Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza City – Developments in the Gaza Strip as Israeli military offensive since Oct. 7, which has so far killed 27,947 people and injured 67,459 others, continues. Army plans to advance southward towards the city of Rafah amid concerns of worsening the already dire humanitarian conditions in the enclave.

Ramallah – Israeli army's daily raids into Palestinian towns and cities of West Bank have so far left nearly 390 Palestinians dead and 4,400 others injured, while nearly 6,940 have been detained since last October.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv – Israeli response to Hamas proposal for cease-fire deal in Gaza. The Palestinian group suggested a 3-stage plan, each lasting 45 days during which military operations would be completely halted and prisoners and remains would be exchanged.

EGYPT

Cairo - Hamas delegation led by official Khalil al-Hayya's visit to Cairo for cease-fire deal in Gaza.

IRAQ

Baghdad - Escalating tension between Baghdad and Washington after US strike that killed Iraqi Kataib Hezbollah commander, Abu Baqir al-Saadi.

LEBANON

Beirut – Cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces along the shared border. Tensions, which escalated after Hamas attacks last year, have so far killed more than 200 people.

YEMEN

Sanaa - Growing tension in the Red Sea due to Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel, and US retaliatory airstrikes against targets inside Yemen.

UK

LONDON - Pro-Palestinian groups to march for cease-fire in Gaza. Hundreds of thousands of people have joined marches since Oct 7.

RUSSIA

Moscow — President Vladimir Putin to address the nation on Day of the Diplomatic Workers.

PAKISTAN

Islamabad – Counting of Pakistan election results still continues, with independents backed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has claimed victory, taking a lead. Ex-Premier Nawaz Sharif has called for forming a national unity government.

SPORTS

QATAR

Lusail - Defending champions Qatar to face Jordan in 2023 AFC Asian Cup final at Lusail Stadium. Jordan set to play their first Asian Cup final.

IVORY COAST

Abidjan - South Africa to play against Democratic Republic of Congo in 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) third-place playoff.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Finland firm in its position against Russia as presidential election looms

By Leila Nezirevic

LONDON (AA) - As Finnish citizens prepare to vote on Sunday in a presidential election runoff between former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb and ex-Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, they are faced with an election that is widely seen as historically the most important after the Nordic country's NATO membership.

ANALYSIS - Can F-16 sale signal a new era in Türkiye-US relations?

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US approval of the long-stalled sale of F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye shortly after Turkish parliament’s ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership has been seen by many as some boost to strained ties between the two NATO allies.

Some caution that it may be "too early" to conclude that all disputes will be resolved, while others emphasize that the allies still maintain a "positive strategic relationship."