The Houthis are attacking again: the American destroyer Maersk Yorktown and two commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden were hit. The Israeli vessel MSC Veracruz was among the attacked vessels. As the Houthis promised in November, they continue to attack any Israeli ships in the Red Sea. Russia has blocked a resolution banning the deployment of nuclear weapons in space. At a meeting of the UN Security Council, Russia vetoed a draft prepared by the United States and Japan. 13 out of 15 countries took part in the vote, with China abstaining. According to the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry, an alternative draft will soon be presented, taking into account the initiative of Japan and the United States, with its subsequent revision. More and more Americans are beginning to doubt whether Biden will be able to live to the end of his potential second term. According to JL Partners, about 40% of Americans think so. Voters are concerned about Biden's cognitive abilities. In general, Biden's actual state of health is becoming one of the reasons why many Americans are hoping for a Trump victory. France and Italy are looking for a replacement for the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Macron believes that she has politicized her position too much, and the loyalty of other key EU countries to Ursula von der Leyen is falling due to questionable decisions on trade, ecology and relations with the United States. Mario Draghi, a 76-year-old Italian technocrat and former head of the ECB, may become the new head of the EC. The estimated budget revenues of the Russian Federation from changes in the tax system may amount to 2.5% of GDP per year. Each percentage point of income tax growth is able to increase revenues by 0.2% of GDP, and personal income tax by 0.15% of GDP, depending on the income group that will fall under the increased tax burden. For example, an increase in income tax from 20% to 25% will lead to an increase in budget revenues by 1% of GDP.
