ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including Israel’s evacuation order for residents in northern Gaza, the displacement of hundreds of thousands in Gaza, and an emergency unity government approved by the Israeli parliament.

TOP STORIES

• Thousands shelter at Gaza’s largest hospital after Israeli evacuation order

Thousands of Palestinians have taken shelter at the Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip, from ongoing Israeli airstrikes, according to a hospital official.

“Around 35,000 residents of Gaza take shelter at the hospital from the Israeli aggression,” Director Mohamed Abu Slima said on Facebook.

• UN calls for probe into killing of Reuters journalist in southern Lebanon

The UN expressed hope for an investigation into the killing of a journalist in Israeli shelling in southern Lebanon.

In response to a question by a Reuters' UN reporter about the killing of her colleague, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said: "All our deepest condolences to you and all of your colleagues at Reuters.

"This is yet another example of the daily dangers journalists face covering conflict throughout the world. And we do hope that there is an investigation as to exactly what happened," he said.

• Israel should allow humanitarian aid into Gaza through Egypt’s Rafah crossing: Turkish president

Israel should allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip through Egypt's Rafah crossing, according to the Turkish president.

"The possibility that concerns us is that tension would increase and spread to the region," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at the annual Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum in Istanbul.

"Mosques, hospitals, and civilian settlements are bombarded and we reject such attacks as I openly express," he said.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Palestinian group Hamas early Saturday hailed Russia’s rejection of an Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
  
• More than 400,000 Palestinians have been internally displaced in the Gaza Strip amid a massive Israeli air campaign, the UN humanitarian office said Saturday.
  
• The Israeli army said air defenses intercepted two flying aircraft overnight Friday above the northern city of Haifa.
  
• Türkiye’s leading news agency Anadolu lost contact with its news team early Saturday that is covering developments from the Gaza Strip under an Israeli blockade.
  
• Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa highlighted the need Friday for an urgent aid corridor to allow medical and humanitarian aid, food, medicine, water and electricity into Gaza amid airstrikes by Israel.
  
• Kuwait categorically rejected an Israeli order for Palestinians to evacuate their homes in Gaza and head south amid a massive air campaign on the Palestinian territory.
  
• At least 51 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli army fire in the occupied West Bank since Saturday, according to its Health Ministry.
  
• CNN reporter Sara Sidner issued an apology after defending Israel's claims that Hamas beheaded babies during last weekend's attack on a live broadcast, acknowledging that the reports were not confirmed.

SPORTS

• France, Belgium, Portugal guaranteed to take part in EURO 2024

Kylian Mbappe helped France to a 2-1 win against the Netherlands at the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship (EURO 2024) Qualifiers group stage match Friday.

The French star netted twice in the seventh and 53rd minutes at Amsterdam Arena.

Dutch full back Quilindschy Hartman scored the only goal for the hosts in the 83rd minute in his debut match.

• Valencia Basket beat Fenerbahce Beko 77-74 in EuroLeague

Valencia Basket beat Fenerbahce Beko 77-74 in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Round 2 match Friday.

Brandon Davies led the Spanish side to victory with 18 points at Pabellon Fuente De San Luis.

Tyler Dorsey was the top scorer of the Yellow Canaries with 17.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Microsoft completes $69 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard

Microsoft completed its $69 billion acquisition deal for video game company Activision Blizzard, according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday.

Activision Blizzard will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft, pursuant to the terms of the agreement and plan of merger dated as of Jan. 18, 2022, said the SEC filing.

• Citigroup posts 9% revenue increase in Q3

Citigroup saw its revenue increase by almost 9% in the third quarter.

The American multinational investment bank and financial services company had a total revenue of $20.1 billion in July-September period, which is up 8.6% from $18.5 billion in the same period of last year.

Net income increased by 2% to reach $3.55 billion, from $3.48 billion, during the same period.