Tracy Mumford

Phase one of the agreement was designed to pause the fighting and build momentum toward a more long-lasting deal. But Israel and Hamas are still as far apart as they've ever been on the crucial issues that need to be resolved, like if Hamas will agree to disband its forces and if Israel will agree to end the war completely.

Phase one of the agreement was designed to pause the fighting and build momentum toward a more long-lasting deal. But Israel and Hamas are still as far apart as they've ever been on the crucial issues that need to be resolved, like if Hamas will agree to disband its forces and if Israel will agree to end the war completely.

If the deadline tomorrow comes and goes without a deal for phase two, it does not necessarily mean fighting will restart right away. Under the current plan, the truce can be extended if negotiations are actively ongoing. In Syria, my colleague Raja Abdulrahim has been reporting on what life has looked like there since the fall of the brutal Assad regime.

If the deadline tomorrow comes and goes without a deal for phase two, it does not necessarily mean fighting will restart right away. Under the current plan, the truce can be extended if negotiations are actively ongoing. In Syria, my colleague Raja Abdulrahim has been reporting on what life has looked like there since the fall of the brutal Assad regime.

If the deadline tomorrow comes and goes without a deal for phase two, it does not necessarily mean fighting will restart right away. Under the current plan, the truce can be extended if negotiations are actively ongoing. In Syria, my colleague Raja Abdulrahim has been reporting on what life has looked like there since the fall of the brutal Assad regime.

After decades of war and political repression, Raja says people have spent the past three months celebrating a newfound sense of freedom. There's music in the streets, families are having picnics in places the government had made off-limits, and Syrians are packing into small venues for comedy.

After decades of war and political repression, Raja says people have spent the past three months celebrating a newfound sense of freedom. There's music in the streets, families are having picnics in places the government had made off-limits, and Syrians are packing into small venues for comedy.

After decades of war and political repression, Raja says people have spent the past three months celebrating a newfound sense of freedom. There's music in the streets, families are having picnics in places the government had made off-limits, and Syrians are packing into small venues for comedy.

Roja recently went to one of the comedy shows. She says there was a lot of classic stand-up material about religion, marriage, and sex, but the biggest punchline of the night was about Bashar al-Assad, the ousted dictator.

Roja recently went to one of the comedy shows. She says there was a lot of classic stand-up material about religion, marriage, and sex, but the biggest punchline of the night was about Bashar al-Assad, the ousted dictator.

Roja recently went to one of the comedy shows. She says there was a lot of classic stand-up material about religion, marriage, and sex, but the biggest punchline of the night was about Bashar al-Assad, the ousted dictator.

And finally, the Oscars are this Sunday. Some movie buffs are preparing to go all out, hosting viewing parties, maybe building out a menu of themed snacks in honor of the nominees. That might mean Demi S'mores or maybe a bowl of popcorn if you're a Conclave fan. Have you been to the Oscars?

And finally, the Oscars are this Sunday. Some movie buffs are preparing to go all out, hosting viewing parties, maybe building out a menu of themed snacks in honor of the nominees. That might mean Demi S'mores or maybe a bowl of popcorn if you're a Conclave fan. Have you been to the Oscars?

And finally, the Oscars are this Sunday. Some movie buffs are preparing to go all out, hosting viewing parties, maybe building out a menu of themed snacks in honor of the nominees. That might mean Demi S'mores or maybe a bowl of popcorn if you're a Conclave fan. Have you been to the Oscars?

The host this year will be Conan O'Brien, who talked with my colleague Milena Ryzik about taking on the famously tricky job of trying to keep people laughing at a ceremony that can push four hours. The pressure is definitely on as the show tries to reverse its slipping viewership numbers.

The host this year will be Conan O'Brien, who talked with my colleague Milena Ryzik about taking on the famously tricky job of trying to keep people laughing at a ceremony that can push four hours. The pressure is definitely on as the show tries to reverse its slipping viewership numbers.

The host this year will be Conan O'Brien, who talked with my colleague Milena Ryzik about taking on the famously tricky job of trying to keep people laughing at a ceremony that can push four hours. The pressure is definitely on as the show tries to reverse its slipping viewership numbers.

For live coverage of the Oscars on Sunday, all the winners, all the red carpet fashion, you can go to nytimes.com. Those are the headlines. Today on The Daily, the Friday Politics Roundtable. This show is made by Will Jarvis, Jessica Metzger, Jan Stewart, and me, Tracy Mumford. Original theme by Dan Powell.

For live coverage of the Oscars on Sunday, all the winners, all the red carpet fashion, you can go to nytimes.com. Those are the headlines. Today on The Daily, the Friday Politics Roundtable. This show is made by Will Jarvis, Jessica Metzger, Jan Stewart, and me, Tracy Mumford. Original theme by Dan Powell.

For live coverage of the Oscars on Sunday, all the winners, all the red carpet fashion, you can go to nytimes.com. Those are the headlines. Today on The Daily, the Friday Politics Roundtable. This show is made by Will Jarvis, Jessica Metzger, Jan Stewart, and me, Tracy Mumford. Original theme by Dan Powell.