Here are the main stories that The Anadolu Agency's English News Desk will cover Friday, Feb. 20, 2015:
TURKEY
ANKARA -- Turkish Prime Minister Davutoglu to meet Kosovar Foreign Minister Thaci.
ANKARA -- Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Ozdil Nami to hold joint press conference following delegation-level meetings.
ANKARA -- Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu and Turkey’s chief EU negotiator Bozkir to attend the Second Reform Action Group Meeting following their press conference.
SPECIAL REPORT:
Istanbul home of world famous jazz cymbals
By Handan Kazanci
ISTANBUL -- Turkey-based cymbal maker are creating instruments that remain true to the Turkish code of hand-made products, using almost 800 years of tradition. Two Turkish hand-hammered vintage cymbal companies have made their way to Hollywood by featuring in a movie nominated for five Academy Awards.
EUROPE
FRANCE
PARIS -- German Chancellor Merkel visits Paris to meet French President Hollande to discuss Ukraine, Middle East and upcoming G7 Summit. Joint press conference expected.
PARIS -- French Foreign Minister Fabius to meet Greek counterpart Kotzias.
PARIS -- France to host foreign ministers' meeting that will discuss migration. Press conference is also expected.
PARIS -- A ceremony of the French national film awards, Cesar, will be held.
LILLE -- The trial of former International Monetary Fund chief Strauss-Kahn is expected to conclude.
BELGIUM
BRUSSELS -- Eurozone finance ministers to discuss Greece bailout program.
GENEVA -- Nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran to resume.
UNITED STATES
NEW YORK -- UN Security Council to be briefed by members of UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria.
MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA
KENYA
NAIROBI -- Kenyan President Kenyatta to hand over chairmanship of East African Community to Tanzanian President Kikwete.
SPECIAL REPORTS:
Zimbabwe to see first HIV vaccine trial
By Wallace Mawire
HARARE -- Zimbabwean scientists, in collaboration with a global consortium of researchers, are preparing to conduct the country's first-ever HIV vaccine trial as part of the global effort to find a lasting solution to the spread of the deadly virus.
Is South Africa’s democracy under threat?
By Hassan Isilow
JOHANNESBURG -- The recent forceful removal of opposition lawmakers from parliament has raised many questions about South Africa's democratic experience, once the pride of the continent.
SE ASIA-ASIA PACIFIC
AUSTRALIA
MELBOURNE -- The diplomatic relationship between Indonesia and Australia is under pressure as Indonesian prison and justice officials meet over execution of drug offenders, including “Bali 9” duo.
JAPAN
TOKYO -- Government approves bill mandating large employers to set and publicize goals on quota of female employees in leadership positions.
