Israel announces daily pause in some fighting
The Israeli military said yesterday that it would Suspension of daytime military operations A blockade near Gaza’s southern border crossings has been extended “until further notice” to allow more humanitarian aid to enter the area as aid groups sound increasingly urgent warnings about shortages of food and other basic supplies.
This statement was Muslim festival Eid al-AdhaA sticking point in a series of talks brokered by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to reach a ceasefire has been a disagreement over whether the ceasefire will be durable.
The Israeli military stressed yesterday that the pause would be limited, that its offensive in Rafah would continue and that there would be “no cessation of fighting” throughout southern Gaza.
The government hinted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu I only learned about the suspension from news reports. But analysts said Netanyahu may have known about the plan and that the message was tailored to a specific audience.
A new Trump resistance has begun to emerge
A sprawling network of Democratic officials, progressive activists, watchdog groups and former Republicans has been taking extraordinary steps to prepare for the possibility of another Trump presidency. Those involved see his agenda as a threat to democracy and Laying the groundwork for his counterattack if he wins the November election.
The program is unprecedented in its early timing and size. Some are drafting potential lawsuits in case Trump carries out mass deportations as he has vowed. The American Civil Liberties Union has hired a new auditor to fend off any attempts to use the IRS to crack down on it. At least five Democratic-controlled states have stockpiled abortion pills.
If Trump wins: He has publicly planned broad changes to government, many of which have authoritarian overtones, such as using the Justice Department to retaliate against opponents and sending federal troops into Democratic-controlled cities. Here’s our overview of his agenda.
Iran and Sweden exchange prisoners
Iran and Sweden to exchange prisoners on SaturdayThe exchange brought comfort to the families but also raised concerns that it was a payback for Iran’s hostage diplomacy. Systematic arrests of foreigners Fabricating accusations to force Western countries to make concessions.
Iran released an EU diplomat and an Iranian-Swedish dual national. Sweden released Hamid Nouri, the first Iranian official convicted of crimes against humanity. In 2022, a Swedish court sentenced him to life in prison. torture, war crimes and the mass execution of 5,000 dissidents in 1988. His conviction was hailed as a landmark case for cross-border justice.
reaction: Families of dozens of people still detained in Iran, including Swedish citizens, have expressed anger.
Broadway’s Pop Music Era
The Tony Awards — Broadway and TV’s biggest night — are for “stereo” and win Best New Dramaand”Outsiders,Winning Best New Musical.
More than half of the scores for this season’s new musicals were composed by some of the music industry’s biggest names, including Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow and Britney Spears.
My colleague Michael Paulsen writes that this is part of a broader pattern: The source of Broadway music is changingAs the 1980s and 1990s have seen a surge in pop stars writing musicals, some top singers are excited about the crossover; some theater lovers worry that pop songs can’t drive storytelling the way musical tunes can.
In some ways, this is nothing new: Theater stars found success on stage and radio in the early 20th century, and jukebox musicals have long been a Broadway mainstay. But it’s also about economics. Since the pandemic shutdown, the theater industry has seen fewer audiences and higher costs, and familiar shows can sell tickets.
bake: Red Velvet Cake It’s easier than you think.
read: “travel” explores the life and music of Joni Mitchell.
