Break: Ehud Olmert tells me Hamas command center is in Khan Younis - not #Shifa hospital.
“Khan Younis, which is in the southern part of Gaza Strip, is the real headquarters of Hamas.” "They have the leadership, they are hiding, they have the bunkers, they have the command positions, they have the launching pads."

Finnish PM @MarinSanna reiterating her calls for greater EU strategic autonomy in light of Russia’s war, and also Covid.
Also supports enlargement once reforms are fulfilled in Balkans, Ukraine. On Finnish @NATO membership she says rule of law important. Her gov won’t make decisions relating to Erdogan’s demands to deport anyone. The courts will do it, she says.

‘What the UK is threatening to do is “gravely serious”. They’re proposing the break international law against their nearest neighbour, Ireland, says fmr EU ambassador to US, John Bruton. “They would destroy the Single Market” - uniformity on the single market would be destroyed - you could “terminally” destroy the Irish food market - with these UK plans, and the British “know exactly” what they’re doing.

Break: US @dankildee reiterates no US-UK FTA if UK presses ahead w breach of NIP.
Says it’s “difficult” to read the intentions of/or know if UK/@trussliz acting in good faith.
No indication she intends to change course.. but the point of @WaysMeansCmte meeting her was to “firmly” reiterate US position for UK not to act unilaterally.
‘The way to resolve difficult differences is to sit down and negotiate - as was the case w the problems which led to the @BelfastAgmt.’

The EU's Election Observer mission in Lebanon is excoriating in its preliminary assessment of Sunday's poll. Widespread "vote-buying practices" affected voter choice and the level-playing field.
Polling staff were badly trained, candidate agents present leading to intimidation. The presence of party staff displayed "intrusive behaviour", controlling voter attendance where the "secrecy of the ballot was not always guaranteed".
Authorities in Ministry of Interior displayed lack of transparency and provided little information about election preparation.

Break: Irish FM @simoncoveney
'The obligation to fulfill commitments of NIP is with the UK gov - the TCA is contingent on the NIP working' he warns.
'We're trying to work with flexibility and pragmatism' Says checks are still taking place, but Poots move is a breach of international law.
'Unhelpful that the DUP is acting outside the deadline we've been working towards - a Joint Committee meeting where NIP issues are resolved.

Huge resignation over the Poots' decision to end checks across Brussels and Dublin. But its seen as a "coordinated" action designed to boost an embattled DUP and Poots.
'All they have is this confrontation with Brussels and Dublin' said a source. Brexit sources say there will be calls for Brussels to act with 'strength' and reiterate to the UK that the TCA could be suspended if the situation isn't resolved.
'The TCA and Withdrawal Agreement are intertwined', said a source. 'You can't have the house without the mortgage'

Response from EU re UK #NorthernIreland protocol

“The European Commission has been working tirelessly with the UK government to address practical challenges related to the implementation of the Protocol. “The decision by the NI Min for Agriculture is therefore unhelpful. It creates further uncertainly and unpredictability for businesses and citizens in Northern Ireland. The European Commission will closely monitor developments in Northern Ireland pursuant to this announcement.”

On #NIP @McGuinnessEU says “to put it mildly it’s extremely unhelpful”.. ‘on our side we’re working tireless to deal with specific problems. Business needs stability & certainty; this brings uncertainty and instability.
‘Not sure what the purpose of stopping the inspections is’ It’s absolutely a breach of international law, doesn’t help business, is a breach of @BelfastAgmt’ she says.

Interview w Belgian virologist @vanranstmarc who says he fears vaccine mandates play into the hands of the far-right & may lead to people not vaccinating babies.
He also says the situation in Ireland needs close attention given high vaccination, and that ventilation is paramount. On vaccine mandate:
"It is a very tough question, and it depends on which country you live. If you live in a country where 65 percent of the population, only 65 percent is vaccinated. Mandatory vaccination might get you over the hump.

Belgium: "“In schools, scrapping the last week of class before the Christmas holidays has very little pedagogical impact,” said Flemish Minister-President Jan Jambon.
“In fact, we are going to use that week to administer the third dose to the teachers." “We are going through difficult weeks. This autumn’s wave that we have been confronted with has been much more severe than we had anticipated,” said @alexanderdecroo

🚨 EU-UK Sausage wars to end.
The EU is set to offer “dramatic” changes to how the Northern Ireland protocol, say sources.
4 non-papers will be published under titles relating to Medicines, SPS, Customs & Democratic Participation- i.e. role for NI politicians + civil servants. EU sources says ‘this is not tinkering around the edges, this will involve “big changes” which includes a “bespoke” arrangement for NI regarding SPS.
It’s aimed at ending the so-called ‘sausage wars’ with a provision for ‘national identity goods’ ie: British sausages.

EU VP @MarosSefcovic at @iiea says EU ready to offer ‘far-reaching, “creative” proposals to the #NIP.

They’ll be announced next week.

‘We’re approaching this in a good, constructive way’ but the recent rhetoric from @DavidGHFrost et al are “not helping”. But, he says any further softening carries a “political risk” because many member states are asking him whether the UK will simply ‘bank’ these derogations and continue its crusade against the protocol.