September 27, 2023

UKRAINE | Today is day 580 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here are your updates:

• In its latest intelligence assessment, the U.K. Ministry of Defense says that patterns of Russian troop deployments in Ukraine suggest that "a concerted new Russian offensive is less likely over the coming weeks.” [more]
• Ukrainian officials say at least nine civilians have been killed, and 15 others were injured, over the past 24 hours in Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, including ones in the Black Sea port city of Odesa that damaged a warehouse and prompted the suspension of ferry service between Ukraine and Romania. [more]

U.S. GOVERNMENT FUNDING | Ahead of a September 30 deadline and potential partial government shutdown, the Senate voted yesterday to advance a temporary spending bill that would fund the federal government at current spending levels through November 17. Infighting between Republican factions in the House of Representatives, however, continues to dampen hopes of avoiding a government shutdown before Saturday’s deadline. [more]

HOLLYWOOD | The governing boards of the eastern and western branches of the Writers Guild of America approved the new labor agreement with Hollywood producers and studios last night and declared an end to the union’s nearly-five-month strike. WGA members will vote on ratifying the new contract in early October, but will resume work beginning today. [more]

ALABAMA | The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday rejected Alabama’s emergency request to overturn a lower court ruling that ordered the state to create a new congressional districting map giving better representation to the state’s 27% Black population. [more]

TRUMP NEW YORK CIVIL SUIT | New York Judge Arthur Engoron ruled yesterday that former U.S. President Donald Trump and others repeatedly committed fraud in the operating of Trump’s businesses in the state by overvaluing assets and exaggerating Trump’s net worth on paperwork used in making business deals and securing loans. Engoron ordered the licenses for some of Trump’s companies to be rescinded. Further issues in the case, including any penalties against Trump, will be decided in a trial that begins October 2. [full court ruling] [more]

U.S. LABOR | Hospitality workers in Las Vegas voted yesterday to authorize a strike by their Culinary Workers Union – the largest labor union in Nevada. No deadline was set by the union for a work stoppage as talks over pay, benefits, and working conditions continue. [more]

CALIFORNIA | Among several gun control measures signed into law by California Gov. Gavin Newsom yesterday were measures banning the carrying of firearms in most public places and adding an 11% state tax on sales of guns and ammunition. The new state laws are expected to be challenged in court. [more]

RETAIL THEFT | Police say more than a dozen people were arrested last night following a series of group lootings of several stores in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s Center City district. The organized thefts came the same day that retail giant Target announced that it will close nine stores in major U.S. cities due to high levels of theft and organized retail crime. [more]

IRAQ | Authorities in Iraq’s northwestern Nineveh province say at least 100 people were killed, and another 150 were injured, last night when a fire broke out in a crowded wedding hall in the region’s Hamdaniya district. Reports say investigations into the blaze are still ongoing, but that the fire appears to have been caused by fireworks set off during a wedding celebration. [more]

U.K. | British regulators with the North Sea Transition Authority yesterday approved new oil and gas drilling in the Rosebank field, northwest of the Shetland Islands, in a move that officials say will create jobs and strengthen the country’s energy security, but that opponents contend will hinder the U.K.’s progress in meeting its climate goals. [more]

NAGORNO-KARABAKH | Officials in Azerbaijan say 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded last week in the military offensive that cemented the country's control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Nagorno-Karabakh officials report that at least 200 people on their side were killed and over 400 were wounded in the fighting. [more]

NORTH KOREA | State-run media agency KCNA reports that North Korea will expel U.S. Army Private Travis King, who fled into North Korea in July while on a tour of the Joint Security Area on the border between North and South Korea. [more]

PAKISTAN | Reports say at least eight people were killed today at a home in the Pakistani city of Kandhkot when a rocket launcher shell apparently exploded. Authorities say family members are thought to have taken the shell into their home after finding it in a nearby field. [more]

BRAZIL | Brazilian police say new raids and arrests are being carried out today as part of investigations into the January 8 riots in Brasilia in which supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed government buildings and called for a coup following the election of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. [more]

GERMANY | German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said today that Germany will implement new controls this week on its borders with Poland and the Czech Republic to curb illegal migration. [more]

AMAZON | The U.S. Federal Trade Commission, along with 17 states, sued e-commerce giant Amazon yesterday, accusing the company of violating federal and state antitrust laws by using its market strength to inflate prices, overcharge sellers, and stifle competition. In a statement, Amazon called the lawsuit “wrong on the facts and the law.” [more]

BASKETBALL | New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart was named this season’s WNBA Most Valuable Player yesterday, edging out Alyssa Thomas and A’ja Wilson in the league’s closest-ever MVP voting. [more]

R.I.P. | Baseball Hall of Fame member Brooks Robinson has died, according to an announcement yesterday from the Baltimore Orioles, the team for which Robinson played for 23 years. Robinson participated in 18 All-Star Games, won 16 consecutive Gold Gloves, and received the 1964 American League Most Valuable Player award. [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1066, after being delayed by bad weather, William, duke of Normandy, and his military forces set sail for the southeastern coast of England in what would become known as the Norman Conquest. [more history]