Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh insists on the group's inclusion in any postwar plan, although negotiations omit living alongside Israel. A Hamas member suggests recognizing Israel, but it remains uncertain if this viewpoint finds widespread support. Israel rejects negotiations with Hamas and pledges to continue their military offensive.

Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine strains Russia's economy, leading to soaring inflation, a weakening rouble, and heightened defense spending. As a result, the Russian economy is 5% smaller than it would have been without the conflict. The government's defense expenditure, surpassing $100bn, limits pay increases for the public sector and tightens the labor market.

Credit Agricole, a major French bank, announces its discontinuation of financing new fossil fuel extraction projects. Instead, the bank commits to supporting the transition away from fossil fuels and will selectively aid energy players involved in this shift. Investments in renewable energy and clean technologies form part of their approach.

In response to an outbreak of "atypical pneumonia," the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) reestablishes COVID-19 control measures such as mask and vaccination mandates. However, the severity of the situation is downplayed, and COVID-19 cases are underreported by the regime. Chinese netizens express disbelief at the official numbers, with rising infections and pneumonia deaths reported. Critics accuse the CCP of lacking transparency and concealing the true scale of the outbreak.

The Digest, 12/14/2023 @200AM, CDT

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