Diary

ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza Strip - Israel continues its deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip, which claimed the lives of 24,100 Palestinians and injured 60,634 others since Oct. 7, with the majority being women and children amid catastrophic humanitarian conditions. According to the UN, 85% of Gaza’s population is already internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure is damaged or destroyed.

Ramallah - The Israeli army continues its daily military incursions into Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, which have left at least 354 people dead and nearly 4,000 others injured since Oct. 7 amid rising tensions across the area.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv - Calls for a new Israeli government grows amid a genocide lawsuit filed by South Africa accusing Tel Aviv of genocidal crimes in the Gaza Strip following its deadly offensive on the Palestinian enclave. This comes as anger grows among families of Israeli hostages over the Netanyahu government's failure to reach an agreement with Hamas to free them. Hamas is thought to be holding nearly 136 Israelis in Gaza after its cross-border attack on Oct. 7.

LEBANON

Beirut - The cross-border fire continues between Hezbollah and Israel amid escalation, which has left nearly 200 people dead on the Lebanese side and 15 others on the Israeli side since Oct. 8, in the deadliest clashes between the two sides since their all-out war in 2006.

YEMEN

Sanaa - Tensions in the Red Sea remain high amid the US and UK attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen in retaliation for attacks on commercial ships believed to be linked to Israel, with the Yemeni group threatening an "open battle" with Washington. The Houthis' attacks in the Red Sea have forced commercial ships to take a longer, costlier route around Africa, raising concerns about another bout of inflation and supply chain disruption.

While the US and British officials stress the continuation of bombing Houthi targets in Yemen, the Iran-backed group also vowed to remain in its position to prevent Israel-linked ships from sailing in the Red Sea. Further exchange of fire is feared in this hot and escalating conflict.

SWITZERLAND

Davos - World Economic Forum will continue, with addresses by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will all speak at the "Securing an Insecure World" event.

FRANCE

Strasbourg - Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo to speak on the Belgian Presidency. The European Parliament will hold a plenary session to discuss EU Council and Commission statements on keeping commitments and providing military assistance to Ukraine, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need for a cease-fire and the risks of regional tensions escalating, and the fight against the resurgence of neo-fascist ideology in Europe.

UK

London - A parliamentary committee to consider the bill on the controversial Rwanda plan, and any amendments may be voted on.

HUNGARY

Budapest - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is expected to host his counterpart from Slovakia Robert Fico.

RUSSIA

Moscow - Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet with his North Korean counterpart Choe Song-hu, who arrived in Russia on a three-day official visit.

Moscow - The spring session of the State Duma will open, during which it will consider a bill on insurance of people who volunteered to take part in the "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Moscow - The United Russia party will collect signatures throughout the day in support of the nomination of incumbent President Vladimir Putin in the upcoming presidential election.

US

Washington - US federal employees are reportedly planning to walk off the job to protest the Biden administration's handling of the Gaza conflict.

Washington - It is expected that the US will respond to Houthi attacks on vessels navigating the Red Sea. Recently, Iran-backed Houthis announced a strike on the US container ship "Gibraltar Eagle."

Washington - Former President Donald Trump plans to hold a rally in New Hampshire following Monday's Iowa caucuses.

Washington - The House of Representatives is expected to vote on a resolution holding President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, in contempt of Congress for defying committee subpoenas.

New York - UN Security Council to meet for consultations on Yemen.

CHINA

Beijing - Premier Li Qiang to address World Economic Forum in Davos.

Beijing - Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference.

TÜRKİYE

ANKARA - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to chair Cabinet meeting before addressing the nation about domestic and international issues.

ANKARA - Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to meet with Gordan Grlic Radman, Croatia’s minister of foreign and European affairs, to discuss all aspects of bilateral relations, as well as regional developments.

ANKARA - Fidan to meet with Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa as the two nations mark the centennial of their diplomatic relations. Both ministers will discuss all aspects of bilateral relations, as well as current global and regional issues.

SPORTS

Ivory Coast - Africa Cup of Nations group games to be held as Tunisia vs. Namibia, and Mali vs. South Africa games to be played.

Melbourne - Women's and men's singles to be held at Australian Open, first Grand Slam of 2024.

THE ECONOMY

Berlin - Germany to reveal second reading of inflation for December. Previously released flash data showed that Germany's annual consumer inflation rose to 3.7% in December.

Mannheim - Zew institute to share Germany and eurozone’s economic sentiment figures for January.

SPECIAL REPORTS

ICJ trial impact: Increased isolation for Israel, stronger support for Palestine

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul - Report about the political consequences for Israel in the wake of South Africa’s genocide case at the International Court of Justice.

It focuses on the emerging divisions between the Global South and North, and how the case could increase Israel’s diplomatic isolation while spurring more support for the Palestinian cause.

The report includes comments from political analyst Ali Bakeer and Zeidon Alkinani, non-resident fellow at the Arab Center Washington DC, about the fallout of the case and the emerging global alliances.

What does Taiwan’s election outcome mean for China, US and the world?

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

Istanbul - Report on bilateral and geopolitical consequences of the recent elections in Taiwan and the victory of the ruling Democratic Progress Party, which China sees as a pro-independence force.

It includes interviews with Amanda Hsiao, China analyst at the International Crisis Group; Shun-wen Wang of the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan; Chinese political analyst Einar Tangen; Hong Kong-based international affairs expert Andrew Leung; Chienyu Shih of the Taiwan Institute for National Defense and Security Research; and academic Haiyun Ma from the US’ Frostburg University.

They speak about the implications for Taiwan on the domestic and foreign fronts, its relations with China and the US, as well as possible future strategies of the Taiwanese government.

Kenya’s thriving lion population defies global trends

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya - Report about the thriving lion population in Kenya, where their numbers are growing despite a range of challenges.

The report has comparative figures for Kenya’s lion population over recent years, and gives details of the conservation efforts and innovative strategies employed in the East African country to boost their numbers.

It includes interviews with Eunice Peneti, leader of Team Lioness, Kenya’s first all-women group of rangers; Yussuf Wato, an official of WWF Kenya; Azzedine Downes, head of the International Fund for Animal Welfare; and Philip Muruthi of the Africa Wildlife Foundation.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Report about the growing lion population in Kenya, focusing on the conservation efforts and innovative strategies used in the country. It has interviews with Eunice Peneti, leader of Team Lioness, Kenya’s first all-women group of rangers, and other conservation officials, including Yussuf Wato of WWF Kenya.