US support for Israel, China nuclear reactors and a crypto crash

We gather the numbers to know from the week’s biggest economic and business news stories so you can impress yourself and your friends.

The heartbreaking headlines out of the Middle East have justifiably dominated the news cycle this past week. A ceasefire agreement appeared to be holding on Friday after Israel’s 11-day bombardment of Gaza killed at least 243 Palestinians, including 66 children. At least 12 people in Israel, including two children, have been killed in the latest escalation of violence. The deeply asymmetric conflict has raised a question that resurfaces every time it reignites: Why is the United States unequivocal in its support for Israel? We’ve got that story, as well as a few beyond the Middle East, including a fascinating look at the Earth’s growing space junk problem, US-South Korea relations, two nuclear reactors in China that are raising concerns and a roller coaster week for Bitcoin believers and other crypto enthusiasts.