ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing / breaking stories):
PALESTINE
Gaza City - Israeli army plans to advance southward to Rafah in southern Gaza Strip, exacerbating already dire humanitarian conditions in enclave. Israeli offensive on Gaza has reached 125 days, killing 27,840 Palestinians and injuring 67,317.
Ramallah - Daily raids by Israeli army into Palestinian towns and cities in West Bank have so far left at least 388 Palestinians dead and 4,400 others injured, while nearly 6,920 have been detained since Oct. 7.
ISRAEL
Tel Aviv - Israel to respond to Hamas' cease-fire proposal, conveyed by Qatari and Egyptian mediators, including 3-stage plan, each lasting 45 days during which military operations would be completely halted on both sides and prisoners and bodies would be exchanged.
Israeli stance on Hamas demands will be issued by War Cabinet, and Mossad chief David Barnea will travel to Qatar to deliver it.
EGYPT
Cairo - Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya in Cairo to track hostage swap deal and cease-fire negotiations.
IRAQ
Baghdad - Tensions escalating between Baghdad and Washington due to US strike that killed Iraqi Kataib Hezbollah commander Abu Baqir al-Saadi.
LEBANON
Beirut - Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian visiting Beirut to hold meetings with senior Lebanese officials on ongoing skirmishes in south between Hezbollah and Israel. Fresh cross-border hostilities have so far killed 210 people, including 30 civilians and displaced nearly 100,000 from southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities.
JORDAN
Amman - King Abdullah II on tour of unknown duration, including US, Canada, France, and Germany, to mobilize support for halting Israeli war on Gaza.
YEMEN
Sanaa - Growing tension in Red Sea due to Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel and US retaliatory airstrikes against Houthi targets inside Yemen.
All topics are carried out through translation from Arabic wire, official accounts and related websites.
TÜRKİYE
ANKARA - Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz to attend opening ceremony of Turkish-Kyrgyz business forum.
Yilmaz to meet one-on-one and hold discussions between delegations with Akylbek Zhaparov, prime minster and co-chair of Türkiye-Kyrgyzstan Joint Economic Commission
Yilmaz to also participate in 11th Session of Joint Economic Commission and agreement signing ceremony, as well as joint press conference.
SWITZERLAND
Geneva - UN Information Service to hold press briefing for UN bodies headquartered in Geneva. Expecting comments on latest situation in Gaza.
POLAND
Warsaw - Farmers in Poland and Hungary expected to stage protests against EU's extension of preferential trade regime with Ukraine, which suspends import quotas and duties for Ukrainian exports.
RUSSIA
Moscow - Celebrations of Day of Diplomatic Worker (Feb. 10). Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to lay flowers at memorial plaques, give address, and take part in opening of exhibit dedicated to history of Russian diplomacy. Desk will follow story from office based on live broadcast on ministry website and official statements and reports.
NORTH KOREA
Pyongyang - First group of Russian tourists consisting of 97 people will visit country. Desk will follow story from office based on official statements and reports.
US
Washington - US President Joe Biden to host German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at White House for bilateral talks. NATO allies are expected to address continuation of support for Ukraine, as well as simmering tensions in Middle East as US continues to carry out retaliatory strikes following Jan. 28 drone strike on military installation in Jordan that killed 3 American troops.
PAKISTAN
Islamabad - Official results awaited from Thursday elections for new parliament and four provincial assemblies. (Following release of official results, reporters in Pakistan will file quick analysis on post-polls scenario and prospects for new government formation.)
CHINA
Beijing - Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference.
THE ECONOMY
Berlin - Destatis to announce second reading of Germany’s inflation for January. Previously released flash data showed that Germany's annual consumer inflation eased to 2.9% in January, its lowest since June 2021, with decline in cost of energy. Followed via online report
Ankara - TurkStat to announce Türkiye’s industrial production for December. In November, Turkish industrial production grew 0.2% at an annualized pace, softest rise in output since June. Followed via online report.
Florida - Axiom-3 Mission crew expected to return to Earth. Crew departed from International Space Station on Wednesday after two-week-plus mission.
SPORTS
Athens - Fenerbahce Beko to face Panathinaikos Aktor in Round 26 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
SPECIAL REPORTS
US plan for deterrence through show of strength in Middle East not affecting Iran: Expert
By Semir Sejfovic
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Interview with Jon Sweet, retired US army colonel and intelligence analyst, about America’s strategy as it ramps up strikes in Middle East.
Story gives details of how escalation has played out over recent weeks and growing risk of wider war in Middle East.
Sweet shares his assessment on US strategy, explaining objectives and operational methods, while questioning its efficacy in achieving objective of deterrence against Iran.
Spillover of Myanmar conflict strikes fear into Bangladeshis living along border
By Faisal Mahmud
Dhaka, Bangladesh - Report on effects on Bangladeshi civilians as internal conflict between Myanmar’s military and Arakan Army group has spilled over border, killing civilians and prompting others to flee.
Story includes accounts of situation on ground for villagers in border area, as well as how conflict has further strained relations as Bangladesh seeks to prevent fresh influx of Rohingya Muslims from its eastern neighbor.
Also contains comments from Bangladeshi officials on difficulties in dealing with situation, especially given complaints that authorities in Myanmar have been unresponsive to Dhaka’s concerns.
Record spending, viewers expected for US Super Bowl
By Ovunc Kutlu
Istanbul - Report on economic aspect of Super Bowl, most-watched live televised event in US every year.
Story presents comprehensive look at key figures and data for NFL championship game, from expected retail sales and TV commercials to stadium tickets, travel and lodging.
The report includes estimates for television viewership and consumer spending related to game, which will be played on Sunday between Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO - Interview with Jon Sweet, retired US army colonel and intelligence analyst, about America’s strategy as it ramps up strikes in Middle East, where he explains objectives and gives assessment on efficacy of actions taken with aim of deterring Iran.
VIDEO - Interviews with two locals living near Bangladesh’s Ghumdhum border with Myanmar, who tell of their experiences as internal conflict between Myanmar’s military and Arakan Army group has spilled over border.