world news

President Joe Biden faces a heckler at a campaign fundraiser who urges a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Biden responds by calling for a "pause" to facilitate the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Scores of foreign passport holders have begun leaving the conflict-torn Gaza Strip as Egypt reopens the Rafah crossing for the first time since the Israel-Hamas war began in early October. Alongside aid convoys, around 400 foreigners and dual nationals are expected to cross the border to safety, with concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza mounting.

Saima Wazed, the daughter of Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, secured a significant victory in the World Health Organization (WHO) election for the top position in Southeast Asia. She received eight votes, outpacing the candidate from Nepal, Shambhu Prasad Acharya, who secured two votes. This election, marked by strong support from India and a high-intensity campaign, underscores the significance of geopolitical considerations in multilateral bodies like WHO.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has called on Muslim countries to cease oil and food exports to Israel, demanding an immediate halt to the bombardment of Gaza by Israeli forces. The appeal comes amid escalating tensions in the region, with Iran warning of potential repercussions if Israel does not cease its actions against Palestinians.

The Israeli military successfully intercepted a surface-to-surface missile launched from the Red Sea region using the 'Arrow' aerial defense system, as tensions escalate in the Middle East due to Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas. Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels also fired drones in retaliation.

The United States has issued a significant Executive Order (EO) aimed at regulating artificial intelligence while making immigration faster and more accessible for AI professionals. This EO emphasizes privacy protection, talent attraction, and AI innovation, benefiting Indian IT professionals and promising changes in visa criteria, green card priorities, and more.