Diary

ANKARA

Here are the main topics Anadolu Agency’s English Desk plans to cover Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

TURKEY

ISTANBUL - Istanbul-based Turkish human rights group to present 2015 report on international violations.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Global stocks unsettled by China fears

By Andrew Jay Rosenbaum

ANKARA (AA) - Global stocks plunged on Wednesday and Thursday, as traders become worried about the debacle on the China stock exchanges and the reduction in the value of the RMB.

When is the next Fed rate hike expected?

By Andrew Jay Rosenbaum

ANKARA (AA) - The next U.S. Federal Reserve rate hike could well be delayed – such is the indication given by the minutes of the Fed's Monetary Policy meeting on Dec. 16, released late on Wednesday.

Does North Korea have money and tech to make H-bomb?

By Andrew Jay Rosenbaum

ANKARA (AA) - Does North Korea, given its poor economic performance and sanctions-limited economy, have the wherewithal and the tech to make an H-bomb?

EUROPE

GERMANY

BERLIN - British PM David Cameron is to speak on EU reform at a conference of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s sister party, the Christian Social Union, in Bavaria.

AMERICAS

UNITED STATES

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama participates in town-hall discussion on gun violence.

AFRICA

SPECIAL REPORTS:

Zimbabwe sells elephants to China despite protests

By John Cassim

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AA) - In the teeth of protests from national and international wildlife organizations, the government of Zimbabwe maintains its sales of elephants to China.

Zambia: Government challenged by mounting debt

By Francis Maingalia

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - Government debt has risen by 176 percent since 2011, and analysts say that the state does not have the means to repay it.

SOUTHEAST ASIA-PACIFIC

SOUTH KOREA

SEOUL - South Korea looks to strengthen military capabilities after North Korea's claimed hydrogen bomb test, with Seoul's ruling party wanting nuclear weapons.

THAILAND

BANGKOK - Rights group denounces ‘lack of accountability’ after Thai politicians and military are let off the hook for killings during 2010 crackdown.

CAMBODIA

PHNOM PENH - Ruling party marks 37th anniversary of fall of Khmer Rouge, with Prime Minister Hun Sen -- himself a former Khmer Rouge soldier who defected during the regime -- lauding his government's achievements in bringing “solidarity” to Cambodian people.