Diary

ANKARA (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu’s English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

GAZA CITY – Following up political, humanitarian developments in Gaza Strip amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes on the enclave following Hamas attack inside Israeli territory. A humanitarian disaster looms in Gaza as the city runs out of medical supplies, and water.

EGYPT

CAIRO – Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to pay official visit to Egypt upon invitation of his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry amid ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

ISRAEL

TEL AVIV - US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to travel to Israel.

US

WASHINGTON – To monitor repercussions of recent Israel-Palestine conflict, statements from Biden administration.

NEW YORK – UN Security Council members to meet, with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira chairing session, to discuss situation in Gaza amid Israeli airstrikes and siege in wake of Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas.

WASHINGTON – US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to release monthly global climate report.

BELGIUM

BRUSSELS – Pro-Palestinian demonstrations expected in several cities across Europe, including Belgrade, Rome and Athens. Authorities in Germany and France banned such demonstrations citing security concerns.

SWITZERLAND

GENEVA – UN Information Office to hold its bi-weekly press conference where several officials from different UN or international agencies address latest agenda around world. Lynn Hastings, humanitarian coordinator for occupied Palestinian territory, to join presser.

FRANCE

PARIS – French trade unions to hold further protests against austerity policies, pension reforms and gender inequality.

TÜRKİYE

ANKARA – Activity of Weapons Free-2023, which provides deterrence by demonstrating firepower of Turkish Armed Forces, to be carried out. National Defense Ministers Yasar Guler to attend event.

KYRGYZSTAN

BISHKEK – Separate meetings of heads and foreign ministers of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), international organization designed to regulate relations of cooperation between some states that were formerly part of Soviet Union. It consists of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.

BISHKEK – Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold talks with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon.

CHINA

BEIJING – China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi to host EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell for 12th round of High-Level Strategic Dialogue.

INDIA

NEW DELHI – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate G-20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit, which Canadian parliament speaker has skipped.

SPORTS

MUGLA, Türkiye – Sixth stage of 58th Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye to be held. Nico Denz of Bora-Hansgrohe team wins previous stage. Tour of Türkiye to end Sunday in Istanbul.

AMSTERDAM – Following UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying group matches; in game of night, second-place Netherlands to face Group B leaders France at home. France won all their five matches to be on top, while Netherlands, who have a game in hand, have 9 points.

VALENCIA, Spain – Türkiye’s Fenerbahce Beko to visit Spain’s Valencia Basket in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Round 2 game.

ECONOMY

ISTANBUL – Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum, organized by the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye, Turkish Trade Ministry and African Union jointly, to continue in Istanbul. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expected to attend event.

BEIJING – China to release inflation, producer prices and foreign trade figures for September. The rate was at 0.1% in August while at minus 0.3% in July. September figure is expected to be at 0.2%. Producer prices have been decreasing since September 2022 and this trend is expected to continue in September.

PARIS – France’s statistical office Insee to share inflation figures for September. It was at 4.9% in August and is expected to increase to 4.9% in September.

LUXEMBOURG – Eurostat to reveal industrial production figures for August. Production was in negative territory for three months and it is expected to drop in August as well.

PARIS – OECD area unemployment rate to be revealed.

SPECIAL REPORT

Not in short term but Gaza conflict could impact Ukraine war down the line: Experts

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL – Interview with Simon Schlegel and Oleg Ignatov from the International Crisis Group and Joseph Dresen from the Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute about the possible impacts of the Israel-Palestine conflict on the Russia-Ukraine war.

Escalations in the Middle East have pushed the Russia-Ukraine war away from the spotlight of international media, even leading to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arguing that this risks “distracting” the international community from his country.

The three experts argue that the situation in and around the Gaza Strip will not have a significant impact on the war in Ukraine in the short term, but this may change in the future based on certain scenarios.

They also speak about the discussions regarding whether Europe can fill the gap left by a possible decrease in US military support for Ukraine.

SPECIAL REPORT

Poland awaits knife-edge election after brutal campaign

By Jo Harper

WARSAW – Report about the crucial parliamentary elections in Poland scheduled for Oct. 15, which will be held after a divisive period of campaigning.

The report includes latest polling figures for the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party and the main opposition coalition, and explains the most likely scenarios for the election results.

It also gives details about the manifestos and action plans of various parties, supported with comments and analysis from Aleks Szczerbiak, a lecturer at Sussex University, and Anthony Levitas of Brown University.

SPECIAL REPORT

Engin Music: Connecting Türkiye, Germany through Anatolian rock melodies

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL – Interview with Engin, an three-member indie band based in Germany, who specialize in the genre of Anatolian rock.

The story focuses on the band’s journey over the years and how they stumbled upon Anatolian rock, a genre that is a fusion of Turkish folk music and rock.

The trio – Engin Devekiran, Jonas Stiegler and David Knevels – speak about their musical inspirations and experiences in the field.

Another aspect they speak about is their aim of using their music to break down barriers and bring together people, especially the vibrant communities of Turkish and German music lovers.

SPECIAL REPORT

Music has power to foster peace and obliterate differences: African musical icon

By Aise Humeyra Akgun and Omer Faruk Yildiz

ISTANBUL – Interview with Angelique Kidjo, a Grammy-winning African music icon, who was in Türkiye for the Beyoglu Culture Road Festival.

The Beninese-French artist speaks about the inherent power of music to bridge differences and foster stronger connections between people from different cultures.

Kidjo also speaks about her experiences in her decorated career, the challenges she has faced throughout her journey, and future plans for her philanthropic efforts.

NEW MEDIA

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