Hamas and Israel consider deal extension

Plus: The abortion grey area hurting women in Kenya, and Indo-Chinese cuisine's restaurant takeover

View this email online 27 November, 2023 Sofia Lotto Persio Hello. A temporary truce between Hamas and Israel held across the weekend, which saw more than 50 hostages released from Gaza and more than 110 Palestinian prisoners freed from Israeli jails. With a fourth and final group set to be released today, Hamas and Israel are considering an extension of their deal. In Kenya, BBC Africa Eye reporters examine how abortion remains a taboo, at a cost of women's lives. On a lighter and tastier note, Savita Patel looks at how Indo-Chinese food is taking over restaurant menus across the US. Top of the agenda Hope for a longer truce and more releases An estimated 212 hostages are still being held in Gaza. Credit: Getty Images Today marks the fourth and final day of a temporary truce agreed between Hamas and Israel. The weekend was marked by emotional scenes, as relatives were reunited with hostages released from Gaza. So far, Hamas has set free 58 hostages, with another group expected to be freed today, in exchange for aid deliveries and the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Hamas is now seeking to extend the deal, a possibility the Israeli government said it was considering, although it said the fighting in Gaza would resume after any pause expired. Israel's suspension of military activities did not extend to the occupied West Bank, where its forces conducted operations, including an overnight raid in the city of Jenin, that resulted in the killing of eight Palestinians within 24 hours, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Follow our live page for the latest developments in the conflict. • Freed Israelis: From 78-year-old Margalit Mozes to two-year-old Aviv Katz Asher, here are the profiles of the hostages that have been released so far. • Thai nationals: Wichai Kalapat was initially thought to have died in the 7 October attack, but he was one of the 17 Thai hostages who were released as part of a separate deal between Hamas and the Egyptian government, which also included one Filipino citizen. • Surveying the damage: The four-day truce has allowed Gazans displaced by the fighting to check on their homes, or what's left of them. World headlines • COP28 controversy: The UAE was planning to use its role as host of the UN climate summit to promote oil and gas deals with foreign countries, according to leaked documents. Meanwhile, in Australia, police arrested more than 100 environmental activists over a two-day blockade at the world's largest coal port. • Vermont shooting: The families of three Palestinian students shot on Saturday in the US state have urged police to investigate the attack as a hate crime. • Prison breaks: Authorities in Sierra Leone have said current and former military officers were among the armed men who attacked a military barracks and freed inmates on Sunday, but have yet to establish whether it was an attempted coup. • Thai wedding killing: A Thai para-athlete has shot dead four people, including his bride, before killing himself at his wedding party. • Quitting the ban: Health experts have criticized New Zealand's plans to scrap a nationwide ban on the sale of cigarettes that would have represented a world's first. AT THE SCENE | Nairobi, Kenya The abortion grey area hurting women The Kenyan penal code, which has its origins in the colonial era, outlaws abortion. While the 2010 constitution provides for a series of exceptions, few doctors are willing to perform abortions or talk about the issue openly, with many women having no other choice but to turn to backstreet clinics. Zoe Flood, Linda Ngari and Tamasin Ford, BBC Africa Eye At an unregulated clinic on the outskirts of Nairobi, the man in charge offers women abortions for 2,500 Kenyan shillings ($16; £13). "We have girls who are still going to school. You get others who are raped. You get someone who is not ready, and they want to terminate it. We do help because they come for help. They need that help from us," he says, speaking on condition of anonymity. He charges extra for the safe disposal of the foetus. If the woman cannot afford that he pays someone to throw it in the river. Read in full Beyond the headlines How war narratives play out on social media There is a stark contrast in style between the most popular content supporting either side. Credit: BBC The war in Gaza has spilled over on social media, where a battle is brewing to control the narrative and influence opinions. Disinformation and social media correspondent Marianna Spring examines different styles of content and their powers of persuasion and she discusses her findings along with chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet, in the first episode of our new podcast The Global Story, hosted by Katya Adler. Listen now Something different Worth more than gold Before its recipe got lost, Tyrian purple was the most valuable colour in the world. Take a look And finally... You may be familiar with butter chicken, but have you tried cauliflower manchurian, or hakka noodles? Indo-Chinese food - the sharp, spicy fusion between Indian and Chinese food - is becoming increasingly popular on restaurant menus in the US. Savita Patel looks into what makes the cuisine such a hit in places such as San Francisco. Influential with Katty Kay In-depth and unexpected conversations with today’s change makers. Discover now Do you have suggestions for what we cover in BBC News Briefing? You can email me to let me know what you think. And why not forward it to friends? They can sign up here. While you're at it, add [email protected] to your contacts list and, if you're on Gmail, pop the email into your “Primary” tab for uninterrupted service. Thanks for reading! – Sofia You've received this email because you've signed up to the BBC News Briefing newsletter. Click here to Unsubscribe To find out how we use your data, see the BBC Privacy Policy. BBC Studios Distribution Limited.BBC Studios Registered Number: 01420028 England Registered office: 1 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, London, W12 7FA, United Kingdom 1 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane London, ., W12 7FA Update Profile