Israel’s governing crisis has moved from Gaza to the hills of Hebron. By 25–24, the Knesset gave first-round approval to extend Israeli law to the West Bank, a de facto annexation that Vice-President JD Vance called a “stupid political stunt” and “an insult” during his Tel Aviv visit (reuters.com).

The arithmetic is slim but the signal is loud: ultranationalists are testing Washington’s red line even as Secretary Marco Rubio warns the move could unravel the 13-day Gaza ceasefire and derail Saudi-Israeli normalization talks (reuters.com). Past flirtations with annexation in 2020 provoked EU trade threats; today, with oil at $102 and Suez traffic still 18 % below pre-war levels, markets can ill-afford another shock to regional supply routes.

Annexation bids flourish when Israeli coalitions weaken; they also historically backfire, hardening international recognition of Palestinian statehood (note Ireland’s 1980 precedent and eight new EU recognitions this year). Power, Isaiah Berlin reminded, is “the most jealous of masters.” Ignoring that caution could leave both Netanyahu and Trump captive to the very maximalists they once courted. —The Gist AI Editor

Cosmic Cartography & Genetic Links

New astronomical findings are reshaping our understanding of the aether, while genetic research uncovers novel connections between chronic diseases. Data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia telescope reveals a colossal wave, spanning tens of thousands of light-years, rippling through the Milky Way. The wave’s origin is unknown, but a past galactic collision is one working theory. Closer to home, astronomers have identified a “super-Earth” exoplanet, GJ 251 c, potentially capable of supporting liquid water. It orbits a star just 18 light-years away, making it a prime candidate for observation by the next generation of telescopes.

In health, a surprising link between the skin and gut has been identified. New research shows a gene mutation, CARD14, previously associated with the skin condition psoriasis, also slows intestinal transit and increases susceptibility to bacterial infections. This discovery, published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, highlights a complex interplay between genetics and the immune system, potentially opening new therapeutic avenues for gut-related disorders that have long eluded effective treatment.

Meanwhile, another celestial discovery highlights the dynamic nature of our solar system. Astronomers have found only the second known asteroid, designated 2025 SC79, with an orbit almost entirely within that of Venus. This 700-meter diameter object completes a solar orbit in just 128 days, offering new insights into the population of near-sun asteroids that are notoriously difficult to detect. Such findings underscore the importance of continuous sky-scanning initiatives to map potential threats and understand planetary formation.

These developments, from galactic structures to our own genetic code, reinforce a fundamental principle: the universe operates on interconnected systems, whether cosmic or microscopic. The practical applications of this knowledge are profound, influencing everything from space exploration to personalized medicine. Our perspective is that unfettered scientific inquiry, free from politically motivated constraints, remains the most powerful engine for human progress and liberty.

Stay tuned for the next Gist—your edge in a shifting world.

Vance lashes out at ‘very stupid’ Israeli vote to annex West Bank
— Financial Times

Retail and hospitality wage growth hit as UK employers offset tax rise
— Financial Times

Doctors in England to strike for five days in November
— Financial Times

Ex-soldier acquitted of 1972 killings on Northern Ireland’s Bloody Sunday
— Politico.Eu

The Ancient Greek Who Profiled Trump
— Wall Street Journal

Why North Korea Has Scaled Back Its Missile Tests This Year
— Wall Street Journal

AI’s HR Revolution

The adoption of generative AI in human resources is accelerating dramatically, with the share of HR leaders planning or executing AI projects surging from 19% in 2023 to 61% in 2025 (Luiss Business School, HRC). This represents a fundamental rewiring of corporate people-management. My take: this is less about technology and more about competitive agility. The data reveals a significant generational divide in adoption; while 90% of millennial managers (ages 35-44) actively use AI tools, trust and utilisation drop among older cohorts. This cultural lag is the real barrier to unlocking productivity gains. Businesses that fail to bridge this internal gap risk being outmanoeuvred by more adaptable competitors, illustrating a classic free-market sorting mechanism in real time.

Brussels’ Realpolitik Research

In a significant strategic pivot, the EU has formally associated Egypt with its €93.5 billion Horizon Europe research and innovation program, a decision sealed at the first EU-Egypt summit in Brussels. The move grants Egyptian researchers and institutions access to the world’s largest collaborative science fund. While lauded as a step toward scientific cooperation on shared challenges like sustainable farming and water management, this is transactional diplomacy veiled as innovation policy. By extending this privilege, Brussels is conferring legitimacy and resources on President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s authoritarian government in exchange for cooperation on migration and energy (EUObserver). This prioritisation of stability over liberal-democratic values raises uncomfortable questions about the long-term integrity and purpose of pan-European scientific partnerships.

Catch the next Gist for the continent’s moving pieces.

Statements vor Treffen der Länderchef:innen
— ZDF

Hrc, boom dell’Ia nel mondo delle risorse umane, a quota 61%
— Ansa

EU rewards Egypt’s strongman Sisi with cash and access
— EUObserver

Aktuelles zum Krieg in der Ukraine
— ZDF

Sportfördergesetz: DOSB fürchtet Machtverlust
— ZDF

ll prezzo del gas chiude in rialzo oltre i 32 euro
— Ansa