Venice Carnival Opens with Olympic Nod, While Rafah Border Crossing Reopens for Limited Traffic
Venice's famed carnival commenced on Saturday, February 2nd, 2026, with a vibrant boat parade on the Grand Canal, themed "Olympus" in anticipation of the MilanoCortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Simultaneously, Israel reopened the Rafah border crossing with Egypt for limited traffic, a significant development in the US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, according to Egyptian and Israeli officials.
The Venice carnival, set to run until February 17th, began with dozens of brightly decorated boats carrying costumed rowers who navigated the lagoon as spectators gathered on bridges and along the banks. The procession culminated near the Rialto Bridge, where confetti rained down on the boats and onlookers. The event marks the start of a carnival season filled with parades, masquerade balls, and street performances.
In related news, the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopened on Monday for limited traffic after being closed for nearly two years. According to an Egyptian official who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, up to 50 Palestinians would be permitted to cross in each direction daily. Additionally, 50 patients seeking medical attention would also be allowed to cross. This reopening represents a major step forward in the US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, according to Euronews.
Meanwhile, in Doha, Qatar, the Web Summit Qatar 2026 officially opened with a performance by dancing robots built by Unitree. The choreographed display of embodied artificial intelligence during the opening ceremony set the stage for the summit, which is expected to bring together hundreds of innovators, investors, and tech leaders from around the world.
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