India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance educational collaboration. The agreement encompasses student and faculty mobility, exchange of information, capacity development, and academic collaboration between institutions in both nations. The MoU also establishes a Joint Working Group to oversee its implementation. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed gratitude for UAE's support to Indian curriculum schools and explored plans for student exchange programs during his visit to Abu Dhabi schools, including 42 Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Indian School.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared a video on X, featuring Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of one of Hamas' founding leaders. In the video, Yousef emphasized, "Israel is not thirsty for Palestinian blood." He shed light on Hamas' strategies, mentioning their recurrent initiation of conflicts to secure funding and their detrimental impact on Palestinian society. Yousef also underscored Israel's accountability and democratic principles. His father, Sheikh Hassan, played a significant role in the foundation of Hamas. The IDF's caption with the video highlighted Yousef's perspective, born from his unique experiences

Egypt opened the Rafah crossing, enabling scores of foreign passport holders to leave Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. While details on the exact number of departures remain unclear, live footage showed crowds entering the terminal. Over 200 aid trucks entered Gaza, but no people were allowed to flee. Approximately 400 foreigners and dual nationals were expected to cross. The Gaza Strip, enduring Israeli bombardment since October 7, witnessed severe shortages of essentials. Egypt also permitted 81 seriously ill Palestinians for medical treatment, condemning an Israeli strike on Jabalia camp that claimed at least 50 lives.

Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurated three Indian-assisted projects on Wednesday. These include the Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link, Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line, and Unit 2 of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Bangladesh's Rampal, done via video conferencing. PM Modi lauded the strengthening India-Bangladesh ties, highlighting the remarkable progress over the past nine years with a threefold increase in internal trade. The inauguration of the Akhaura-Agartala rail link was a historic moment, connecting Bangladesh with India's North Eastern states. An international immigration center is slated for Nischintapur, India's last railway station along the Indo-Bangla border in Tripura.  

A New York Times report said Israeli officials told US counterparts that mass Gaza casualties were an "acceptable price" in the campaign against Hamas. Israel also cited WWII attacks including nuclear bombings on Nagasaki and Hiroshima to justify the Gaza strikes. This comes as the Biden administration shifted its stance amid worsening violence after Hamas's October 7 multi-front attack on Israel. Though initially backing Israel's retaliation, the US grew cautious as the death toll passed 8,000 in Gaza and Israel expanded strikes and ground operations. At the UN, the US called for humanitarian pauses rejected by Israel. Per the report, Israel cited historical attacks during WWII causing lakhs of deaths to justify Gaza strikes to uneasy US officials. The revelations signal a growing divide between the allies as violence escalates.

India's festive season spending is booming as consumers splurge on cars, phones, and TVs, boosting one of the world's fastest-growing economies. Online sales at platforms like Amazon and Flipkart rose nearly 20% in the first week of the festive sales compared to last year. Digital UPI transactions surged about 40% in October compared to last year. The festive period, running until Diwali on November 12, is a key indicator of consumption which makes up 60% of India's GDP. Economists point to easing inflation and rising rural wages. Consumer confidence hit a 4-year high in September per central bank data, while loan demand nears a 12-year peak despite rate hikes. PM Modi is also targeting farmers ahead of elections, hiking crop prices and curbing fertilizer costs to spur demand further.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the United Nations General Assembly resolution for a "humanitarian truce" in the Israel-Gaza conflict as "deeply flawed." Expressing disappointment over India's abstention, he lamented that even many of Israel's friends did not insist on a powerful condemnation of the Hamas attacks. The resolution, adopted with 120 votes in favor, called for an immediate ceasefire and protection of civilians. India, along with 44 other nations, abstained from the vote. The ongoing conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with Israeli forces continuing airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza, forcing hundreds of thousands to evacuate.

FBI Director Christopher Wray alerted Congress about the most substantial terror threat to the US since ISIS' emergence, attributing it to the recent Hamas attack on Israel. Wray stated that this event has motivated various foreign terrorist organizations to incite attacks against Americans and the West, heightening the risk of domestic extremism. He highlighted increased threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab Americans, and rising cyber-attack concerns from Iran and non-state actors. The US government is taking measures, including financial flow tracking, to address the escalating situation.

Tariq Hamouda and his wife Manal, Palestinian Americans residing in Maple Grove, Minnesota, grieve the loss of 42 relatives killed in Israeli airstrikes on their family compound in Gaza, in a single day. The victims, including medical professionals, ranged from 3 months to 77 years old. Despite warnings, the family had sought refuge in the compound, with no time to evacuate during the strikes. The tragedy highlights the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict, with activists and officials worldwide pleading for a ceasefire. The family, along with their community, calls for an end to the violence, emphasizing Gaza's people are no different—they hurt, bleed, and have families.

A 24-year-old Indian student, Varun, was critically stabbed in a public gym in Valparaiso, Indiana, by assailant Jordan Andrad, 24. Varun sustained severe injuries to the head and was given a "zero to five per cent chance of survival." Andrad, who alleged feeling threatened by Varun, attacked him with a knife. Varun was rushed to a Fort Wayne hospital, where his condition remains serious. Andrad was arrested and is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and attempted murder following the incident. Investigations are ongoing into the motives behind the attack. [Representative Image]