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Dozens of protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza shut down a major bridge in San Francisco on Thursday, disrupting traffic as world leaders met for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation leaders’ conference.
Videos circulating on social media showed protesters who were chained together demanding US President Joe Biden, who is in San Francisco for the summit, call for a ceasefire and end military aid to Israel.
Protesters chanted, “ceasefire now", and laid out large banners reading “Stop genocide” and “no US military aid to Israel".
Several were also seen staging a “die-in” on the bridge, by laying on the ground covered in white sheets.
The protest comes as Mr Biden is taking part in the Apec summit, attended by world leaders and chief executives from around the world, where they have been discussing ways to promote trade, investment and economic development among the nations around the Pacific Ocean.
It also comes as Israeli army forces have taken over Al Shifa hospital in Gaza city, the latest development in the Israel-Gaza war which is now approaching its seventh week.
Israel launched a massive aerial bombardment and an unprecedented ground invasion of the Gaza Strip after Hamas gunmen attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people.
The conflict has caused worldwide protests, and concerns over violations of international law.
The Biden administration has staunchly supported Israel's response, even as the Palestinian death toll in Gaza passed 11,400 people, most of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The administration has also opposed a general ceasefire, saying that Hamas must be eradicated. Mr Biden has also pledged more military aid to Israel.
His response has drawn the ire of Arab and Muslim Americans.
San Francisco city officials said protesters were removed from the bridge.
The sheriff's office said about 80 protesters were cited and then released.
The Palestinian Youth Movement, Bay Area Palestine Solidarity and other local groups took part in the protest.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
Fitness problems in men's tennis
Andy Murray - hip
Novak Djokovic - elbow
Roger Federer - back
Stan Wawrinka - knee
Kei Nishikori - wrist
Marin Cilic - adductor
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Transmission: 10-speed auto
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The past winners
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2010 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2011 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2012 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2013 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2015 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
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ELIO
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
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You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
