* Difficult diplomacy: “The United States is discussing with Israel and Qatar a proposal for a pause in fighting in Gaza of up to three days that would allow for the delivery of more humanitarian aid and the possible release of some hostages held by Hamas, according to two foreign diplomats and a U.S. official.”
* In New York: “Ivanka Trump, former President Donald Trump’s older daughter, is testifying today in the $250 million civil fraud trial. … Ivanka Trump testified she was not involved in her father’s financial statements, which are at the heart of Attorney General Letitia James’ case. But James told reporters this morning that the ex-White House adviser is ‘inextricably tied to the Trump Organization.’”
* The latest Jan. 6 guilty plea: “A man who online sleuths dubbed ‘Spider Nazi’ has pleaded guilty in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.”
* In related news: “Federal authorities are searching for a former New Jersey National Guard police sergeant wanted on charges related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Online sleuths who go by the name ‘Sedition Hunters’ have known Gregory Yetman’s identity since early 2022, referring to him by the nickname #GreenHeavySprayer because he was seen in Jan. 6 footage using a large sprayer on law enforcement at the Capitol, they told NBC News.”
* In Texas: “An explosion has triggered a large fire at a chemical plant in Shepherd, Texas, sending massive plumes of black smoke into the sky. The ‘plant explosion’ and following chemical fire unfolded Wednesday morning at Sound Resource Solutions, which makes solvents for glue and paint remover, the San Jacinto County Office of Emergency Management said.”









