ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Lebanon cease-fire efforts
Ongoing efforts to draft a cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon.
On Monday, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to a US-backed cease-fire with Lebanon. The deal is expected to be announced within two days.
Israeli sources claimed that the cease-fire deal with Lebanon is already set, and Netanyahu is now working on how to present it to the public.
KAN said the current talks are focused on Israel's freedom to operate along the borders with Lebanon and Syria after the agreement is finalized.
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle Eastern Affairs Daniel Shapiro held talks Monday with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz regarding the American proposal.
Shapiro arrived in Israel on Monday for an unannounced visit, with no details disclosed about its duration or agenda.
Israeli aggression in Lebanon
Israel's deadly attacks on Lebanon and the Hezbollah group's targeting of Israel with rockets and drones.
On Monday, at least 30 people were killed and several others injured in a series of Israeli airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon.
Israeli warplanes carried out three airstrikes on southern suburbs of Beirut shortly after issuing orders for immediate evacuation.
The overall death toll in Lebanon since October last year soared to 3,754, with over 15,600 others injured, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Sunday.
An Israeli was injured by a rocket barrage from Lebanon as the Israeli army said that 20 rockets were fired from Lebanon towards the Galilee region in northern Israel.
Israel's relentless genocide in Gaza Strip
In its second year, the ongoing Israeli genocidal war in the Gaza Strip continues to claim the lives of more Palestinians and worsen their living conditions.
On Monday, several people were also injured in an Israeli strike that targeted the Musabeh area in northern Rafah.
Israeli artillery also shelled the northern side of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, injuring several people.
The Israeli assaults on the besieged enclave has claimed the lives of more than 44,200 people and injured over 104,600 since Oct. 7, 2023.
Israel’s broadening blockade, ground invasion in northern Gaza Strip
Israel's more than a month-long incursion and bombardment of northern Gaza Strip have exacerbated shortages of food, water, fuel, and medicine, leaving most of the population there on the verge of imminent famine.
On Monday, at least four Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on southern Gaza and several injured as. The attacks came as the Israeli army continued to blow up Palestinian homes in the northern towns of Jabalia and Beit Lahia.
Since Oct. 5, Israel has launched a large-scale ground operation in northern Gaza to allegedly prevent Palestinian resistance group Hamas from regrouping. Palestinians, however, accuse Israel of seeking to occupy the area and forcibly displace its residents.
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.
On Monday, a group of 250 illegal Israeli settlers stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, escorted by Israeli police, according to Palestinian news agency. The settlers performed Talmudic rituals during their presence.
Israel has killed at least 795 people since October last year, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,450 others, with more than 11,800 taken into custody.
G7 foreign ministers meeting in Italy
G7 foreign ministers gather for a second day of meetings hosted by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Ministers are joined this morning by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha at their third session ahead of a fourth session where G7 ministers are joined by counterparts from the Indo-Pacific. Meeting comes after last Thursday's announcement from the International Criminal Court that it has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Mediterranean Dialogue conference continues in Rome
Annual conference on issues affecting the Mediterranean, hosted by Italy, continues. Speakers today include Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib.
NATO-Ukraine Council meeting
NATO-Ukraine Council is expected to meet to discuss the conflict with Russia in the wake of last week's test of a new Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile on Dnipro.
House of Commons questions session
Questions by lawmakers to ministers from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Questions may include situation in the Middle East as well as UK's support to Israel and the war in Ukraine. Questions are likely on whether the UK will arrest Israeli Premier Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant after ICC issued arrest warrants for them.
UN briefing in Geneva
The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists in Geneva. Spokespersons of various UN agencies and international organizations meet with reporters to evaluate most pressing issues around the world.
Germany’s Scholz meets Kyrgyz President Japarov in Berlin
Chancellor Olaf Scholz to meet Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov for talks on bilateral relations and international issues. The leaders are expected to discuss economic cooperation between Germany and Kyrgyzstan while addressing regional developments and the ongoing implications of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to Scholz's spokesman.
Angela Merkel publishes long-awaited memoir in Berlin
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s long-awaited memoir “Freedom. Memories 1954-2021” will be released Tuesday. In the book, Merkel provides insights from her conversations with world leaders, detailing her 16 years at the helm of Europe's largest economy. The memoir covers her early life in East Germany, her rise to power, and the major crises she faced during her chancellorship between 2005 and 2021.
UK climate targets at risk: Friends of the Earth report
Friends of the Earth publishes a report on the 16th anniversary of the Climate Change Act. The report warns climate policy is at a precipice, with targets spiraling off track and an urgent need for a lawful, fair and ambitious new climate plan.
Turkish foreign minister to participate in UN Alliance of Civilizations Forum
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will take part in the 10th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in Cascais, Portugal.
Reactions to imminent Lebanon cease-fire
Reactions from the Biden administration regarding an imminent cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah.
UN event on Palestinian solidarity
A special meeting to mark International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which is organized by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.
Security Council meeting on North Korea
UN Security Council will meet for consultations on the 1718 Committee on North Korea, which oversees sanctions on the country.
Trudeau chairs Cabinet meeting
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to chair a Cabinet meeting. Later, he will attend Question Period in the House of Commons.
Snap provincial elections in Canada's Nova Scotia
Voters to elect 55 members to the provincial legislative assembly for four-year terms. Last elections were held on Aug. 17, 2021, and saw Tim Houston's Progressive Conservative Party win 31 seats. Houston called a snap election on Oct. 27 ahead of national elections scheduled for next year.
Escalating violence in Haiti
Developments in Haiti amid escalating gang violence in and around Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Haiti has faced instability since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, which left thousands of people dead and displaced.
43rd meeting of Russia's Council of Heads of Constituent Entities
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to chair the 43rd meeting of the Council of the Heads of Constituent Entities of the Russian Federation at the Foreign Ministry. The focus of the meeting will be on the regions’ agrarian diplomacy. The meeting will be attended by governors and senior staff of the Presidential Executive Office and federal bodies of executive authority.
Russia, Ukraine accuse each other of missile attacks
Since early this week, Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of using long-range Western missiles and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), respectively. The accusations followed Russian claim last week that it downed US-made ATACMS and UK-made Storm Shadow missiles on Russian territory. Later in the week, Russia said it struck a plant in Ukraine using a new ballistic missile. Official remarks and statements on the issue from both Moscow and Kyiv are expected.
Belarusian President Lukashenko meets Pakistani leadership
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko meets with Pakistani leadership, including President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during his three-day visit to Islamabad. The two sides will discuss regional and global developments, aside from bilateral relations.
Thousands of Imran Khan supporters descend on Pakistani capital
Tens of thousands of supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have reached outskirts of capital Islamabad to demand release of the former cricket star besides other political detainees. They are also demanding probe into “stolen mandate,” referring to alleged mass rigging of Feb. 8 general elections. Government denies all allegations and has warned of heavy hand if protestors enter the capital.
Foreign Ministry to hold briefing in Beijing
China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference in Beijing. Beijing is expected to respond to regional and international issues.
Dialogue to end post-election violence in Mozambique
Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi is expected to hold a meeting with four presidential candidates who participated in the Oct. 9 elections in a bid to initiate a dialogue aimed at ending the month-long post-election violence in the Southern African nation. Protests began after Daniel Chapo of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front party was declared winner after getting 71% of the vote, defeating closest challenger Venancio Mondlane who got 20%. Mondlane denounced the results claiming the polls were rigged. Several people have been killed in clashes since late October.
South Sudan holds annual conference to discuss governance, security
Leaders in South Sudan to attend a three-day annual governors’ forum in capital Juba aimed at discussing a wide range of policy issues around governance, the economy, and security. The world’s youngest nation has experienced years of conflict leading to displacement of people, derailing development and contributing to food insecurity.
THE ECONOMY
US house prices
The US to share house price index for September. House prices rose by 4.2% in August on a yearly basis.
MUSIAD Expo
Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD) to organize International Trade Fair. The fair will include domestic and foreign firms as well as panels and speeches.
SPORTS
UEFA Champions League matchday 5
Bayern Munich vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Manchester City vs. Feyenoord
Inter Milan vs. RB Leipzig
Sporting vs. Arsenal
Barcelona vs. Brest
SPECIAL REPORTS
ICC warrants in interest of Israel, could halt descent into ‘fascist dictatorship’: Suspended Israeli MP
Interview with Ofer Cassif, an Israeli parliamentarian who has been highly critical of Israel’s genocide in Gaza and its violent occupation of Palestinian territories.
Cassif speaks about the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ex-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, welcoming the decision and explaining why he believes it would be in the “interests of Israel.”
The lawmaker also discusses the increasing repression of dissenting voices in Israel, as well as the pressure and intimidation he has been personally facing from the Israeli government for his pro-Palestine advocacy, including his recent six-month suspension from the Knesset.
Indonesia regional elections: What’s at stake for new president?
Explainer on Indonesia’s provincial elections scheduled to be held across 42 states and regions on Nov. 27.
The story focuses on the significance of the elections for President Prabowo Subianto, who took office in October, and how they could represent a challenge to his power or pave the way for a stronger mandate for his rule.
The report will also give key details of the elections, including voter demographics, process, key contenders, along with comments from experts about the expected outcomes and their impact on Indonesia’s political landscape.
FACTBOX - Namibia elections: All you need to know
Explainer on the general elections to be held in Namibia on Nov. 27, where some 1.4 million registered voters will choose a new president and lawmakers.
The story gives key details of the elections, including voter demographics, process, key contenders, and the significance, particularly as Namibia’s Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah could become the country’s first female president if she wins on Wednesday.
It includes comments from Sikha Masuku, a research fellow at the Institute for Democracy Citizenship and Public Policy in Africa at the University of Cape Town, who presents an overview of the expected outcomes and how the results could shape the course of Namibia’s domestic, regional, and international policies.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO - Interview with Israeli parliamentarian Ofer Cassif about increasing political repression in Israel under the Netanyahu government, as well as the impact of the ICC decision to issue arrest warrants for the prime minister and former defense minister.