ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, March 7, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
PALESTINE
Gaza City - Updates on the humanitarian and military situations in the Gaza Strip amid unabated Israeli onslaught on its 153rd day, which resulted in the death of more than 30,700 people and over 72,000 injuries amid mass destruction and severe shortages of necessities as accusations grow against Israel of intentionally starving Gaza’s population.
Ramallah - Daily military incursions by the Israeli army into Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, which killed at least 420 Palestinians and injured at least 4,650 others since Oct. 7. The number of arrests has risen to nearly 7,450, reaching record highs over 4 months, exceeding those recorded on an annual basis in previous years.
EGYPT
Cairo - Indirect talks between Hamas and Israel to reach a hostage deal and cease-fire agreement in Gaza amid difficulties facing the negotiations.
LEBANON
Beirut - Cross-border clashes between Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel amid intensified attacks by both sides, in the deadliest clashes between the two sides since 2006. At least 300 people are estimated to have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since the clashes first erupted last October. Nearly 20 Israelis have also been killed, according to Israeli figures.
YEMEN
Sanaa - Continuous, escalating tensions in the Red Sea amid Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel and US retaliatory airstrikes against Houthi targets inside Yemen amid concerns about a deadly impact on shipping traffic in one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.
FRANCE
Paris - President Emmanuel Macron to meet with political parties to discuss support for Ukraine.
GERMANY
Berlin - German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to meet her British counterpart David Cameron for talks on bilateral relations, regional, and international issues. They are expected to discuss diplomatic efforts for a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza, military support for Ukraine, and preparations for the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, D.C.
Berlin - German train drivers to cease work today over an ongoing dispute with the national rail operator about pay and hours. German air carrier Lufthansa’s ground staff to begin their two-day strike at country’s major airports, including Munich and Frankfurt.
US
Washington - President Joe Biden to deliver his annual State of the Union address to joint session of Congress.
Washington - CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla and AFRICOM Commander General Michael Langley to speak at Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
Washington - Secretary of State Antony Blinken to meet with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at State Department.
Washington - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to hold meetings with members of the Senate as part of his official visit to US.
New York - UN Security Council members to meet for consultations on Middle East, likely focused on Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
New York - UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag to hold news conference.
Illinois - Hearing expected for Joseph Czuba, who is charged with murder and hate crimes after he stabbed Palestinian boy Wadea Al-Fayoume and his mother Hanaan Shahin in Plainfield, Illinois, on Oct. 14 over their Islamic faith.
AZERBAIJAN
Baku - Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov to pay a working visit to Azerbaijan to discuss enhancing economic ties.
RUSSIA
Moscow - President Vladimir Putin will hold a meeting with the Cabinet of Ministers.
NIGERIA
Abuja - Latest developments in the mass abduction of dozens of displaced women by Boko Haram terrorists in northeastern Nigeria.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
Goma - The latest developments in the conflict between the Congolese armed forces and rebel group M23 that have captured the town of Nyanzale about 130 kilometers (80 miles) from the city of Goma, a major commercial hub.
SOUTH AFRICA
Johannesburg - Monitoring election campaigns ahead of the May 29 elections.
MOZAMBIQUE
Nampula - Tens of thousands of Mozambicans who fled the recent spate of militant attacks in Cabo Delgado are living in dire humanitarian conditions.
INDIA
New Delhi - Protesting farmers march toward capital New Delhi to press for minimum price support law among other demands.
JAMMU AND KASHMIR
Srinagar - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit disputed Kashmir region to address a rally, for the first time since New Delhi abrogated the region's autonomy. The visit comes ahead of Indian general elections. There is some expectation of any significant political announcement because since Aug. 5, 2019, the region is directly under New Delhi's rule.
SOUTH CHINA SEA
Manila/Beijing - Collision between Chinese and Filipino vessels has triggered war of words while the US has extended full support to its oldest ally in the region. Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos said Manila will lodge protest over the incident which injured some Filipino crew.
THE ECONOMY
Beijing - China to share international trade figures. Country’s trade balance saw surplus of $75 billion and expected to increase to $107 billion.
Berlin - Germany’s Destatis to share factory orders for January. Orders rose by 8.9% in December on monthly basis but 6.5% of decline expected for January.
Frankfurt - European Central Bank to announce interest rate decision. Bank expected to keep rate constant.
Ankara - Turkish Treasury and Finance Ministry to share cash realization figures for February.
Washington - US to announce foreign trade and jobless claims figures.
Paris - OECD to release first edition of its Global Debt Report.
SPORTS
BRUSSELS, Amsterdam - Fenerbahce to face Union Saint-Gilloise while Ajax to take on Aston Villa in UEFA Europa Conference League round of 16 first leg.
SPECIAL REPORTS
‘Clear picture of support’: Why Australian lawyers want ICC probe against their prime minister for Gaza genocide
By Rabia Ali
Istanbul - Report on the recent application by Australian lawyers for the International Criminal Court to investigate Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other politicians for “alleged complicity” in Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza.
The story is based on an interview with Rita Jabri Markwell, a lawyer, part of the legal team that has filed the application.
She speaks in detail about the dossier submitted to the ICC, saying the team has provided evidence “that there may have been complicity in terms of aiding and abetting the commission of genocide or contributing to the crime of genocide.”
Ukrainian women’s hopes for future endure after years of war
By Beyza Binnur Donmez
Geneva – Report for International Women’s Day about the struggles of Ukrainian women during the ongoing war with Russia.
The report is based on the stories of two women Iryna and Svitlana, residents of Dnipro, a city that has suffered extensive damage in Russian attacks over the past two years.
Iryna, the head of a maternity center that was damaged in a Russian strike, and Svitlana share their experiences living in a war zone, explaining the challenges that they have personally overcome.
Both also share their hopes for the future, emphasizing that Ukrainian people, and women in particular, are still optimistic for peace and another chance at a normal life.
‘Enough is enough’: Kenyan women call for war on femicide
By Andrew Wasike
Nairobi, Kenya – Report for International Women’s Day about the issue of femicide in Kenya, where massive protests have recently been held to push for immediate action to tackle the spiraling problem.
The story lays out the scale of the problem in Kenya with comparative data and figures, along with details of recent cases that have made national and international headlines.
It includes interviews with lawyer Benta Moige, women’s rights activist Wambui Muchiri, and Mary Njeri, a gender-based violence analyst at UN Women.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO - Interview with Rita Jabri Markwell, a lawyer part of the legal team in Australia that has filed an application for the International Criminal Court to investigate Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other politicians for “alleged complicity in genocide” in Gaza.
VIDEO - Interviews with two Ukrainian women Iryna and Svitlana about their experiences living in a war zone for more than two years, where they speak about the challenges they have faced and share their hopes for the future.
VIDEO - Report about the issue of femicide in Kenya, which has recently sparked massive protests in the country, including interviews with lawyer Benta Moige and women’s rights activist Wambui Muchiri.