Netanyahu’s political situation could have been worse, according to Ariel Kahana of Israel Hayom. Despite a strike affecting schools, municipalities, transport, and hospitals, many sectors were only partly impacted. Unlike March 2023, Netanyahu’s right-wing party remained united during the war, with only Defense Minister Yoav Gallant dissenting on a cease-fire motion. Netanyahu emphasized internal unity against a common enemy, despite protests. The divide in Israel centers on whether to compromise for a cease-fire and hostage release or to continue fighting Hamas, even if it delays hostage releases. Penelope Kingsley 03/09/2024 11:00 am
Diana Zalazar, a 14-year-old from Paraguay, discovered she was six months pregnant after mistaking her symptoms for a tumor. In a country with South America’s highest teenage pregnancy rate, many young mothers lack sex education, which is often avoided by parents and schools. Now 39, Zalazar advocates for children’s rights. Recently, Paraguay’s Ministry of Education endorsed a national sex ed curriculum promoting abstinence and traditional values, sparking concern among sexual health educators and feminists. This move aligns with the country’s strict abortion laws and conservative backlash against progressive movements in Latin America. Ava Sinclair 03/09/2024 11:00 am
An attempted jailbreak at Congo’s Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa resulted in at least 129 deaths, mostly from a stampede, and 24 inmates were shot dead by warning gunshots. The prison, designed for 1,500 but holding over 12,000 inmates, saw gunfire and chaos early Monday. Videos showed bodies and injured inmates. Authorities restored order and are investigating the incident, which was plotted internally. The overcrowded prison has a history of jailbreaks and severe conditions, with efforts ongoing to decongest it. Justice Minister called the attack a “premeditated act of sabotage.” Ava Sinclair 03/09/2024 11:00 am
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Mongolia is notable because Mongolia, an ICC member, should have arrested him due to an ICC warrant for alleged war crimes, including the deportation of Ukrainian children. Despite this, Mongolia welcomed Putin with honors, defying the ICC’s mandate. The ICC expressed concern, stating Mongolia had an obligation to comply, though enforcement is limited. Legal experts warn Mongolia may face consequences for not fulfilling its ICC obligations. This visit marks Putin’s first to an ICC member state since the warrant was issued. Penelope Kingsley 03/09/2024 11:00 am
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked two crude oil tankers, the Saudi-flagged Amjad and the Panama-flagged Blue Lagoon I, in the Red Sea, the U.S. military reported, labeling the assaults as “reckless acts of terrorism.” The Houthis claimed responsibility for targeting the Blue Lagoon but not the Amjad. Both vessels, carrying significant amounts of crude oil, were hit by ballistic missiles and drones but continued their voyages without major damage or casualties. The Amjad’s owner, Bahri, and the Blue Lagoon’s manager, Sea Trade Marine SA, did not immediately comment. Penelope Kingsley 03/09/2024 7:30 am
Pope Francis arrived in Indonesia, beginning his longest trip as pontiff to encourage the Catholic community and celebrate interfaith harmony in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country. After an overnight flight, he was welcomed in Jakarta and met with refugees and sick people. His visit includes meetings with political leaders and Indonesian clergy, and an interfaith event at Istiqlal mosque. Indonesian President Joko Widodo emphasized shared commitments to peace and brotherhood. The mosque and nearby Catholic cathedral symbolize religious tolerance, connected by a “Tunnel of Friendship” which Francis will visit. Noah Prescott 03/09/2024 7:30 am
President Joe Biden criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not doing enough to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, stating he is “close” to presenting a final deal for a hostage and ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Biden’s comments came amid efforts to secure a deal pairing hostage release with a fighting pause, following the discovery of six hostages’ bodies, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. The deaths sparked protests in Israel. A senior Israeli source criticized Biden’s statement, while a US official emphasized Hamas’ responsibility and urged Israeli urgency in securing remaining hostages’ release. Ava Sinclair 03/09/2024 7:30 am
The New York Times revealed internal Hamas documents detailing extensive preparations for war against the IDF within Gaza’s tunnel system. These documents include a training manual instructing fighters on tunnel navigation using night vision and armored door installations to hinder IDF breaches. Captured by the IDF, the documents highlight Hamas’s years-long effort to establish a resilient subterranean military network. The manual, written in 2019, provides detailed combat instructions, including using automatic weapons in tunnels and camouflaging entrances. A letter from Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar approves funds for critical tunnel upgrades. Ava Sinclair 03/09/2024 4:00 am
Yemen’s Houthis claimed responsibility for targeting the Blue Lagoon with missiles and drones but did not mention the Saudi tanker Amjad. Both ships, hit while sailing near each other, continued their voyages with no major damage or casualties. The Amjad’s owner, Bahri, and the Blue Lagoon’s manager, Sea Trade Marine SA, did not comment. The Joint Maritime Information Center reported three ballistic missile attacks on the Blue Lagoon I, likely due to its company’s recent port calls in Israel. All crew are safe, and the vessel sustained minimal damage. Ava Sinclair 03/09/2024 4:00 am
A small crowd assaulted two US Marines in Izmir, Turkey, on Monday, according to the US Navy. The Marines, from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, were on liberty when attacked. Video shows the crowd restraining the Marines, with one shouting for help and another having a bag placed over his head. The crowd chanted, “Yankee, go home!” The Marines escaped with help and were uninjured. Local police and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service are investigating. The US Embassy thanked Turkish authorities for their quick response. Ava Sinclair 03/09/2024 4:00 am
