Israel and Hamas are close to a deal on a cease-fire in Gaza, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying it’s “closer than it’s ever been before.” Negotiators have confirmed that Hamas is ready to accept the proposal, including details about the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for hostages and Israeli troop movements.
In other news, South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol was detained by criminal investigators for questioning after striking a deal to end a weekslong standoff. The Constitutional Court is deliberating whether his impeachment was legitimate.
Meanwhile, Republicans have expressed support for Pete Hegseth’s bid to lead the Pentagon, despite Democrats’ questions about his suitability due to past allegations of sexual misconduct and disparaging comments about women in the military. A Senate vote on his confirmation could come as soon as Monday.
Additionally, U.S. regulators have sued Elon Musk over securities laws related to his Twitter purchase, while Cuba is set to be removed from a list of state sponsors of terrorism. The Biden administration made the announcement as part of its efforts to re-establish diplomatic relations with the country.
The week’s news also includes wildfires in Southern California, devastating storms in the Mediterranean, and South Africa’s police uncovering dozens of bodies from an illegal gold mine.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/15/briefing/gaza-hamas-south-korea.html