Middle East

An Israeli airstrike targeting multiple houses and a multi-storey residential building in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, caused dozens of casualties, according to doctors and officials. The Hamas media office reported that at least 73 people were killed in the Saturday strike. Although official figures from the health ministry were not immediately available, Medway Abbas, a senior ministry official, confirmed the accuracy of the figures. The Israeli military responded that they were investigating the incident but claimed the death toll provided by Hamas was exaggerated. They stated that their data, the munitions used, and the accuracy of the strike, which targeted a Hamas position, did not align with the reported figures. Palestinian health officials said rescue efforts were hinde...

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has been confirmed dead by the Palestinian group following combat with the Israeli military in Gaza. In a televised address on Friday, Khalil Hayya, Hamas' head in Gaza, praised the 62-year-old leader, calling him "steadfast, brave, and intrepid," and stating that Sinwar "sacrificed his life for our liberation." Hayya said Sinwar died fighting, holding his weapon until his last breath, and emphasized that his death would only strengthen the movement's resolve. Sinwar, considered the architect of the October 7 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, was reportedly killed in a surprise firefight in Rafah, southern Gaza, according to the Israeli military. Israeli forces discovered Sinwar with a gun and a sum of money after tracking him with drone footage, which s...

The Journalistic Desk: In a landmark move towards gender inclusion, the UAE has introduced a new mandate that requires all private joint-stock companies to have at least one woman on their boards of directors. This reform, set to take effect in January 2025, is part of the UAE's broader efforts to empower women in leadership roles across the business sector. The move extends a similar policy that was implemented for public companies in 2021, which has already seen positive outcomes in terms of institutional performance and governance. Gender Equality in Leadership The UAE's government has been a strong advocate for gender equality, continuously promoting women in leadership. The country established the Emirati Gender Equality Council in 2015 to further its agenda of reduci...