World

The Iron Dome, or "Kippat Barzel" in Hebrew, is widely regarded as one of the most important tools in Israel's arsenal. In part, that's because it is thought to be highly effective. The mobile all-weather defense system is designed to protect Israeli citizens by launching guided missiles to intercept incoming rockets in mid-air.

Over 500 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Baptist Hospital in Gaza on Tuesday, Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told Anadolu.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Beijing for the Belt and Road Initiative forum. It is Putin's first visit to China since February 2022, weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine.

Germany is expected to notify the EU about plans to introduce fixed border checks on the Polish, Czech Republic and Swiss borders. Previously, this had only been possible at the Austrian frontier.

Speaking during a meeting in Marrakech, the International Monetary Fund's managing director said the war between Israel and Hamas was a "new cloud" that was "darkening" the global economic outlook. Kristalina Georgieva said her organisation was monitoring the situation "very closely", although it was too soon to say what specific economic impact the conflict may have.

Baerbock: Hamas holding Gazan people hostage

Many Indian cities on the frontlines of climate change and faced with acute water crises are turning to ancient water storage techniques to provide a solution.

Armenia's president has signed the Rome Statute that governs the International Criminal Court, a move that further strains ties between Yerevan and its old ally Russia.

The UNRWA said that if the agency were shut down, those recognized as refugees "would still be Palestine refugees and retain their rights under [UN] General Assembly Resolution 194, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight."

An ambassador of an African country to China on Thursday criticized the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank for restrictive lending policies. "My sincere belief is that IMF officials, World Bank officials, they are sincere in their belief that their debt sustainability framework works and works for the greater good," said Jang Ping Thia, lead economist and manager of the economics department at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

China is hosting representatives from 130 countries marking the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Russian President Putin is expected to attend in a further boost to Moscow's ties with Beijing.

In an interview with FRANCE 24, Israel's former premier Ehud Barak said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has neither the trust of the Israeli people nor that of the army following a devastating attack by Hamas last week. He also said Israel had no choice but to launch a ground offensive in Gaza in response if it wants to defeat Hamas definitively.