Diary

ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu Agency’s English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

TURKEY

ANKARA - Monitoring developments on Turkey’s agreements signed with US, Russia on Syria.

TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

LEFKOSA - Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay to attend ceremony of 36th anniversary of foundation of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

Oktay to also meet TRNC President President Mustafa Akinci, Parliament Speaker Teberruken Ulucay and Prime Minister Ersin Tatar.

US

WASHINGTON - First public presidential impeachment hearings to continue with testimony from former US ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovich.

GERMANY

BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel meets president of Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, for talks on bilateral relations, regional issues.

ITALY

VENICE - Following Venice flooding.

FRANCE

PARIS - President Emmanuel Macron to meet Charles Michel, president-elect of European Council.

PALESTINE

GAZA CITY - Israeli escalation against Gaza enters 3rd day amid reports of Egypt-brokered ceasefire.

IRAQ

BAGHDAD - Iraqis continue anti-government sit-ins.

LEBANON

BEIRUT - Following weeks-long anti-government protests.

BOLIVIA

LA PAZ - Following developments after resignation of Bolivian President Evo Morales on call of country’s army chief.

SOUTH AFRICA

JOHANNESBURG - African ministerial conference on environmental issues.

JOHANNESBURG - Flights canceled as South African Airways workers continue strike protesting widespread job cuts in various government-controlled sectors.

ECONOMY

ANKARA - Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStaT) to release Turnover Indices for September.

ANKARA - TurkStat to announce unemployment statistics for August.

ANKARA - Turkey's Central Bank to release Outstanding Loans Received From Abroad by Private Sector in September.

ANKARA - Treasury and Finance Ministry to reveal Central Government Budget Balance Table for October.

LUXEMBOURG

LUXEMBOURG CITY - European Statistical Office (Eurostat) to release inflation figures for October, international trade statistics for September.

SPECIAL REPORT

8 African nations to withdraw cash reserves from France

- The decision of West African nations to withdraw forex reserves from France, fraught with implications, warn experts

By Felix Tih and James Tasamba

ANKARA / KIGALI (AA) - The proposal of eight West African nations to withdraw their currency reserves from the French central bank, has evoked a spate of reactions.

SPECIAL REPORT

Afghanistan's bread of heaven spreads smiles on earth

- Fresh, crisp and affordable Naan bread provides sustenance to rich and poor alike

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - What's in a bread? For some it signifies sustenance, others call it an equalizer shared at the table by the rich and poor alike.

SPECIAL REPORT

UK: Father of 4 declares war on knife crime

- Courtney Barret collects 200 knives in 12 hours to prevent knife crime in east London borough

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) - The number of crimes involving knives or other sharp instruments in the U.K. has shown a steep rise in 2019.

SPECIAL REPORT

Turkish Cyprus marks 36th foundation anniversary

- Since foundation of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on Nov. 15, 1983, Turkish Cypriots live in peace and harmony

By Ali Murat Alhas

ANKARA (AA) - Friday marks the 36th foundation anniversary of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), where the Turkish Cypriots live in peace and harmony, unlike the period when they were oppressed by ultra-nationalist Greek Cypriots.