Axios

Israel's Security Cabinet on Tuesday approved a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, which will begin on Wednesday morning local time, Israeli officials said.

Why it matters: The agreement, which was also approved by the Lebanese side, will end more than a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. It will also allow hundreds of thousands of civilians on both sides of the border to gradually return home.

1. Nicaragua's Congress has ordered national banks to disregard international sanctions so they can't suspend services or seize accounts linked to government officials at any level.

• This comes right after the National Assembly last Friday passed a series of reforms to make President Daniel Ortega and the newly minted "co-president" Rosario Murillo have total power over the legislative, judicial, and electoral branches.
• Ortega, Murillo, and over 1,000 Nicaraguan officials are sanctioned by the U.S. or the EU with visa restrictions or financial restrictions for anti-democratic actions.

2. Brazil's attorney general's office this week is set to review the criminal charges against former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was accused last Thursday of helping to orchestrate an attempted coup in 2022.

Aldo the Lab helps kids stay calm during their appointments. Source: via Noticias Telemundo

Kids in Ecuador have an ally when visiting the dentist, the 8-year-old Aldo, a Labrador who works as a therapeutic dog during appointments.

State of play: Aldo's human, the dentist and pediatric orthodontist Glenda Arias, says the dog has five years of experience and emotional support training.

• Arias says she thought of having the pup help kids in her office when, while traveling, she saw similar therapy dogs in other medical facilities.
• Aldo travels with Arias from her office in Quito to the one in Guayaquil, the two biggest Ecuadorian cities, per local media.

The government of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is making water availability one of its priorities with a newly announced national plan that considers water access a human right.

Why it matters: Mexico, one of the 20 biggest economies in the world, has been dealing with increasing water scarcity as droughts become more frequent and severe because of climate change.

British antitrust regulators are preparing to loosen their grip on merger approvals, after years of post-Brexit tightening.

Why it matters: This would mirror what's expected in both the United States and European Union.

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is launching a new institute to help America win a "technological space race" on everything from artificial intelligence to advanced manufacturing.

Why it matters: McCarthy will tap his 17 years of congressional experience on technology and innovation issues to ensure that America stays ahead of competitors like China with his "ALFA Institute."

The Israeli Cabinet on Sunday unanimously agreed to sanction Haaretz, the country's oldest newspaper, citing its critical coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.

Why it matters: Press-freedom advocates slammed the move, arguing it's part of a broader effort by the Israeli government to silence voices critical of its war in Gaza.

UniCredit has offered to buy rival Italian lender Banco BPM for €10 billion in stock.

Why it matters: The surprise bid could wreck Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's plan to create the country's third-largest bank — behind UniCredit and Intesa Sanpaolo — by selling BMPS to Banco BPM.

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to the terms of a ceasefire agreement to end the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, a senior U.S. official told Axios on Monday. The parties have not yet announced an agreement.

Why it matters: More than 3,500 Lebanese have been killed and more than 15,000 injured in more than a year of fighting. The agreement would also allow hundreds of thousands of civilians on both sides of the border to gradually return home.