Aug 18, 2026, 04:00 PM UTC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally dismissed a 15-point Gaza peace proposal endorsed by US President Donald Trump, maintaining that military forces will not pull back until Hamas is completely disarmed.

Speaking to his cabinet on Sunday, Netanyahu declared that "Israel rejects the 15-point document" previously accepted by Hamas. He stressed that troops "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed" while continuing operations against immediate security threats.

The stance highlights rising diplomatic tension between Washington and Israel, despite reports of reduced Israeli combat operations under American pressure. Netanyahu faces domestic pressure ahead of an October 27 election, balancing demands from right-wing coalition partners against strategic relations with the White House.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald.

Record temperatures exceeding 41 degrees Celsius across Austria have intensified debate over public infrastructure and climate adaptation. Following unprecedented heat in Lower Austria and Vienna, prolonged dry periods have raised concern among federal ministers, who described severe heatwaves as a recurring reality.

The sustained heat is placing pressure on public services. In Vienna, testing on local transit revealed internal temperatures surpassing 30 degrees Celsius despite active air conditioning systems. Education authorities are also facing calls from parents and teachers for structural heat protection in classrooms. In response, Vienna's education councillor proposed shifting the school holiday schedule forward so that terms resume in August to avoid peak early-summer heatwaves, a measure set for inter-state discussions in September.

Sources: Der Standard, Die Presse, ORF, Profil