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Quote of the Day

Many individuals are doing what they can. But real success can only come if there is a change in our societies and in our economics and in our politics - David Attenborough

Word of the Day

Transpire - come to be known, be revealed.

In the news...

Italy forms a government at last. The anti-establishment Five Star Movement and far-right League parties are expected to finalize a coalition deal and name a new prime minister, after interminable discussions following March’s general election. Watch for market reaction to the composition and agenda of the new populist government.

The US opens its embassy in Jerusalem. Timed to the opening, tens of thousands of protestors in the Gaza Strip are expected to gather along the Israeli border, with the ruling Hamas group saying a border breach is possible. Israel for its part has been holding celebrations, including one attended last night by Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner.

Iraq’s full election results.The outcomes in 10 of 19 provinces have been released, and it’s not looking good for prime minister Haider al-Abadi. Instead a list backed by anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has taken a surprise lead. Sadr has no direct political role but has thrown his weight behind an alliance of followers pledging to fight government corruption.

Terrorists struck Indonesia’s second-largest city. Thirteen people were killed and dozens injured in coordinated suicide-bomber attacks on Christian churches in Surabaya on Sunday morning. ISIL claimed responsibility. Today the city’s police headquarters were also bombed, with the number of casualties not immediately clear.

North Korea said it will dismantle its Punggye-ri nuclear site next week.Kim Jong-un invited international journalists to observe the event, which involves destroying tunnels, removing buildings, and blocking entrances. The announcement comes one month before Kim is set to meet with Donald Trump in Singapore.

Five people were stabbed in Paris. TOne person was killed and four injured in the Saturday evening attack, which is being treated as a terrorist incident. The Chechnya-born suspect, who was shot dead by police in the Opera district, was previously flagged by counterterrorism agents as a security risk. ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack.