News Wrap: First phase of Israel-Hamas ceasefire ending as talks for second continue

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• Amna Nawaz:

  We start the day's other headlines in the Middle East, where the first phase of the fragile cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas is set to expire tomorrow.

  An Israeli delegation returned from Cairo today with gaps reportedly remaining in negotiations. Egyptian security sources are cited as saying that Israel is pushing to extend the first phase of the deal. Hamas said today it's ready to move on to the second stage, which would entail negotiating a permanent end to the war.

  In the meantime, in Israel, mourners gathered at a stadium for the memorial ceremony of hostage Tsachi Idan, whose remains were returned this week along with three others. And, in Gaza, Palestinians prepared for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, even as their homes and communities lie in ruins.

  Back in this country, a jury in Illinois found a 73-year-old landlord guilty of murder and hate crimes today for killing a Palestinian-American boy and seriously injuring his mother. The mother testified that Joseph Czuba attacked her with a knife in 2023 before stabbing her 6-year-old son, Wadee Alfayoumi, to death in another room.

  Authorities say that Czuba attacked them because they are Muslim and as a response to the Israel-Hamas war. He pleaded not guilty.

  Pope Francis suffered an isolated breathing crisis this afternoon. The Vatican said a bronchial spasm led to a — quote — "episode of vomiting with inhalation and sudden worsening of the respiratory condition." The scare required the use of supplemental oxygen.

  Doctors at Gemelli Hospital in Rome say the pope responded well and remained conscious throughout. Today's setback came after two relatively upbeat days for the 88-year-old pontiff. The Vatican has already made alternative plans for Ash Wednesday next week to account for the pope's condition.

  A so-called economic blackout called for today has been getting plenty of attention online, but its impact is still unclear.

• Protestor:

  We spend money and make people rich without even realizing we're doing it.

• Amna Nawaz:

  An activist group called The People's Union called on Americans not to spend any money for 24 hours. They say it's a way to protest the influence of billionaires, big corporations and both major political parties.

  One Atlanta resident said she's taking part because she's tired of corporate greed.

• Brooklyn Kimmel, Clark Atlanta University Student:

  I have locked my cards up already. I'm not spending any money at all. I feel like our voices aren't being heard, but they're still receiving our money. They won't stop. They won't actually listen to us until we stop giving them our money.

• Amna Nawaz:

  Experts say today's economic blackout is relatively uncoordinated compared to other such protests, and it's unclear whether it will have much impact on the companies it targets. The same group plans another broad economic blackout on March 28.

  The Internet calling service Skype is shutting down. Owner Microsoft is directing users to the company's Team service instead. Skype launched in 2003 and quickly became a go-to for audio and video calls worldwide. When Microsoft bought Skype in 2011, it had roughly 170 million users each month.

  But the rise of smartphones and competition from apps like WhatsApp and Zoom have cut into Skype's market share. Skype will officially go out of service on May 5.

  On Wall Street today, stocks closed out the month on an upbeat note. The Dow Jones industrial average jumped about 600 points on the day. The Nasdaq added roughly 300 points. The S&P 500 also ended firmly in positive territory.

  And for space lovers and amateurs alike, tonight is the best chance to get a glimpse of what's known as a planetary parade. It's a rare event when seven planets all share the night sky, and many of them visible to the naked eye. Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Mercury, and Saturn will align in an arc to the south before Mercury and Saturn drop too low on the horizon.

  The phenomenon won't happen again for at least a decade. For the best viewing experience, you will want to find a place with a clear sky and minimal light pollution. Two of the planets, Uranus and Neptune, won't be visible without binoculars or a telescope.

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