Israeli strike in northern Gaza kills at least 34, Palestinians say

Israeli officials believe a ceasefire in Gaza is now more likely than in the past year, with a possible deal to free hostages and provide aid to the territory nearing. A working group from Israel is in Doha to engage with mediators, showing optimism for progress in negotiations with Hamas. Prime Minister Netanyahu's cabinet members have expressed confidence in reaching a truce, while Hamas has indicated willingness if Israel refrains from imposing new conditions. Full...

Mark Penn, CEO of Stagwell, with experience in presidential campaigns and global corporations, predicts major industry transformation with the impending Omnicom-IPG merger, citing regulatory reviews and reorganization ahead. Despite exploring a merger with S4 Capital, Penn believes in Stagwell's independent growth, emphasizing human cost amidst potential layoffs and disruption to traditional pitch dynamics. Stagwell's focus on balancing AI efficiency with human creativity reflects Penn's optimism in the industry's resilience and the enduring value of creativity,...

The company has not added any funding information yet, allowing users to input their investment details regarding the round's stage, size, and date. Users can specify their participation in the round and add themselves to the investment information. The platform offers a straightforward way for users to contribute their investment data and potentially connect with other investors in the company. Full Article

Vast protests have erupted in Seoul against ousted leader Yoon's Dec 3 martial law decree, with smaller rallies showing support for him. Both sides are determined to continue demonstrating as the Constitutional Court deliberates on Yoon's future. Hundreds gathered for a vigil in central Seoul, with protesters like Kim Chan-suk and Han Myung-hak expressing their determination to see Yoon formally removed and ensure a better future for South Korea. Full Article

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has appointed former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an “informal adviser” for Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship, alongside other elder statesmen like George Yeo and Retno Marsudi. Thaksin’s return to Thailand last year has seen him play a behind-the-scenes role in politics, meeting with foreign leaders and offering to mediate in Myanmar’s civil war. While the move may tap into Thaksin’s global connections, skepticism remains about the potential impact on ASEAN’s...

Former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov pleaded guilty to lying about a fake bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, resulting in a recommended prison sentence of four to six years for a felony charge and tax evasion. Smirnov falsely claimed that Burisma executives paid the Bidens $5 million each in 2015, despite having only routine business dealings with the company since 2017. An FBI investigation found no evidence of corruption by Joe...