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MIDDLE EAST | Update from regional conflicts:

• Hamas will reportedly hand over the bodies of four dead Israeli hostages this week in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The move comes amidst ongoing concern over the future of the Gaza cease-fire, the first phase of which expires this weekend. [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 1098 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here are your updates:

• Ukrainian and U.S. officials have indicated that a framework for an economic deal under which the U.S. would gain access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals has been agreed to and could be signed as early as Friday, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, DC. [more]
• Russian and U.S. diplomats will meet in Istanbul tomorrow, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, for talks aimed at resolving bilateral disputes and improving diplomatic relations, which Russian President Vladimir Putin says is a necessary precursor to advancing towards a cease-fire in Ukraine. [more]

U.S. BUDGET | The Republican-led House of Representatives voted, 217-215, last night to advance a Trump administration-backed budget blueprint that includes $4.5 trillion in tax breaks and $2 trillion in spending cuts. The vote clears the way for various committees to draft budget details and eventual efforts to reconcile the House plan with a Senate version. [more]

TEXAS | Health officials say the ongoing measles outbreak in West Texas has grown to include at least 124 cases in nine counties and that 18 people infected with the disease are currently hospitalized. Reports note that the outbreak – Texas’ largest in nearly 30 years – has been largely concentrated in a “close-knit, under-vaccinated” Mennonite community. [more]

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION | Rulings by three different federal judges yesterday imposed temporary blocks on Trump administration measures that would have 1) frozen trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans nationwide, 2) suspended payment of foreign aid-related money owed to government contractors and nonprofit groups, and 3) paused refugee admissions and related funding. [more]

U.S. CITIZENSHIP | President Donald Trump yesterday proposed the establishment of a “Gold Card” immigration visa program that would grant permanent legal residency in the U.S. and a path to citizenship to foreigners who pay a $5 million fee. [more]

U.S. DOGE RESIGNATIONS | Reports say more than 20 technical staff members of what was previously known as the United States Digital Service and which was renamed the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency Service, resigned yesterday, saying in a joint letter that they could not continue working with Elon Musk to “dismantle critical public services.” [more]

U.S. CONSUMER CONFIDENCE | The Conference Board reported yesterday that its index of consumer confidence fell in February, showing the economic outlook gauge’s largest monthly decline since August 2021. [more]

U.S. HEALTHCARE | President Donald Trump signed an executive order yesterday directing federal agencies to strictly enforce a 2019 order requiring health insurers and hospitals to disclose actual healthcare costs and maintain a consumer-friendly display of pricing information for up to 300 services. [full executive order] [more]

U.S. PORTS | Members of the International Longshoremen’s Association union approved a new six-year contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance of ports and shipping companies yesterday, averting the threat of a strike that industry analysts said could have crippled the U.S. economy. [more]

SUDAN | Authorities say at least 46 people died yesterday in the crash of a Sudanese military aircraft in the city of Omdurman. Reports say the plane crashed during takeoff and that multiple houses were also damaged in the incident. [more]

NICARAGUA | A new U.N. Human Rights Council report accuses Nicaragua’s government, led by President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, of “systematically executing a strategy to cement total control of the country through severe human rights violations” and deliberately transforming the country into “an authoritarian State where no independent institutions remain.” [press release] [full report] [more]

CHILE | A state of emergency was declared, and a curfew was imposed, across large parts of Chile last night following a power outage that affected some eight million homes and closed many public transportation services and businesses. Reports say most affected electricity services have been restored as of this morning. [more]

NEPAL | Tens of thousands of Hindu devotees are gathering at a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu today to celebrate the Shivaratri religious festival. Reports note that the festival is marked by the freedom to smoke marijuana, which is normally illegal in Nepal. [more]

ENERGY INDUSTRY | In a major strategy shift, oil and energy giant BP announced today that it plans to sharply cut its annual investments in renewable energy and increase its annual oil and gas spending. [more]

BASKETBALL | Diana Taurasi, the WNBA’s career scoring leader and a three-time league champion, announced her retirement yesterday, ending her 20-year professional basketball career. [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte, who had been forced to abdicate as French emperor the previous year, escaped from exile on the island of Elba and, gathering support en route, retook power on his return to Paris on March 20, ushering in the Hundred Days.  [more history]