Oct 18 Why Egypt and other Arab nations are hesitant to take in Palestinian refugees By Jack Jeffrey, Samy Magdy, Associated Press As desperate Palestinians in sealed-off Gaza try to find refuge under Israel's relentless bombardment in retaliation for Hamas' brutal Oct. 7 attack, many ask why neighboring Egypt or other Arab countries don't take them in. Continue reading
Oct 18 Watch 7:51 Examining intelligence assessments of who is responsible for Gaza hospital blast By Nick Schifrin, Dan Sagalyn and Sarah Cutler, Columbia Journalism Fellow Tuesday, Gaza’s health ministry, controlled by Hamas, blamed Israel for an explosion at Al-Ahli Hospital and said hundreds died in an airstrike. That claim led to protests across the region and the cancellation of President Biden's scheduled summit in Jordan. Continue watching
Oct 18 Watch 4:52 American with 5 family members held hostage in Gaza on the U.S. effort to free them By Willem Marx, Ayman Abu Ramouz One of President Biden's priorities during his trip to Israel was securing the release of hundreds of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas. As many as 13 of those hostages are believed to be Americans. In Tel Aviv, special correspondent… Continue watching
Oct 18 WATCH: Biden addresses Egypt’s move to allow aid into Gaza aboard Air Force One By Najib Jobain, Isabel DeBre, Associated Press Israel said Wednesday that it will allow Egypt to deliver limited quantities of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. President Joe Biden said Egypt’s president had agreed to open the crossing and to let in an initial group of 20… Continue reading
Oct 18 U.S. vetoes UN resolution condemning all violence against civilians in Israel-Hamas war By Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that Biden is in the region engaging in diplomacy and "we need to let that diplomacy play out." She criticized the resolution for not saying anything about Israel's right to self-defense. Continue reading
Oct 18 Starbucks, Workers United union sue each other in standoff over pro-Palestinian social media post By Dee-Ann Durbin, Associated Press Starbucks wants Workers United to stop using its name and logo. Workers United responded with its own filing, asking a federal judge to continue to use Starbucks' name and a similar logo, and accusing Starbucks of defamation. Continue reading
Oct 18 U.S. imposes more Iran drone sanctions as UN rules set to expire By Fatima Hussein, Associated Press The U.S. has imposed sanctions on a group of people and firms based in Iran, China, Hong Kong and Venezuela, tied to the development of Iran's ballistic missile and drone programs. Continue reading
Oct 18 Activists turn backs on U.S. officials as UN-backed human rights review of United States concludes By Jamey Keaten, Associated Press The protesters led the demonstration as U.S. Ambassador Michele Taylor wrapped up two days of hearings on the United States before the independent Human Rights Committee. Continue reading
Oct 18 U.S. sanctions 10 Hamas members and its financial network over surprise Israel attack By Fatima Hussein, Associated Press Targeted for Treasury Department sanctions are Hamas investment portfolio managers, a key Hamas commander and a Gaza-based virtual currency exchange, among others. Continue reading
Oct 18 Despite setbacks, Biden reaches aid breakthrough on Israel trip By Laura Barrón-López The president announced the U.S. will be providing $100 million in humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank to support the more than a million displaced people in need of water, food, medical care and other needs. Continue reading