On the Record

Our Israel-Hamas war coverage so far. December 15, 2023 Good morning. As we prepare for the holidays, we’ve got [a guide for setting boundaries with family members]( — and [10 must-see winter movies]( for when you need an escape. We’re also sharing [a novel A.I. tool that’s helping new parents](. But first: As the Israel-Hamas war rages on, we're highlighting [all our wide-ranging coverage so far](. Thank you for reading, and for waking up with us.   In the News [Israeli army soldiers taking position in southern Israel]( Israeli army soldiers taking position near the border with the Gaza Strip. (Menahem KAHANA / AFP) On the Record Approximately 115 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, according to Israel. Meanwhile, the death count in Gaza is estimated to be over 18,000, most of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. This week, Israel clashed with Hezbollah, stoking fears of a wider conflict, and the U.N. responded to the “catastrophic” humanitarian crisis in Gaza by demanding an immediate ceasefire. Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with Israel's president this morning as Washington urged Israel to end its wide-scale assault on the Strip and commence a more targeted approach. Over the last few months, I’ve spoken to an army general, a psychoanalyst, journalists, family members of hostages, and more, to better understand what’s happening in Gaza and Israel. Keeping up with it all can be overwhelming, so we’ve compiled [all of the conversations I’ve had so far]( about the Israel-Hamas war. Each discussion has offered a unique perspective — I hope you find them as valuable as I did. [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Fnews%2Fisrael-hamas-war-escalation-expert-interviews%2F   More Stories [Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán as seen talking with ]( Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán (center). (Getty Images) Blocked: Hungary blocked $55 billion in vital European Union aid for Ukraine on Thursday, just hours after E.U. leaders agreed to begin membership talks for the war-torn country. "Summary of the night shift: veto for the extra money to Ukraine," said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who's regarded as Russian President Putin's closest ally in the bloc. The assistance for Ukraine must be agreed upon unanimously, so E.U. leaders will reconvene in January for another attempt to get the plan through. Crime: Barbara Furlow-Smiles, a former executive at Facebook (now Meta), has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $4 million from the company which she reportedly used to fund a luxury lifestyle for several years. She "abused a position of trust as a global diversity executive... to defraud the company of millions of dollars, ignoring the insidious consequences of undermining the importance of her DEI mission,” the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia said. Shock appearance: A British boy who's been missing for six years has shown up unexpectedly in France. Alex Batty disappeared while on holiday with his mother and grandfather in Spain in 2017, when he was 11 years old. According to a police appeal, his mother "did not have legal guardianship." Alex's legal guardian is his grandmother, Susan Caruana. She told The Sun newspaper: "I am so happy. I have spoken to him and he is well... It is such a shock.” New avenues: Elon Musk has donated almost $100 million to fund STEM-focused schools and a university in Texas. Per a tax filing for Musk's charity, The Foundation, the university will teach maths, science, engineering and physics, as well as “hands-on learning experience including simulations, case studies, fabrication/design projects, and labs.” Jared Birchall, who runs Musk’s family office, is among the members of Musk's inner circle leading The Foundation.   Listens From the A-List [Kevin Bacon, Paul McCartney, and Shannen Doherty]( KCM / iHeart Get up close and personal with some of Hollywood's biggest stars with our list of [4 celebrity podcasts you can't miss](. From Paul McCartney to Brooke Shields and beyond, you'll definitely want to hear what these famous faces are thinking about each week. [SEE MORE]( [Sponsored by iHeart Podcasts](   Must-Reads [Illustration of a woman with many arms taking care of a baby, drying her hair, typing on a laptop, mixing a pot ]( Money on the Table Navigating the web of bureaucracy for paid leave can feel like a full-time job. This CEO is using A.I. to help new parents figure it out. [Read More »]( [Feet with red toenails in the dark]( Out of Step Does one of your toes stick out like a sore... digit? It's more common than you think — here's why that happens and how to fix your feet. [Read More »]( [Two women standing in separate circles]( Small Doses If you're one of the 75% of Americans who need space from family during the holidays, we've got a primer on setting strong boundaries. [Read More »](   Feel-Good Friday When communities are torn apart by natural disasters, the road to recovery continues long after the news has stopped covering the story. For a closer look at how this healing really happens, we had [an inspirational visit to Fort Myers, Florida](, where heroic volunteers are making a huge difference for those in need. [READ MORE]( [supported by P&G](   Extra Credit Lights, camera, action: Escape the chill — and the stress of work, family, and anything else — with a night at the movies. We rounded up [10 can't-miss flicks coming to theaters this month](. Pop of flavor: Speaking of movie snacks, [these crunchy, festive popcorn balls]( satisfy a salty or a sweet craving. And with their fun snowball-like shape, they make a great holiday gift, too! No more hemming and hawing: Good jeans are hard to find — especially for those of us lacking in the height department. Nelle Atelier is changing that with [comfy and stylish denim]( designed to fit shorter frames.   Holiday Help [Models wearing Talbots black tank top, tweed jacket, sweater]( Talbots / KCM Still hunting for the perfect present for a special lady on your list? We've rounded up [the best gifts for 10 different types of women](, with input from our friends at Talbots. And for advice that'll take you all the way through the new year, they also pitched in on our [tips for elevating your winter entertaining](. [Supported by Talbots](   One More Thing Here's a tech gift that doesn't cost an arm and a leg: [These $25 Bluetooth earbuds]( deliver serious sound at an affordable price point. Even better? They come in eye-catching colors like gorgeous teal, bubblegum pink, and trending cherry red — so you can personalize a pair for everyone on your list!   [Know it all, and help your friends catch up, too. Share Wake-Up Call and you'll earn some superb swag.](   Thank you for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.cominfo@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! 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