October 11, 2024

MIDDLE EAST | Update from regional conflicts:

• Lebanese officials say at least 22 people were killed, and more than 100 others were wounded, yesterday in an Israeli airstrike that hit two residential buildings in central Beirut in an apparent attempt to kill top Hezbollah militant group security official Wafiq Safa. [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 960 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here are your updates:

• In the fourth Russian attack on Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa in five days, a Russian ballistic missile strike hit a commercial building in the city overnight, killing four people and wounding at least 10 others, according to regional governor Oleh Kiper. [more]
• Reuters cites unnamed sources as saying that the World Bank’s executive board has approved the creation of a new financial intermediary fund to help fulfill a pledge by Group of Seven member nations to provide up to $50 billion in funding to Ukraine by the end of 2024. [more]

HURRICANE MILTON | Officials in Florida say at least 15 deaths have been linked to Hurricane Milton, which crossed the state yesterday, triggering 126 tornado warnings, causing extensive flooding, and leaving some 3 million customers without power. [more]

U.S. UNEMPLOYMENT | According to Labor Department data released yesterday, a higher-than-expected 258,000 Americans filed initial claims for unemployment benefits last week – the highest weekly level since August 2023. Analysts say Hurricane Helene and the ongoing Boeing machinist strike contributed significantly to the high filing level. [more]

U.S. BANKING | TD Bank – the 10th largest bank in the U.S. – has agreed to pay about $3 billion to settle U.S. federal charges related to what Justice Department officials say were the financial institution’s lax policies that allowed its services to be used for money laundering. Additionally, the Canada-based bank pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. [more]

COLORADO | Emergency personnel rescued 12 people trapped for several hours at the bottom of a former Colorado gold mine last night following an elevator malfunction. One person died in the incident at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine tourist site. [more]

U.S. SOCIAL SECURITY | The Social Security Administration announced yesterday that millions of older Americans will receive a 2.5% cost-of-living increase in their retirement benefits starting in January 2025. Analysts say the increase, which is lower than the 3.2% increase last year, reflects moderating inflation levels. [more]

ASIAN SECURITY | Speaking at a meeting with leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations today, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. remains concerned about China’s “increasingly dangerous and unlawful” activities in the South China Sea and that the U.S. will continue to support freedom of navigation in the trade route. [more]

NOBEL PRIZES | Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization of survivors of the World War II U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, has been named the winner of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for its activism against the use of nuclear weapons. In its award statement, the Nobel committee said it wished “to honor all survivors who, despite physical suffering and painful memories, have chosen to use their costly experience to cultivate hope and engagement for peace.” [more]

MIGRATION | The Panamanian government and the Refugees International human rights organization say the number of migrants crossing the Darien Gap migration route between Colombia and Panama rose sharply in September, with the increase driven largely by Venezuelans fleeing their country following the re-election of President Nicolas Maduro. Data indicates, however, that, as of October 7, migration through the Darien Gap this year was down 36% from the same period in 2023. [more]

RUSSIA | Speaking at a conference of Central Asian leaders, including those of Iran and Pakistan, today in Turkmenistan, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia wants to build a “new world order” with its friends and allies. [more]

PAKISTAN | Reports say gunmen killed 20 miners, and wounded seven others, yesterday in an attack at a coal mine in southwestern Pakistan. While there has yet to be an official claim of responsibility, the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army is thought to have carried out the attack. [more]

SOMALIA | Somali authorities said yesterday that they welcome an African Union Peace and Security Council decision to launch the African Union Mission to Support Stabilization in Somalia, under whose mandate Egyptian and Eritrean peacekeeping troops are expected to deploy to Somalia as part of a stabilization force when the current African Union force disbands in December. [more]

CAMEROON | In a move criticized by free-speech advocates, the government of Cameroon said this week that any public discussions of 91-year-old President Paul Biya’s health are a matter of national security and warned of criminal prosecution for “any debate in the media about the president's condition.” The move came amidst widespread speculation that Biya’s health has significantly declined in recent weeks. [more]

BASEBALL | With a 3-1 win over the Kansas City Royals last night, the New York Yankees advanced to Major League Baseball’s American League Championship Series. [full MLB playoff bracket] [more]

BASKETBALL | The Minnesota Lynx defeated the New York Liberty, 95-93, last night in Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Finals. Game 2 of the best-of-five series is scheduled for Sunday. [more]

TENNIS | Czech player Tomas Machac beat World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz yesterday in the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament. Machac will play top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the tournament’s semi-final round. [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1899, the South African (Boer) War began between Great Britain and the two Boer (Afrikaner) republics—the South African Republic (Transvaal) and the Orange Free State. [more history]