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The US vice-president, JD Vance, expressed “great optimism” over the Gaza truce plan, which he described as “durable” and “going better than expected”, during a visit to Israel on Tuesday, two days after Israeli airstrikes killed 26 Palestinians.
Vance’s trip, as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to strengthen the ceasefire agreement, came as Hamas officials joined talks in Cairo aimed at bridging outstanding differences with Israel.
Gaza’s media office said Israel had violated the ceasefire 80 times and killed at least 80 Palestinians since the agreement took effect. On Tuesday, the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, condemned Israel’s “continued violation” of the ceasefire.
What are the ceasefire violations? On Sunday, Israel launched lethal airstrikes in Gaza that killed 26 Palestinians after two Israeli soldiers were killed in an attack the army blamed on Hamas. The militant group said it was not responsible because it had not had contact with fighters in the area since communications were cut off in March. The Israeli military later said it had resumed enforcing the ceasefire.
What is Israel alleging about Hamas? Israel has accused Hamas of delaying the return of hostages’ bodies. Hamas has sent back 15 bodies, but still needs to hand over 13 more. The group has said locating the remains will take time as many are buried under rubble.
Trump nominee to lead whistleblower office drops out after racist texts surface
Paul Ingrassia, Trump’s nominee to oversee federal whistleblower protections, has dropped out after racist text messages he sent surfaced this week.
Ingrassia, a White House liaison at the Department of Homeland Security, allegedly described himself as having “a Nazi streak” and suggested Martin Luther King Jr Day should be “tossed into the seventh circle of hell”, according to texts leaked by Politico on Monday.
What did Ingrassia say? “I will be withdrawing myself from Thursday’s HSGAC hearing to lead the Office of Special Counsel because unfortunately I do not have enough Republican votes at this time,” he posted on Truth Social.
Why did he drop out? John Thune, the Senate majority leader, was asked if the administration should pull Ingrassia’s nomination. “I think so. He’s not going to pass,” Thune said on Monday. By late afternoon on Tuesday, at least five Senate Republicans told the Washington Post they opposed Ingrassia’s nomination.
CIA playing ‘most important part’ in US strikes in the Caribbean, sources say
The Central Intelligence Agency is providing the bulk of the intelligence used to carry outlethal airstrikes by the Trump administration against small, fast-going boats in the Caribbean Sea suspected of carrying drugs from Venezuela, according to three sources familiar with the operations.
The CIA’s main role in the boat strikes has not previously been disclosed. The administration has publicly announced seven strikes since September without disclosing details – other than the number of people killed, and the allegation that the boats carried narcotics.
What is the CIA doing? The sources said that the agency is providing real-time intelligence, collected by satellites and signal intercepts, to detect which boats it believes are loaded with drugs, tracking their routes and making recommendations about which vessels should be hit by missiles.
What does it mean for holding the administration to account? “They are going to claim it’s classified and they are not going to release it publicly,” said Mark Lowenthal, a former CIA assistant director for analysis.
In other news …
A convicted January 6 Capitol rioter, who was pardoned by Trump, has been arrested for allegedly threatening to kill the Democratic House minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries.
Plans have been shelved to hold a summit between Trump and Vladimir Putin, as Ukraine and European allies push for a ceasefire without territorial concessions.
Warner Bros Discovery is considering an outright sale after interest from several potential buyers, in what would be a major media shake-up.
Stat of the day: Netflix blames $619m tax dispute with Brazil for disappointing earnings
Despite posting a profit, Netflix missed the earnings target set by stock market analysts during its third-quarter results. The company cited a $619m expense tied to a Brazilian tax dispute. Netflix revenue growth signals that its worldwide subscriber count has increased from the roughly 302 million it had last year.
Don’t miss this: The secret lives of autograph hunters – ‘Trump was really hard to get’
Andrew Broughton has collected autographs from movie stars, royalty, sporting legends and world leaders. His home is decorated with signed photos of Muhammad Ali, George W Bush, Queen Elizabeth, Liza Minnelli, Fred Astaire and many more. But why exactly do autograph hunters spend their years chasing the thrill of the signature?
Climate check: No major banks have yet committed to stop funding new oil, gas and coal, research finds
No major bank has yet committed to stop funding new oil and gas fields or coal capacity, according to research. A report says that since last year, several banks have “weakened their disclosures in areas such as net zero commitments, financing conditions for high-emission sectors and fossil fuel policies”.
Last Thing: Baby shower! Scientists encouraged by gradual increase of North Atlantic right whales
The number of North Atlantic right whales now stands at an estimated 384 animals, a rise of eight whales from the previous year, according to researchers. Encouragingly, they have gained more than 7% on their 2020 numbers – after the population, vulnerable to colliding with ships and fishing gear, previously fell about 25% from 2010 to 2020.
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