Rafah Strike, Pulitzer Prizes, and Peregrine Falcons

Rafah Operation Begins

The Israeli military yesterday began its long-planned ground operation in Gaza's southern city of Rafah, where roughly half of the enclave's 2.3 million people have been sheltering (see photos). 

Israel began striking targets in eastern Rafah less than 24 hours after warning roughly 100,000 residents in the area to evacuate. Israel believes Rafah, a city that sits on the shared border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, is the last Hamas stronghold. The US and other allies oppose Israel's ground offensive, partly due to the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Earlier in the day, Hamas announced it had accepted the terms of a cease-fire and hostage-release plan proposed by Egypt and Qatar. Details of the plan have not been made public. Israel is sending a delegation to Cairo to resume indirect talks through mediators and says the two parties remain far apart. 

Separately, Columbia University canceled its main commencement ceremony following weekslong student protests on the Israel-Hamas war.

Pulitzer Prize Winners

The 2024 Pulitzer Prize winners were announced yesterday, with the recognition for public service awarded to ProPublica for its coverage of the US Supreme Court, resulting in the court’s first-ever adoption of a code of conduct.

Other winners include The New York Times and Reuters (international reporting and breaking news photography, respectively) for their coverage of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack and the subsequent war. Two special citations were also awarded, including one to journalists covering the war in Gaza. California local news outlet Lookout Santa Cruz (breaking news) was recognized for its coverage of devastating flooding and mudslides in the community. 

The Pulitzer Prize for fiction was awarded to “Night Watch” by Jayne Anne Phillips, while nonfiction went to “A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy” by Nathan Thrall.

The Pulitzer Prize—determined by a board from Columbia University—is one of the highest distinctions in the US for journalism, literature, and music. Awardees take home $15K and a certificate, while the public service winner receives a gold medal. See the full list of winners here.

Eurovision Kicks Off

The 68th Eurovision Song Contest begins today from Sweden, with the country hosting for its seventh time (Peacock, 3 pm ET). The competition is the world’s most-watched annual music event with roughly 160 million viewers and features 37 acts, all of whom are European except Australia and Israel.

The format includes two semifinals followed by a grand finale. The 26 finalists, selected through a combination of a public vote and expert picks, include 10 winners from each semifinal, the previous year’s winner, and contestants from the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. This year sees the comeback of Luxembourg after a 30-year hiatus, along with a record number of native language entries. The contest, which labels itself as a nonpolitical event, comes amid heightened security, with protests planned due to Israel's participation.

Eurovision, known for featuring extravagant costumes, has launched the careers of many icons, including ABBA and Céline Dion. See all 37 songs featured in this year's contest here.

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