Armed conflicts and attacks

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that he has approved a military operation to capture Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip amid international pressure to stop the offensive. (Reuters)

• https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/aid-ship-reaches-gaza-coast-israel-rejects-hamas-truce-offer-2024-03-15/

Armed conflicts and attacks

At least 20 people are killed and at least 73 others are injured in a Russian double tap missile strike in Odesa, Ukraine. (CNN)

• https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/15/europe/missile-strike-odesa-russia-ukraine-double-tap-intl/index.html

Business and economy

The Netherlands awards a contract to French defense firm Naval Group to build its Orka-class submarines. The new submarines will replace the aging Walrus-class submarine fleet. (Le Monde)

• https://www.lemonde.fr/en/europe/article/2024/03/15/the-netherlands-pick-france-s-naval-group-for-submarines-deal_6622270_143.html

Disasters and accidents

At least three people are killed by tornadoes in Logan County, Ohio, United States. (AP)

• https://apnews.com/article/tornado-indiana-ohio-severe-weather-731ed36b02cd521590ac8f5dbc4509f5

Law and crime

The Democratic Republic of the Congo lifts the 2003 moratorium on the death penalty in an attempt to reduce the level of violence in the country. (ABC News)

• https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/congo-reinstates-death-penalty-after-20-years-struggles-108156667

Politics and elections

The Sudanese National Forces Coordination, a coalition of pro-SAF armed groups led by vice president Malik Agar, declares its support politically and militarily for the SAF. (Radio Dabanga)

• https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/new-national-forces-coordination-to-sign-charter-with-sudanese-army