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Today's headlines

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a vote on a Hamas-Israel peace deal scheduled for today would be postponed. It was a blow to hopes of ending the fight on Sunday. President Biden and the Prime Minister of Qatar separately announced yesterday that Israel and Hamas have reached a multi-phase ceasefire agreement, pledging to end the war in Gaza. According to Gaza health officials, more than 46,000 Palestinians have died in the past 15 months of conflict. The Israeli military says 405 soldiers have been killed in fighting since the invasion of Gaza. Israelis have been distraught over the fate of family and friends held hostage since a Hamas attack in October 2023.

• 🎧 The agreement began with a moratorium on air strikes and a complex prisoner exchange. Hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel will be released, and urgently needed food, fuel and medical supplies will enter GazaNPR's Aya Batrawy tells us first up. President-elect Donald Trump has brought a sense of urgency to get the deal done. The ceasefire attempts to do many things, but leaves a number of questions, including: Who will govern Gaza from the Palestinian side? How do you start rebuilding? Ultimately, the agreement does not guarantee the long-term security of either party because it does not address a path to lasting peace and Palestinian statehood.
• 🎧 The deal is good news for Palestinians, but despite some cautious hope, some say it's too little, too lateNPR's Hadeel Al-Shalchi says. Even after the deal was announced, airstrikes continued. The sentiment is similar in Israel. They are waiting for the deal to be implemented and are frustrated that it has taken the government so long to do so. Netanyahu is in a tricky political position when it comes to ratifying the deal, as some right-wing ministers oppose the deal and his government could collapse.

Even though Los Angeles has some of the toughest wildfire policies in the U.S.The fires currently burning have many asking how prepared the region is. The county has strict building codes and restricts new development in hazardous areas.

• 🎧 Building codes in fire-prone areas of California require fire-resistant materials such as roofing and sidingNPR's Lauren Sommer says. But that only applies to homes built since 2008, which is when much of Los Angeles’ housing stock dates. There are also strict regulations regarding vegetation around houses in hazardous areas. Starting next year, virtually no plants will be allowed within five feet of a home. The new rule has met with opposition from some homeowners who prefer greenery outside their homes.
• ➡️ What do you do when your home is destroyed by wildfire? Read advice from survivors.

President Trump's inauguration will be full with flags raisedThat's despite Biden ordering him to be demoted by half in honor of the late President Jimmy Carter. The next day, flags will return to half-mast. Ahead of the decision, Trump accused Democrats of being "giddy" at the prospect of flags not being raised during his swearing-in ceremony.

life advice

Completing tasks that may otherwise seem challenging becomes easier when you work with another person Or a group that holds each other accountable. Having people you report to or work with can be a powerful tool in helping you accomplish tasks and achieve your goals, says Ayelet Fishbach, a professor of behavioral science and marketing at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Here's how to build a successful partnership:

• 🤝 Before looking for an accountability partnerconsider the goals you need help with.
• 🤝 Your partner should have goals Make the relationship mutually beneficial.
• 🤝 choose someone You can meet consistently.
• 🤝 You can find an accountability partner by Your social networks, communities and online platforms.

Picture display

Rocky Mountain spotted fever, the deadliest tick-borne disease in the United States, has been a problem on tribal lands in the Southwest. It was first discovered in the late 1800s. On the San Carlos Apache Reservation, outbreaks have been occurring for decades. The community-led response reduced the number of deaths and was widely considered a public health success, especially given limited resources. The tribe's Department of Health and Human Services conducts several door-to-door campaigns each year to reduce tick populations. View photos of communities and learn more about how they are achieving no deaths from Rocky Mountain spotted fever for at least five years.

3 things you need to know before you go

1. When Kimberly Godsey was training to become a nurse practitioner several years ago, she was a doctor Making sure she reached out to her patients' loved ones and stayed with them as they dealt with difficult diagnoses. She says the compassion of her unsung heroes continues to leave a mark on her after a decade in nursing.
2. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it will ban the use of food dye Red No. 3. The dye has been linked to behavioral problems in children, including inattention and hyperactivity.
3. Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays in many Asian countries. According to the lunisolar calendar, it marks the beginning of the year. NPR wants to know what traditions you're keeping to ensure you're lucky this year. Your answers may appear in this newsletter.

This newsletter is sponsored by Suzanne Newyen.