Wednesday Briefing

[ad_1] Israel and Hamas on the ‘brink’ of a truce Israel and Hamas are near a deal on a cease-fire in Gaza and the discharge of hostages there, Antony Blinken, the U.S. secretary of state, mentioned yesterday. “It’s nearer than it’s ever been earlier than,” he mentioned. “However proper now as we sit right here we await closing phrase from Hamas on its acceptance. And till we get that phrase, we’ll stay on the brink.”

Negotiators mentioned Hamas appeared prepared to just accept the deal, together with its particulars concerning the alternate of Palestinian prisoners for hostages and the particular actions of Israeli troops as they withdraw from positions in Gaza, an individual acquainted with the talks mentioned final night time.

The individual mentioned Israel was additionally locked in on the settlement, and that each side appeared ready to announce their acceptance of it within the very close to future. Neither Israeli nor Hamas officers have publicly confirmed their positions. Right here’s what we all know concerning the proposal.

Gaza: An evaluation in The Lancet discovered that Palestinian deaths from bombs and different traumatic accidents could have been undercounted by 40 p.c in the course of the first 9 months of the struggle.

South Korea’s president was detained for questioning Yoon Suk Yeol as we speak grew to become the primary sitting South Korean president to be detained for questioning by felony investigators, after placing a take care of legislation enforcement officers that ended a weekslong standoff. He has been accused of rebel in connection together with his short-lived declaration of martial legislation final month.

In a video message, Yoon mentioned he had agreed to undergo questioning to forestall a “bloody” conflict between his bodyguards and the police. However he referred to as the investigation and the warrant to detain him unlawful. Right here’s what to find out about South Korea’s management disaster.

Investigators have 48 hours to query Yoon, after which they may apply for a separate warrant to formally arrest him. Individually, the Constitutional Courtroom is deliberating whether or not the Nationwide Meeting’s Dec. 14 impeachment of Yoon was professional and whether or not the president, presently suspended, ought to be completely faraway from workplace.

Republicans embraced Hegseth’s bid to guide the Pentagon Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s choose for protection secretary, emerged from a tense affirmation listening to yesterday with the Republican Occasion’s help intact. A Senate vote on whether or not he ought to lead the Pentagon — a division with three million staff and a finances of $849 billion — might come as quickly as Monday.

Over hours of questioning, Democrats quizzed Hegseth about sexual misconduct allegations — Hegseth was accused of rape in 2017 — and his ingesting habits. They referred to as him unfit to guide the Pentagon and grilled Hegseth, a former Fox Information host, on his lengthy historical past of disparaging feedback about girls within the navy.

What’s subsequent: It was unclear whether or not Hegseth had left the listening to with the votes he wanted. If all Senate Democrats oppose him, Hegseth must safe the backing of not less than 50 of the 53 Republicans within the chamber.

Associated: A report was launched yesterday that detailed the particular counsel’s investigation into Trump’s try to overturn the 2020 election. Listed here are 4 takeaways.

MORE TOP NEWS The Maha Kumbh Mela pageant in India begins this week. It's anticipated to attract as much as 400 million Hindu pilgrims to the banks of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, in what can be the world’s largest gathering.

The ceremony occurs each 12 years and facilities on a sequence of holy baths. Nevertheless it has additionally develop into an essential political occasion. For Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it's a likelihood to advertise his right-wing celebration.

The 24-hour diner All-night diners are a signature New York establishment. However in a metropolis that supposedly by no means sleeps, they’re disappearing as prices rise and habits change.

Priya Krishna, a reporter for The Occasions, spent a Friday night time at Kellogg’s Diner in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, eating nonstop from 8 p.m. to eight a.m. “Surprisingly, I drew no scrutiny from the workers for my hourslong keep,” she writes, “a heartening reminder that no different place will welcome you as unconditionally as an all-night diner.”