Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, March 23, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza Strip – Humanitarian and military developments in the Gaza Strip as Israel continues its relentless offensive on the besieged enclave on its 169th day, killing 32,070 people and injuring 74,298 others. The onslaught along with a crippling blockade has left most of the population on the verge of starvation.

For the past many days, Israeli forces have been attacking the Al-Shifa Hospital and its surrounding area in Gaza City, destroying much of the hospital's infrastructure and equipment, as well as residential buildings around the facility.

RAMALLAH – Security tension in the occupied West Bank due to Israeli army actions since the outbreak of the Gaza war. Military raids have resulted in the death of nearly 450 Palestinians and injured around 4,700 others. The number of arrests has also risen to record 7,725 in five months.

QATAR

Doha – Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel for a Gaza truce agreement and hostage-prisoner swap mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the US.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv - Escalating protests to pressurize the government to reach a deal with Palestinians.

Military prepares to expand its military onslaught to Rafah City in southern Gaza Strip.

LEBANON

Beirut – Cross-border tension, exchange of fire continues between Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel.

YEMEN

Sanaa – Escalating tension in the Red Sea amid Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel, and US retaliatory airstrikes against targets inside Yemen.

RUSSIA

MOSCOW - Reactions and developments as at least 60 killed and many others injured in concert hall attack.

SLOVAKIA

Bratislava - Voters to elect president for a five-year term, with parliament speaker Peter Pellegrini and liberal ex-Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok said to be clear frontrunners.

KAZAKHSTAN

Baikonur Cosmodrome — Launch of Soyuz- 2.1a rocket with a manned spacecraft, which has to deliver to the International Space Station Belarusian cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskay, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky and US astronaut Tracy Dyson.

PAKISTAN

Islamabad - National Day celebrations with traditional military parade scheduled in capital Islamabad.

CHINA

Beijing - Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit begins week-long trip to China.

INDIA

New Delhi - Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar begins official three-day visit to Singapore, Philippines and Malaysia.

ZAMBIA

Lusaka – Southern African Development Community leader’s summit to discuss security situation in Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique.

SENEGAL

Dakar - Senegal’s presidential election campaign ahead of Sunday's much awaited polls.

SOUTH AFRICA

Johannesburg - South African opposition parties demand the resignation of National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula over corruption allegations.

KENYA

Nairobi - Doctors strike over low wages and working conditions, which have entered a second week affecting thousands of patients in public hospitals.

SPORTS

Lyon/London - France to host Germany at Lyon’s Groupama Stadium, England to take on Brazil at London’s Wembley Stadium in international friendlies.

SPECIAL REPORT

Earth Hour 2024: World 'giving an hour' for sustainable nature, climate

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - People around the world are taking part in an annual campaign Saturday by joining the "Biggest Hour for Earth" to put a spotlight on nature loss and climate change.

The annual campaign aims to bring as many people as possible together, asking them to switch off at 8.30 p.m. local time and spend 60 minutes doing something positive for the planet as the world is now at a "tipping point" with climate and nature crises.

"Small actions can make a big difference, so we can’t wait to see how many people get involved this year and give an hour for Earth to help bring our world back to life," WWF UK spokesperson tells Anadolu.

Renowned landmarks in the UK are expected to switch off all lights on their premises, including The London Eye, Piccadilly Lights and Buckingham Palace.