Plus: Ukrainian children displaced by Russian attacks, and Collins dictionary's word of the year
| | | | | | | Hello. Communication services in Gaza were down again this morning following a night of airstrikes. Those seeking to leave the territory have again gathered at the Rafah crossing with Egypt, as reports suggest that the border will open for a limited number of people. In Ukraine, correspondent Jenny Hill talks to children who have had to flee homes too close to the frontlines. As we enter the last two months of 2023, dictionaries start picking their word of the year. Guess which one was Collins Dictionary's choice, before scrolling down to check the answer. |
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| | | | Top of the agenda | | Hundreds wait to flee Gaza at Rafah border | | | | A list of people allowed to leave Gaza was published by the Palestinian agency in charge of crossings. Credit: Reuters |
| | Reports that the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza would open today attracted hundreds of people to the area. Pictures from the scene show a row of ambulances lined up in Gaza waiting to cross into Egypt, where a field hospital is being built about 10km from the border. Local officials have told correspondent Rushdi Abualouf that 88 injured Palestinians will be given priority, and then about 500 dual nationals a day will be allowed to cross. Other than the freed hostages, no other civilian has been able to leave Gaza since Israel imposed a siege, as it retaliated for the deadly Hamas attack on 7 October. Our live page has the latest reports, images, and videos. | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | AT THE SCENE | | | Central Ukraine |
| | Ukraine's 'White Angels' | | Russia's renewed offensives in parts of the Donetsk region and intensified fighting in the Kherson region prompted Ukrainian authorities to order the forced evacuation of children from 31 towns and villages close to the frontlines. Some know they might never see their homes again. | | | | Despite enduring daily danger and discomfort, some did not want to leave. It is up to people like Pavlo Dyachenko to persuade them. He is one of the so-called "White Angels" special police unit, responsible for getting humanitarian aid in - and people out - of Ukraine's most dangerous places. "Everything has to be done really fast," he says. "The danger is always there because Russians do not stop shelling." Getting families with children to safety presents a particular challenge. Every crew carries toys in the car. "Someone has to talk with the children all the time, distract them from the dangers on the road or any other stressful moments," he says. |
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| | | | Beyond the headlines | | Lack of clean water plagues Zimbabwe | | | | The stench of sewage is overpowering in the township of Chitungwiza near Harare. Credit: EPA |
| | Cholera has spread across all of Zimbabwe 10 provinces, mainly affecting children. Farai Sevenzo hears from people in Chitungwiza - a township near the capital, Harare - where people can go for weeks without a regular supply of clean water. | | | | |
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| | | | Something different | | Christmas creep | | If it feels like Chrismas season starts sooner and sooner, it's because it's true. | | |
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| | | | And finally... | | The UK-based Collins Dictionary decreed "AI" to be its word of the year. We asked the AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT to comment on the decision. Read its response. |
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– Sofia |
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