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Added on the 02/03/2022 21:13:37 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urges Middle East rivals to agree to a Gaza ceasefire to "break this cycle" of violence, urging de-escalation as Iran prepares a potential strike on Israel. "Escalation is not in anyone's interests. It will only lead to more conflict, more violence, more insecurity. It's also critical that we break this cycle by reaching a ceasefire in Gaza," Blinken tells reporters. SOUNDBITE
On the last day of Russia's presidential elections, set to cement Vladimir Putin's grip on power, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny widow, Yulia Navalnaya, tells the press after voting at the Russian embassy in Berlin that Putin is "a killer" and a "gangster. Crowds had earlier chanted: "Yulia, Yulia, we're with you," as she entered to cast her ballot. Alexei Navalny was Putin's most prominent rival, and died in an Arctic prison last month in mysterious circumstances. SOUNDBITE
Antony Blinken called Wednesday on Israel to prioritise civilians in Gaza's Rafah, but stopped short of urging against military action in the packed Palestinian city. The US Secretary of State also warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government against actions and talk that raise tensions. "I also raised our profound concerns about actions and rhetoric, including from government officials, that inflame tensions that undercut international support and place greater restraints on Israel's security," Blinken told reporters at a press conference in Tel Aviv. SOUNDBITE
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken calls for a further extension to a truce that has paused fighting between Hamas and Israel in Gaza for seven days, as the hours ticked down to its expiry. "Clearly, we want to see this process continue to move forward," he tells reporters in Tel Aviv following a visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank. "We want an eighth day and beyond." SOUNDBITE
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urges Israel to create safe zones for Palestinian civilians in Gaza before it resumes "major military operations" in the Hamas-ruled territory. Speaking to reporters in Tel Aviv, he said Israel "must put in place humanitarian civilian protection plans that minimise further casualties of innocent Palestinians", "including by clearly and precisely designating areas and places in southern and central Gaza, where they can be safe and out of the line of fire". SOUNDBITE
Supporters of Zambian President Lungu hold a rally in Lusaka during a tense presidential race, which has been marked by clashes between rival supporters. The presidential election will take place on Thursday. IMAGES.