News of the Day From Around the World, March 23
1 Croatia quake: A series of aftershocks have struck Croatia since a strong earthquake caused widespread damage, killed one person and injured at least 27 people Sunday amid a partial coronavirus lockdown of the capital. Seismologists said Monday at least 38 weaker temblors were felt in Zagreb since a 5.5 magnitude quake hit the capital, triggering panic, the evacuation of hospitals and structural damage, including the city’s cathedral and other historic buildings. The aftershocks sent some people rushing out of their homes into public parks despite an earlier warning from authorities against large gatherings in public areas to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
2 Lebanon debt: The Finance Ministry announced Monday that it will stop paying all maturing Eurobonds in foreign currencies amid a crippling economic and financial crisis and as foreign currency reserves continue to drop. The decision to stop paying the Eurobonds — believed to be worth about $30 billion and which mature in the coming years until 2037 — comes more than a week after Lebanon’s government suspended the payment of $1.2 billion in loans that matured on March 9. It was Lebanon’s first default in paying back part of its massive debt. The decision risks legal action by lenders that could further aggravate the financial crisis and push Lebanon’s economy toward collapse.
3 Military drill: U.S. Marines and Emirati forces held a major military exercise Monday that saw forces seize a sprawling model Mideast city, a drill conducted amid tensions with Iran and despite the new coronavirus pandemic. The biennial exercise, called Native Fury, shows the close ties between American forces and the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula home to Abu Dhabi, the capital, and Dubai, its...