More Hostages Were Released From Gaza

Twelve hostages who had been held captive by Hamas since its Oct. 7 attack on Israel were released today, as the cease-fire entered a fifth day and appeared to be holding. Not long afterward, the Israeli authorities said they had released another 30 imprisoned Palestinians.

The release of the hostages came just hours after the two sides accused each other of violating their truce for the first time since it went into effect last Friday. Israel said that explosive devices were detonated near its troops in two places in northern Gaza. Hamas said its fighters had engaged in a “field clash” provoked by Israel. But neither side suggested that it might pull out of the agreement. Here’s the latest.

Officials have raised their expectations that both sides will agree to more short extensions. The truce has succeeded in freeing dozens of hostages — a central Israeli objective — while also allowing aid into Gaza and giving Palestinians a break from the hostilities. But the longer that dynamic lasts, the greater Israel’s conundrum: Each daily prisoner release boosts Hamas’s popularity, and a long pause slows the momentum of Israel’s invasion, endangering its stated goal of removing Hamas from power.

In the U.S., administration officials say they have warned Israel to fight more surgically. Also, President Biden has faced anger among supporters and even from some staff members over his solidarity with Israel.

The Koch brothers’ group endorsed Nikki Haley

The political network founded by the billionaire industrialist brothers Charles and David Koch endorsed Nikki Haley in the Republican presidential nominating contest. The move gives her much needed organizational muscle and financial heft, as she battles Ron DeSantis to be the top rival to Donald Trump.

The wife of Ukraine’s spy chief was poisoned, officials said

Ukrainian officials said that Marianna Budanova, whose husband leads the country’s intelligence operations, had been poisoned and was recovering in a hospital. News of the incident led to widespread speculation that Russia — which has a long history of poisoning adversaries — was stepping up efforts to target Ukraine’s senior leadership.

A tribute to Rosalynn Carter

Former President Jimmy Carter emerged from hospice care to honor Rosalynn Carter, his wife, who died this month at 96. She was memorialized in an Atlanta church today by President Biden, Bill Clinton and every living presidential spouse.

Jimmy Carter was brought into the church in a wheelchair, as the crowd of mourners looked on with anticipation, catching their first glimpse of him in many months. A grandson said that Carter was “very physically diminished,” but that “he was proud and happy that he was there for her till the very end, and he wasn’t going to miss this for anything.”

The 10 best books of 2023

Every year, more books are published than anyone can read in a lifetime. To help you decide which ones deserve your attention, the staff of The New York Times Book Review spends months debating and agonizing over which 10 books are the best of the year. Take a look at their list.

And if you’d like even more variety, don’t miss their list of 100 Notable Books of 2023, or take a spin through this handy list, which features all the books The Times has christened the best throughout the years.

Movie awards season is here

The Gotham Awards, which were handed out last night, are considered the first notable ceremony of the movie prize season, and our first opportunity to get a peek at the actors, directors and films that could win more trophies during the next several months.

“Past Lives,” a film about a young Korean immigrant and the romantic path not taken, won best feature, and Lily Gladstone took home the award for best lead performance for her role in “The Unknown Country.” See the other winners, and what our movie writer thinks they suggest about this year’s awards season.

What makes a vacuum cleaner sexy?

Many young Americans, for whom traditional markers of stability like homeownership and early retirement seem out of reach, are turning to a more attainable luxury that can be shipped overnight: a Dyson cord-free stick vacuum.

The slim, sleek and lightweight vacuum, which one owner calls “almost weirdly sexy,” retails for $300 to $1,000, depending on the version. Competitors offer comparable alternatives at cheaper prices, yet many Dyson owners continue to recommend the product — and show it off. “If I had to choose between saving my bed, my boyfriend or my Dyson in a fire,” one 26-year-old said, “I’d choose my Dyson V15. Twice.”

Have an alluring evening.

Thanks for reading. I’ll be back tomorrow. — Matthew

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