March 22, Friday, 2024

1. A senior US government official has hinted that next month’s Japan-US summit will discuss technological collaboration between Japan and AUKUS, a security framework of Australia, Britain and the United Sates.
2. US secretary of State Antony Blinken says “the gaps are narrowing” for reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages held by Hamas. Blinken discussed the negotiations for a pause in the fighting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and other officials in Cairo on Thursday. The US, Egypt and Qatar are brokering the talks between Israel and Hamas.
3. The Associated Press has reported the recently fired interpreter for Major League Baseball star Ohtani Shohei is under criminal investigation by US tax authorities. Mizuhara Ippei was dismissed by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday as US media outlets reported allegations that he gambled illegally.