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☆ Iraq becomes EBRD shareholder, Senegal and Ghana apply to join
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

People walk past the new headquarters of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Canary Wharf, London, Britain, September 14, 2023. REUTERS/Alishia Abodunde/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Iraq has become the 74th member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the multilateral lender said on Thursday, while Ghana and Senegal have also applied to join. Iraq first submitted its request to join the bank in 2018, and its shareholder status enables it to apply to become a recipient economy, which would unlock EBRD finance and policy support. "When the time comes, we are looking forward to starting work in Iraq, applying our expertise to developing its economy," EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso said in a statement. Renaud-Basso told Reuters that Senegal and Ghana had submitted applications to join the bank in the latest sign of its push into sub-Saharan Africa.

Persons: Alishia, Odile Renaud, Basso, Renaud, Libby George, Marc Jones, Christina Fincher Organizations: European Bank for Reconstruction, REUTERS, Reuters, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: Canary Wharf, London, Britain, Iraq, Ghana, Senegal, Saharan Africa, Benin, Ivory Coast, Europe, East, North Africa, Asia

TEL AVIV—With fears rising about the safety of hostages held in Gaza, the White House sent its top Middle East adviser to the region on Wednesday to push for the captives’ release. Brett McGurk , National Security Council coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, met with Israeli leaders at the start of a regional visit that is part of the Biden administration’s efforts to prevent the conflict in Gaza from spiraling into a broader regional war. McGurk, who is also a deputy assistant to Biden, will next meet with Palestinian, Jordanian and Persian Gulf officials.

Persons: Brett McGurk, Biden, McGurk Organizations: White House, National Security Locations: TEL AVIV, Gaza, East, North Africa, Persian

☆ Crypto.com wins Dubai licence
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DUBAI, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Virtual assets exchange Crypto.com's Dubai entity CRO DAX Middle East FZE has received a licence from the city state's regulator, subject to operational approval, the company said in a statement on Tuesday. Once approved, the Virtual Assets Service Provider (VASP) licence will allow Crypto.com to offer various services in-market to retail and institutional investors, including exchange services, broker-dealer services, investment services, and lending and borrowing services, the statement said. “Dubai continues to show it is a leading market when designing effective regulation for the crypto space while still supporting adoption and innovation," Kris Marszalek, CEO of Crypto.com said. With more than 80 million customers globally, Crypto.com announced Dubai as its regional hub for the Middle East and North Africa in March 2022, following a trend of other major industry players gravitating towards the Gulf city state. Reporting by Rachna Uppal; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: DAX, Kris Marszalek, Crypto.com, Rachna Uppal, Michael Perry Organizations: Virtual Assets Service, Assets Regulatory Authority, Dubai International Financial, Crypto.com, Thomson Locations: DUBAI, Dubai, VARA, East, North Africa, Gulf

☆ Boeing wins orders worth $52 billion from Emirates at the Dubai Air Show
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Emirates announced an order worth $52 million that includes 90 Boeing 777s at the Dubai Air Show . The orders marked a significant win for Boeing on the first day of the air show. AdvertisementAdvertisementDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Long-haul carrier Emirates opened the Dubai Air Show Monday with a $52 billion purchase of Boeing aircraft, showing how aviation has bounced back after the groundings of the coronavirus pandemic, even as Israel's war with Hamas clouds regional security. Emirates, a main economic engine for Dubai amid its booming real estate market, announced record half-year profits of $2.7 billion Thursday. The deal includes 28 Boeing 737-8s and 17 Boeing 737-10s models, as well as the opportunity for another 45 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

Persons: —, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Sheikh Saeed, Stan Deal, — Rafael, Israel Aerospace Industries —, Rafael, Khalifa Hifter Organizations: Emirates, Boeing, Dubai Air, Service, United Arab Emirates, Investment Corporation of Dubai, Al, Dubai World, Dubai International Airport, U.S . Air Force, Defense Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries, IAI, Meets Technology, Russian Helicopters, U.S, Roscosmos, Russian Knights, Associated Press, Libyan National Army, AP, United, Haqqani, Airbus, International Air Transport Association ., . Emirates, Riyadh Air, Turkish Airlines, Anadolu, Lufthansa, MAX, Royal Jordanian, Royal Air Maroc Locations: DUBAI, United Arab, Dubai, Sheikh, Emirates, Israel, Ukraine, Iran, UAE, Abu Dhabi, Russian, Afghan, Al, Riyadh, Saudi, Latvia, France

☆ David Cameron, former PM and now Britain's new foreign minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - David Cameron, 57, served as British prime minister from 2010 to 2016, resigning after the outcome of the Brexit vote, when Britain voted to leave the European Union. * In 2013, his government legalised same-sex marriage, which Cameron backed strongly, saying at the time: "I don't support gay marriage in spite of being a Conservative. Britain's former Prime Minister and newly appointed Foreign Secretary David Cameron reacts outside 10 Downing Street in London, Britain November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett Acquire Licensing Rights* As prime minister, Cameron ordered military intervention in Libya, when Britain and its allies led international efforts to help oust then-leader Muammar Gaddafi in early 2011. However, Britain voted for Brexit and he announced he would quit as prime minister the following day.

Persons: David Cameron, Cameron, King William IV, Suzanne Plunkett, Muammar Gaddafi, Sachin Ravikumar, Kate Holton Organizations: Britain, European, Eton College, Oxford University, Conservative, REUTERS, British, Scottish, European Union, Brexit, Greensill, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Libya, United Kingdom

☆ Protests sweep around the globe as Israel’s war in Gaza grinds on
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Prasanta Kumar Dutta | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

A graphic shows all demonstrations in the ACLED data clustered by whether they were pro-Palestinian, pro-Israel or neutral. Pro-Palestinian make up 3,761 demonstrations; pro-Israel, 529 demonstrations; and neutral, 95 demonstrations. Note: Analysis includes peaceful protests, protests with intervention, protests with excessive force used against protesters and violent demonstrations as categorised by ACLED. In Berlin, ACLED reported hundreds of demonstrators were arrested during multiple protests during October, as pro-Palestinian protestors clashed with police. There are many pro-Israel demonstrations as well as pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Persons: Israel —, ACLED, Gazans Organizations: Israel, Al, Arabi, Palestinian, Palestine, ”, U.S Locations: Israel, Gaza, London, Berlin, Paris, Ankara, Istanbul, Washington, Israel’s, Palestinian, Ahli, Gaza City, East, North Africa, West, Yemen, Iran, Turkey, Morocco, Europe, United States

ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Saturday dismissed the country's prime minister and replaced him with the head of his cabinet as the country struggles with inflation and next year's national elections approach. Benabderahmne's sacking comes three years into Tebboune's tenure and is the latest upheaval to shape North African politics. In August, Tunisia's president dismissed his prime minister, while the head of Algeria's powerful state-run oil company and eight of his vice presidents were dismissed several weeks ago. For Tebboune, the changing of the guard takes place at a time of economic anxiety and ahead of next year's presidential elections. Larbaoui, the incoming prime minister, rose from being an athlete on Algeria's national handball team to a member of the country's diplomatic corps, having served as Algeria's ambassador to Egypt and the United Nations.

Persons: Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Aimene, Mohamed Labaoui, Benabderahmne's, Tebboune's, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Tebboune, ”, Larbaoui Organizations: Saturday, handball team, United Nations Locations: ALGIERS, Algeria, Tebboune, Ukraine, Europe, East, North Africa, Gaza, Israel, Egypt

LONDON, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Foreign investors pulled a record amount of money from U.S. equity funds tracking Saudi Arabia in October as the Middle East's worst violence in decades shook the region's business-friendly narrative. The iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia ETF saw record net outflows in October of more than $200 million, LSEG data shows, cutting 20% from what it held at the beginning of the month. "Capital flight can be quite indiscriminate," said Torbjorn Soltvedt, principal analyst for the Middle East and North Africa with Verisk Maplecroft. The iShares MSCI Qatar ETF (QAT.O) lost $7.7 million in funds in October, while the iShares MSCI UAE ETF (UAE.O) suffered outflows of $2.75 million. Nearly all the region's main economies are strong enough to weather some turmoil, investors say.

Persons: Torbjorn Soltvedt, Verisk, Natalia Gurushina, Israel, Gurushina, Bonds, Sergey Dergachev, Maplecroft, Dergachev, Libby George, Alexander Smith Organizations: Saudi Arabia ETF, . Exchange, Exchange, ARK Israel Innovative Technology, BlueStar, BlueStar Israel Technology, Hamas, Union Investment, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Israel, East, North Africa, BlueStar Israel, outflows, Saudi, London, Bengaluru

☆ How Afrilabs is powering Africa’s tech revolution through community
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Stephanie Busari | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Kigali, Rwanda CNN —For over a decade, AfriLabs has been at the forefront of cultivating a vibrant tech ecosystem across the African continent. The annual AfriLabs Gathering, held in Kigali, Rwanda, is a testament to its commitment to uniting the African tech community. AfriLabs has been at the forefront of cultivating a vibrant tech ecosystem across the African continent. With a trailblazing woman at its helm, Afrilabs addresses the gender gap in the tech industry, recognizing that the African tech landscape remains predominantly male-dominated. Its participation in the Nigeria Startup Act and the ongoing Nigeria Startup Act State Adoption program showcases commitment to driving conversations and effecting change, says Guobadia.

Persons: AfriLabs, Anna Ekeledo, Ekeledo, ”, “ We’ve, Afrilabs, ” Ekeledo, Oswald Osaretin Guobadia, … Organizations: Rwanda CNN, Consultancy, McKinsey, Company, Algeria Venture, Builder.ai, AfriLabs, Visa Foundation, Business Angel Network, CNN, Nigeria Startup Locations: Kigali, Rwanda, Africa, North Africa, Afrilabs, DigitA, Abuja, Nigeria, “

The Gaza war on the border with Egypt's Sinai Peninsula comes after the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the coronavirus pandemic exposed long-standing frailties in the Egyptian economy. "Foreign sentiment on Egypt is so weak, and now with this coming along it's last thing that Egypt needed. A foreign currency shortage has led to a $5 billion backlog of imports stuck at ports, and problems for foreign companies repatriating dividends, bankers say. So far, the Gaza war has affected the popular Sinai destinations of Taba, Nuweiba, Dahab and Sharm el-Sheikh but left the rest of the country relatively unscathed. Egypt's tourism minister told Reuters this week that the impact of the war was contained to under 10% of bookings.

Persons: Mohamed Abd El Ghany, Monica Malik, Moataz, Sharm, Karim ElMinabawy, Siamak Adibi, Egypt's, Olumide Ajayi, Malik, Patrick Werr, Sarah El Safty, Aidan Lewis, Toby Chopra Organizations: REUTERS, Abu, Tourism, Countrywide, Emeco, Middle East Gas, FGE, United Arab, Thomson Locations: Giza, Cairo, Egypt, CAIRO, Gaza, Ukraine, Dhabi, Taba, Dahab, Luxor, Aswan, Israel, Europe, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Gulf . Saudi

Pro-Palestinian students like Ms. Babboni see their movement as connected to others that have stood up for an oppressed people. And they have adopted a potent vocabulary, rooted in the hothouse jargon of academia, that grafts the history of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples onto the more familiar terms of social justice movements at home. They also argue that charges of racism betray a misunderstanding of the region, because it is estimated that half of Israelis are of Middle Eastern or North African descent. Since the crisis began, statements and counterstatements have volleyed back and forth among college administrators, students, faculty and alumni. Each takes issue with the language used by the others, and helps explain why the gyre of recriminations only widens with every new statement offered up by students or faculty.

Persons: Babboni, “, ” Organizations: Israel, “ Palestine Solidarity Groups, Columbia University, U.S . Locations: Palestinian, South Africa, Israel, Gaza, Eastern

☆ Serbia's police detain over 4,500 migrants, seize weapons
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Detained migrants sit on their knees with cuffed hands, at their makeshift camp close to the Serbia-Hungary border, near the city of Subotica, Serbia September 12, 2023. It said that eight smugglers and 119 people have been arrested on charges including human trafficking and illegal possession of weapons and drugs. Many migrants cross borders with the help of elaborate networks of smugglers who are sometimes armed, and shootouts between criminal groups are frequent. Last month three migrants died in a shootout near Serbia's border with Hungary, a route increasingly used by people smugglers for entering the European Union. Belgrade has pledged to align its visa policies with those of the EU to help stem the flow of illegal migrants westward.

Persons: Marko Djurica, Djurovic, Aleksandar Vasovic, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights BELGRADE, Serbian, Serbian Ministry of Interior, Internal, European Union, Center for Protection, Asylum, RTV TV, Thomson Locations: Serbia, Hungary, Subotica, Sombor, Kikinda, Hungarian, Pirot, Bulgaria, East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Africa, Turkey, North Macedonia, Serbia's, Austria, Belgrade

☆ Italy to build sea migrant reception centres in Albania
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Angelo Amante | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Meloni said the Albanian centres would initially host some 3,000 people when they are due to open in spring 2024. More than 145,000 people have come ashore in Italy so far in 2023, compared with around 88,000 in the same period in 2022. The same source denied Italy would pay any money to Albania to host the centres. Meloni said Italy would build a migrant identification facility at the Albanian port of Shëngjin, and a repatriation centre inland. The main countries migrants have arrived from in Italy in 2023 were Guinea, Ivory Coast and Tunisia, official data shows.

Persons: Giorgia Meloni, Meloni, Rama, Rome, Maurizio Veglio, Angelo Amante, Alvise Armellini, Alison Williams Organizations: European Union, Italian coastguard, Albanian, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Italy, Rome, ROME, Albania, Albanian, Africa, Shëngjin, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Rwanda

REUTERS/Ammar Awad/ Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK/LONDON, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Travelers are canceling or postponing planned vacations to the Middle East and North Africa due to fears of the Israel-Hamas conflict worsening, and as touring companies have also altered itineraries and canceled flights. Travel operators say the war is affecting demand for travel to nearby nations including Egypt, Jordan and Turkey. German airline Group Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) said on Thursday their Middle East bookings have not been affected by the war, with only an initial dip when the conflict started. Spanish travel agency Essentialist said it has canceled 75% of trips to the extended Middle East and Northeast Africa region. The conflict's effect on travel demand to the Middle East may extend beyond the holidays and even just neighboring countries.

Persons: Ammar Awad, Israel, Todd Elliott, Konrad Waliszewski, Willie Walsh, Kathleen Oberg, Patrick Scholes, Essentialist, Matt Berna, Khaled Ibrahim, Doyinsola Oladipo, Joanna Plucińska, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Daniel Wallis Organizations: REUTERS, Cruise Line Holdings, Royal Caribbean Group, International Air Transport Association, Group Lufthansa, AS OMAN, Marriott, Intrepid Travel, Americas, East Travel Alliance, Thomson Locations: Damascus, Jerusalem's Old City, East, North Africa, Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Orlando , Florida, Israel . Washington, Cyprus, Lebanon, Valencia, Spain, Spanish, Northeast Africa, Australia, Norway, Sharm el Sheikh, Oman, UAE, New York, London, Chicago

Dearborn, Michigan CNN —In 2020, Eman Hammoud was one of thousands of Michigan Muslims who helped President Joe Biden beat Donald Trump. A month ago, the Palestinian American immigration lawyer had no doubts she would support his campaign again in 2024. Michigan has more than 200,000 Muslim American voters — 146,000 of whom turned out to vote in 2020 –— according to an analysis by Emgage, an organization that seeks to build the political power of Muslim Americans. “That just proves that the Biden administration needs the Muslim vote to win,” said Nada Al-Hanooti, the Michigan executive director of Emgage Action. “We felt that the rhetoric, including from the White House, was very unhelpful and in fact potentially dangerous,” Alzayat said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, she’s, “ He’s, ” Hammoud, that’s, Hammoud, Biden, ”, Nada, Fayoume, ” Biden, Ammar Moussa, “, Donald Trump’s, Abbas Alawieh, Rashida Tlaib, Tlaib, Israel, Abdullah Hammoud, “ We’re, Israel isn’t, —, Beau, Adam Abusalah, John Kirby, he’s, Robyn Patterson, “ We’ll, White, Jeff Zients, Anita Dunn, Wa’el Alzayat, ” Alzayat, Antony Blinken, Sam Baydoun, Baydoun, ” Baydoun, didn’t, ” Hussein Dabajeh, ” Dabajeh, ” Lexi Zeidan, “ We’ve, Zeidan, CNN’s Denise Royal Organizations: Michigan CNN —, Biden, CNN, Michigan, American, Michigan —, Arab American, GOP, MAGA, Democratic, Dearborn, Muslim American, Palestinian, Congress, Rep, Muslim, Israel, West Bank, US, UN, House, Hamas, Gaza Ministry of Health, White House, White, Office, UN Security, Trump Locations: Dearborn, Michigan, Palestinian, Israel, Gaza, —, Detroit, Eastern, Arab American, Palestinian American, Hammoud, Tel Aviv, Minneapolis, Wayne County , Michigan, Lebanon, Habib’s, Lebanese, American, Palestine

☆ Fact Check: Pro-Palestinian Halloween billboard pictured in Tunisia, not Chicago
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Multiple pro-Palestinian billboards were put up in the North African country of Tunisia before Halloween, despite online posts sharing an image that miscaptions one of these billboards as in Chicago, Illinois amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Various social media users have shared these displays naming the location as Tunisia, including one on Oct. 26 that shows the same billboard as in the miscaptioned social media posts. The billboard, camera angle, streetlamp and buildings in the background match the image shared on social media. Humzah Khan, a Fulbright fellow in Tunisia, shared an image of the billboard on X with the caption, “several billboards like this in Tunis. A pro-Palestinian Halloween billboard seen on social media comes from Tunisia, not the city of Chicago in the U.S.

Persons: Hannachi Issam, Mohamed Bouazizi, VI, Humzah Khan, ” Khan, Al Jazeera, Read Organizations: IN CHICAGO, Chicago, Tunis Tribune, Facebook, Carthage International, Tunisian, Chicago Department of Buildings, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Tunisia, Chicago , Illinois, Israel, Chicago, PALESTINE, Tunis, Gaza, Carthage, la Marsa, Menzah, Marsa, Carrefour, Al, U.S

☆ Tunisia Says Escaped Islamist Convicts Believed to Be Behind Bank Robbery
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

TUNIS (Reuters) - The Tunisian National Guard said two of five Islamists who escaped from prison this week are believed to have carried out an armed robbery of a bank near the capital on Friday. Five Islamists convicted of killing two secular politicians and policemen escaped from jail on Tuesday in a rare security breach for the North African country, prompting the government to dismiss top intelligence officials. The robbery in the Boumhele near Tunis comes just as the tourism sector has begun to recover after years of stagnation due to jihadist attacks and the COVID pandemic. The five men included one who had been serving a 24-year sentence for the assassination of secular politicians Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi in 2013. Another of the five had taken part in violent attacks that have shaken Tunisia in the past decade.

Persons: Kais Saied, Chokri Belaid, Mohamed, Tarek Amara, Nick Macfie Organizations: Tunisian National Guard, National Guard, Security Locations: TUNIS, Tunis, Tunisia, Chaambi, Algerian

☆ Saudi Arabia’s oil production cuts have tipped its economy into reverse
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Aimee Look | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Abu Dhabi CNN —Saudi Arabia’s economy has jolted into reverse, after the world’s largest crude oil exporter slashed output to prop up prices. Saudi oil production to nine million barrels per day in July as the biggest player in the OPEC+ alliance joined forces with Russia to restrict supply amid signs of weakening demand because of a slowing global economy. “We expect [oil] production to remain low until the end of this year, with a slow unwind in early 2024,” Oxford Economics analysts wrote in a note published Friday. Saudi Arabia’s oil cuts were aimed at stabilizing global oil markets, according to Raif Weigert, Economics Director for the Middle East and North Africa at S&P Global Market Intelligence. While other Gulf states have also come under economic pressure from cuts to oil production, the United Arab Emirates economy has continued to grow.

Persons: Raif, Weigert, “ Organizations: Abu Dhabi CNN — Saudi, Oxford, Monetary Fund, P Global Market Intelligence, “, Saudi, United Arab Locations: Abu Dhabi, Saudi, OPEC, Russia, East, North Africa, United Arab Emirates, UAE

☆ Ons Jabeur to donate part of her WTA Finals prize money to ‘help the Palestinians’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

7 Ons Jabeur said she would donate part of her WTA Finals prize money to help Palestinians, in a tearful speech on Wednesday. “The situation in the world doesn’t make me happy,” Jabeur said, fighting back tears as she spoke to the crowd. It’s heartbreaking, so I have decided to donate part of my prize money to help the Palestinians.”‘Just humanity’“I cannot be happy with just this win, with what’s happening. I’m sorry guys, it’s supposed to be about tennis, but it’s very frustrating looking at videos every day,” Jabeur added. Sarah Stier/Getty ImagesBy winning her first group match at this year’s WTA Finals, Jabeur will receive at least $198,000 in prize money.

Persons: Markéta, ” Jabeur, “, ”, ’, it’s, Jabeur, Mo Salah, it's, Sarah Stier, old’s, Iga Świątek, Świątek, Coco Gauff Organizations: CNN, WTA, Palestinian Ministry of Health Locations: Tunisian, Cancun , Mexico, Gaza, Ramallah

☆ Israel's 'second phase' of war is underway as troops push into Gaza — but it appears deliberately ambiguous
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

watch nowIsrael's military is expanding its operations in the Gaza Strip, but has avoided calling it a "ground invasion" despite sending tanks into the territory. Israel's military response has killed more than 8,500 people in Gaza, Palestinian authorities say. A view from the area after Israeli airstrikes on Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, on October 31, 2023. Palestinians, including children killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes on Jabalia refugee camp, Interior Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday. GAZA -- OCTOBER 21, 2023: Maxar satellite imagery of before and after images showing damage to Atatra neighborhood, Northern Gaza (location: 31.5609, 34.4809).

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Ryan Bohl, Rane, Bohl, Jonathan Conricus, Conricus, Israel, Hussein Ibish, Ibish, There's Organizations: Israeli, CNBC, East, Israeli Defense Forces, IDF, Palestinian, Hamas, Interior Ministry, Stringer, Anadolu, Getty Images, Anadolu Agency, Getty, United Nations, Technologies, Maxar Technologies, Lebanese, Hezbollah, Israel, Gulf States Institute Locations: Gaza, British, Iran, Iranian, Lebanon, North Africa, Israel, Philadelphia, GAZA, Northern Gaza, combatting, Washington

☆ Qatar: How a small Arab state became indispensable in talks with Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

But some have said that Qatar’s relationship with Hamas may become a liability. “(Qatar’s) relationship with Hamas has been a key component of the mediation strategy,” said Andreas Krieg, an associate professor at King’s College London who focuses on Gulf states. What is the nature of Qatar’s relationship with Hamas? That relationship has made Qatar an important mediator with Hamas during its conflicts with Israel. Despite its mediation efforts, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen last week accused Qatar of financing Hamas and harboring its leaders.

Persons: ”, Andreas Krieg, “, David Barnea, –, Israel, Tzachi Hanegbi, ” Hanegbi, Biden, ” Krieg, Majed Al, Ansari, Krieg, ” Hiltermann, Eli Cohen, ” Cohen, Antony Blinken, Joost R, Hiltermann, Qatar’s coziness, Hamas’s, “ You’ll, ” Israel, Becky Anderson, Ibrahim Dahman, Hamdi Alkhshali, Aimee Look, Abu Dhabi Organizations: UAE CNN, Qatar, King’s College London, Israel, CNN, National Security, United Arab, Reuters, NATO, Doha, Al, Hamas, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US, UN, Washington Post, Qatari, “, Group Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, Qatar, Israel, Gaza, Egypt, United States, Rafah, Al, Arish, Washington, Hamas, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Doha, Western, Arab, Al Jazeera, Tehran, Afghanistan, “ Qatar, North Africa, Brussels, “, Atlanta, Abu

Yet over the last three weeks of Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza, Rafah has become the focus of heated negotiations, a place where many people, both powerful and powerless, have pinned their waning hopes. So far, nothing and no one has been able to come out of Gaza. Aid trucks and army tanks lined the dusty road leading to the crossing. On Tuesday, 83 trucks arrived in Gaza, said Wael Abu Omar, a spokesman for the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing. There is still a chance that an agreement could come together for people with foreign passports to leave.

Persons: we’ve, Mostafa Madbouly, Wael Abu Omar, David M, ”, Israel, ’, Madbouly, Mustafa Mouftah, Mr, Satterfield, Biden, Hiba, Iyad Abuheweila Organizations: Gaza’s General Authority, ”, European Union, U.S, United Locations: Cairo, Rafah, Egypt, Gaza, Israel, North, United States, Egyptian, El Arish

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Thirty-four journalists have been killed in the war between Israel and Hamas, an international media freedom group said Wednesday, accusing both sides of committing possible war crimes. It’s the third such complaint to be filed by the group since 2018 alleging war crimes against Palestinian journalists in Gaza. Israel says it makes every effort to avoid killing civilians and accuses Hamas of putting them at risk by operating in residential areas. Political Cartoons View All 1227 ImagesAnother media freedom organization, the Committee to Protect Journalists, said Wednesday that it was investigating reports of journalists “killed, injured, detained or missing” in the war, including in Lebanon. It said its preliminary death toll was at least 31 journalists and media workers.

Persons: ” Christophe Deloire, “, “ CPJ, ”, Sherif Mansour, Karim Khan, Israel, Israel isn’t, Reuters videographer Issam Abdallah, Al Jazeera, Samy Magdy Organizations: Hamas, Criminal, ICC, Protect Journalists, Reuters, AFP, Associated Press Locations: HAGUE, Netherlands, Israel, Gaza, Israeli, France, Gaza ”, Lebanon, New York, East, North Africa, Rafah, Palestine, Al, Lebanese, Cairo, israel

☆ Egypt to Accept Up to 400 Foreign Nationals From Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Egypt is set to allow up to 400 foreigners to leave Gaza through its borders starting Wednesday, senior Egyptian officials said, in the midst of pressure on the North Africa country to allow refugees to flee. Egyptian officials familiar with the matter said an agreement has been struck with both the U.S. and Israel to allow foreigners and severely wounded Palestinians from Gaza to leave starting Wednesday. Egyptian officials said the agreement has been struck with all parties including the militant group Hamas.

Organizations: U.S, Hamas Locations: Egypt, Gaza, North Africa, Israel

☆ Wildfires Erupt in Southern Lebanon, Civil Defence Blames Israeli Shells
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

The fires started around 1700 GMT and were caused by Israeli shells containing white phosphorous being launched across the border, Abdalla Mousawae, head of the Tyre Regional Center of Lebanese civil defence, told Reuters. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Earlier this month, the Israeli military said an accusation by Human Rights Watch that it had used white phosphorus munitions in Gaza was "unequivocally false." White phosphorus munitions can legally be used on battlefields to make smoke screens, generate illumination, mark targets or burn bunkers and buildings. White phosphorus is considered an incendiary weapon under Protocol III of the Convention on the Prohibition of Use of Certain Conventional Weapons.

Persons: Mousawae, Israel, Abdallah Bou Habib, Aya Majzoub, Riham Alkousaa, Henriette Chacar, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Firefighters, Tyre Regional Center of, Reuters, Hamas, United Nations, UN Security, National News Agency, Amnesty, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch Locations: BEIRUT, Lebanon, Tyre, Israel, Iran, Lebanese, Labbouneh, East, North Africa, Gaza, Jerusalem

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