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Today’s best stories
As Gaza death toll nears 20,000, U.S. officials say diplomats from Israel, Qatar meet in Europe negotiate a new temporary ceasefire. Hamas says one of its senior leaders, Ismail Haniyeh, was in Egypt, which is also trying to negotiate a ceasefire. Meanwhile, the UN is trying to pass a resolution in favor of a humanitarian ceasefire. The vote continues to be delayed as leaders discuss language that would be acceptable to the United States to avoid a veto.
A photo taken from the village of Tayr Harfa in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel shows smoke billowing near an Israeli outpost following rockets fired by Hezbollah on December 15.
AFP via Getty Images
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AFP via Getty Images
A photo taken from the village of Tayr Harfa in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel shows smoke billowing near an Israeli outpost following rockets fired by Hezbollah on December 15.
AFP via Getty Images
- The fighting in Gaza has been intense, with intense Israeli bombardment by land, air and sea, says NPR’s Jason DeRose. He reports on First that two women taking refuge in the parish church of the Holy Family, in the north of Gaza, were shot and killed by an Israeli sniper, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Around 1,000 Palestinian Christians live in Gaza. DeRose says there are “real concerns about the survival of the community.”
Check npr.org/mideastupdates for more coverage and analysis of this conflict.
The European Union Parliament yesterday voted for sweeping changes to the bloc’s immigration policy. The deal comes as France pushes a new immigration bill that critics say resembles the far-right party’s “anti-immigration platform,” NPR’s Eleanor Beardsley reports. EU countries have been face increased migration of the Middle East and Africa in an “ad hoc and uncoordinated” manner, Beardsley says. This fuels the popularity of far-right, anti-immigration politicians and puts pressure on the EU to tackle migration.
The Virginia Department of Corrections refuses to release dozens of behind-the-scenes recordings of executions. They say they wantprotect the privacy of family membersA lawyer for the Virginia attorney general’s office said the state would consider releasing them if family members of executed prisoners wanted to hear them. NPR spoke with four different relatives of the executed inmates. They all said that ‘They wanted the published recordings to be kept.’the prison responsible.
Deep dive
Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Durham, New Hampshire, on Saturday. It is at the center of some key questions that the Supreme Court could take up during the 2024 presidential election.
Reba Saldanha/AP
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Reba Saldanha/AP
Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Durham, New Hampshire, on Saturday. It is at the center of some key questions that the Supreme Court could take up during the 2024 presidential election.
Reba Saldanha/AP
The Supreme Court is poised to play a central role in the 2024 presidential election. As judges face increased scrutiny and a loss of confidence following several ethics scandals, here are the major conflicts to watch out for next year:
- The court decides whether to expedite a case questioning whether former President Donald Trump has absolute immunity in a case related to his bid to retain power after the 2020 election.
- The judges will examine the case of Joseph Fischer, who was charged with obstructing an official proceeding at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Fischer contends the Justice Department overstepped when it charged him under a corporate fraud statute generally reserved for people who falsify documents.
- Trump vowed to appeal the decision The Colorado Supreme Court ruled this week to exclude him from the state’s primary ballot.
Listening of the day
The film Hook is now a family favorite, despite poor reviews upon its release in 1991. Originally intended as a musical, the film’s demo songs are now available in a new recording.
AJ Photos/Alamy
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AJ Photos/Alamy
The film Hook is now a family favorite, despite poor reviews upon its release in 1991. Originally intended as a musical, the film’s demo songs are now available in a new recording.
AJ Photos/Alamy
Hook, Steven Spielberg’s 1991 adaptation of Peter Pan, has been polarizing since its release. Although it failed with critics and some adults, a generation of children grew to love the heartwarming technicolor film starring Robin Williams. Even the most die-hard fans may not know that it started as a musical. New 3-CD album reveals all abandoned song demos, accompanied by John Williams’ instrumental score. Listen to some songs and learn why they didn’t end up in the movie.
3 things to know before you leave
Luke Durant is now in his 39th year as Santa Luke at Mondawmin Mall.
Bill Chappell/NPR
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Bill Chappell/NPR
Luke Durant is now in his 39th year as Santa Luke at Mondawmin Mall.
Bill Chappell/NPR
- Luke Durant is a legend at Baltimore’s Mondawmin Mall. This year is his 39th time working as Beloved Mall Santa that some people drive hours every year to visit it. NPR spent a day with Durant to learn his secrets to success.
- Cashmere clothing was once a luxury investment. Today, many more affordable options are available – often priced at environmental degradation and lower quality clothing.
- An antibiotic taken within hours of unprotected sex could work as a morning after pill for STIs. But studies are not clear on if it works for cisgender women.
This newsletter was published by Majd Al-Waheidi
