Axios

Fifty-six brands led by The Coca-Cola Company are responsible for more than half of the plastic pollution found across the globe, according to a new study.

Why it matters: About 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced every year, which often ends up in landfills where most types don't decompose, biodegrade or compost.

Russia on Wednesday vetoed a draft resolution before the United Nations Security Council that would have called on countries to prevent a nuclear arms race in outer space.

Why it matters: Russia's veto comes after U.S. officials alleged earlier this year that Moscow is developing a new space-based nuclear weapon to destroy satellites.

The U.S. quietly shipped a new long-range missile system to Ukraine, which used it to bomb airfields in Russian-occupied territory, according to a Pentagon spokesperson.

Why it matters: The transfer of the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) marked a major policy shift within the Biden administration, which has so far been wary of giving Ukraine long-ranged missiles over concerns about escalation.

Hamas released a video of an Israeli-American hostage as a "gesture" to the Qatari government, which had pressured the militant group to provide proof-of-life in recent weeks, according to two sources with knowledge of the issue.

Behind the scenes: The undated video of Hersh Goldberg-Polin — a 23-year-old dual citizen who is among the most well-known of the hostages abducted on Oct. 7 — was delivered by Hamas to Qatar, the sources said.

Secretary of State Tony Blinken is planning to travel to Saudi Arabia and Israel next week after returning from his trip to China, two U.S. officials and and an Arab official told Axios.

Why it matters: Blinken is expected to participate at a special meeting of the World Economic Forum that will take place in Riyadh on April 28-29, the sources said.

Top Israeli intelligence and military officials met Wednesday in Cairo with Egypt's intelligence chief and other key officials to discuss a possible Israel Defense Forces operation in Rafah, three senior Israeli officials told Axios.

Why it matters: Egyptian officials are concerned an Israeli operation in the southern Gaza city would lead to tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians entering their territory, potentially involving a breach of the border that would endanger Egypt's security.

Chaotic protests at Columbia University are spurring visits to the college from at least 10 members of Congress this week from states as far flung as North Carolina, Florida and Louisiana.

Why it matters: It's a sign of how salient the issue of college antisemitism has become within Congress since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war and subsequent pro-Palestinian protests.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should resign, calling him an obstacle to a two-state solution.

The big picture: Speaking about the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and the prime minister's counteroffensive, Pelosi said Netanyahu is ultimately responsible.

Columbia University gave pro-Palestinian protesters a deadline to resolve talks with officials over dismantling their encampment, president Minouche Shafik announced Tuesday.

State of play: Shafik said in a message posted on the school's website Tuesday that the college would "consider alternative options" if students didn't leave the area by midnight. A college spokesperson said in an emailed statement just before 3am Wednesday that after "constructive dialogue" the university "will continue conversations for the next 48 hours."