Plus: The birth of the 'Antarctica' accent, and guitar legends' love letters
| | | | | . | | Hello. In a special day of coverage from Gaza, BBC journalists are hearing powerful accounts of how people’s daily lives have been upended by nearly five months of war between Israel and Hamas. From Singapore, Kelly Ng speaks to young people in Myanmar trying to leave the country after the junta announced a mandatory period of military service. We also have stories about how accents develop in unusual circumstances, and the tortured letters testament to a love triangle involving George Harrison and Eric Clapton. |
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| | | | Top of the agenda | | A day in the life of ordinary Gazans | | | | Last week, the US was criticised for vetoing a Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Credit: Reuters |
| | US President Joe Biden has expressed hope that a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel could be sealed by next Monday, ahead of the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on 10 March. That is also the date that Israel had indicated for the start of an offensive in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, which is now home to about 1.5 million people displaced by the conflict in the territory. It is unclear whether a deal would avoid or delay the offensive, but it would likely include an exchange of the hostages Hamas kidnapped from southern Israel during the deadly 7 October attacks in return for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. For Palestinians living in Gaza, access to food and basic necessities remains a daily preoccupation. A gynaecologist, a fashion designer and a lawyer are among those who have agreed to share details of their struggles to get by over the course of the day. | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | FROM THE SCENE | Yangon, Myanmar | | Moving abroad to avoid conscription | | Now in its fourth year in power since the February 2021 military coup that plunged much of the country into civil war, Myanmar's junta is struggling to push back against armed resistance groups. With a mandatory two-year military service about to be introduced, many young Burmese are seeking to leave the country. | | | | "I arrived at 03:30 [20:30 GMT] and there were already about 40 people queuing for the tokens to apply for their visa," recalled a teenage girl who was part of a massive crowd outside the Thai embassy in Yangon earlier in February. Within an hour, the crowd in front of the embassy expanded to more than 300 people, she claims. In Mandalay, where two deaths occurred outside the passport office, the BBC was told there were also serious injuries - one person broke their leg after falling into a drain, while another broke their teeth. Six others reported breathing difficulties. |
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| | | | Beyond the headlines | | Green ammonia's gold rush | | | | Emissions from fertilisers are one of the issues driving farmers' protests in parts of Europe. Credit: Getty Images |
| | Ammonia fertiliser is key to growing food, but it's also a highly polluting substance. Ammonia production currently accounts for nearly 2% of global CO2 emissions. No wonder a string of companies are trying to develop alternatives that won't wreck the climate. | | | | |
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| | | | Something different | | A very southern drawl | | Researchers in Antarctica began to develop their own accent. | | |
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| | | | And finally... | | British Model Pattie Boyd was at the sharp end of a rock-star love triangle with George Harrison and Eric Clapton. While she was married to the former, the latter wrote inquisitive letters. "What I wish to ask you is if you still love your husband," Clapton asked in a daring missive that Boyd is now auctioning. Take a look. |
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– Sofia |
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