ANKARA / ISTANBUL (AA) — Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
MIDDLE EAST
PALESTINE
GAZA CITY – The Israeli war on the Gaza Strip continues for the 66th day amid growing calls for a humanitarian cease-fire in the Palestinian territory as the death toll from Israeli attacks mounts to nearly 18,000, with over 46,780 others injured since Oct. 7.
RAMALLAH – Israel continues its almost daily military raids in the West Bank, with at least 275 Palestinians killed and 3,730 others detained in the occupied territory since the outbreak of the conflict in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7.
LEBANON
BEIRUT – Tensions mounting along border between Israel, Lebanon amid exchanges of cross-border fire between the Israeli army, Hezbollah group with UN peacekeeping mission UNIFIL warning that the situation could explode into a broader conflict.
EGYPT
CAIRO – Egyptian voters to continue voting for second day in country's presidential elections, with incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi poised to win third term in office. Three candidates stand against Sisi in polls, with results expected to be revealed on Dec. 18.
EUROPE
UK
LONDON – Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to appear for session in public inquiry into government's handling of COVID-19 pandemic.
BELGIUM
BRUSSELS – EU Foreign Affairs Council to meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also attending. Agenda includes Russian-Ukraine war, situation concerning Israel, Gaza Strip, exchange of views on Sahel region in Africa. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan also attend preceding informal breakfast, with Eastern Partnership Ministerial meeting to follow.
POLAND
WARSAW – Vote of confidence to be held for government led by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki following inconclusive elections on Oct. 15. Opposition Civic Platform leader Donald Tusk could form government as early as Tuesday if lawmakers withhold support.
GERMANY
BERLIN – Chancellor Olaf Scholz to host Dutch Premier Mark Rutte for talks on bilateral ties, EU, international issues.
SWITZERLAND
GENEVA – Global Humanitarian Overview 2024 to be launched by UN humanitarian office OCHA.
GENEVA – Turkish Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas to attend Women Entrepreneurs Panel, high-level side event titled Family Protection in context of 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: From Rhetoric to Action.
GENEVA – Biological Weapons Convention to start as partners to UN Convention on Prohibition of Development, Production, Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological), Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction begin convening.
UNITED STATES
NEW YORK – UN Security Council to discuss conflict in Ukraine at request of Russia.
ASIA – PACIFIC
SOUTH CHINA SEA
MANILA – Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Sunday charges China with aggression in disputed South China Sea. Beijing is expected to respond to accusations as tensions due to overlapping maritime claims persist.
INDIA
NEW DELHI – India's top court set to announce judgment on removal of special status to disputed Jammu and Kashmir. New Delhi had removed all special provisions granted to Kashmir under Articles 370 and 35A of Indian Constitution on Aug. 5, 2019.
PAKISTAN
RAWALPINDI – Pakistan Army chief Syed Munir Asim scheduled to meet top US military, civilian officials during maiden visit to Washington.
THE ECONOMY
ANKARA – Turkish Central Bank to reveal current account balance data for October.
In September, Türkiye's current account balance posted $1.88 billion surplus, shifting from upwardly revised $357 million deficit in August, $3.02 billion deficit in September 2022.
Anadolu survey expects $745 million current account surplus for October.
ANKARA – Turkish Statistical Institute to announce industrial production index, unemployment figures for October.
Türkiye's industrial production rose annually at pace faster by 4% in September, versus 3.1% in August.
Unemployment rate in September fell for sixth straight month to 9.1%, reaching its lowest level since 2014.
SPECIAL REPORTS
‘Domicide’: UN rapporteur pushes for Israel’s accountability for Gaza destruction
By Rabia Ali
ISTANBUL – Interview with Balakrishnan Rajagopal, UN special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, focusing on Israel’s deadly ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip. Rajagopal speaks about the concept of ‘domicide,’ which refers to the mass destruction of civilian housing with the intent of making an area unfit for human life, and explains how that should be applied to Israel’s actions in Gaza. He appeals to countries to take steps to expedite the recognition of domicide as a crime under international law, which could pave the way for Israel to be held accountable. Rajagopal also warns of the imminent dangers to millions of displaced people, while stressing that the onus of rebuilding Gaza falls on Israel and other Western states that have given it weapons and enabled the destruction of the besieged Palestinian territory.
West has failed to deliver on climate change pledges despite some progress: Experts
By Emre Basaran
ISTANBUL – Interviews with experts focusing on an assessment of the West’s actions and pledges in efforts to mitigate the growing threat of climate change. Kathleen Miller, a retired senior research associate from the US’ National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and Andrew Ciacci, a climate change expert from the International Crisis Group, paint a grim picture of the steps taken by countries that are also the biggest polluters. They also share their views on the potential outcomes of COP28, saying it is unlikely that decisions taken at the UN conference ongoing in Dubai will translate to concrete action.
Sin bins and more: How football could be changing in the near future
By Emre Asikci
ISTANBUL – Report about potential new changes in international football rules. The story gives details of the proposals recently approved by the International Football Association Board, including the introduction of “sin bins” to punish players for dissent or tactical fouls. The report includes an interview with football journalist and expert Nick Miller, who explains the proposed changes and gives his assessment about their potential implications.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Interview with Balakrishnan Rajagopal, UN special rapporteur on right to adequate housing, where he speaks about the concept of 'domicide,' or mass destruction of civilian housing, explains how that should be applied to Israel's actions in Gaza.
VIDEO – Interview with football expert Nick Miller about proposed rule changes, including introduction of "sin bins" to punish players for dissent, tactical fouls potential implications on game.