Diary

ANKARA

Here are the main topics Anadolu Agency’s English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

TURKEY

ANKARA - President Erdogan to chair meeting of the bimonthly National Security Council (MGK) -- first in wake of Ankara blasts.

ANKARA - The Central Bank to announce its decision on interest rates at 2 p.m. local time (1100GMT).

EUROPE

GERMANY

BERLIN - Chancellor Merkel meets Israeli PM Netanyahu for talks on bilateral ties and Middle East amid a deepening conflict between Palestinian youth and Israeli forces.

SPECIAL REPORT:

Russian intervention in Syria has multiple policy objectives

By Zaki Shaikh

LONDON (AA) - No victory is likely for Russia in Syria, except in terms of domestic and international policy, according to experts.

UNITED STATES

WASHINGTON - Heads of Department of Homeland Security, FBI and National Counterterrorism Center to testify at US House Committee on Homeland Security.

WASHINGTON - House Foreign Affairs Committee to hold a hearing on Burma where senior State Department officials will testify.

WASHINGTON - Kerry meets with Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif at Blair House.

NEW YORK - US and Spain to co-host UN Security Council meeting on the role of terror victims in countering violent extremism.

AFRICA

Uganda: Oil industry poses risks to environment

By Halima Athumani

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - Uganda's oil industry poses risks to the country's environment, as climate change and waste supervision is lacking.

MIDDLE EAST

PALESTINE

RAMALLAH - Palestinian Health Ministry says 51 Palestinians killed and more than 1,900 injured by Israeli forces and settlers since Oct 1.

YEMEN

ADEN - Senior sources tell Anadolu Agency that Sudan and Egypt will send ground troops to Yemen in coming days as part of Saudi-led coalition.

IRAQ

BAGHDAD - Nine people, including security forces, killed in bomb attacks across Iraqi capital.

SOUTHEAST ASIA-PACIFIC

AUSTRALIA

MELBOURNE - Launch of Australian anti-Islamic political party by extreme right-wing Dutch MP Geert Wilders shrouded in secrecy -- location unknown and media barred. At a media conference at Parliament House later Wednesday it is anticipated that Wilders will take questions and Senate candidates will be revealed.

THAILAND

BANGKOK - Thai authorities launch wide lese-majeste crackdown.

SOUTH KOREA

SEOUL - South Korea offers wide-ranging talks to North Korea, as emotional family reunions continue.

SPORTS

ANKARA - Turkish heavyweights Galatasaray will host Portugal’s Benfica in European football’s Champions League on Wednesday evening. The Group C match at Turk Telekom Arena in Istanbul will kick-off at 9.45 p.m. local time (1845 GMT).