Good morning.
The UN security council will vote on Monday on a fresh resolution calling for an “urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities” in Gaza, days after the US blocked a resolution for a “humanitarian ceasefire”.
The vote comes as key allies begin to show impatience with Israel, with Joe Biden warning it risked losing international support over its “indiscriminate” bombing of Gaza. Similar were comments made by the former UK defence secretary Ben Wallace this weekend.
Although the US blocked the last vote at the security council, 153 of the UN’s 193 general assembly members voted for a ceasefire. The new resolution, drafted by the United Arab Emirates, calls for an “urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip” and supports a two-state solution.
What else is in the draft? It calls for the immediate release of all hostages and condemns terrorism and all indiscriminate attacks against civilians – but does not explicitly condemn Hamas, to the ire of Israel and the US.
France, the UK and Germany have joined global calls for a ceasefire over the weekend as Israeli protesters demanded the Netanyahu government relaunch hostage negotiations after Israeli troops mistakenly killed three hostages who were waving a white flag.
US archbishop secretly backed effort to free priest convicted of raping child
The archbishop of New Orleans, Gregory Aymond, secretly sanctioned efforts for the premature release of a priest who had raped a child, records seen by the Guardian reveal.
Representatives of the Catholic church approached Kevin Portier, one of Robert Melancon’s victims, to ask him to back its efforts to secure the early release of his rapist.
The legal manoeuvres failed and Melancon died in prison in 2018, aged 82. But confidential records obtained by the Guardian reveal how the archdiocese has taken extreme measures to protect abusive clergymen for as long as possible.
New Orleans church officials denied the archbishop’s involvement in requesting or advocating for Melancon’s release.
North Korea launches ballistic missiles after US and South Korea bolster nuclear deterrence plans
North Korea has tested a long-range ballistic missile that is theoretically capable of hitting the US mainland, according to Japan, which called a meeting of its national security council.
The missile appeared to have flown about 620 miles (1,000km), with a maximum altitude of more than 3,730 miles, before landing in the sea east of the Korean peninsula on Monday. Japan said that authorities would need to confirm it was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
Japan’s prime minister, Fumio Kishida, condemned the launch, as well as the test-firing of a shorter-range missile on Sunday night.
What’s behind the development? Observers said the launches were likely in protest against moves by South Korea and the US to bolster their nuclear deterrence plans against Pyongyang. Washington and Seoul have intensified their joint-military drills in and near South Korea.
In other news …
After complaints of significant irregularities during campaigning and at the polls, Serbia’s governing populists have won the parliamentary election. The Serbian Progressive party, whose projections showed it won 47% of the vote, denies allegations of campaign abuse and attempted vote-rigging.
Schools in England will not be forced to “out” children who speak to them about their gender identity, despite Conservative rightwingers’ demands for a hardline approach, government guidance will say this week. Except in cases involving safeguarding concerns, teachers will be expected to inform parents if children discuss taking steps towards transitioning.
The high-profile trial of Jimmy Lai, a 76-year-old pro-democracy activist and the founder of the shuttered Apple Daily newspaper, has begun in Hong Kong amid a heavy security presence and dozens of gathered supporters. He has been accused of conspiring to collude with foreign forces and faces life in prison if convicted, which observers say is likely.
Stat of the day: Cycling has risen by 1,000% in Paris since the 1990s
Paris, Barcelona, and Brussels have all adopted measures to cut traffic pollution, employing strategies ranging from congestion charges and parking restrictions to increased public transit investment and cycle lanes. Progress has been mixed – but in Paris, driving has halved since the early 1990s, public transit use is up by 30% and cycling has increased by a staggering 1,000%.
Don’t miss this: ‘A pile of dirt makes me drool’: why some people eat inedible things
It’s difficult to know how common pica, an eating disorder that involves consuming non-food items, is, as it is “understudied and underreported”. The most common items people with the disorder crave or consume include pencil nibs, chalk, plaster, dirt and ice – but what causes the cravings remains a mystery. Here, Amy Fleming speaks to people with pica about how it has affected them and their experience of overcoming the disorder.
Climate check: ‘Cautious optimism’ a year on from biodiversity conference
A year on from Cop15, the historic deal to stem biodiversity loss was bolstered by being mentioned in the Cop28 climate negotiations’ final text, increasing hopes that biodiversity and climate will be treated as connected issues. But despite positive developments this year, including the slowing of deforestation in Brazil and Colombia, it is worth noting is that the world has never met a UN target to halt the destruction of wildlife and ecosystems.
Last Thing: Vase in the hole
What’s your best ever thrift shop find? While you may have picked up your favorite sweater or even a bargain of a second-hand antique, I’m fairly confident you won’t be able to outdo Jessica Vincent from Viriginia, who bought a vase for $3.99 at a local Goodwill charity shop – and auctioned it off more than $100,000.
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