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The last 24 hours have seen significant developments globally, with former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont planning a return from exile, Iran's president condemning aggression after the killing of a Hamas leader, and Thailand's Constitutional Court dissolving a key reformist party.

In the United States, President Joe Biden raised concerns about a peaceful transition of power, while Niger has severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine amidst growing alliances in Africa.

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Top 5 Stories

1️⃣🇪🇸 Spain: Carles Puigdemont, former Catalan president, plans to return from exile to attend a parliamentary session in Catalonia after seven years. Regional police are conducting extensive security measures, including searching sewers and locking down the Barcelona Zoo, to arrest him on arrival. His return and possible arrest could intensify political tensions, as the Socialists rely on Puigdemont's party for parliamentary support. 

2️⃣🇮🇷 Iran: President Masoud Pezeshkian told French President Emmanuel Macron that Iran will not tolerate aggression, following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Pezeshkian urged the US and Western countries to pressure Israel into ceasing attacks on Gaza and accepting a ceasefire. An emergency Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting in Saudi Arabia, requested by Iran, is discussing the incident. 

3️⃣🇹🇭 Thailand: The Constitutional Court dissolved the reformist Move Forward Party, which won the most seats in last year's election, and banned its leader Pita Limjaroenrat and ten senior figures from politics for ten years. The ruling came after the party's campaign to reform royal defamation laws was deemed unconstitutional, sparking concerns about the monarchy's influence. Despite the setback, the party's MPs will join another registered party to continue as the main opposition.

4️⃣🇺🇸 United States: President Joe Biden expressed doubts about a peaceful transition of power if Donald Trump loses the upcoming election, highlighting concerns over Trump's comments about a "bloodbath" if he loses. Trump claimed his remarks were taken out of context, referring to the auto industry, not election results. 

5️⃣🇳🇪 Niger: Following Mali's lead, Niger has severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of supporting rebels responsible for a deadly attack on Malian soldiers and Wagner mercenaries. This move comes amidst growing alliances between Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Russia, and during Ukraine's diplomatic efforts to gain support in Africa against Russia's invasion. The decision threatens to overshadow Ukraine's outreach in the region.

Major Story

Ukraine has launched an unexpected and daring military incursion into Russia's Kursk region, marking one of the most significant operations since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Ukrainian forces executed rocket and drone attacks, causing Moscow to divert troops from the Ukrainian front to respond. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the attack as a “major provocation,” accusing Kyiv of indiscriminate missile strikes on civilian targets. Moscow's military claims to have killed nearly a third of the thousand-strong Ukrainian contingent and halted their advance, while Russian authorities reported casualties among residents.

This bold operation by Ukraine comes at a critical juncture as the country grapples with losing territory to Russia's larger forces and potential dwindling support from the US if Donald Trump wins the upcoming presidential election. Ukrainian forces have taken control of several villages, shot down aircraft, and destroyed military vehicles, according to Russia’s defense ministry. Despite the significant deployment, Kyiv has remained silent on the operation. The surprise incursion aims to force Russia to redeploy troops from eastern Ukraine, where they have recently made gains.

The strategic intent behind Ukraine’s incursion is debated among analysts. Some believe it aims to shift momentum and narrative in Ukraine’s favor, while others, like retired Australian army major general Mick Ryan, see it as a political move. However, the operation’s effectiveness is questioned due to Ukraine’s stretched resources across a vast frontline. Despite the daring nature of the incursion, experts like Rob Lee from the Foreign Policy Research Institute suggest it might achieve limited goals but carries substantial risks, potentially without altering the overall course of the conflict.

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Other News

1️⃣🇩🇰 Denmark: A Polish man has been sentenced to four months in prison for assaulting Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during an EU election campaign event in Copenhagen. Frederiksen suffered whiplash and was "clearly shaken" by the incident. The attacker, also convicted of embezzlement and mortgage fraud, will be deported after serving his sentence and banned from re-entering Denmark for six years. 

2️⃣🇷🇺 Russia: President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of a "major provocation" following a cross-border attack in the Kursk region, leading to a state of emergency amid intense fighting. Acting Governor Alexey Smirnov reported casualties and extensive damage, while Russia claimed to repel Ukrainian forces. The incursion, part of ongoing conflict dynamics, highlights the volatility in the region. 

3️⃣🇬🇧 UK: Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned Elon Musk of legal consequences following Musk's inflammatory comments about the Southport riots. Musk criticized the UK government's response, sparking calls for action against him. However, Musk's US citizenship and X's US-based operations complicate enforcing UK laws against him. The new Online Safety Act, still in phased implementation, struggles to regulate Musk’s speech. Legal experts suggest existing communication laws might be leveraged, though prosecution remains challenging without clear evidence of direct incitement to violence.

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