June 5, 2024

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR | Updates from day 243 of the conflict:

• Amidst ongoing pressure to support a U.S.-sponsored cease-fire plan, the Israeli military has announced increased operations against Hamas in central Gaza in which, according to Palestinian health officials, at least 44 Palestinians have been killed since yesterday. [more]
• Following recent similar moves by Spain, Norway, and Ireland, Slovenia’s parliament voted yesterday to formally recognize a Palestinian state. Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said after the vote that the recognition is a “message of hope and peace” and suggested that only a two-state solution can lead to a lasting peace in the Middle East. [more]
• An Israeli court has retroactively upheld a 35-day ban on operations in Israel by the Qatari-backed broadcaster Al Jazeera on national security grounds. Israeli officials have indicated they intend to seek a 45-day extension of the ban, which is currently scheduled to end on June 8. [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 832 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here are your updates:

• Ukraine held a day of remembrance yesterday for Ukrainian children killed since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022. According to the United Nations, more than 600 children have been confirmed killed in the war. [more]
• Amidst reports of talks between France and Ukraine on the potential training of Ukrainian troops by French military experts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said yesterday that any such French military instructors would be legitimate targets for the Russian military. [more]

U.S. IMMIGRATION | President Joe Biden issued an executive order yesterday suspending, as of today, most asylum applications by immigrants crossing the U.S. southern border illegally, with the suspension able to be lifted only once border encounters average fewer than 1,500 across a seven-day period. [full executive order] [White House fact sheet] [more]

U.S. WEATHER | An estimated 34 million residents of the western United States are under heat advisories this week, as temperatures are expected to reach as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) before Friday in California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. [more]

U.S. CONTRACEPTION | The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote today on a measure aimed at protecting women’s access to contraception. Reports say the measure is unlikely to gain the 60 votes needed to pass, but that the Democratic majority appears to be using the vote to put Senators’ positions on the issue on record. [more]

WISCONSIN | Attorney General Josh Kaul filed state felony charges yesterday against two attorneys and an aide to former President Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign in Wisconsin, accusing them of forgery in connection with the preparation and submission of paperwork falsely claiming that Trump won the presidential election in the state. [more]

MARYLAND | Under an executive order signed by Gov. Wes Moore yesterday, all state agencies in Maryland will be required to submit plans by November 1 of this year to help address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. [more]

U.S. AND LEBANON | Lebanese officials say a gunman wearing a vest identifying him as a supporter of the Islamic State militant group was shot and arrested by Lebanese soldiers following a shootout outside the U.S. Embassy in Beirut this morning. [more]

E.U. ELECTIONS | Four days of voting begin tomorrow in 27 European Union nations to elect 720 members of the European Parliament. Analysts expect European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s centrist European People’s Party to maintain strong support, but for right-wing and populist parties to have a strong showing. [more]

KOREA | Reports say the U.S. flew a long-range B-1B bomber over the Korean Peninsula today as part of a joint U.S.-South Korea precision-guided bombing drill – the first such flight over Korea in seven years. [more]

ISRAEL AND LEBANON | International human rights group Human Rights Watch claims in a new report that Israeli military forces have fired white phosphorus incendiary shells on residential buildings in at least five towns and villages in southern Lebanon in potential violation of international law. [more]

INDIA | Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared victory in India’s general election yesterday after official results showed his National Democratic Alliance coalition to have secured a majority in India’s parliament, but with weaker support than in previous elections. [more]

D-DAY ANNIVERSARY | U.S. President Joe Biden arrived in France today, where he will take part in commemorations tomorrow to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied D-Day invasion of France during World War II. [more]

PHILIPPINES | Authorities say four police officers assigned to the Philippines’ Manila capital region have been arrested and charged with taking part in a kidnapping for ransom of four foreign tourists that took place over the weekend. [more]

TENNIS | Novak Djokovic withdrew from the French Open yesterday due to a right-knee injury. Reports note that the withdrawal will cost Djokovic his world No. 1 ranking, with Jannik Sinner set to take the top spot when new rankings are released next week. [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1967, amidst rising tensions with Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, Israel staged a preemptive air assault, starting the Six-Day War against Arab countries. Notably, Israel seized the Old City of Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip before a cease-fire agreement was reached. [more history]