New York City Mayor Eric Adams visited Florida to meet with former President Donald Trump, raising questions about potential political motivations and risks for both politicians.

Israel is set to release over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including prominent figures, as part of the cease-fire agreement. The prisoners are seen differently by Israelis and Palestinians.

The longevity industry is seeing increased interest as people seek ways to extend their lives, with some aiming for immortality. Scientists and researchers are studying ways to preserve organs, develop life-extending diets, and reverse aging. The pursuit of a longer life is unlikely to stop, as evidenced by the increasing number of studies on longevity and the potential market value of a scientific breakthrough in extending life expectancy.

The Israeli government has approved a cease-fire deal with Hamas, marking the first reprieve in a 15-month war in the Gaza Strip.

Israel is preparing for the return of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza for over a year. Health officials are concerned about the hostages' condition, as they may be severely malnourished. The hostages will be received at three reception points along the Gaza border and then taken to Israeli hospitals for care.

As Trump's return to the White House approaches, the Jan. 6 criminal cases proceed without signs of slowing down.

A collector in the UK faced challenges when trying to sell a rare Luke Littler trading card, which eventually sold for over $10,000.

A gas station in Altadena, California, has become a makeshift relief station for residents affected by the wildfires in the area, providing supplies, food, and a sense of community.

Tom Lamont's 'Going Home' is a touching novel that explores themes of fatherhood, friendship, and faith.

Barcelona President Joan Laporta held a press conference to address the registration issues of summer signings Pau Victor and Dani Olmo. He defended the club's actions, criticized those who tried to destabilize the team, and explained the sale of VIP seats to investors from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The former home of Auschwitz's wartime commandant, Rudolf Höss, is being opened to the public as part of commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Army's liberation of Auschwitz.

Israel and Hamas are close to a deal on a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of hostages there, Antony Blinken, the U.S. secretary of state, said yesterday. Yoon Suk Yeol today became the first sitting South Korean president to be detained for questioning by criminal investigators, after striking a deal with law enforcement officials that ended a weekslong standoff. Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary, emerged from a tense confirmation hearing yesterday with the Republican Party's support intact.

Diplomats are cautiously hopeful that a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas is within reach after 15 months of fighting in Gaza. Talks have made progress in recent weeks, and the proposed agreement involves a three-stage cease-fire and a hostage exchange. The talks have gained momentum due to pressure from the incoming US administration and a separate cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah.

The next defense secretary will face challenges such as the war in Ukraine, turmoil in the Middle East, and rising military threat from China.

Strong winds are expected to return to Los Angeles, threatening to reverse some of the hard-fought gains that firefighters have made in battling the devastating blazes there.

Elon Musk criticized the sentencing of a neo-Nazi who incited riots in the U.K., raising concerns about his support for far-right extremists and his use of social media to spread disinformation.

L.A.'s private firefighters face dangerous winds, U.S. childhood vaccination rates decline, Israeli security chiefs join cease-fire talks, Trump's search for health threat, and the passing of Charles Person.

OpenAI has released its economic blueprint for 'A.I. in America,' calling for investment in US AI projects and a light approach to regulations for AI technologies.

The Biden administration has issued rules to govern the global spread of artificial intelligence (A.I.) chips and models, aiming to keep A.I. technology under the control of the United States and its allies.

Israeli soldiers have raided Syrian border villages, prompting nervous residents to huddle in their homes. They have captured the country's highest peak, have set up roadblocks between Syrian towns and now overlook local villages from former Syrian military outposts.

Israeli hostage Hamza Ziyadne has been declared killed in Gaza, adding to the fears for the remaining captives as efforts to broker a truce have had little success.

Hezbollah's hold on Lebanon is weakening as power dynamics shift in the Middle East. The group has been battered by fighting against Israel and the toppling of its main ally in Syria. While the group remains powerful, its unshakable dominance in Lebanon appears to be over.

Firefighters in Los Angeles are racing to contain wildfires that have caused widespread destruction and claimed at least five lives. Meanwhile, Lebanon has elected Gen. Joseph Aoun as its new president after two years of gridlock.

Otto Schenk, the Austrian opera director known for his traditional productions, has died at the age of 94. His lavishly grand stagings of Wagner's operas gained him lasting recognition, particularly his four-part operatic cycle 'Der Ring des Nibelungen.' However, his revivals at the Metropolitan Opera became less frequent when a new generation of directors with more contemporary ideas were recruited.

Germany approves a reform to establish a binding arbitration tribunal for Nazi-looted art claims, allowing claimants to bring cases without the agreement of the artwork's current holder.

Manor Solomon credits his fiancée for pushing him to join Leeds United on loan and pursue his goal of playing in the Premier League. He expresses gratitude for her support and discusses the challenges he has faced, including injuries and conflicts in his homeland of Israel.

Raging wildfires in California have killed at least five people, while the body of a hostage taken from Israel has been found in Gaza.

An Israeli reservist left Brazil in a hurry this week after a Brazilian judge ordered an investigation into whether he committed war crimes in Gaza.

The Israeli military has found the body of a hostage taken from Israel in an underground tunnel in the Gaza Strip, raising concerns about the fate of another captive.

Iran's top general in Syria admits to a major defeat but says Iran will still try to operate in the country.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, criticize former President Donald J. Trump's talk of taking Greenland, emphasizing the importance of working closely with allies and discussing potential political turbulence in the coming years.

Diplomats are concerned about President Trump's threats regarding the Panama Canal and Greenland. The world is becoming unsettled as larger nations develop countermeasures and smaller countries hope to avoid further years of America First policies. Trump's focus on territorial control and protectionism mirrors the late 19th-century era of American imperialism. However, many countries are tired of the America that Trump wants to make great again, as the United States has less leverage and influence than in previous decades. The world is currently facing various challenges, including wars, autocratic partnerships, climate change, and artificial intelligence. Historians warn that Trump's attempts to calm and simplify the world through territorial expansion could have dangerous consequences.

A collection of short love stories, each told in 100 words or less, submitted by readers.

The director of the Netflix documentary 'Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action' discusses the impact of 'The Jerry Springer Show' on American culture and its legacy.

President Biden admitted that he might not have had the energy to serve another four years in office, but believes he could have won re-election if he had stayed in the race.

Gazans living in dire conditions in Gaza react to President-elect Donald J. Trump's comments about hostages taken from Israel during the Hamas-led attacks.

Two friends' efforts to save a family home from a wildfire in Pacific Palisades were thwarted by intense heat and embers. The fire was described as apocalyptic, with homes in the neighborhood at risk. The family is now waiting for news on the fate of their home and considering relocation to a state without wildfires.

The 2025 Oscar nominations may feature unexpected contenders that reflect the changing sensibilities of the academy.

Peter Yarrow, one-third of the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, has died at the age of 86. Yarrow, along with Noel Paul Stookey and Mary Travers, helped establish the group as one of the most popular folk acts of the 1960s. They achieved success with hits like 'If I Had a Hammer' and 'Puff the Magic Dragon.' Yarrow also wrote and co-wrote many of the group's songs, and they were known for their progressive politics and support of civil rights causes.

The Saudi-backed LIV Golf league will return to Trump's Doral resort, indicating ongoing business deals with Saudi government financing.

Business owners in a Lebanese market devastated by Israeli air raids and ground invasion are facing the painful task of salvaging what they can from the wreckage.

A review of 'The Lady of the Mine' by Sergei Lebedev, a novel set during Russia's invasion of eastern Ukraine in 2014, which explores the story of a coal mine with Jewish Holocaust victims buried in it.

The NWSL has shared a framework for the upcoming season, including key dates and updated roster rules. Six NWSL teams will have different head coaches in 2025. Denver's bid to join the NWSL as an expansion team is expected to be announced soon.

A top U.S. envoy reassures that Israel will fully withdraw from southern Lebanon as called for in the cease-fire deal, but the pace of implementation is causing frustration.

The American Historical Association has condemned Israel's military action in Gaza, arguing that the destruction of the enclave's education infrastructure amounts to 'scholasticide.' The resolution calls for a permanent cease-fire and for the association to form a committee to assist in rebuilding Gaza's educational infrastructure.

Syria's new rebel government has ordered changes to the school curriculum, removing references to the Assad regime and making other modifications that have raised concerns among some Syrians.

Israel conducts raids in Syria, drawing international condemnation for violating a cease-fire agreement and complicating the situation in the war-torn country.

Donald Trump and his supporters have redefined the Jan. 6 riot, while Russia and other hostile states are using hybrid tactics against the West.

Israel's military has pounded the Gaza Strip with strikes, resulting in the deaths of 88 Palestinians. Pressure is growing for a cease-fire agreement that would include the release of hostages held in Gaza.

Israel's military pounds Gaza with strikes as pressure grows for a cease-fire agreement with Hamas.

President-elect Donald J. Trump has described the U.S. as a 'disaster,' but many traditional metrics show that the country is actually in better shape than when George W. Bush took office in 2001.

At least 15 people were killed in an attack in New Orleans, Ukraine has halted the flow of Russian natural gas to Europe, and rebels in Syria are facing the challenge of rebuilding after years of civil war.

Violent crime in the New York City subway system has increased in key categories since before the coronavirus pandemic, with felony assaults up 60% since 2019 and murders rising from three in 2019 to at least 11 in 2024.

A Texas man drove his truck through a crowd in New Orleans, killing 15 people and injuring dozens more before opening fire. Among the victims were Ni'Kyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, Reggie Hunter, and Tiger Bech.

Officials are investigating possible ties between the New Orleans suspect and terrorist groups, as an ISIS flag and potential explosive were found. U.S. officials have been warning about the potential for attacks inspired by conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Central Asia.

Ten people were killed in an attack in New Orleans.

A man deliberately drove a pickup truck into crowds in New Orleans, killing 10 people and injuring 30. Vehicle ramming attacks have become common, with cars and trucks being used as deadly weapons. Police and security forces have implemented measures such as bollards to protect public spaces, but recent events have shown the difficulty in eliminating the threat entirely.

Dick Capri, a Catskills comic known for his performances at summer resorts in the Catskill Mountains, has died at the age of 93. Capri gained fame as one of the stars of the hit revue 'Catskills on Broadway' in the 1990s.

Several people were killed in an Israeli strike in northern Gaza, as many displaced Gazans entered the new year shivering in tent camps or taking refuge in schools-turned-shelters.

Welcome to 2025. The year brings elections in several nations, a second Trump administration, and various global events. The U.S. military carries out strikes on the Houthis in Yemen, a blackout hits Puerto Rico, and investors are optimistic about the stock market.

Former American hostages held in Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis recall President Jimmy Carter's efforts to free them and how he saved their lives.

Russian forces are escalating attacks on Ukrainian positions, using electric scooters and motorcycles. Puerto Rico experiences a major blackout on New Year's Eve.

Welcome to 2025. Reflect on the big and difficult moments of the year and find small pockets of joy. The Asia Morning Briefing bids farewell to 2024. The U.S. military carries out strikes on the Houthis in Yemen. Puerto Rico experiences a sweeping blackout. Russia's troops use electric scooters, motorcycles, and ATVs to swarm Ukrainian positions.

Photos capture global New Year's Eve celebrations marking the end of a tumultuous year and the start of a new one.

The Houthis launched their fifth missile attack on Israel, despite warnings, as Israel's retaliatory strikes have failed to deter the group.

President Biden reflects on the similarities and differences between his presidency and that of former President Jimmy Carter, emphasizing the importance of honesty and character. The article explores their long history together and the challenges faced by both presidents.

Israel and Hamas clash in northern Gaza, with each side claiming victories against the other's fighters. Concerns are raised over fighting in and around hospitals in the area.

Linda Lavin, the Tony Award-winning Broadway actress and star of the TV sitcom 'Alice,' has died at the age of 87 due to complications from lung cancer. She had a successful career on both stage and screen, earning numerous awards and nominations for her performances.

Lebanon's economy is reeling from the Israel-Hezbollah war, which has caused significant damage and worsened the country's existing economic crisis. The conflict has led to job losses, displacement, and a decline in key economic sectors such as banking and tourism. Lebanon's economy faces further challenges due to being placed on a global financial crime watchdog's 'gray list' and the need to care for displaced individuals and repair war damage.

Former President Jimmy Carter's work in global health had a monumental impact, focusing on afflictions that plague the poorest people in marginalized places.

Former President Jimmy Carter negotiated the Camp David Accords but later criticized Israel's treatment of Palestinians in a book comparing it to apartheid.

Former U.S. presidents and world leaders honor Jimmy Carter's legacy as a humble humanitarian and global statesman who fought for peace and democracy.

Jimmy Carter had a hot-and-cold relationship with his fellow presidents and often got on their nerves because of his outspokenness. He had strained relationships with Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. The only president he forged a genuine friendship with was Gerald R. Ford.

The Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen has escalated its attacks on Israel, launching ballistic missiles toward the country almost nightly over the past week.

A collection of 13 favorite dispatches from 2024, ranging from stories of war and destruction to tales of sports, animals, and festivals.

Real Madrid's new 'galacticos' trio of Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, and Bellingham are starting to find their rhythm after some initial challenges.

The Lake Como Design Festival showcases rationalist architecture, including the Casa del Fascio, which was designed by Giuseppe Terragni in service of Mussolini's regime. The building continues to provoke fascination and debate about its architectural intentions and its association with fascism.

The number of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. has reached a record high, with over 770,000 individuals affected, marking an 18% increase from last year. The rise has been particularly steep among children and people in families, and federal officials attribute the increase to the national housing crisis, the end of pandemic-era supports, and the influx of asylum-seeking migrants.

Aleksei Navalny's death galvanized fellow resisters to redouble their resolve in the struggle for democracy.

A month-long cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah has held, but concerns remain about its implementation and violations by both sides.

U.S. officials are cautious as they engage with the rebel group in control of Syria, hoping to avoid a repeat of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.

Discover some great journalism from various topics and regions that may have been overlooked.

Our critics highlight seven new movies to watch this week, covering various genres and themes, including workplace power dynamics, vampire horror, biopics, sports, and social critique.

Ukraine has slowed its use of Western long-range missiles against Russian military targets due to a shortage of missiles and concerns about President-elect Donald Trump's stance on the war.

Sixteen young people, all but one younger than 15, were evacuated from the Gaza Strip early this year after sustaining dire injuries in the war there between Israel and Hamas.

Finland seizes oil tanker suspected of sabotage; Israel bombs Yemen; Mozambique protests turn violent.

Kim Mannino and Glenn Alterman met in the Hamptons in July 2020 and got engaged on a beach in Mexico in December 2023. They recently got married in Miami Beach.

Kwanzaa, founded in 1966, is a holiday that celebrates Black cultural nationalism and offers an alternative to a 'white' Christmas. It unfolds across seven nights, each dedicated to one of seven principles, and encourages borrowing from various African traditions. Although initially feeling different from my friends who celebrated Christmas, I later appreciated Kwanzaa's value in creating the future that people want in the world.

The Iranian-backed Houthi militia has launched attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and against Israel, disrupting trade routes and increasing tensions.

Israel changed its rules of engagement to target Hamas fighters at home, a Russian air defense system is being investigated as the cause of a plane crash, Finland seized an oil tanker suspected to be part of a Russian shadow fleet, and experts reflect on the 20th anniversary of the deadliest tsunami in history.

A day for reflection and celebration. In this special edition of the Morning Briefing, we aim to bring some holiday spirit to your inbox.

Israel bombs Houthi targets in Yemen after frequent attacks on Israel. The air assault targeted the international airport, power stations, and military infrastructure. The Houthis have been launching missiles at Tel Aviv and disrupting international trade in the Red Sea.

A U.S. diplomat criticizes a report warning of famine in northern Gaza, claiming it relies on outdated and inaccurate population data.

A collection of heartwarming holiday-themed Tiny Love Stories, including tales of loss, connection, and friendship.

Israel intercepts missile from Houthi militants in Yemen and threatens to target group's leaders.

Daniel Stern, known for his role in 'Home Alone,' documents daily life on his family's farm and shares videos of tangerine harvests and his art studio. He aims to make his sculptures interactive and is pursuing other creative projects like writing a memoir and working on a musical and a dark comedy Christmas movie.