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Here's today's free edition. This is the World in Brief from The Economist.

Our top stories. The Israel Defence Forces said that it is now operating in the heart of three areas of the Gaza Strip, including Harn-Newness in the South, on what it called

the most intense day of its ground operation.

Lynn Hastings, a senior UN official, warned that there were no safe places for Palestinians in

Gaza to go and that, quote, an even more hellish scenario is about to unfold.

Almost 16,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7th,

said the enclaves Hamas-run health ministry.

Russia's president, Vladimir Putin,

will make a rare international trip on Wednesday

to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia for talks on bilateral relations and international affairs.

Mr Putin's travel is limited by an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court

over the invasion of Ukraine.

Iran's President, Ibrahim Rheese, will visit Moscow on Thursday for talks with Mr Putin.

Moody's, a ratings agency,

downgraded China's credit outlook to negative,

citing the country's lower than expected economic growth

and its property crisis. Moody's also raised concern over increasing financial support from the government for weak municipal

...