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Today’s prime tales

As the dying toll in Gaza nears 20,000, U.S. officers say diplomats from Israel and Qatar are assembly in Europe to barter one other short-term cease-fire. Hamas says considered one of its senior leaders, Ismail Haniyeh, was in Egypt, which can be making an attempt to dealer a ceasefire. Meanwhile, the U.N. is making an attempt to go a decision for a humanitarian cease-fire. A vote continues to be delayed because the leaders talk about language that will be acceptable to the U.S. with the intention to keep away from a veto.

An image taken from from the southern Lebanese village of Tayr Harfa, close to the border with Israel, exhibits smoke billowing close to an Israeli outpost from rockets fired by Hezbollah on Dec. 15.

AFP through Getty Images

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AFP through Getty Images

An image taken from from the southern Lebanese village of Tayr Harfa, close to the border with Israel, exhibits smoke billowing close to an Israeli outpost from rockets fired by Hezbollah on Dec. 15.

AFP through Getty Images

• Fighting in Gaza has been intense, with heavy shelling from Israel by land, air and sea, says NPR’s Jason DeRose. He experiences on Up First that two ladies sheltering at Holy Family parish church in northern Gaza had been shot and killed by an Israeli sniper, in response to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. About 1,000 Palestinian Christians reside in Gaza. DeRose says there are “real worries about community survival.”

Check out npr.org/mideastupdates for extra protection and evaluation of this battle.

The European Union Parliament yesterday voted on sweeping adjustments to the bloc’s immigration coverage. The settlement comes as France defends a brand new immigration invoice that critics say seems to be just like the “anti-immigration platform of the far-right party,” NPR’s Eleanor Beardsley experiences. EU international locations have been dealing with increased migration from the Middle East and Africa in an “ad hoc, uncoordinated way,” Beardsley says. It’s fueling the recognition of far-right, anti-immigration politicians and placing stress on the EU to deal with migration.

The Virginia Department of Corrections is refusing to make public dozens of tape recordings made behind the scenes throughout executions. They say they wish to “protect the privacy of family members.” A lawyer for the Virginia Attorney General’s workplace mentioned the state would contemplate releasing them if members of the family of the executed prisoners wish to hear them. NPR spoke to 4 completely different family members of the executed inmates. They all say they need the tapes launched to carry the jail accountable.

Deep dive

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a marketing campaign rally on Saturday in Durham, N.H. He is on the heart of some key questions that the Supreme Court might tackle in the course of the 2024 presidential election.

Reba Saldanha/AP

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Reba Saldanha/AP

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a marketing campaign rally on Saturday in Durham, N.H. He is on the heart of some key questions that the Supreme Court might tackle in the course of the 2024 presidential election.

Reba Saldanha/AP

The Supreme Court is poised to play a pivotal function within the 2024 presidential election. As the justices face scrutiny and waning belief over a number of ethics scandals, listed here are the major disputes to watch subsequent yr:

• The courtroom is deciding whether or not to fast-track a case questioning whether or not former President Donald Trump has absolute immunity in a case associated to his try to carry onto energy after the 2020 election. 
• Justices will assessment the case of Joseph Fischer, who was charged with obstructing an official continuing on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Fischer argues the Justice Department overreached when it charged him below a company fraud statute normally reserved for individuals who tamper with paperwork.
• Trump has vowed to enchantment a choice Colorado’s Supreme Court made this week to bar him from the state’s main poll.

Today’s pay attention

The film Hook is now a household favourite, despite weak opinions when it got here out in 1991. Originally meant as a musical, the movie’s demo songs at the moment are obtainable in a brand new recording.

AJ Pics/Alamy

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AJ Pics/Alamy

The film Hook is now a household favourite, despite weak opinions when it got here out in 1991. Originally meant as a musical, the movie’s demo songs at the moment are obtainable in a brand new recording.

AJ Pics/Alamy

Steven Spielberg’s 1991 Peter Pan adaptation Hook has been polarizing since its launch. While it flopped with critics and a few adults, a era of youngsters grew to like the heartwarming, technicolor movie starring Robin Williams. Even probably the most die-hard followers could not realize it began out as a film musical. A brand new 3-CD album reveals the entire deserted track demos, full with John Williams’ instrumental rating. Listen to some of the songs and study why they didn’t end up in the movie.

3 issues to know earlier than you go

Luke Durant is now in his thirty ninth yr as Santa Luke at Mondawmin Mall.

Bill Chappell/NPR

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Bill Chappell/NPR

Luke Durant is now in his thirty ninth yr as Santa Luke at Mondawmin Mall.

Bill Chappell/NPR

1. Luke Durant is a legend at Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore. This yr is his thirty ninth working as a beloved mall Santa that some individuals drive hours yearly to go to. NPR spent a day with Durant, attending to know his secrets and techniques to success. 
2. Cashmere clothes was once a luxurious funding. Now, many extra reasonably priced choices can be found — usually at the price of environmental degradation and lower-quality garments. 
3. An antibiotic taken within the hours after having unprotected intercourse might work like a morning-after capsule for STIs. But, research are unclear on whether it works for cisgender ladies.

This publication was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi