ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
MIDDLE EAST
GAZA/ISRAEL - On day 11 of the conflict, following political, humanitarian developments in Gaza Strip amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes following Hamas attack inside Israeli territory. Humanitarian disaster looms in Gaza as city runs out of medical supplies, water, food, and fuel.
Special follow-up on possible Israeli ground attack in Gaza.
LEBANON
BEIRUT - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to meet with counterpart Abdallah Bouhabib to discuss bilateral relations, regional, global developments.
EUROPE
GENEVA - UN Information Office to hold regular bi-weekly news conference, where several officials from different UN or international agencies address latest developments around world.
BERLIN - Chancellor Olaf Scholz to host Jordanian King Abdullah in Berlin.
ATHENS - Greece, Türkiye to conclude launch of political dialogue to improve ties. Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akcapar, counterpart Konstantinos Fragogiannis to meet.
US
WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden to depart Washington for Israel.
WASHINGTON - House of Representatives to vote on election of new speaker after vacancy created by ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy on Oct 3.
NEW YORK - UN Security Council to vote on Brazilian-drafted resolution condemning Hamas' attacks in Israel.
EURASIA
RUSSIA
MOSCOW - Russian State Duma to consider withdrawal from Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
UZBEKISTAN
SAMARKAND - 25th session of General Assembly of UN World Tourism Organization continues.
SAMARKAND - Global Investment Forum to be held.
TASHKENT - First Congress of Young Scientists of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) bloc to be held as part of International Week of Innovative Ideas "InnoWeek.Uz."
TAJIKISTAN
DUSHANBE - First "Taj Salmon" Dushanbe International Film Festival continues.
BELARUS
MINSK - Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mohair to pay visit for talks on issues of bilateral cooperation.
ASIA
CHINA
BEIJING - China to host 3rd Belt and Road Forum, with expected participation of over 4,000 representatives from 140 nations, 30 international organizations. Chinese President Xi Jinping to inaugurate with keynote address.
SOUTH KOREA
SEOUL - South Korea to hold largest international defense exhibition featuring advanced homegrown military hardware, technologies. Six-day Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition 2023 to kick off at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, involving 550 companies from 35 countries.
THE ECONOMY
ANKARA - Turkish Central Bank to reveal short-term external debt figures for August.
LONDON - UK's Office for National Statistics to share unemployment figures for August as country's joblessness rate on gradual rise since January, from 3.7% to 4.3%.
BERLIN - Germany's Zew institute to reveal economic confidence figures for October.
NEW YORK - US to reveal September retail sales figures, increasing recently but at lower levels than last year.
SPORTS
LONDON - England to face Italy in UEFA EURO 2024 qualifiers at Wembley Stadium. Group C leaders England need 1 point to qualify for next summer's finals in Germany.
ISTANBUL - Türkiye's Fenerbahce Beko to host Greek basketball powerhouse Panathinaikos, while fellow Turkish club, Anadolu Efes, to face French opponents LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Round 3.
SPECIAL REPORT
Israeli ground offensive may cause ‘massive’ spike in Gaza child casualties: Human Rights Watch
By Rabia Ali
ISTANBUL - Interview with Bill Van Esveld, associate children’s rights director at Human Rights Watch, who talks about the potential impact of Israel’s possible ground operation in Gaza. Van Esveld fears there could be a spike in killings of children as there would be Israeli troops on the ground with heavy weaponry, along with ongoing airstrikes, which he calls “an extremely deadly combination.” He also talks about the impact of forcible evacuation on children, as well as the health risks they face now from polluted water and infectious diseases. The expert also details the dire state of hospitals and healthcare facilities in Gaza, focusing on the lack of medical and other essential humanitarian supplies.
SPECIAL REPORT
International Criminal Court’s silence on Israeli attacks in Gaza ‘utterly unacceptable’: Expert
By Burak Bir
LONDON – Interview with Ahmed Abofoul, a legal researcher and advocacy officer at human rights organization Al-Haq, on the legal aspects of Israel’s attacks and the consequent humanitarian situation in Gaza. Abofoul, who is also an international lawyer based in The Hague, says that the systematic targeting of the civilian population could amount to “a crime against humanity.” He strongly criticizes the international community’s inaction over the devastating Israeli attacks, which have killed thousands in the Gaza Strip. Abofoul mainly questions the silence of the International Criminal Court, pointing out that the court has the mandate to not only investigate war crimes, but also to issue preventive statements that can be a means of deterrence.
SPECIAL REPORT
Dubai Chambers plans outbound mission to Türkiye in 2024
By Gokhan Ergocun
DUBAI – Interview with Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, the CEO of Dubai Chambers, about potential steps to enhance trade ties with Türkiye. Lootah explains why Türkiye is an attractive market for businesses based in Dubai and details the initiatives planned to boost trade relations. He also speaks about the immense business potential in Africa and explains the reasons, including the continent’s young population and focus on the tech field.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEOS - Latest developments in Israel-Palestine conflict
Reports covering flare-up in tensions, including packages from correspondents on ground, updates about overall situation, other major developments.