Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

MENA

PALESTINE

Gaza Strip - Israel continues its deadly military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which has killed at least 22,185 Palestinians and injured 56,451 others since Oct. 7, as Defense Minister Yoav Gallant denies Tel Aviv was scaling down its attacks on the Palestinian territory after the withdrawal of five brigades from the enclave.

Ramallah - The Israeli army continues its military raids into Palestinian towns in the occupied West Bank, with at least 527 Palestinians killed and 3,800 others injured since Oct. 7. Figures released by an Israeli human rights group showed that nearly 8,600 Palestinians are currently held at Israeli prisons amid a massive military offensive against the Gaza Strip.

LEBANON

Beirut - Cross-border fire continues between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah in the deadliest clashes between the two sides since their last war in 2006. More than 160 people, including nearly 30 Lebanese civilians, have been killed since the clashes first erupted on Oct. 8, according to Lebanese figures.

Beirut - Developments after the assassination of Hamas deputy leader Saleh Arouri in an Israeli drone strike in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

EUROPE

UK

London - Junior doctors who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) to go on strike for six days in an ongoing dispute over pay - the longest strike in NHS history.

EURASIA

KAZAKHSTAN

Astana - The Egemen Qazaqstan newspaper to publish an interview with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev regarding issues in domestic and foreign policy.

RUSSIA

Moscow - Developments after Ukraine’s air attack on the city of Belgorod late Saturday.

UKRAINE

Kyiv - Russian air attacks on various cities of Ukraine since Friday.

US

Washington - Statements from the Biden administration on Gaza conflict and potential pro-Palestine demonstrations.

New York - UN Security Council to meet to discuss situation in the Red Sea amid attacks on merchant vessels by Yemen's Houthi rebels.

Texas - US House Speaker Mike Johnson and several Republican representatives to visit border with Mexico. They will meet with state and local officials to discuss the failures of the Biden administration to enforce border policy.

ASIA PASIFIC

INDIA

New Delhi - Several Indian states are witnessing strike by truck, bus and tanker drivers to protest against the new regulation, which carries severe punishment in hit and run cases, brought under newly implemented criminal laws. Protesters have blocked roads and highways in several states. The report will include comments from members of fuel associations as well as traders as the blockade has resulted in shortage of fuel in many parts.

JAPAN

Ishikawa - Death toll has climbed to 64 in central Japan since Monday when massive earthquakes hit Japan, causing widespread damages to infrastructure.

CHINA

Beijing - Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference.

ECONOMY

Ankara - Turkish Statistical Institute to reveal annual inflation figures for December.

Berlin - Germany’s Destatis to share unemployment rate for December.

SPORTS

Barcelona - Turkish Airlines EuroLeague leaders Real Madrid to visit bitter rivals Barcelona in Round 18 of top-tier basketball competition. Meanwhile, Türkiye's Anadolu Efes, who are in lower ranks in EuroLeague, to face Valencia Basket in Spain.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Gaza war pushing Israeli economy to recession, warns Israeli economist

By Rabia Ali and Gokhan Ergocun

Istanbul - Report about Israel’s economic situation and expectations for 2024, particularly in the context of its ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.

The story includes an interview with leading Israeli economist Joseph Zeira, who lays out a grave assessment for the coming year, warning that Israel is most likely headed to a recession.

He explains the reasons for the bleak economic outlook and gives his analysis about the potential impact on the current government.

2024: Asia’s year of elections

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

Istanbul - Report compiling several presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled to be held in the Asia-Pacific region in 2024.

The report gives all major details for polls to be held in India, Indonesia, South Korea, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Taiwan and the Solomon Islands, including main contenders, voting dates and related figures.

It also includes comments and assessments from Zakaria Polash, a Dhaka-based political analyst and author; Chienyu Shih, a research fellow at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research; and Praveen Donthi, senior analyst for India at the International Crisis Group.

More environmental disasters likely in 2024 due to climate change: Expert

By Zehra Nur Duz

Ankara - Report on the global environmental situation and expectations for 2024, focusing on the primary issue of climate change and its growing impacts.

The story includes an interview with Leslie Mabon, lecturer in environmental systems at the Open University in UK, who speaks about recent international efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, curb emissions and mitigate the effects of global warming.

He also shares his views on possible extreme weather events and related issues for this year, warning that there are currently no immediate indicators of a reduction in the threat level.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Israeli economist Joseph Zeira about Israel’s economic situation and expectations for 2024, particularly in the context of its ongoing war on the Gaza Strip. Zeira lays out a grave assessment for the coming year, warning that Israel is most likely headed to a recession.

VIDEO - Interview with Leslie Mabon, lecturer in environmental systems at the Open University in UK, about the global environmental situation and expectations for 2024, focusing on the primary issue of climate change and its growing impacts.

INFOGRAPHIC - Visualization of presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled to be held in several Asia-Pacific countries in 2024, namely India, Indonesia, South Korea, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Taiwan and the Solomon Islands, with details including main contenders, voting dates and related figures.