The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has ensured respectful management of the deceased, with Israeli authorities now tasked with identification. While Israel expresses outrage over Hamas’s failure to return all bodies as per the ceasefire agreement, the US has downplayed this as a breach. Hamas has stated its commitment to the ceasefire but blamed Israel for impeding their search efforts in Gaza. Despite the situation, preparations to move to the next phase of the ceasefire deal are continuing.
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Italy is considering a 50% increase to the annual levy on foreign income for wealthy new residents. This tax, currently set at €200,000, exempts individuals from taxes on overseas earnings for 15 years. The proposed increase to €300,000 is part of the country’s 2026 budget plan, which is slated for approval by the cabinet soon.
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President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign has resulted in the expulsion of two high-ranking military officials from the Communist Party. Among them is He Weidong, a vice-chair of the Central Military Commission and a Politburo member. This marks the first Politburo member to be ousted since 2017, with the Ministry of Defense citing violations of party disciplines and laws as the reason for the expulsions.
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Prince Andrew has decided to relinquish his titles, including the Duke of York, to avoid distracting from the work of the monarchy. This decision, made in consultation with King Charles and other family members, follows ongoing scrutiny of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and a reported Chinese spy. While he will remain a prince, the move means he will no longer use his title or honors. The King is reportedly pleased with the outcome, which comes amid continued allegations of sexual assault, which Prince Andrew vehemently denies.
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Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be arrested if he traveled to Canada. The statement was made in response to a question on Mishal Husain’s podcast, released this morning. This action aligns with Canada’s long-standing support for a two-state solution and its condemnation of actions that undermine this possibility. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously made a similar statement following the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu.
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During an interview, Andrii Yermak stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is prepared to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in any country globally, excluding Russia and Belarus. This willingness was expressed to Donald Trump during a recent conversation. However, the Kremlin has consistently rejected such meetings, with Putin previously indicating that he was only open to talks in Moscow. Zelenskyy also noted that Russia appears to be seeking to resume dialogue recently.
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Over the past three months, Australia’s E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft was deployed 45 times near Ukraine as part of NATO’s monitoring efforts. The aircraft provided critical surveillance, early warning, and communications support, often responding to potential threats. The missions, which included patrols over supply lines delivering aid to Ukraine, were praised by NATO officials for their valuable intelligence contributions. The Australian crew’s deployment, which is now concluding, facilitated seamless operations within NATO command and provided invaluable real-world experience. Australia’s ongoing contributions to supporting Ukraine have been significant, including $1.5 billion in military and humanitarian aid.
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Ukrainian forces from the Lasar’s Group successfully eliminated a Russian BM-30 Smerch MLRS in Kherson Oblast, striking from a distance of approximately 50 kilometers. The Defence Forces of Ukraine’s South released video evidence showcasing the successful hit and ammunition detonation. This precise operation was conducted under the purview of the Pivden (South) Operational Strategic Group.
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Negotiations for a landmark deal to reduce global shipping emissions collapsed due to pressure from the United States and Saudi Arabia. The deal, which would have made shipping the first industry to adopt international emission reduction targets, was abandoned after the US threatened tariffs and Saudi Arabia tabled a motion to adjourn talks for a year. The move, viewed by many as a setback for climate action, faced strong opposition from nations supporting the original agreement and the shipping industry, which sought clear global standards. Key countries that initially supported the deal, including China, shifted their positions due to the influence of the US and other dissenting nations.
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Hungary intends to host Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump within the next couple of weeks, despite the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing an arrest warrant for Putin. Although Hungary has announced its withdrawal from the ICC, it is still legally obligated to cooperate with the court’s decisions until mid-next year, alongside the other 124 member states. The ICC emphasizes that member states are bound by law, regardless of their agreement with ICC rulings. Putin has limited foreign travel since the pandemic and the Ukraine invasion, particularly after the arrest warrant was issued.
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John Q. Hosedrinker