Israel and Hamas on the ‘edge’ of a truce
Israel and Hamas are close to a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of the hostages there, Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, said yesterday. “It’s closer than ever before,” he said. “But now as we sit here we await the final word from Hamas on acceptance. And until we get that word, we’re going to stay on the edge.”
Negotiators said Hamas appeared ready to accept the deal, including its details on the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for hostages and specific movements of Israeli troops as they withdraw from positions in Gaza, a person familiar with the talks said last night.
The person said Israel is also bound by the agreement and that both sides appear ready to announce their acceptance in the very near future. Neither Israeli nor Hamas officials have publicly confirmed their positions. Here’s what we know about the proposal.
Gauze: An analysis in The Lancet found that Palestinian deaths from bombs and other traumatic injuries it may have been reduced by 40 percent during the first nine months of the war.
The president of South Korea was taken into custody for questioning
Yoon Suk Yeol today became the first sitting president of South Korea detained for questioning by criminal investigators, after reaching an agreement with law enforcement officials that ended a week-long standoff. He has been charged with sedition in connection with his short-lived declaration of martial law last month.
Yoon said in a video message that he agreed to undergo interrogation to prevent a “bloody” confrontation between his bodyguards and the police. But he called the investigation and the warrant for his detention illegal. Here’s what you need to know about South Korea’s leadership crisis.
Investigators have 48 hours to question Yoon, after which they may apply for a separate warrant for his formal arrest. Separately, the Constitutional Court is debating whether the December 14 impeachment of Yoon by the National Assembly was legitimate and whether the president, currently suspended, should be permanently removed from office.
Republicans accepted Hegseth’s offer to run the Pentagon
Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s choice for Secretary of Defense, emerged from a tense confirmation hearing yesterday with the support of the Republican Party intact. A Senate vote on whether he should lead the Pentagon — a department with three million employees and an $849 billion budget — could come as early as Monday.
During hours of questioning, Democrats questioned Hegseth about allegations of sexual misconduct — Hegseth was charged with rape in 2017 — and his drinking habits. They called him unfit to lead the Pentagon and criticized Hegseth, a former Fox News anchor, for his long history of disparaging comments about women in the military.
What is next: It was not clear whether Hegseth left the hearing with the votes he needed. If all Democrats in the Senate oppose him, Hegseth will need to secure the support of at least 50 of the 53 Republicans in the chamber.
Related: A report was released yesterday detailing the special counsel’s investigation into Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election. Here are four conclusions.
MORE TOP NEWS
This week begins the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in India. It is expected to draw up to 400 million Hindu pilgrims to the banks of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, in what would be the largest gathering in the world.
The ceremony takes place every 12 years and centers around a series of sacred baths. But it also became an important political event. For Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is a chance to promote his right-wing party.
A 24-hour snack bar
All-night eateries are a recognizable New York institution. But in the city that supposedly never sleeps, they are disappearing as costs rise and habits change.
Priya Krishna, a reporter for The Times, spent Friday night at Kellogg’s Diner in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, dining nonstop from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. an encouraging reminder that no other place will welcome you as unconditionally as an all-night diner.”
Read about Priya’s Pecan Pie Night, Lost Treasure, and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
