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A Quinnipiac University poll finds 50 percent of US voters believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, including 77 percent of Democrats and 51 percent of independents; 64 percent of Republicans reject the claim, Al Jazeera reported.

Six in 10 voters oppose sending more US military aid to Israel, the highest level since November 2023. Sympathies are nearly evenly split, with 37 percent favoring Palestinians and 36 percent Israelis—the highest support for Palestinians on record.

Rights groups accuse Israel of genocide, which it denies. According to Al Jazeera, the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court have taken actions over alleged war crimes and Palestinian protections.

The United States is reviewing the involvement of Chinese nationals in managing sensitive cloud services for the military, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday. The move follows a ProPublica investigation revealing that Microsoft employed contractors in China and other countries to maintain Defense Department cloud systems, Al Jazeera reported.

Hegseth said a formal letter of concern has been sent to Microsoft, and a third-party audit of its digital escort program is underway to check for potential security breaches. He also directed software providers to end any Chinese involvement in Defense Department systems, calling the measure “common sense” for protecting national security.

Australia, Canada, and the Philippines carried out joint naval and air defense exercises near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, deploying warships, aircraft, and a heavy-lift helicopter. The drills aimed to enhance coordinated defense capabilities, counter aerial threats, and strengthen ties among allied nations, Al Jazeera reported.

The exercises marked the conclusion of Exercise ALON 2025, Australia’s largest military drill with the Philippines, involving over 3,600 personnel and 15 days of live-fire maneuvers.

Scarborough Shoal, claimed by both China and the Philippines, remains a sensitive flashpoint. Earlier this month, Chinese naval vessels collided while attempting to block a Philippine coastguard ship. China continues to assert control despite international rulings limiting its claims, according to Al Jazeera.

Toyoake, a town in Aichi, Japan, has proposed limiting residents’ smartphone use to two hours per day outside work and study. Mayor Masafumi Koki emphasized the guideline is voluntary, aiming to help families manage screen time, according to BBC.

Non-leisure activities like online learning, cooking, exercising, or e-sports practice are exempt. Suggested device cut-offs are 9 p.m. for primary students and 10 p.m. for older students and adults.

The move responds to concerns over students skipping school and adults losing sleep or family time. About 80 percent of residents opposed the plan, while some expressed support.