.
MOSCOW – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to meet with heads of foreign affairs departments of countries of Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation to discuss situation around Gaza Strip.
ALGERIA
ALGIERS – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to pay official visit to Algeria. He will attend joint news conference with his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune after one-on-one talks and a meeting between delegations.
ASIA-PASIFIC
CHINA
BEIJING – China’s President Xi Jinping scheduled to attend extraordinary virtual session of BRICS to deliberate on Palestine-Israel conflict. Session is hosted by bloc’s current chair South Africa.
BEIJING – China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference.
AFRICA
PRETORIA – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to chair extraordinary BRICS meeting on situation in Gaza amid relentless bombardment of Israeli forces.
SPORTS
CARDIFF, UK – Turkish national football team to face Wales in Group D in final game of EURO 2024 qualifiers.
SPECIAL REPORT
Bravery from Muslims for ‘enforcement of justice’ key to resolving Israel-Palestine issue: British Muslim scholar
By Burak Bir
LONDON – Interview with British Muslim scholar Mohammed Hijab about the ongoing Gaza crisis and the larger implications for the longstanding Palestine-Israel issue. He speaks about the need to find a long-term solution, emphasizing the importance of a stronger stance from leaders and populations of Muslim countries to ensure justice for Palestinians, as well as bring about a change in the existing status quo. Hijab also shares his views on Türkiye’s role in this regard, hailing the position taken by the country in the current crisis.
SPECIAL REPORT
Severed ties and diplomatic recalls: How has the world reacted to Israel’s Gaza offensive?
By Emre Basaran
ISTANBUL – Report compiling steps taken or planned against Israel by countries around the world over its deadly campaign against the Gaza Strip. The report lays out details of diplomatic measures such as the recalling of ambassadors by countries like Türkiye, Bahrain, Colombia and others, as well as plans in countries such as Spain and Norway to fast-track the recognition of Palestine. It also includes the legal steps that countries like South Africa, Algeria and others pursue, such as referring Israel to the International Criminal Court. The story also gives instances where planned steps have faced hurdles, such as Ireland’s failed vote to expel the Israeli ambassador.
SPECIAL REPORT
Israel’s actions in Gaza ‘colonial process turned into genocide’: Irish journalist
By Selen Valente
BRUSSELS – Interview with David Cronin, an Irish journalist and author known for his extensive work on the Israel-Palestine issue and about the ongoing Gaza crisis. He speaks about the historical context of the issue, describing the current events “as a genocidal war that Israel is waging against the 2.3 million people who live in the Gaza Strip.” Cronin also gives his assessments on Israel’s justifications for its deadly attacks on Gaza, dismissing its claimed right to self-defense as a violation of the country’s responsibilities as an occupying power. He also criticizes the role of the international community in the issue, particularly major players such as the US and the EU.
SPECIAL REPORT
Introduction to Indian cuisine series kicks off in Turkish capital by Indian Embassy
By Dilara Hamit
ANKARA (AA) – The Indian Embassy in Türkiye hosted an event featuring local chefs presenting a curated culinary experience, including the ambassador, Virander Paul.
The ambassador highlighted the enthusiastic response from the small Indian community in Ankara, emphasizing the diverse richness of Indian culture resonating in Türkiye.
The gathering enjoyed dishes like chicken biryani, mutter paneer, butter chicken, roti, gajar ka halva, and raita, with insights into the making of gajar ka halva from Deependra Garain, the owner of Namaste India Restaurant.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEOS – Latest developments in Israel-Palestine conflict.
Reports covering developments in the Israel-Palestine conflict, including packages from correspondents on the ground, updates about the overall situation, and other major developments.