EU member states have agreed to eliminate all remaining gas imports from Russia by the end of 2027, representing a significant move towards energy independence. The plan, endorsed by energy ministers, encompasses both pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, with the European Commission aiming for an earlier phase-out of LNG by January 2027. While most nations supported the initiative, Hungary and Slovakia expressed concerns due to their reliance on Russian gas. This regulation, expected to gain approval from the European Parliament, will ban new Russian gas import contracts from January 1, 2026, and allow existing contracts a transitional period.
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A Gaza-based journalist, Samer Elzaenen, who frequently appeared on BBC Arabic, reportedly expressed support for violence against Jews and praised terrorist attacks in his social media posts. Elzaenen’s posts included antisemitic statements inciting violence and celebrating attacks on Israeli civilians, including referring to attackers as “heroes” and “martyrs.” Another BBC Arabic contributor, Ahmed Qannan, similarly expressed approval of violence against Jews and praised terrorists. These revelations have sparked criticism, with media watchdog groups accusing the BBC of enabling anti-Israel bias through its Arabic-language service and demanding reform. The BBC has stated that these contributors are not employees and that they were unaware of the individuals’ social media activity prior to hearing from them on air.
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The Icelandic Institute of Natural History has confirmed the first discovery of mosquitoes in Iceland, with three specimens found in West Iceland. The insects were identified as the species *Culiseta annulata* by entomologist Matthías Alfreðsson after being collected by Björn Hjaltason, who initially spotted the first mosquito in a trap. This find is significant because this cold-resistant species can likely survive Icelandic winters, marking the first time mosquitoes have been discovered outdoors in Iceland. Scientists have anticipated their arrival for some time.
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Poland’s president recently enacted a law eliminating personal income tax (PIT) for parents with at least two children, a measure designed to bolster family finances and stimulate the economy. This reform, available to families earning up to 140,000 zloty annually, is expected to provide an average of 1,000 zloty monthly relief per family. However, tax experts caution that the financial benefits will primarily favor higher-income families. While public consultations showed significant support for the initiative, the actual impact and efficacy of the “tax armour” reform, which also includes other tax adjustments, will be visible in the 2026 tax returns.
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AWS experienced a major outage impacting a wide range of websites and applications globally. The US-EAST-1 region was primarily affected, leading to increased error rates and latencies for numerous services. AI startup Perplexity and Coinbase confirmed AWS as the source of their service disruptions. Amazon.com, PrimeVideo, Alexa, and Venmo were among the services also impacted by the outage.
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President Zelenskyy stated Ukraine would concede nothing to Russia, prioritizing strengthening defense and energy partnerships. He announced expanded cooperation with European allies and the US, including increased weapons purchases, particularly air defense systems. Negotiations are ongoing regarding weapons, defense technologies, and securing energy supplies for winter. Zelenskyy expressed support for a ceasefire and talks, emphasizing the importance of discussing territorial control and growing US support for European energy independence.
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In a daring daylight robbery, thieves targeted the Louvre Museum, making off with royal jewels once worn by French queens and empresses. The group utilized power tools and a crane lift to break into the Galerie d’Apollon, shattering display cases and threatening guards before fleeing on scooters. The stolen items included pieces from the Marie-Louise, Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense, and Empress Eugénie collections, with some items, like Eugénie’s crown, recovered at the scene. This brazen heist, lasting only seven minutes, prompted immediate evacuation and a subsequent investigation into organized theft and criminal conspiracy, led by the Paris public prosecutor’s office.
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Israel has verified that the second body delivered by Hamas overnight is that of Sontia Ok’Krasari. This confirmation follows the initial handover of another body previously. Further details regarding the circumstances of Ok’Krasari’s death or the specifics of the handover process were not immediately released. This development adds to the ongoing efforts to account for those held captive or deceased following the recent conflict.
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A Ukrainian man, identified as Volodymyr Z, is suspected by German prosecutors of involvement in the 2022 Nord Stream gas pipeline attack. The man was seen leaving a courtroom in Warsaw, Poland. The photo suggests a legal proceeding related to the ongoing investigation. Further details about the charges or the specifics of Volodymyr Z’s alleged role have yet to be released publicly.
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John Q. Hosedrinker