Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Thursday.
Israel's vote on a Gaza cease-fire was delayedIsraeli government officials said they would wait at least until tomorrow before voting to ratify a deal to pause the fighting in Gaza and secure the release of dozens of Israeli hostages. The vote, which had been expected today, was delayed as diplomats raced to work through last-minute disputes between the two sides. The cease-fire agreement also received pushback from within Israel's government. Itamar Ben-Gvir, a right-wing minister, threatened to resign if the cabinet approved the plan. "This deal would effectively erase the achievements of the war," he said. But Israeli opposition leaders pledged to support the prime minister's effort to approve the truce. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said today that he remained confident that the deal would go into effect as planned on Sunday. The U.S. and other mediators hope the deal — which would begin with a 42-day truce and the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners — will ultimately end the war that began with the Hamas-led attack in October 2023. In Gaza, the nearly uninterrupted fighting has left Hamas severely battered. Many Gazans reacted to news of the deal with wary hope mixed with sadness, exhaustion and fear. What's next: One analyst told The Times that the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, is likely to survive until the end of the first phase of the deal. Then, however, he may have to choose between the second phase and keeping his coalition intact.
Senators pressed Trump's picks on taxes, tariffs and fossil fuelsScott Bessent, Donald Trump's choice for Treasury secretary, defended the president-elect's plans to cut taxes and hike tariffs at his confirmation hearing today. Bessent also rebutted accusations from Democratic senators that Trump's policies would enrich the wealthiest Americans and hurt working families. Around the same time, Doug Burgum, Trump's pick for interior secretary, also appeared on Capitol Hill for his confirmation hearing. He said that limiting American energy production in any way would pose a national security threat. In other politics news, Stephen Miller, the architect of Trump's hard-line immigration agenda, is back with even more power.
Winds and fire risks eased in Los AngelesDangerous winds subsided in the Los Angeles area today, delivering a boost for firefighters who are still working to contain two mammoth blazes that have devastated the country's second-largest city for the last nine days. Here's a map tracking the fires. The tens of thousands of people who have been displaced are increasingly anxious to return home — or to what remains of their properties. Experts said it could take weeks to safely reopen closed areas. In the meantime, Angelenos are grieving. A gas station near an evacuation zone became a hub for displaced people looking for necessities and a sense of community. Related: Homeowners in places most exposed to climate disasters are increasingly giving up on paying their insurance premiums, according to new government data.
Young adults and women are getting cancer more oftenAmerican cancer survival rates are improving. But the disease — long tied to aging, and more likely to occur in men — is now striking young and middle-aged adults and women more frequently, the American Cancer Society reported today. Factors include the detection of localized tumors and changing fertility patterns. From 2012 to 2021, the incidence rate of breast cancer overall increased by about 1 percent each year, while the incidence rate among women under 50 increased by about 1.4 percent each year. More top news
Remembering David LynchDavid Lynch, a painter turned avant-garde filmmaker whose fame and influence extended far beyond the movie screen to encompass TV, records and books — and the adjective "Lynchian," which captured his synthesis of Frank Capra and Franz Kafka — died at 78. His florid style and unnerving perspective were introduced full-blown in his first feature, the cult film "Eraserhead," released at midnight in 1977, and remained consistent through the failed blockbuster "Dune," the network TV series "Twin Peaks" and his acknowledged masterpiece "Mulholland Drive," a poisonous valentine to Hollywood.
Now is the time to score cheap travelAs long as you're willing to avoid ski destinations, January and February are two of the least expensive months to travel. If you're too busy, don't worry: These first few weeks of the year are also typically a good moment to take advantage of discounts that travel companies offer as demand slows. Looking for travel inspiration? We just published a new guide to visiting Barbados.
Dinner table topics
Cook: For nights when you need a sparkle of color, this salmon salad is just that. Watch: Keke Palmer and SZA star in the comedy "One of Them Days," a Critic's Pick. Read: "Going Home" considers the joys and troubles of raising a child who is not your own. Wear: Our critic explains how to dress both conservatively and stylishly. Consider: Imitation meat is ultraprocessed, but not necessarily unhealthy. Decorate: Wirecutter recommends these removable wallpapers. Hunt: Which Nashville-area home would you buy with a $200,000 budget? Play: Here are today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all our games here.
An unusual retirement ceremony in Times SquareThis week marked the end of a 17-year career for New York City's most famous ball of lights. Since it debuted in 2008, the ball has ushered in the new year for millions of revelers gathered in Times Square or watching at home. Yesterday it dropped one last time. The ball could generate 16 million colors — 15,999,999 more than the first one, from 1907 — but it is now outdated. It will soon join several of its predecessors at a new exhibit. A replacement is in the works. Have a celebratory evening. Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow. — Matthew Sean Kawasaki-Culligan was our photo editor today. We welcome your feedback. Write to us at evening@nytimes.com.
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