Hello from Siena and I'm Afoma D.K.

With the five things you need to know for Monday, March 25th.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby says the White House is, quote,

perplexed by the Israeli

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to cancel his delegation's trip

to Washington this week to discuss Israel's planned ground invasion in

Ratha. Netanyahu had threatened to pull the delegation if the U.S. didn't veto a UN Security Council resolution

calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Today the Prime Minister followed through when the US have stained from the vote,

allowing the proposal to pass, though the vote isn't binding. Kirby addressed

reporters in a briefing today.

This one didn't condemn Hamas, which is why we

couldn't support it, but we didn't veto it because in general this one did

fairly capture what has been our consistent policy which is linking a hostage

deal in the release of those men and women with a temporary ceasefire.

According to a US official Netanyahu didn't directly communicate with President Joe Biden to discuss the matter.

And Biden has no plans to call Netanyahu about it.

But hours after Netanyahu's decision was announced, Israel's defense minister Joov Galen met with

high-ranking US officials today, including Secretary of State Anthony Blinking.

All four suspects in last week's attack on a popular concert venue in Moscow are in detention

They're charged with committing acts of terrorism after the massacre that killed at least 139 people and face life in prison.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that the attack was carried out by quote

...