ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
MIDDLE EAST
Israeli forces continue genocidal attacks in Gaza
Ongoing Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling in the Gaza Strip continue to claim the lives of more Palestinians and worsen their living conditions.
The death toll from relentless Israeli attacks on the besieged territory since October 2023 has climbed to nearly 43,400 as of Tuesday, with over 102,000 injured.
At least 14 Palestinians were killed on Tuesday in a series of Israeli airstrikes on refugee tents and homes in Deir al-Balah, the Maghazi refugee camp, Khan Younis, and Gaza City.
Israel’s siege, ground incursion in northern Gaza Strip continues
Israel's month-long siege, ground invasion, and bombardment of the northern Gaza Strip continue amid food, water, fuel, and medicine shortages.
The bodies of 20 more people were unearthed from the rubble of a home struck by Israeli warplanes on Monday in the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, according to medical sources. The earlier death toll from the Israeli strike was 15.
Israeli aggression in Lebanon
Israel continued its attacks on Lebanon while Lebanese Hezbollah targeted Israel with rockets.
More than 3,000 people have been killed and nearly 13,500 injured in Israeli attacks since October 2023, according to Lebanese health authorities.
On Tuesday, five people were killed and eight others injured in two Israeli airstrikes in the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, according to the Health Ministry and local media.
Hezbollah said that it launched a rocket salvo targeting Israel’s Meron Air Base, the Ma'ale Golani military barracks in northern Israel, and an explosives manufacturing facility south of Haifa.
For its part, the Israeli army said that it intercepted a drone and two rockets fired from Lebanese territory towards northern Israel.
In a significant development, Israeli media reported that the army withdrew several brigades from southern Lebanon for refresher training based on an assessment of officials participating in cease-fire negotiations that a deal could be reached within a week-and-a-half to two weeks.
On Monday, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that Israel had rejected all proposed solutions for a cease-fire as it continued its attacks across Lebanon.
West Bank raids
The Israeli military continued raids on Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank.
On Tuesday, two Palestinians were killed when an Israeli drone struck a car in the town of Muthalath al-Shuhada, south of Jenin, witnesses said.
Two more Palestinian was killed in an Israeli military raid in Tammoun town in the northern West Bank.
Israeli forces also shot and killed three Palestinians in the town of Qabatiya, south of Jenin.
Israel has killed at least 772 people since October 2023, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,300 others, with over 11,600 taken into custody.
Following all topics through translation from Arabic wire, official accounts, and relevant websites in addition to giving breakings about related possible important developments.
Türkiye
Turkish President Erdogan in Kyrgyzstan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will take part in the family photo at the 11th Organization of Turkic States Council of Heads of State Summit and attend the summit session. Erdogan will attend the signing of the Summit Declaration and Resolutions, the award ceremony, and a reception hosted by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.
EUROPE
UK prime minister faces questions from lawmakers
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will take questions from lawmakers in the House of Commons.
EU Commission chief meets with French premier
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will receive France’s Prime Minister Michel Barnier.
European Parliament hearing with Commissioner-designate Kubilius
Andrius Kubilius, EU commissioner-designate for defense and space, faces a confirmation hearing before the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee.
EURASIA
Kyrgyzstan to host 11th Organization of Turkic States Council of Heads of State Summit
Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek is set today to host the 11th Organization of Turkic States Council of Heads of State Summit.
The summit brings together the five presidents of the organization – Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan – under the motto "Empowering the Turkic World: Economic Integration, Sustainable Development, Digital Future, and Security for All." The summit is expected to address issues of the economy, trade, digital transformation, transport and security, and will conclude with the passing of the organization's chairmanship from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan.
Top Russian diplomat to attend 21st Valdai International Discussion Club
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is to attend the 21st Valdai International Discussion Club in Sochi, an international discussion platform to address pressing issues of global affairs. The event, with the theme "A Lasting Peace and Free Development: Equal Opportunities and Security for All in the 21st Century," will bring together leading Russian and foreign experts.
AFRICA
South Africa hosts 4th annual Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony
South Africa is set to host the Earthshot Prize ceremony in Cape Town, where five winners will each receive £1 million ($1.3 million) for their work in environmental protection, restoration, and innovation. Britain's Prince William, who established the prize in 2020, will attend the ceremony, which brings together innovators, investors, and philanthropists.
Kenyan President to visit South Sudan on working visit
President William Ruto is expected to travel to South Sudan to hold talks with host Salva Kiir on the ongoing South Sudanese peace process taking place in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. South Sudan’s unity government and the opposition alliance started negotiations in May aimed at bringing lasting peace to the country.
Botswana’s parliament expected to open first session a week after polls
The Southern African nation of Botswana is expected to convene its first sitting of parliament days after the conclusion of the Oct. 30 presidential and parliamentary elections. Dumo Gideon Boko, leader of the Umbrella for Democratic Change, was declared president, defeating Mokgweetsi Masisi, marking the end of the Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) 58 years in power since the nation’s independence from Britain in 1966.
ASIA – PACIFIC
Malaysian Premier Anwar likely to meet Chinese leadership
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is likely to meet China’s President Xi Jinping. Anwar is in China for a four-day official visit which comes amid tensions between Beijing and Kuala Lumpur over competing claims in the disputed South China Sea. The two sides are expected to discuss bilateral, regional, and international issues, including the war on Gaza.
Chinese Premier Li to host leaders of Mekong nations
Chinese Premier Li Qiang is hosting the eighth Greater Mekong Subregion Summit in the city of Kunming in the southern Yunnan province. The leaders of five Mekong nations – Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam – as well as president of the Asian Development Bank will attend the two-day summit. It is the first trip to China by Myanmar junta leader Gen. Min Aung Hlaing since the February 2021 coup in his country.
Indian officials to brief lawmakers over murder allegations from Canada
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is likely to brief a panel of lawmakers on ongoing tensions with Canada over allegations linking Indian officials to a murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canada has also listed India as a cyber threat.
Philippines faces another typhoon
The Philippines is facing yet another typhoon which may make landfall over the Babuyan Islands or mainland Cagayan. Around 150 people were killed last month when by Tropical Storm Trami hit the Southeast Asian archipelago nation.
Pyongyang’s missile launches raise tensions on Korean Peninsula
South Korea and its allies including the US and Japan are likely to hold joint military drills in response to Pyongyang’s latest missile launches, which have raised tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Indonesia evacuates thousands of people from volcano-hit areas
Indonesian authorities continue to evacuate thousands of people from regions hit by active volcano Mt. Lewotobi Laki-laki on Flores Island in the East Nusa Tenggara province. Over 10,000 people have already been moved to safe places. At least 10 people have died and hundreds of houses damaged since the volcano erupted over the weekend.
Indonesian President Prabowo hosts Singapore Premier Wong in Jakarta
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto is hosting Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in Jakarta. Wong, on a two-day official trip to Southeast Asia’s economic powerhouse, is the first foreign leader to meet Prabowo since he was inaugurated last month. The two sides are likely to discuss bilateral issues as well as regional and international issues.
SPORTS
UEFA Champions League league phase matchday 4
Inter Milan vs. Arsenal
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atletico Madrid
Bayern Munich vs. Benfica
UEFA Europa League Matchday 4 (football, from office)
Besiktas vs. Malmo
SPECIAL REPORTS
Women pensioners speak out against ‘unfair’ new UK rules
Report on the pension changes made by the UK’s Labour government in its first budget, focusing on the criticism that the move has drawn from affected groups.
The story explains the changes, which include the way pensions are taxed and the age limit, and their impact on pensioners, particularly in the context of the UK’s cost-of-living crisis.
The report includes interviews with Lynne Ruddock, a coordinator of Women Against State Pension Inequality, and other members of the group, who explain their reservations and tell how the new rules are pushing people to make “a choice between heating and eating.”
LONDON, WITH VIDEO
NOTE: Story can be translated for all language services.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Interviews with Lynne Ruddock, a coordinator of Women Against State Pension Inequality, and other members of the group about pension changes announced by the UK government and their impact on Britons already struggling with a cost-of-living crisis.