Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, December 29, 2023 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

MIDDLE EAST

PALESTINE

Gaza Strip - Israel continues to pound Gaza Strip from air and land with Palestinian death toll rising to 21,320, with 55,603 injured. Catastrophic humanitarian conditions and hunger persist in enclave, where nearly 40% of the population is at risk of famine as announced by UN, as Israel allows only a trickle of food, water, fuel, and other supplies into blockaded territory.

Ramallah - Israeli army continues its raids into Palestinian towns in occupied West Bank, with at least 314 Palestinians killed, 3,300 others injured, and nearly 4,820 others detained by Israeli forces in occupied territory since Oct. 7.

EGYPT

Cairo - Egypt presents framework proposal to end Israeli offensive on Gaza Strip that includes three phases ending with cease-fire, with Cairo waiting for responses from Israel and Hamas on its plan amid reports that proposal includes prisoner swap. Delegations from Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad are already in Cairo for talks on proposal. Nearly 130 Israeli hostages have been held by Palestinian groups in Gaza Strip since Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. November swap deal saw the release of 84 Israelis and 24 foreigners by Hamas in exchange for 240 Palestinians from Israeli jails, including 71 women and 169 children.

LEBANON

Beirut - Cross-border fire continues between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah in deadliest clashes between two sides since their last war in 2006. More than 150 people, including nearly 30 Lebanese civilians, have been killed since clashes first erupted on Oct. 8, according to Lebanese figures.

TÜRKİYE

Istanbul - Communications Director Fahrettin Altun to attend "Bulletproof Dreams: Gaza Child Painters Exhibition" opening, art project.

EUROPE

UK

London - Vigil in honor of journalists and health care workers killed in Gaza.

EURASIA

RUSSIA

St. Petersburg - Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to conclude official visit.

ASIA - PACIFIC

CHINA

Beijing - Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference.

US

Washington - Desk tracking potential statements from Biden administration on Gaza conflict and protests in solidarity with Palestine.

New York - UN Security Council to discuss situation in Afghanistan.

New York - UN Security Council to situation in Middle East, including Palestinian issue.

THE ECONOMY

Ankara - Turkish Statistical Institute to share foreign trade figures for November. Foreign trade gap in October was at $6.5 billion, $5 billion in September, and $8.66 billion in August.

Ankara - Turkish banking watchdog to announce sector figures for November.

Moscow - Russia to release annual inflation data. Rate has been on an upward trend since April. Last month it was at 7.5%.

SPORTS

Riyadh - 2023 Turkcell Super Cup final clash between Turkish Super Lig 2022-23 Champions Galatasaray and Ziraat Turkish Cup winners Fenerbahce.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Palestinians in exile gather in Paris to recount heartbreak in Gaza

By Hafsa Alami

Paris - Report on experiences of Palestinian diaspora community, many of whom gathered in Paris suburb of Nanterre to discuss what they have been going through since Israel launched its military campaign on Gaza Strip, where many have friends and family.

Includes interviews with members of community who came to Paris for event but live in Brussels. Abdelaziz, student from Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, criticizes France’s stance on Israeli-Palestinian conflict and voices hope for end to suffering and siege in enclave, while Selma, a midwife, expresses fear for her family there. Her husband Ismail, who has worked for over a decade as a journalist in Gaza, criticizes global inaction on Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.

Also includes information on event in Nanterre, France’s restrictions on pro-Palestinian demonstrations, and its position on war in Gaza.

Russia’s year-end economy on rise despite sanctions

By Elena Teslova

Moscow – Year-end report on improving prospects for Russia’s economy despite ongoing international sanctions, as economy has shown noticeable resilience in face of Western economic pressure, charting course toward stability and expansion.

Includes interview with Sergey Markov, former advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Markov outlines dynamics shaping course of Russia's economy as 2023 comes to an end. On how Russia has been able to navigate sanctions, he points to its wealth in natural resources, industrial development, measures taken by government, and world’s shift to multipolar structure of power.

Markov also warns of challenges country may face in near future, including need to make its economy more resistant to future sanctions, fill niches left by departing Western companies, and address worker shortages, which have led to rising salaries and inflation.

Türkiye’s economy sees year of achievements, challenges in 2023

By Tuba Ongun

Ankara - Report on Türkiye's economic achievements over past year including robust gross domestic product growth, monetary tightening, improved credit ratings, positive export performance, and international collaborations, despite facing challenges like earthquakes and inflation.

Includes data on key economic indicators, including GDP and growth, inflation, unemployment, economic confidence, and imports and exports, compiled from Turkish Statistical Authority (TurkStat), Central Bank, and Trade Ministry.

Also contains information from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, including on cost of Feb. 6 earthquakes, and international institutions on revising their outlook on Türkiye’s economy.

El Nino drought takes heavy toll on wildlife in Zimbabwe

By Jeffrey Moyo

Harare, Zimbabwe - Report highlighting devastating impact of severe weather conditions, exacerbated by El Nino, on Zimbabwe's wildlife, particularly elephants, leading to deaths due to hunger and thirst.

Includes Msimanga Tshuma, resident of the town of Hwange, telling Anadolu about vulnerability of weakened wildlife, particularly elephants, to poaching amid drought crisis. Also includes information on forced migration of animals in search of food and water, and broader impact of ongoing Southern Africa drought crisis on both people and wildlife.

Also emphasizes broader environmental and climate challenges, including drought and poaching, affecting wildlife across country amid deepening crisis marked by environmental and climate challenges.

NEW MEDIA

Video - Footage showing scenes from pro-Palestinian demonstration in Paris, as well as interviews with three members of Palestinian diaspora community about their experiences and concerns for loved ones in Gaza as it faces effects of Israel’s continued war.