Diary

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

RUSSIA

MOSCOW - On visit to Russian capital, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan set to appear in joint press conference with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

SPAIN

TOLEDO - European Union defense ministers continue informal meeting with discussions likely to include Ukraine as well as recent changes in administration in Niger and Gabon. Closing press conference with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Spain's acting Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares is planned.

FRANCE

PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron to host German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for dinner to mark 60th anniversary of Elysee Treaty. Signed in 1963 by France and West Germany, treaty symbolizes reconciliation between two nations and lays foundations for close bilateral cooperation to support European integration.

UK

LONDON - Deadline for Afghan refugees to leave emergency accommodation to be reached. State Minister Johnny Mercer announced in April government is giving refugees notice to leave hotels and move into permanent homes, or present to local councils as homeless. Around 9,000 refugees from Afghanistan are staying in hotels after fleeing Taliban. New plan does not apply to people living in hotels managed by Home Office.

LONDON - Members of RMT union to hold rally opposite 10 Downing Street to protest Rail Delivery Group's proposals to close down up to 1,000 ticket offices.

LONDON - Home Office to announce findings of dismissals review and efforts to restore public trust in policing. Review was launched earlier this year following several high-profile cases, including murder of Sarah Everard and serial rapes of David Carrick.

MONGOLIA

ULAANBAATAR - Pope Francis to begin visit to Mongolia, home to one of world's tiniest Catholic communities, lasting through next Monday.

US

NEW YORK - US’ UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield to deliver remarks on completion of US Presidency of UN Security Council.

NEW YORK - UN Security Council to vote on resolution renewing mandate of UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Vote was expected on Wednesday but was delayed over disagreement between France, US, and UAE over movement of UN peacekeeping troops.

NEW YORK - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to preview upcoming travels at news conference.

GABON

LIBREVILLE - Monitoring developments after military officers claimed to take power in Gabon and detained President Ali Bongo immediately after he was officially declared winner of Saturday’s general election. Gabon’s coup leaders named Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema country's transitional president.

LEBANON

BEIRUT - Following rising tensions between Lebanon and Israel amid Israeli accusing Hezbollah of escalating situation along border. Israel is "the nearest to launching military action in Lebanon since the 2006 [war]," warned Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan.

TÜRKİYE

ANKARA - Türkiye’s major technology and aviation event TEKNOFEST continues in capital Ankara. Marking 100th anniversary of founding of Republic of Türkiye, event was planned in three different provinces this year. 2023's first edition of event was held at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport in May, welcoming 2.5 million visitors – a world record. Third edition for this year will be held in Aegean city of Izmir on Sept. 27-Oct. 1.

ECONOMY

ANKARA - Turkish statistical authority to announce Türkiye’s GDP for 2nd quarter and also for year 2022. Turkish economy expanded 4% year-on-year in first quarter of 2023, slightly higher than 3.5% in previous period and beating forecasts of 3.9%.

LUXEMBOURG - Eurostat to share provisional inflation figures for August and unemployment for July.

SPORTS

ENSCHEDE / ISTANBUL /ADANA - In UEFA Europa Conference League playoff round 2 leg matches, Fenerbahce to face the Netherlands' Twente, while Besiktas to take on Ukraine's Dinamo Kiev, Adana Demirspor to play against Belgium's Genk.

NEW YORK - Following US Open Round 2 matches. On Wednesday, seventh-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas was eliminated in five-set shocker loss to 21-year-old Swiss qualifier Dominic Stricker.

MONACO - UEFA Champions League group draws to be drawn.

SPECIAL REPORT

Saudi Arabia eyes industrial cooperation with Türkiye: Industry minister

- There are major opportunities for cooperation between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Saudi industry minister tells Anadolu

By Hassan Mekki

ANKARA (AA) – Saudi Arabia’s relations with Türkiye have entered a phase of partnership, according to the kingdom’s industry minister.

SPECIAL REPORT

Pension reform in France: Timeline of social unrest

- Reform raising retirement age from 62 to 64 sparked outcry, triggered huge protests, walkouts from January to June

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – France’s controversial pension reform law is set to go into effect on Friday, Sept. 1.

SPECIAL REPORT

What next after another disputed election in Zimbabwe?

Elections fell short of requirements of Constitution of Zimbabwe, Electoral Act, and SADC Principles and Guidelines

By Jeffrey Moyo

HARARE - Zimbabwe- (AA) - Elections may have come and gone in Zimbabwe, but the same tears that the world witnessed being shed by the opposition in previous polls in the southern African nation have resurfaced.

SPECIAL REPORT

Gabon coup: Another blow to French influence in Africa

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - In a startling turn of events on Aug. 30, military leaders in Gabon declared a coup on national television mere hours after the controversial reelection of President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who was told he had secured a third term in power.