AFP 0900 GMT News Advisory

— TOP STORIES —

+ Israel pressured to protect civilians in Gaza

+ Arab, Iran leaders to discuss Israel-Hamas war

+ FBI seizes NYC mayor’s phones as probe widens

+ Bangladesh factories closed after wage protests

+ Song about Indian PM gets Grammy nomination

Israel-Palestinians-conflict,WRAP

GAZA STRIP, Palestinian Territories

Israel faces growing calls to protect civilians in Gaza as combat with Hamas intensifies around hospitals where Palestinians have sought refuge from intense bombardment and close-quarter gun battles.

1,000 words 1000 GMT by Mai Yaghi with Sarah Benhaida in Jerusalem. Picture. Video. Live Video. Graphic

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

RIYADH

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

700 words 1300 words GMT by Robbie Corey-Boulet. Picture. Video. Live Video

US-politics-investigation-FBI-EricAdams,lead

NEW YORK

FBI agents seize 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.

450 words moved by Maggy Donaldson

Bangladesh-unrest-textile-labour,WRAP

DHAKA

Bangladeshi garment manufacturers shut 150 factories “indefinitely”, as police issue blanket charges for 11,000 workers in connection with violent protests demanding a higher minimum wage.

500 words 1030 GMT by Shafiqul Alam. Picture

Entertainment-US-Grammys-India-Modi-agriculture

NEW DELHI

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes an entry into the halls of global music with a song featuring him and his passion for millet grain nominated for a Grammy.

400 words 1030 GMT

— ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT —

Israel-Palestinians-conflict-Jaffa,FOCUS

JAFFA, Israel

As night falls on Jaffa, a historically Palestinian district of Tel Aviv, a group of Arab and Jewish activists set out, posters and glue in hand, to spread messages of reconciliation.

650 words 1030 GMT by Daphne Rousseau. Video

Israel-Palestinians-conflict-Gaza-diplomacy,FOCUS

RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories

Who will govern Gaza when Israel’s military offensive against Hamas ends? After more than a month of fighting, the answer remains shrouded in confusion as Israel, the United States and the Palestinian Authority offer differing solutions.

550 words 1130 GMT by Hossam Ezzedine. Picture. Video. Graphic

— ASIA —

Philippines-China-diplomacy-maritime,SCENE

SOUTH CHINA SEA

As a Philippine Coast Guard rubber boat carrying journalists sped towards Filipino troops on a grounded navy vessel in the disputed South China Sea, three Chinese speed boats gave chase.

650 words 1000 GMT by Pam Castro and Jamillah Sta Rosa. Picture. Video

China-retail-internet-economy

BEIJING

China’s annual “Singles Day” sales bonanza wraps up at midnight, but consumers this year appear largely unswayed by its flashy deals and discounts as the world’s second-largest economy slows.

450 words moved. 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 moved

— EUROPE —

Israel-Palestinians-conflict-Britain

LONDON

Almost 2,000 police officers will be on duty 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 1730 GMT. File picture

Ukraine-Russia-conflict,WRAP

KYIV

A missile targets Kyiv, ending a long period of calm in the Ukrainian capital, while frontline regions witness waves of drones overnight.

500 words 1130 GMT. File picture. Graphic

Vatican-pope-religion-LGBTQ-rights,FOCUS

VATICAN CITY

Supporters of LGBTQ rights welcome a Vatican statement that transgender people can be baptised as a step towards more inclusion in the Catholic Church, while denouncing caveats that give cover to those who object.

600 words 1200 GMT by Clement Melki

Germany-aviation-airport,FOCUS

SCHONEFELD, Germany

Berlin’s massively delayed, absurdly over-budget, far too small international airport BER, which opened in 2020 to heaps of scorn, has had to get creative to try to win over weary passengers.

750 words moved by Deborah Cole. Picture

Norway-climate-transport-auto,FOCUS

OSLO

Hydrogen-powered heavy lorries were once seen as the future of emissions-free road transport but they could soon be relegated to niche markets in Europe, overtaken by electric trucks.

700 words moved by Pierre-Henry Deshayes. Picture

Britain-entertainment-royals-television TheCrown,ADVANCER

Fans of “The Crown” are holding their breath for the final season of the hit Netflix drama about the life of Queen Elizabeth II, with the last episodes covering some of the most tumultuous times of the monarchy.

600 words moved by Germain Moyon. 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

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 moved by Patrick Fort. Picture. Video

—  AFRICA —

Nigeria-vote-state,lead

ABUJA

Nigerian police deploy helicopters and gunboats as voters in three states elect governors amid fears political rivalries could spill over into violence.

500 words 1730 GMT

Liberia-vote,ADVANCER

MONROVIA

Liberians vote for a new president on Tuesday in a tight run-off between President George Weah, an ex-international football star, and veteran politician Joseph Boakai.

650 words moved by Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh. File picture. File video

Liberia-vote-Weah,PROFILE

MONROVIA

From Liberia’s swampy slums to international football star and then president, George Weah is contesting a second term in a run-off, defending a controversial record and facing determined opposition.

650 words moved by Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh with Adrien Marotte in Dakar. File picture. File video

Liberia-vote-Boakai,PROFILE

MONROVIA

Liberia’s main opposition contender for president Joseph Boakai has four decades of political experience behind him but at the age of 78, he faces the challenge of winning over a largely young population.

600 words moved by Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh with Adrien Marotte in Dakar. File picture

Also moved: Liberia-vote,FACTS

— SPORTS —

Cricket-WC-2023-ENG-PAK

KOLKATA, India

Pakistan are virtually assured of Cricket World Cup elimination after England captain Jos Buttler wins the toss and decides to bat first as both teams conclude their group campaign.

500 words 1100 GMT by Shahid Hashmi Picture

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