Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
The United Kingdom announced a further delay in elections in Northern Ireland. The British government said the region’s parties have until January 2024 to form a new government.
On Thursday, the British government said parties in Northern Ireland have until January 2024 to form a new power-sharing government space for talks on the post-Brexit trade agreement to continue. The region has been without a proper government since the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party started a boycott last year in protest at the checks on some goods moving to Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.
An election back in May did not solve the deadlock and London initially pushed back the deadline to hold new elections in November as negotiations on resolving issues related to the Northern Ireland Protocol between the UK and the European Union restarted.
“I know that an election in the coming weeks will not be helpful or welcome. So I am introducing a bill to create more time for the parties to work together and return to government, as protocol discussions continue,” said British Northern Ireland minister Chris Heaton-Harris in a statement.
Heaton-Harris introduced legislation to extend the deadline, saying that if parties are unable to form a government by January 19, 2024, the British government would have a legal duty to hold an election within 12 weeks. Heaton-Harris added that an election may be called at any time during the period if necessary.
Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein overtook the DUP in the May elections becoming the largest party in Northern Ireland for the first time.
On Wednesday, Heaton-Harris said on Twitter that the UK and the EU discussions on Northern Ireland are still moving forward. EU commission vice president Maros Sefcovic said in a separate message that both sides are focusing on the concerns of the different communities in Northern Ireland.
“Good to see Maros Sefcovic again to discuss the situation in Northern Ireland,” tweeted Heaton-Harris. “We agreed solutions to the Protocol must work for benefit of all communities and businesses in Northern Ireland,” adding that he will be in constant touch with Sefcovic along with British foreign secretary James Cleverly.
