Diary

ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu Agency’s English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

ALBANIA

TIRANA - Turkish Environment Minister Murat Kurum to be received by Albanian President Ilir Meta, meet officials, hold press conference with Albanian Reconstruction Minister Arben Ahmetaj.

BELGIUM

BRUSSELS - EU countries' foreign ministers to hold extraordinary meetings on developments in Middle East.

IRAN/US/IRAQ/TURKEY

TEHRAN /WASHINGTON/ BAGHDAD/ANKARA - Following developments after U.S. operation killing Qasem Soleimani, commander of Iranian Revolutionary Guards' Quds Forces, and Iran's missile attack on Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops on Jan. 8.

LIBYA

TRIPOLI - Monitoring clashes between UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) and forces of Khalifa Haftar.

SYRIA

ALEPPO/IDLIB/ RAQQA/HASAKEH - Monitoring developments in Syrian civil war and northwestern Idlib de-escalation zone targeted by Bashar al-Assad regime and allies.

ECONOMY

ANKARA - Turkish Statistical Institute to release unemployment figures for October 2019.

SPORTS

NETHERLANDS

APELDOORN - Turkey's national women volleyball team to take on Belgium for their last group match in European qualifiers with winner to advance to semifinals.

SPAIN

BARCELONA - Anadolu Efes to face Barcelona in an away match in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

SPECIAL REPORT

US-Iran tensions: Hitting the breaks or here to stay?

By Zehra Nur Duz

ANKARA (AA) - Neither the U.S. nor Iran have any intention to escalate the conflict between them following a U.S. drone strike last week killing an Iranian top general in Iraq, experts say, while yet others argue that increased tension and military conflict will continue in the medium and long term.

SPECIAL REPORT

Deployment in Libya, possible opening to strengthen Turkey-US ties?

By Ali Murat Alhas

ANKARA (AA) - Having struck game-changer maritime and security deals with the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) of Libya in November 2019, the Turkish parliament ratified a motion authorizing the government to send troops to Libya on Jan. 3 in a bid to protect the rights of both countries.

SPECIAL REPORT

Zimbabwe's female entrepreneurs pound poverty at all odds

By Jeffrey Moyo

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AA) - Six years ago, owning a bed was only a dream for 47-year-old Michelle Chitembwe, who slept on the floor of her house in a slum in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare.

SPECIAL REPORT

China, Indonesia tread with caution amid brewing tension

By Pizaro Gozali Idrus with the Anadolu Agency Indonesian wire

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AA) - China and Indonesia have backed away from an imminent conflict after they dispatched warships and planes to claim the ownership of the Natuna islands in the South China Sea.