Global Headlines • Israel intercepts Gaza aid flotilla — sparks global protests, diplomatic expulsions, and strikes. • Italy declares national strike in solidarity with Gaza flotilla activists. • European leaders meet in Copenhagen with Ukraine’s Zelenskiy to rally war support. • Israeli bulldozers expand settlements in West Bank, undermining Palestinian state hopes. • French authorities arrest two crew members from a Russian-linked “shadow fleet” oil tanker. • Oil prices rebound after 16-week lows on Russian export concerns. • U.S. dollar steadies as Supreme Court allows Fed’s Lisa Cook to remain in office. • Gold nears record highs amid U.S. shutdown and interest rate cut expectations. • Laos’ president to visit North Korea for ruling party’s 80th anniversary celebrations. • Papua New Guinea approves delayed defense treaty with Australia.

 

🌍 Key Global Stories

1. 

Israel intercepts Gaza aid flotilla — global backlash intensifies

• Israeli forces have intercepted 39 vessels carrying aid and activists bound for Gaza, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, leaving only one ship still reportedly en route.  
• Governments and organizations around the world are condemning the move. Greece called it an act of piracy, while the U.K. demanded that Israel ensure safe treatment of those detained.  
• Italy’s labor unions have called a general strike in solidarity, and protests have flared in major cities across Europe and Latin America.  
• Israel maintained that the flotilla was provocative and offered to route aid via its “safe channels,” while activists and international critics argued that the interception violated maritime and humanitarian law.  

2. 

Europe rallies support for Ukraine amid continuing war

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is meeting European leaders in Copenhagen today under the European Political Community framework.  
• Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, Israeli bulldozers are expanding settlement-related infrastructure, a move critics say further undermines the possibility of a Palestinian state.  

3. 

French authorities arrest two from Russian-linked tanker

• France has arrested two crew members of a tanker suspected of belonging to the Russian “shadow fleet” after boarding the vessel. The arrests occurred as the boat was anchored off western France, and the case is now under judicial review.  

4. 

Oil markets rebound on supply concerns

• After sliding to 16-week lows, oil prices saw a modest rebound driven by worries over possible Russian export disruptions and speculation about further supply constraints.  
• However, fears about an oversupplied market remain a counterweight to gains.  

5. 

Currencies and markets respond to U.S. shutdown drama

• The U.S. dollar stabilized after recent declines following a Supreme Court decision allowing Fed Governor Lisa Cook to remain in her post pending a hearing.  
• Global equities gained as investors assessed the impact of the U.S. government shutdown, while gold hovered near record highs on safe-haven demand.  
• Gold is trading near all-time highs amid expectations of future U.S. interest rate cuts.