Accumulating bitcoin a risky digital rush by companies?
London, United Kingdom - US President Donald Trump's media group and Tesla, the electric carmaker owned by tech billionaire Elon...Geostrategy
Netanyahu says new Gaza plan ‘best way to end the war’ as criticism intensifies
UN says 'if these plans are implemented, they will likely trigger another calamity in Gaza, reverberating across the region and...Geostrategy
Second US aircraft carrier to back Israel as Biden stresses civilian protection
The presence of the USS Eisenhower and its affiliated warships in the eastern Mediterranean signals Washington's "ironclad commitment to Israel's...US President Joe Biden spoke on the phone Saturday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and "affirmed his support for all efforts to protect civilians"
Biden also spoke with Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas for the first time since hostilities broke out a week ago and "condemned Hamas' brutal attack on Israel"
Chinese envoy to visit Middle East to push peace talks
The envoy "will visit the Middle East next week to coordinate with various parties for a ceasefire, to protect civilians,...Beijing's top diplomat Wang Yi called for the United States to "play a constructive and responsible role" in the conflict
Zhai met with Arab League's representatives and said Beijing supported the regional group role on the Palestinian issue
Middle East emerges as a global esports powerhouse
The Middle Eastern region, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is swiftly becoming a global esports hub, driven by...The Middle Eastern region, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is swiftly becoming a global esports hub, driven by its vast gamer community and strategic investments
The region's esports growth transcends gaming, with stakeholders from elite teams to media firms collaboratively shaping the region's live entertainment future
Aid groups urge Gaza safe zones amid Israeli invasion threat
Jerusalem - International aid groups and major powers have pleaded with Israel to set up safe zones in Gaza where...Currently, Israel has designated two north-south routes in Gaza where it has promised safe passage for six hours a day, but its validity remains uncertain.
The United States and Doctors Without Borders called for "secure zones" and the Norwegian council said there should be "humanitarian corridors".
Egypt, Israel to allow US citizens to leave Gaza via Rafah crossing
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Egypt and Israel have agreed to let US citizens leave the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing...The official said that 500-600 US citizens in the Gaza Strip had reached out for information on leaving the hemmed in territory.
US officials earlier had voiced interest in letting people flee to Egypt but backtracked after seeing limited support in the region.
Israel refuses to give more time for Gaza evacuation
Jerusalem - The Israeli military said on Saturday that Gaza City residents must not delay their departure before a military...Israel has faced calls from the United Nations, United States and European Union to delay an expected full offensive to give civilians time to leave.
The Israeli military has indicated that Gaza city will be the focus of its operations because this is the base for the Hamas leadership.
WHO transports Gaza aid to Egypt, waits for humanitarian access
Geneva, Switzerland - The World Health Organization said on Saturday enough basic health supplies to serve 300,000 people in the Gaza...The WHO supplies include enough medicines to treat 1,200 wounded patients and 1,500 patients suffering from various diseases.
The supplies were ready to go in once humanitarian access could be established through the Rafah crossing from Egypt into the southern Gaza Strip.
IMF agrees on rise in funding, extra Africa board seat
The IMF announced member nations agreed to increase their contributions to the global lender and give sub-Saharan Africa a third...The quotas, which are based on the size of a country's economy, determine how much funding a nation should provide to the IMF.
IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank President Ajay Banga used this week's meetings to urge members to step up funding.
UAE, South Korea ink MoU to enhance air transport relations
ABU DHABI, UAE - The United Arab Emirates, represented by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), has signed a Memorandum...This MoU includes an agreement to increase the number of national carrier flights between the two countries to 21 flights per week.
The signing of this MoU followed discussions held in Seoul on October 12 and 13, 2023, with representatives from both countries' aviation sectors.
More than 1,300 buildings destroyed in Gaza: UN
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the bombardment is "just the beginning" as Israel seeks to retaliate against Hamas after...UN's humanitarian agency said "5,540 housing units" in those buildings were destroyed and nearly 3,750 more homes were so badly damaged they were uninhabitable
At least 1,900 Gazans -- most of them civilians and including more than 600 children -- have been killed in missile strikes on the densely populated enclave
