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NEED TO KNOW

The latest on the Gaza ceasefire deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today that a “last-minute crisis” was delaying Israeli approval of the ceasefire deal to pause the war in Gaza announced by President Biden yesterday.

The deal: Netanyahu said Hamas was trying to gain further concessions, while Hamas said it remained committed to the original deal, which promised dozens of Israeli hostages released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, among other things. [AP]

Reactions: Many Gazans celebrated the deal, which is set to go into effect Sunday, after a war that’s killed more than 46,000 Palestinians. In Israel, the hostages’ families expressed joy, but caution too, over the promised release of loved ones. [ABC News/Reuters]

How we got here: Both Biden and President-elect Donald Trump took credit for the deal, which is based on a framework Biden proposed last May. In recent weeks, Trump’s team worked alongside Biden’s to finalize negotiations with Middle East mediators. [CNN]

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

🏀 The dunk that wasn’t

The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the San Antonio Spurs 129-115 yesterday. The highlight of the game: Grizzlies star Ja Morant threw down possibly the best dunk of the season over Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. If only it counted. [Yahoo Sports]

➡️ L.A. wildfires

Los Angeles is expected to see a temporary reprieve from fire weather to close the week as firefighters work to contain the blazes, but forecasters warned that another round — albeit not as severe — could come early next week. [AP]

👋 Biden bids farewell

In his farewell address to the nation, Biden spotlighted his legislative wins and issued a warning against a developing oligarchy that “threatens our entire democracy” as well as a dangerous “tech-industrial complex.” [ABC News]

🚫 Bye-bye red dye No. 3

The FDA announced a ban on red dye No. 3 amid growing concern for the food coloring’s effects on health. The dye is commonly found in medications and foods, including some gummies, fruit cocktails and ice cream cones. [Yahoo Life]

🎵 Drake’s dispute

Drake sued Universal Music Group, claiming the distributor of his and Kendrick Lamar’s music profited from his defamation by releasing Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” The label says the claims are “untrue.” [USA Today]

WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY

📺 Hey, SNL fans: SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, the four-part docuseries celebrating the legendary sketch show’s 50th anniversary, is now streaming on Peacock. [Entertainment Weekly]

🏀 On the court, the Pistons hope to keep their winning momentum going in a game against the Pacers at 7 p.m. ET on NBA League Pass. [Detroit Free Press]

🏒 In the rink, the Blackhawks, with rising superstar Connor Bedard, face off against the Predators at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+. [Hockey News]

❎ Tic-tac-toe: Drew Barrymore takes the center square in the new Hollywood Squares reboot, premiering tonight at 8 p.m. ET. [TheWrap]

👮 Dun dun: The midseason premieres of Law and Order and Law and Order: SVU return tonight on NBC starting at 8 p.m. ET. (More on that below.) [Yahoo Entertainment]

☀️ And don’t forget to: Read your daily horoscope. Play the Crossword. Check the forecast in your area.

TODAY IN HISTORY

In 1919, Congress ratified the 18th Amendment to make alcohol illegal, ushering in the Prohibition era. The dry spell lasted until 1933, when the amendment was repealed. Cheers to that by making this “evocative” prohibition cocktail. [TastingTable]

3 QUESTIONS

…about Law & Order’s return

I asked Yahoo Entertainment reporter Kelsey Weekman what to expect from the midseason premieres of Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU.

Jessica: Remind me: What happened last on Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU?

Kelsey: Law & Order ended with an internal affairs detective visiting Lt. Jessica Brady after she exposed that she’d previously covered for a corrupt cop who killed another cop. On SVU, Assistant DA Dominick Carisi was held hostage in a bodega. It was actually one of my favorite episodes ever.

Jessica: If you had to choose between the two, which one would you watch?

Kelsey: My heart belongs to the characters of SVU. Now that Olivia Benson is a captain, there are more multi-episode story arcs and deeper investigations. I live for every episode that involves her former partner, Elliot Stabler.

Jessica: Should we expect any guest stars to appear in either show?

Kelsey: Crossovers are common in the Dick Wolf universe! It looks like this season, we’ll be seeing Law & Order’s new district attorney, played by Tony Goldwyn, facing off against Benson.

Can’t get enough? Here’s a guide to all of Dick Wolf’s high-octane procedurals and spinoffs.

FEEL-GOOD MOMENT

Elton and Betty Denner recently celebrated their 82nd wedding anniversary and Betty’s 100th birthday with a Disney-themed ball, where Elton dressed as Prince Charming and Betty wore a classic blue Cinderella gown. Watch them celebrate the dual milestone. [People]

Have a great day! See you tomorrow.

💡 P.S. Before you go, your daily advice: Trying to avoid norovirus this season? Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer isn’t enough to kill the virus. [Today]

About The Yodel: The Yodel is a morning newsletter from Yahoo News.

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