Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) — Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Sunday, March 17, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza City - The death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,553, while 73,546 others have been injured as Israel wages its relentless offensive and crippling blockade that has left most on the verge of starvation.

Amid efforts to send aid via a new sea route to the Palestinians in the besieged territory, the first maritime aid shipment to the enclave since Oct. 7 has been unloaded on its shores, bringing 200 tons of food donated by the US-based charity World Central Kitchen.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA said Saturday that a third of children under the age of two in northern Gaza is now acutely malnourished. The agency warned that “famine is looming and there is no time to waste.”

RAMALLAH - Tensions persist in the occupied West Bank due to escalating Israeli army actions since the outbreak of the war in Gaza. Israeli military raids in the West Bank have resulted in the death of over 434 Palestinians and the injury of around 4,700 others. The number of arrests there has risen to 7,605, setting record figures over nearly five months compared to previous years.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv - Escalating protests in Israel to pressure on Israeli government to reach a prisoner swap deal with Palestinians.

Further reactions by Israeli officials on the Hamas cease-fire proposal in Gaza, which was presented to Israel on Thursday through mediators.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to visit Israel, where he will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

LEBANON

Beirut - Cross-border tensions ongoing between Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel as both sides fire volleys of intensified attacks. More than 300 people are estimated to have been killed in Lebanon, including 240 Hezbollah fighters, since then. Nearly 20 Israelis have also been killed, according to Israeli figures.

YEMEN

Sanaa - Continuous, escalating tensions in the Red Sea as the Houthi group attacks commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel and the US retaliates with airstrikes against Houthi targets inside Yemen. Concerns are climbing of the deadly impact on shipping traffic in one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

ETHIOPIA

Addis Ababa - Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis to visit Ethiopia to discuss bilateral relations and regional geopolitics, as well as to explore peace initiatives in Ukraine. He is expected to engage in top-level talks, including with the chairperson of the African Union Commission.

NEW ZEALAND

Wellington - China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi to pay official visit to New Zealand for high-level dialogue.

SPORTS

MANCHESTER - Manchester United to face Liverpool in FA Cup quarterfinals.

MADRID - Atletico Madrid to host Barcelona on matchday 29 of Spanish La Liga.

SPECIAL REPORT

Choking on waste, Kenya finds hope in recycling

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) — At Dandora, a dumpsite in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, the acrid tang of burning plastic hangs heavy in the air.