March 25, 2024

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR | Updates from day 171 of the conflict:

• After Russia and China vetoed a similar U.S.-backed resolution Friday, the U.N. Security Council is scheduled to vote today on a Russia-, China-, and Arab nation-backed resolution that demands an immediate cease-fire in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which lasts through April 9. [more]
• After Spain joined Ireland, Malta, and Slovenia on Friday in saying they would take initial steps toward recognizing Palestinian statehood for the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, Israeli officials said any such recognition would be a “prize for terrorism” and would increase regional instability. [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 760 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here are your updates:

• Ukrainian officials say at least two people were hurt and a multi-story building was severely damaged in an early morning Russian missile attack on Kyiv. Reports cite U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink as saying that Russian forces may have used hypersonic missiles in the attack. [more]
• Ukraine’s military says its forces carried out successful attacks yesterday on two Russian naval vessels and a communications facility belonging to Russia’s Black Sea fleet at the Crimean port of Sevastopol. Local officials have confirmed the attacks, but have yet to release details on the extent of damage. [more]

RUSSIA | At least 137 people were killed, and 180 others were injured, Friday when gunmen opened fire on crowds at the Moscow-area Crocus City Hall concert venue. Four men identified in Russian media as Tajik nationals have been charged with carrying out a terrorist act and an affiliate of the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Russian officials have suggested that the men who carried out the attack were captured while trying to flee to Ukraine, while Kyiv has denied any involvement with the concert hall attack. [more]

U.S. GOVERNMENT FUNDING | Following passage by the House and Senate on Friday and early Saturday, respectively, President Joe Biden signed a $1.2 trillion package of spending bills into law Saturday, avoiding a partial government shutdown and funding federal agencies through the end of the current fiscal year. [more]

TRUMP HUSH MONEY TRIAL | New York Judge Juan M. Merchan is scheduled to hear arguments today on a potential three-month delay in the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump on charges of falsifying business records as part of efforts to bury media stories on his personal life during the 2016 presidential campaign. Attorneys for Trump say the recent disclosure of thousands of pages of records by prosecutors justifies either dismissing the case or delaying the trial, while prosecutors argue there is no need to delay the trial as the newly disclosed documents contain little new material. [more]

U.S., JAPAN, AND CHINA | Amidst ongoing concern over what is viewed as a growing threat from China, Japanese government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said today that the U.S. and Japan are in talks about significantly increasing their military cooperation and coordination. [more]

PAPUA NEW GUINEA | A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Papua New Guinea’s East Sepik region early yesterday morning, killing at least three people and destroying up to 1,000 homes. Authorities say efforts by emergency crews are being hampered by ongoing flooding, which has affected the region for the past few weeks. [more]

SOUTH KOREA | Reports say senior doctors at dozens of hospitals in South Korea plan to submit their resignations today in support of the ongoing five-week strike by junior doctors over government plans to increase enrollment at the country’s medical schools. [more]

FRANCE | French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced a new wave of government anti-drug  crackdowns today, with raids being conducted in the cities of Lille, Villeneuve-d’Ascq, and Roubaix. Darmanin noted that further raids are planned as part of an ongoing effort to address drug trade and related crime problems across France. [more]

SENEGAL | Final results of yesterday’s voting in Senegal’s presidential election are expected later this week, with analysts suggesting that a second round of voting, which will be required if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, is likely. [more]

U.K. | Following weeks of speculation about her health, Kate, the Princess of Wales, announced in a video message Friday that she is undergoing chemotherapy for an unspecified type of cancer. [more]

TECH REGULATION | Citing insufficient compliance with the E.U.’s Digital Markets Act, European Union antitrust regulators said today that they have launched investigations into potentially anti-competitive practices by tech giants Apple, Google, and Meta. [more]

COLLEGE BASKETBALL | For the first time since 2019 – and only the fifth time ever since seeding was implemented in 1979 – all eight No. 1- and No. 2-seeded teams have advanced to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. [more]

SOCCER | The U.S. beat Mexico, 2-0, last night to win the U.S. Men’s National Team’s third straight CONCACAF Nations League title. [more]

GOLF | Peter Malnati shot a final-round 4-under-par 67 yesterday to win the Valspar Championship – his second PGA Tour victory. In LPGA play, Nelly Korda regained her world No. 1 ranking with a win yesterday at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship. [more]

WEEKEND MOVIES | "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" topped the North American box office over the weekend with an estimated $45.2 million in receipts, followed by "Dune: Part Two" and "Kung Fu Panda 4." [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1911, a fire at the Triangle shirtwaist factory in New York City killed 146 people. The tragedy prompted the creation of workplace health and safety legislation in the United States and spurred the growth of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union.  [more history]