Hamas accepts ceasefire draft agreement; Ice Castles draw tourists

CAIRO (AP) — Officials say Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages. Mediator Qatar said the negotiations were at the “closest point” yet to sealing a deal. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the proposed agreement, and an Egyptian official and a Hamas official confirmed its authenticity. An Israeli official said progress has been made, but the details are being finalized. The plan would need to be submitted to the Israeli Cabinet for final approval.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith says in a report his team “stood up for the rule of law” as it investigated President-elect Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, is heading into a potentially explosive Senate confirmation hearing. Hegseth will call himself a “change agent” in prepared opening remarks. Senators will question whether the former combat veteran and TV news show host is fit to lead the U.S. military.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A beefed-up firefighting force is staged around Los Angeles to attack flare-ups or new blazes. And anxious residents are prepared for the worst Tuesday as dangerous winds were expected to build a week after massive infernos destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people. 

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte says the alliance is launching a new mission to protect undersea cables in the Baltic Sea region. Rutte said Tuesday at a meeting in Helsinki with the leaders of NATO countries located on the Baltic Sea that the effort would be dubbed Baltic Sentry. 

WASHINGTON (AP) — New research suggests that Americans' risk for developing dementia over a lifetime may be higher than previously thought. A study found that after age 55, people have up to a 4 in 10 chance of eventually developing dementia — if they live long enough. 

In other news:

• Prosecutor who investigated Hunter Biden defends probes, denounces president's remarks in new report.
• The Supreme Court: rejects Utah's push to wrest control of public land from the federal government; declines to hear from oil and gas companies trying to block climate change lawsuits; seems likely to uphold a law that could ban TikTok in the US on Jan. 19.
• Carrie Underwood, Village People to perform at Trump's inauguration events.
• Biden says he's leaving Trump with a 'strong hand to play' in world conflicts.
• Incoming Trump team is questioning civil servants at National Security Council about their loyalty.
• Biden's administration proposes new rules on exporting AI chips, provoking an industry pushback.
• IRS is sending out automatic stimulus payments. Who is getting them.
• Dazzling Ice Castles draw tourists to New Hampshire and other states.
• The Rams coast past the Vikings into the NFC divisional round, the Cowboys eye a former Dallas star to replace their coach, the 76ers change plans for their new arena, the field narrows to sign a star Japanese pitcher in free agency. 
• Lions winning in ways they haven't in Super Bowl era after franchise finally found the right leaders.
• Texas man charged with stalking WNBA and Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
• British heavyweight Tyson Fury announces retirement from boxing again, one month after Usyk defeat.
• Top aide of impeached South Korean president pleads for investigators to halt detention efforts.