ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, March 15, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
PALESTINE
Gaza City - Humanitarian and military developments in the Gaza Strip as Israel continues its relentless offensive on the besieged enclave since last October, killing more than 31,300 people and injuring over 73,000 others. A crippling blockade of the territory has left most of the population on the verge of starvation.
Ramallah - Security tension in the occupied West Bank due to escalating Israeli actions since the outbreak of the Gaza war. Raids have resulted in the death of over 430 Palestinians and injured around 4,700 others. The number of arrests has also risen to a record 7,600.
Tensions and clashes feared as Israel announces imposing restrictions on entry of Palestinians into the Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform the first Friday prayer of Ramadan.
ISRAEL
Tel Aviv - Escalating protests in Israel to pressure Israeli government to reach a deal with Palestinians.
LEBANON
Beirut - Cross-border tension between Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel amid intensified attacks by both sides. More than 300 people are estimated to have been killed in Lebanon, including 240 Hezbollah fighters, since October 2023. Nearly 20 Israelis have also been killed, according to Israeli figures.
YEMEN
Sanaa - Escalating tensions in the Red Sea amid Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel and US retaliatory airstrikes against targets inside Yemen.
GERMANY
Berlin - Chancellor Olaf Scholz to host European Council President Charles Michel at the Federal Chancellery to discuss EU affairs, foreign and security policy issues. Scholz and Michel are also expected to discuss the main agenda items of the upcoming EU leaders summit on March 21 and 22.
Berlin - Chancellor to host French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk for talks focusing on support to Ukraine.
SWITZERLAND
Geneva - UN Information Service to hold biweekly press briefing for UN bodies headquartered in Geneva. Updates from agencies such as UNICEF, UNRWA, WHO, OHCHR, OCHA, and the IFRC on the situation in Gaza likely.
US
Washington - President Joe Biden to host Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of Ireland for bilateral meeting at White House.
Washington - Statements from Biden administration regarding situation in Gaza and potential protests in solidarity with Palestinians on first Friday of Ramadan.
New York - UN Security Council expected to vote on draft resolution renewing mandate of UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for another year, until March 17, 2025.
New York - UN Security Council to convene for briefing on situation in Ukraine. Members will discuss presidential election that Russia is holding in Crimea and parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions in Ukraine.
AZERBAIJAN
Baku - Foreign ministers of Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia to hold trilateral meeting.
RUSSIA
Moscow - Voting in three-day presidential election begins.
ETHIOPIA
Addis Ababa - 22nd Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union.
SOUTH AFRICA
Johannesburg - South Africa will commemorate World Consumer Rights Day at University of the Free State; Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina to address the event.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Goma - Ongoing clashes between M23 rebels and Congolese armed forces.
AUSTRALIA
Canberra - Pressure is mounting on government to reinstate visas to fleeing Palestinians who were earlier issued travel documents to Australia but were later revoked.
CHINA
Beijing - President Xi Jinping likely to host visiting Angolan President for bilateral talks.
Beijing - Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference.
THE ECONOMY
Ankara - Turkish Central Bank to reveal private sector’s foreign debt figures for January.
Ankara - Turkish Treasury and Finance Ministry to share central government’s budget balance table for February.
Berlin - Germany’s Destatis to reveal wholesale inflation figures for February.
Washington - US to share industrial production figures.
SPORTS
SWITZERLAND
Nyon - UEFA Champions League quarterfinal, semifinal draws to be held. Arsenal (England), Atletico Madrid (Spain), Barcelona (Spain), Bayern Munich (Germany), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Manchester City (England), Paris Saint-Germain (France), and Real Madrid (Spain) to enter Champions League last 8 draw.
Second-tier UEFA Europa League quarterfinal, and third-tier UEFA Europa Conference League quarterfinal draws will also take place.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Gaza aid ship will hopefully secure sea corridor, be ‘first of many’: Spanish charity
By Rabia Ali
Istanbul - Report about the aid ship Open Arms that is en route to the Gaza Strip with desperately needed food supplies.
The story gives details of the aid mission, which is being organized by the US-based charity World Central Kitchen and Spanish NGO Open Arms, aiming to deliver 200 tons of supplies in an initial voyage that is also a test for a planned sea corridor for Gaza.
It includes an interview with Open Arms spokeswoman Laura Lanuza, who explains how the mission’s main objective is to establish a vital maritime corridor to help Gazans who are facing famine and starvation due to Israel’s deadly war and blockade.
Why a US ban on TikTok will be in favor of Israel
By Emre Basaran
Istanbul - Report about the legislative push in the US for a ban on social media platform TikTok.
It focuses on the potential ways a ban will benefit Israeli interests in the US, particularly with regards to their efforts to influence American youth and curb the growing dissent with Israeli policies.
The report includes an interview with Nursin Atesoglu Guney, head of the International Relations Department at Istanbul’s Yildiz Technical University, who speaks about the reactions from major US Jewish groups and gives insights into reasons for the youth’s rejection of the dominant mainstream pro-Israel narrative in the US.
FACTBOX – Russia’s presidential election: What to know
By Burc Eruygur
Istanbul - Report about the 2024 presidential election in Russia, where incumbent President Vladimir Putin is widely predicted to secure a fifth term.
The story gives a rundown of the four main candidates in the race – Putin, Leonid Slutsky, Vladislav Davankov and Nikolai Kharitonov.
It includes data on the number of eligible voters, both domestically and abroad, as well as details on the process of the voting and the presence of observers.
‘High energy prices, rising political uncertainty’: Expert assesses Germany’s bleak economic outlook
By Gokhan Ergocun
Istanbul - Report about Germany’s economic struggles, focusing on the reasons for the downturn in outlook for the European industrial powerhouse.
It includes latest data and figures from sources including the Munich-based Ifo Institute for Economic Research and think tank Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
The report has an interview with Frank Herkenhoff, head of communications at the Zew Institute, who explains the various reasons dragging down the German economy and shares his assessment of its future course.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO - Interview with Laura Lanuza, spokeswoman of Spanish NGO Open Arms, about the aid ship that is en route to the Gaza Strip with desperately needed food supplies and how the mission’s main objective is to establish a vital maritime corridor to get aid into Gaza.