Israel - Hamas Hostage & Ceasefire Negotiations Could Restart This Week + President Trump to Meet with Russian President Without Ukraine + Japan & Philippine Defense Agreement + New US CENTCOM Commander + More

For review:

1. Australia will recognize a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Monday.

2. Israel - Hamas Hostage & Ceasefire Negotiations Could Restart This Week. 

Israel may send negotiators to Doha this week for meetings on a comprehensive agreement for the release of hostages held by Hamas and a ceasefire in Gaza.

3.  New US CENTCOM Commander. 

Incoming Commander US Navy Admiral Brad Copper replaced US Army General Michael Kurilla. 

4.  President Trump to Meet with Russian President Without Ukraine. 

5. Azerbaijan has warned that it could lift its arms embargo on Kyiv- if Russia keeps targeting energy infrastructure in Ukraine linked to the South Caucasus country.

Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, Azerbaijan has refrained from transferring weapons to either side. 

6. Finland has planned a live-firing event to assess the potential of laser-guided artillery munitions. The demonstration event is planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.

7. Japan & Philippine Defense Agreement starts next month. The agreement will permit troops from both countries to train within their respective territorial waters, territories, and air spaces.

8. A China Coast Guard vessel and People’s Liberation Army Navy ship crashed into each other in the South China Sea on Monday while chasing a Philippine Coast Guard vessel.