In Brief

Israel says Gazans free to exit region

Cairo/Jerusalem: Militant group Hamas’ chief negotiator held talks with Egyptian mediators over a potential ceasefire in the Gaza war on Wednesday while Israel struck the territory’s main city prior to a planned takeover and again invited Palestinians to leave. “They’re not being pushed out, they’ll be allowed to exit,” Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu told media. Meanwhile, Israel pounded Gaza City. Over 25 people were killed seeking aid across the Strip.

B’desh begins trial in plot scam cases against Hasina, kin

Dhaka: The corruption trial against ousted PM Sheikh Hasina and 17 others, including her nieces Azmina Siddiq and British MP Tulip Siddiq, in a housing plot scam started on Wednesday at a Dhaka court with depositions of the complainant. London-based Siddiq, resigned as Treasury minister earlier this year after allegations of corruption against her family following the ACC’s investigations.