Wednesday Briefing – New York Times

Israel and Hamas are on the “brink” of a truce

Israel and Hamas as well A ceasefire agreement is close to being reached US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said yesterday that the peace process in Gaza and the release of hostages there. “It’s closer than it was before,” he added. But now as we sit here awaiting the final word from Hamas on its acceptance. “Until we get that word, we will remain on edge.”

Negotiators said Hamas appeared ready to accept the deal, including its details on the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for hostages and the specific movements of Israeli forces as they withdraw from their positions in Gaza, a person familiar with the talks said last night.

This person said that Israel is also concerned with the agreement, and both sides appear ready to announce their acceptance of it in the very near future. Neither Israeli nor Hamas officials have confirmed their positions publicly. Here’s what we know about the proposal.

Gaza: An analysis published by The Lancet concluded that deaths among Palestinians were caused by bombs and other traumatic injuries It was probably calculated at 40 percent During the first nine months of the war.

The President of South Korea is arrested for questioning

Today, Yoon Suk-yeol became the first president of South Korea Detained for interrogation By criminal investigators, after reaching an agreement with law enforcement officials that ended the weeks-long standoff. He has been accused of rebellion in connection with his brief declaration of martial law last month.

Yoon said in a video message that he agreed to undergo interrogation to prevent a “bloody” clash between his bodyguards and the police. But he described the investigation and arrest warrant as illegal. Here’s what to know about South Korea’s leadership crisis.

Investigators have 48 hours to question Yoon, after which they can apply for a separate warrant to formally arrest him. Separately, the Constitutional Court is deliberating whether the impeachment of Yoon ordered by the National Assembly on December 14 is legitimate and whether the president, currently suspended, should be permanently removed from office.

Republicans embraced Hegseth’s bid to lead the Pentagon

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense He emerged from a tense confirmation hearing Yesterday with the support of the Republican Party. A Senate vote on whether he should take command of the Pentagon — a department with three million employees and a budget of $849 billion — could come as soon as Monday.

Over hours of questioning, Democrats grilled Hegseth about allegations of sexual misconduct — Hegseth was accused of rape in 2017 — and his drinking habits. They called him unfit to lead the Pentagon, and questioned Hegseth, a former Fox News anchor, about his long history of derogatory comments about women in the military.

What’s the next step: It was not clear whether Hegseth left the session with the votes he needed. If all Senate Democrats oppose it, Hegseth would have to get the support of at least 50 of the chamber’s 53 Republicans.

Related to: A report was released yesterday detailing the special counsel’s investigation into Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election. Here are four takeaways.

More top news

The Maha Kumbh Mela begins in India this week. It is expected to attract up to 400 million Hindu pilgrims to the banks of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, in what will 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 an opportunity To promote his right-wing party.

24 hour dinner

All-night dining is an iconic New York institution. But in a city that supposedly never sleeps, they are disappearing as costs rise and habits change.

Times reporter Priya Krishna spent Friday night at Kellogg’s Diner in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, eating nonstop from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. “Surprisingly, I didn’t experience any scrutiny from staff throughout my long-hours stay,” she says, an encouraging reminder that no other place will welcome you as unconditionally as an all-night diner.

Read about Priya’s night with pecan pie, lost treasures, and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”