Monday Briefing: Hostage talks in Cairo

Plus, Ron DeSantis drops out of the race.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story January 22, 2024 By Natasha Frost Good morning. We're covering the latest from the war in Gaza and an end to Ron DeSantis's presidential bid. Plus: Deadly winter weather in the U.S. Family members of hostages and their supporters in Tel Aviv on Saturday. Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters U.S. official heads to Middle East for hostage talks Brett McGurk, President Biden's Middle East coordinator at the White House, departed for Cairo yesterday for talks aimed at the release of more hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a pause in Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip, U.S. officials said. Egypt and Qatar helped broker a cease-fire in November during which Hamas released more than 100 people from captivity. The hope is that another such deal can be arranged. But U.S. officials have said that a new hostage release has been complicated by Hamas's evident desire for a permanent cease-fire. The trip comes as Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, reiterated that he would not withdraw Israeli forces and remained opposed to the two-state solution backed by the U.S. and other allies. Divisions have emerged in Israel over the path forward, including over whether military action can achieve the hostages' safe return. In other news from the war: At least two U.S. service members in western Iraq were wounded on Saturday when their air base came under fire from what American officials said were Iran-backed militias. The Israeli military took reporters on a tour of an underground compound where it says about 20 hostages were held by Hamas. International agencies, aid workers and physicians portray a harrowing picture of what they say is the disproportionate burden and risk of war borne by the women of Gaza. This map shows how Houthi attacks have upended global shipping. Ron DeSantis, who endorsed Donald Trump on Sunday. Jordan Gale for The New York Times DeSantis dropped out of the race for president Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida suspended his campaign for U.S. president and endorsed Donald Trump, less than 48 hours before the primary race in New Hampshire. The move cements the Republican contest as a two-person race between the former president and Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina. The Trump campaign said in a statement that it was "honored" by DeSantis's endorsement and once again criticized Haley, who served as U.N. ambassador during the Trump presidency, as being too liberal to win the Republican nomination. It remains to be seen whether DeSantis's departure will help her, or whether more of his supporters will migrate to Trump. Even before DeSantis dropped out, Haley and Trump were locked in an increasingly intense and personal battle in New Hampshire, where Trump has a significant lead in polls. Creswell, Ore., last week.  Jamie Kenworthy, via Associated Press Dozens killed in severe winter in the U.S. At least 70 people across the U.S. have died from weather-related causes after more than a week of frigid winter storms and brutally cold temperatures. That number is likely to grow. Traffic accidents — often caused by cars spinning out of control on icy, snowy roads — are among the most common causes of death during cold snaps. Hypothermia is another threat, especially for people who do not have access to shelter or heat, and downed power lines can raise the risk of fire or electrocution. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT THE LATEST NEWS Around the World Alessandro Guerra/EPA, via Shutterstock At least 25 people were killed by a strike on a market in Donetsk, a Ukrainian city occupied by Russian forces. The pro-Moscow head of the region blamed Ukrainian forces. After a police officer in France was given only a suspended sentence for seriously injuring a Black man during an arrest, people of color described a two-tier justice system with little likelihood of changing. A month before the Indonesian presidential election, the front-runner has raised fears of the "death of democracy." What does an intensification of threats by North Korea mean? Other Big Stories George Steinmetz for The New York Times Rising temperatures and retreating glaciers threaten Switzerland's deep winter snows, forcing local farmers to adapt and presaging larger troubles downstream. The opening of a giant new temple in India is a moment of triumph for Hindu nationalists. To Muslims, it has reinforced a sense of fear and despair. Tens of thousands of people have protested against the far-right party Alternative for Germany, amid concerns about the growing influence of far-right extremists. An atheist chaplain in Oklahoma spent a year ministering to a convicted killer. Together, they wrestled with how to face death without God. Japan became the fifth country to land a spacecraft on the moon. From Opinion Sharon Brous offers advice to the heartbroken: Instead of isolating, step toward those whom you know will hold you tenderly. Americans should fear any attempt by government to limit the freedom of individuals to express their views, The Times's Editorial Board writes. "I have no idea how this ends," Thomas Friedman says of the war in Gaza. "I've never seen it so broken." Ridiculing Donald Trump is no longer effective, David Kamp says. A Morning Read Photo illustration by Tom Hodgkinson In the latest commercial for Calvin Klein's men's underwear, Jeremy Allen White rolls down a Manhattan street, pops up to a rooftop and strips down, muscles bulging, before lolling on an ugly orange couch. These lascivious, louche ads date back to 1982, years before White was even born. Then as now, our critic writes, they seduce us with what we are ashamed to want. Lives Lived Lev Rubinstein, a Russian poet, essayist and political dissident during both the Soviet and Putin eras, died this month at 76. SPORTS NEWS Coco Gauff: Under the radar at the Australian Open. A rising star: Until recently, few had ever heard of the tennis player Mirra Andreeva, 16. She's now the talk of Melbourne. Sports Illustrated: The venerable publication announced mass layoffs on Friday. Kelce brothers: Their former college football teammates share stories from their days together. We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. ARTS AND IDEAS Tyler Comrie Portraying a princess More than 25 years after her death, Princess Diana is ever-present in our culture, appearing in numerous movies, television shows and even a Broadway musical. The former Princess of Wales is entertainment gold, Times critic Jesse Green writes,: "The perfect combo of stardom, tragedy and unanswerability." A woman whose bereaved children are still living is not primarily an artistic, let alone a financial, opportunity, Jesse argues, and she deserves more time to rest in peace. "She is still too blazingly alive to be dragooned into trauma porn," he writes, "mauled with the excuse of reincarnating her." Read his essay. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS Jim Wilson/The New York Times Cook: Make Marcella Hazan's classic, unbeatable Bolognese. Ease: Work in comfort with an ergonomic seat cushion. Watch: In "The Crime is Mine," a showbiz screwball, two broke ingénues spin a murder accusation into a shot at fame. Wear: How the ultrarich dress for a trip to the grocery store. Listen: Our critic reviews Kali Uchis's "delightful" fourth album. Play the Spelling Bee. And here are today's Mini Crossword and Wordle. You can find all our puzzles here. That's it for today's briefing. See you tomorrow. — Natasha You can reach Natasha and the team at briefing@nytimes.com. 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