In a crucial phone conversation between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden stressed the "critical need to protect civilians" in Gaza following the recent attacks by Hamas. The White House emphasized the call for humanitarian corridors to separate civilians from Hamas-controlled areas. While the US has defended Israel's right to self-defense, Biden expressed concern over the high number of Palestinian civilian casualties. Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed the sentiment, urging Israel to prioritize civilian protection. Biden welcomed Israel's decision to allow more fuel but insisted on urgent, comprehensive assistance. The leaders also discussed efforts to restore a truce and expressed commitment to a "durable and sustainable peace" in the Middle East, including a Palestinian state.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened that Israel would unleash "devastation in Beirut and southern Lebanon" if Hezbollah dares to open an "all-out war" against the Jewish state. "If Hezbollah decides to open an all-out war, then with its own hands it will turn Beirut and southern Lebanon, which are not far from here, into Gaza and Khan Yunis," Netanyahu warned, referring to the widespread destruction Israel's military has brought upon parts of Gaza in retaliation to Hamas rocket attacks. Netanyahu delivered the stern warning during a visit to the Israel Defense Forces' northern command headquarters overseeing Lebanon. While Hezbollah has expressed solidarity with Hamas militants in Gaza and exchanged cross-border fire with Israel, it has so far avoided starting a full military offensive. 

71-year-old yoga guru Gregorian Bivolaru was arrested last week in Paris after six years on the run on suspicion of rape, exploitation, kidnapping and people trafficking. His arrest brought forward sinister details of sexual atrocities carried out by him over two decades. One victim, Agnes Arabela Marques was 15 when she met the 'guru' Gregorian Bivolaru, narrated her horrific experience to AFP. Though the 'soft-spoken guru' seemed "nice" to Agnes initially, her belief was shaken when she was forced into performing lesbian acts with dozens of women before having sex with Bivolaru at her "initiation ceremony." Aged 16, Marques next had to join 300 women parading naked at Bivolaru's "Miss Shakti" beauty pageant, a cult event with some women masturbating publicly in front of onlookers. More ex-followers described group pornography screenings, use of hypnosis, enforced orgies, and also being forced to drink the guru's urine when held in "deplorable conditions." In a raid last week that marked the end of a nearly two-decade-long quest by authorities in at least three jurisdictions - Romania, France, and Finland, police freed over 50 women and seized $215,000 cash, pornography, and fake IDs from Bivolaru's home. 

UK PM Rishi Sunak faces internal turmoil as Tory Rightwingers, led by Suella Braverman, challenge the Rwanda immigration plan. Sunak defends the policy, cautioning that going further risks the entire deal. "We have set the bar so high that it will be vanishingly rare for anyone to meet it," he asserts. Braverman presses for excluding international law to halt boat crossings, emphasizing the urgency: "We can't keep failing the British people." Former Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel urges a robust treaty to curb illegal migration. Veteran MP Sir Christopher Chope demands a stronger bill, believing small boats can only be stopped by leaving the European Convention on Human Rights. The Safety of Rwanda Bill, granting powers to disregard parts of the Human Rights Act, intensifies a Conservative party rift.

A BBC news anchor was caught showing her middle finger during a live broadcast on Wednesday. Video shows presenter Maryam Moshiri giving the obscene middle finger gesture at the camera just as she appears on-screen to begin delivering the day's news headlines. Quickly realizing she is live on-air, Moshiri pulls her hand away and starts reading the news, though she stumbles over her words in an apparent sign of embarrassment. Moshiri later apologized, explaining she was joking around with studio crew, pretending to count down to the broadcast with hand signals when she accidentally flipped the middle finger not realizing she was live. The cringeworthy gaffe comes a few years after another BBC presenter was famously caught flashing the middle finger on-air before realizing he was live.

In Gaza's Khan Younis, Israeli ground forces scoured for the suspected mastermind of October's bloody attacks, Hamas's Yahya Al-Sinwar. Troops located tunnels and destroyed buildings as the military said Sinwar's house was now encircled.  PM Netanyahu asserted in a video: "His house may not be his fortress and he can escape but it's only a matter of time before we get him." Israel's Army, Air Force, and Navy have all launched an offensive in South Gaza forcing thousands of displaced civilians to seek shelter on the border and in a desolate seaside area of the besieged enclave. The IDF announced targeted raids killed several Hamas militants amid the intense street-to-street search. Naval forces struck alleged bases as thousands sheltered near Gaza's border, fleeing Israel's escalating bombardment and hunting down Hamas figures on the "most intense day since the beginning of the ground operation,"

Senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has appealed to Pakistan for assistance in the prolonged Israel-Hamas war during a dialogue in Islamabad. Haniyeh praised Pakistan as "brave" and expressed hope that its support could curb Israel's alleged atrocities. He accused Israel of violating international terms and criticized nations maintaining diplomatic ties with Israel. Haniyeh emphasized Palestinians' expectations from Pakistan, labeling Jews as the "biggest enemies" of Muslims. As the conflict reaches its two-month mark, international leaders urge a Gaza ceasefire, while Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu rejects talks, vowing to eliminate Hamas.

The fourth Republican Presidential Debate, hosted by News Nation in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, witnessed a dynamic face-off. Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy emerged as a central figure, leading in speaking time alongside Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley faced tough criticism for her corporate affiliations, with opponents questioning her track record. A heated exchange between Ramaswamy and Chris Christie unfolded over Ukraine war positions. The debate also delved into topics like sending US troops to Gaza, with Christie challenging opponents on their reluctance to discuss former President Donald Trump. Ramaswamy's assertive performance showcased the intensifying competition within the Republican field.              

Amid Israel's 60-day offensive in Gaza, the focus has shifted to Khan Younis as Israeli forces target it as Hamas's stronghold. The southern city, home to about 400,000 people, is now depicted as the key center for Hamas's leadership, including Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif. The IDF aims to catch or eliminate senior Hamas figures, expanding operations in the south. Despite extensive destruction, the top leadership remains elusive. The intensified assault raises concerns for civilians, with evacuation orders shrinking safe areas. The conflict continues to inflict pain and fear, prompting UN warnings about the lack of safety in Gaza.

The British government's plan to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda suffered a major setback Wednesday when immigration minister Robert Jenrick resigned from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's cabinet. Jenrick quit over an emergency bill introduced by Sunak to overcome a Supreme Court ruling that blocked earlier deportation attempts. The new legislation aims to give ministers power to ignore human rights laws and European court injunctions to pave the way for deportation flights expected next spring. But Jenrick said the bill doesn't go far enough, while others warned it could face more legal fights. The controversial policy is a centerpiece of Sunak's approach to deterring a surge in migrants crossing the English Channel.