AFP 0100 GMT News Advisory

— TOP STORIES —

+ Israel rejects blame for Gaza civilian deaths

+ Xi, Biden to hold rare summit in US next week

+ FBI seizes NYC mayor’s phones as probe widens

+ Women dominate Grammy noms, SZA tops with nine

+ Elon Musk biopic in the works, producer says

Israel-Palestinians-conflict,WRAP

GAZA STRIP, Palestinian Territories

Israel rejects blame for civilian deaths in Gaza as international calls mount for a halt to bombing and access to aid for tens of thousands people fleeing gunfire, explosions and flattened streets.

900 words 0300 GMT by Adel Zaanoun with Sarah Benhaida in Jerusalem. Picture. Video. Live Video. Graphic

APEC-summit-China-US-diplomacy,WRAP

WASHINGTON

US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold their first meeting in nearly a year next week on the sidelines of the APEC summit in San Francisco, officials from the rival superpowers confirm.

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US-politics-investigation-FBI-EricAdams,lead

NEW YORK

FBI agents seized the New York mayor’s cell phones and other devices, his campaign lawyer says, in an apparent escalation of a federal investigation into campaign fundraising.

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Entertainment-US-music-Grammys,WRAP

NEW YORK

It will be a woman’s world at the upcoming Grammys, with SZA scooping the most chances for gold ahead of the star-studded music gala with nine, as pop’s superstars including Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish dominated across the categories.

750 words moved by Maggy Donaldson. File picture. Video

Also moved: Entertainment-US-music-Grammys-nominees,FACTS

US-tech-film-Musk

WASHINGTON

A top-selling biography of billionaire Elon Musk is being adapted into a film with prolific US director Darren Aronofsky already attached, production company A24 says.

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— ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT —

Israel-Palestinians-conflict-Saudi-Iran-ArabLeague-OIC,WRAP

RIYADH

Arab leaders and Iran’s president are in the Saudi capital Saturday for summits expected to underscore demands that Israel’s war in Gaza end before the violence draws in other countries.

650 words 0230 GMT by Robbie Corey-Boulet

Israel-Palestinians-conflict-health-WHO,lead

UNITED NATIONS

The health care system in the Gaza Strip is “on its knees,” the head of the World Health Organization warns, noting that half of the territory’s 36 hospitals are no longer functioning.

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Israel-Palestinians-conflict-music,FOCUS

TEL AVIV

Like most others his age, Uriel Balas was just excited to celebrate his 26th birthday with friends, having saved for months for his ticket to Israel’s much-anticipated Supernova music festival — but excitement would soon give way to horror.

800 words moved by Daphne Rousseau. Picture. File Picture. Video

Israel-Palestinians-conflict-Gaza-hospitals,SCENE

GAZA STRIP, Palestinian Territories

At Gaza’s largest hospital, a displaced Palestinian says he feels “under siege” as the facility is encircled by fighting between Israeli soldiers and Hamas militants.

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Israel-Palestinians-conflict-kibbutz,FOCUS

KFAR AZA, Israel

Rounds of outgoing Israeli artillery rattle the edge of the war-afflicted Gaza Strip, where a kibbutz community grieves for residents killed in Hamas attacks who had rallied for peace with Palestinians.

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— EUROPE —

Israel-Palestinians-conflict-Britain

LONDON

Almost 2,000 police officers will be on duty Saturday when more than 100,000 pro-Palestinian supporters are expected to march through London, with extra powers in place to protect landmarks honouring Britain’s war dead.

600 words 0130 GMT by James Pheby. File picture

Britain-court-royals-media-Harry,WRAP

LONDON

The publishers of two UK newspapers lose a bid to have a case for unlawful information gathering brought against them by Prince Harry, Elton John and others thrown out of court, opening the way for a possible trial.

520 words moved by Helen Rowe. File picture

Poland-politics-opposition,WRAP

WARSAW

Poland’s liberal opposition parties formed a coalition they said would be a “roadmap” for running the country if they are given a chance to form a government.

450 words moved by Anna-Maria Jakubek. Picture

Portugal-politics-vote,WRAP

LISBON

Portugal’s main political parties begin preparing the battlelines for an early general election called after the sudden resignation of Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa.

500 words moved by Levi Fernandes. File Picture

— AMERICAS —

Colombia-fbl-kidnapping-crime-COL-ENG,lead

BARRANCAS, Colombia

Between tears, Luis Manuel Diaz, father of Liverpool striker Luis Diaz, recounts how he was made to walk “too much” with little sleep in the nearly two weeks he was held hostage in a mountainous area of Colombia by members of the ELN guerrilla group.

600 words moved by Valentin Diaz. Picture. Video

Brazil-crime-Lebanon-Iran-Israel-Palestinians-conflict,FACTS

RIO DE JANEIRO

The arrest in Brazil this week of two people accused of planning “terrorist attacks” has put a spotlight on alleged South American operations by Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which Israel says orchestrated the plot.

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Venezuela-prison-crime-politics,FOCUS

CARACAS

Venezuela has wrested control of seven prisons from powerful gangs — finding guns, drugs, swimming pools, restaurants — even a zoo. While Justice Minister Remigio Ceballos has declared a death blow to the gangs that have run the prisons with impunity, observers denounce a smoke and mirrors tactic to distract from human rights and other concerns.

700 words 0130 GMT by Patrick Fort. Picture. Video

— ASIA —

US-India-diplomacy,WRAP

NEW DELHI

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wraps up a marathon diplomatic push in India after a whirlwind Middle East trip and G7 talks, saying Israel’s pauses in its Gaza offensive will “save lives” but more is needed.

700 words moved by Leon Bruneau. Picture. Video

Myanmar-China-conflict-economy,FOCUS

YANGON

A surprise offensive by Myanmar ethnic armed groups has blocked two strategically vital roads to the country’s biggest trade partner China, choking trade and denying the cash-strapped junta taxes and foreign exchange.

700 words 0200 GMT

—  AFRICA —

Sudan-conflict-refugee-UN,WRAP

UNITED NATIONS

The UN warns of soaring human rights violations in Sudan’s Darfur region and says they are “verging on pure evil,” amid escalating fighting seven months into the war between the army and paramilitaries.

450 words moved by Amelie Bottollier-Depois

— MIDDLE EAST —

Iran-prison-justice-Nobel

PARIS

The family of imprisoned Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi says she has ended a hunger strike after she received medical treatment without wearing the obligatory head covering.

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— ENTERTAINMENT —

Music-Entertainment-Britain-Beatles

LONDON

The Beatles’ latest release “Now And Then” becomes the legendary band’s first UK number one single in 54 years, with Paul McCartney calling it “a very emotional moment.”

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— SPORT —

Cricket-WC-2023-AFG-RSA

AHMEDABAD, India

Rassie van der Dussen hits an unbeaten 76 to lead South Africa to a five-wicket win over Afghanistan who are eliminated from the Cricket World Cup semi-final race.

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