April 10, 2024

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR | Updates from day 187 of the conflict:

• Speaking to his country’s parliament today, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called Israel’s military operations in Gaza a “disproportionate response” to the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel and said Israel’s actions constitute a regional and global threat. [more]
• In an interview broadcast last night, U.S. President Joe Biden said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the war in Gaza was "a mistake," and called for both a cease-fire and a surge in aid to Gaza residents. [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 776 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here are your updates:

• Ukrainian officials say the U.K. and Ukraine have signed a framework agreement to cooperate on defense and arms production projects. [more]
• The U.S. State Department announced a new $138 million emergency military sales package yesterday to provide needed repairs and spare parts for Ukraine’s Hawk surface-to-air missile systems. [more]

ARIZONA | The Arizona Supreme Court ruled yesterday that the state can enforce an 1864 law that criminalizes all abortions except when a woman’s life is at stake. The law, which permits doctors or others to be prosecuted for performing an abortion, is expected to face legal challenges. [more]

MICHIGAN | Jennifer and James Crumbley, the parents of Ethan Crumbley, who was convicted of the 2021 mass school shooting at Oxford High School in Oxford Township, Michigan, were each sentenced to 10-15 years in prison yesterday for what prosecutors said was their failure to secure a newly purchased gun at their home and acting indifferently to signs of their son’s deteriorating mental health. [more]

U.S. POLLUTION | The Environmental Protection Agency announced a set of final rules yesterday that will require more than 200 chemical plants nationwide to reduce toxic emissions that are likely to cause cancer. EPA officials say the rules will reduce the number of people with elevated air toxics-related cancer risks in communities surrounding the plants, especially in communities historically overburdened by air toxics pollution. [press release] [full info] [more]

OHIO | Railway operator Norfolk Southern has reportedly agreed to pay $600 million to settle all class-action lawsuits arising out of its February 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in which thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals were spilled and burned. The settlement is still subject to court approval. [more]

U.S. SOCIAL MEDIA | In a lawsuit filed yesterday in Los Angeles County, California, two Native American tribal nations accused multiple social media companies of contributing to the disproportionately high rates of suicide among Native American youth. [more]

U.S. AND JAPAN | President Joe Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for an official visit and state dinner today. Among topics the two leaders are expected to discuss are concerns over China’s military action in the South China Sea and expanding influence in the Pacific and the proposed $14.1 billion purchase of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel – a deal that Biden has opposed. [more]

IRAN AND ISRAEL | In continuing fallout from the suspected Israeli airstrike on an Iranian diplomatic facility in Syria earlier this month that killed two Iranian generals, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated today that his country will retaliate against Israel. Responding to Khamenei's comment, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said today that Israel would strike Iran directly if the Islamic Republic launches an attack from its territory against Israel. [more]

CHINESE ECONOMY | Ratings company Fitch reduced its outlook on China’s sovereign credit rating to negative today, citing increased debt and decelerating growth as reasons for the move. [more]

RUSSIA AND CHINA | Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov yesterday in Beijing in what is widely interpreted as a show of mutual support and shared general opposition to Western democracies. [more]

HONG KONG | Authorities in Hong Kong say at least five people were killed, and another 36 were injured, this morning in a fire that swept through a 16-story residential building. The cause of the fire is under investigation. [more]

SOUTH AFRICA | Reversing an earlier decision by the country’s Independent Electoral Commission, South Africa’s Electoral Court ruled yesterday that former President Jacob Zuma can run for office in the upcoming general election. [more]

SOUTH KOREA | In what is widely seen as a referendum on President Yoon Suk Yeol and his conservative People Power Party, all 300 seats in South Korea's National Assembly are at stake in today’s parliamentary elections. [more]

SOCCER | After playing to a 2-2 draw in regulation, the U.S. beat Canada, 5-4, last night in a shootout to win the SheBelieves Cup tournament. [more]

PARIS OLYMPICS | Global track-and-field governing body World Athletics announced today that it will become the first international sports federation to award prize money at the Olympic Games, with $50,000 prizes being awarded to gold medalists in the 48 track-and-field competitions at this summer’s Paris Olympics. [more]

BASKETBALL | In last night’s 104-91 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics became the first team in NBA history to not shoot a single free throw in a game. [more]

COUNTRY MUSIC | Luke Combs received the most nominations for this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards, receiving eight nominations, including for male artist of the year and entertainer of the year. Other top nominees announced yesterday included: Megan Moroney, Morgan Wallen, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and Lainey Wilson. [full list of nominees] [more]

R.I.P. | Nobel prize-winning physicist Peter Higgs, who predicted the existence of the Higgs bosun, or so-called “God particle,” that helped to explain the formation of matter after the Big Bang, died Monday at the age of 94 after a short illness, according to the University of Edinburgh, where he was emeritus professor. [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1912, the RMS Titanic embarked on its maiden voyage, which ended in tragedy several days later when the luxury liner struck an iceberg and sank. [more history]