Diary

ANKARA

Here are the main topics Anadolu Agency’s English Desk plans to cover Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

TURKEY

ISTANBUL - FM Cavusoglu to meet Ukrainian counterpart Pavlo Klimkin.

ANKARA - Istanbul takes 9th place in world's most-visited cities ranking

SPECIAL REPORT:

ANALYSIS – The single most powerful person in Iran

By Selen Temizer

ANKARA (AA) – Iran’s 1979 revolution established a new ruling system based on the principle of separation of power and even witnessed the establishment of a popularly elected legislative council. However, despite these institutions, the last word in all state affairs remains firmly in the hands of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

LEFKOSA - TRNC President Mustafa Akinci will meet Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades.

EUROPE

BELGIUM

BRUSSELS - European Commission President Juncker will meet with UK PM Cameron in Brussels.

GERMANY

BERLIN – Chancellor Merkel meets Italian PM Renzi, for talks on EU and refugee crisis. Italy recently raised objections to a Germany-backed EU plan to provide 3 billion euros aid to Ankara, to improve conditions of Syrian refugees in Turkey.

SWITZERLAND

GENEVA - Syria peace talks between warring sides scheduled in Geneva as doubts remain regarding attendees.

SPECIAL REPORT:

-Russia falls behind West in technology: Experts

by Zaki Shaikh and Andrew Jay Rosenbaum

LONDON (AA) - Russia's failing economy is also causing it to fall behind in technology, its industry unable to make use of the most advanced research and development.

MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

SAUDI ARABIA

MECCA - Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu pays three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia.

SPECIAL REPORT:

-Jerusalem: The missing Muslim historical narrative

By Kaamil Ahmed

JERUSALEM (AA) – A dark archway and an old uninspiring plastic plaque are all that mark the entrance to the residence and mosque of Salahuddin Ayyubi, the iconic 12th century Muslim general who retook Jerusalem during the Crusades, then went on to rule the city.

AFRICA

SPECIAL REPORT:

-EU to support Zimbabwe's leather industry

by Wallace Mawire

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AA) - The European Union (EU) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) have set up a program to support Zimbabwe’s leather industry, the program coordinator told Anadolu Agency.

-Ugandan entrepreneur Amos Nzeyi shares secrets of success

by Halima Athumani

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - Amos Nzeyi, one of the richest and most successful businessmen in Uganda, told Anadolu Agency how he builds businesses in the challenging environment.

SOUTHEAST ASIA & PACIFIC

PHILIPPINES

ZAMBOANGA — Muslim political leaders say law sealing peace in south is dead.

THAILAND

BANGKOK - First version of newly drafted Thai constitution presented to heavy criticism from academics and politicians for allowing military regime to stay in place until 2018 and for weakening power of elected governments.

MYANMAR

YANGON — House speaker gives press conference as parliament folds to make way for new government (MERITS)