Gaza cease-fire, Biden hosts S. Korea leader, ‘The Me You Can’t See’: 5 things to know Friday

Palestinians rally after cease-fire takes effect in Gaza

Following 11 days of military confrontation, a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas militants took effect Thursday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the truce, brokered by Egyptian officials. Taher Nounou, a Hamas official, also confirmed the deal. The development followed the most recent round of violence in the region, with least 230 Palestinians and 12 Israelis killed. Israel described the cease-fire as “mutual and unconditional.”  The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the next step would be to “stabilize the cease-fire” and launch a “swift, sustainable reconstruction and recovery” effort in Gaza. In response to the end of the fighting, the Associated Press reported Palestinians rallied by the thousands early Friday, with many viewing the truce as a costly but clear victory for the Islamic militant group Hamas over a far more powerful Israel.  

  • ‘Every incendiary ingredient imaginable’: What sparked worst Mideast violence since 2014
  • Key players in the Israel-Palestinian conflictand why peace remains elusive in Gaza
  • Biden has yet to reverse many of Trump’s pro-Israel policieshe labeled ‘destructive’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Security Cabinet approved a unilateral cease-fire to halt the military operation in the Gaza Strip.

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Biden hosting South Korean president at the White House 

President Joe Biden will host South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House Friday as the two leaders seek complete de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula after past U.S. administrations failed in that objective. Biden is pushing a middle ground between the “grand bargain” approach of former President Donald Trump and Barack Obama’s “strategic patience” to halt North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. The gathering comes after the Biden administration recently completed a policy review on the reclusive nation. Earlier this month, North Korea warned the United States will face “a very grave situation” because Biden “made a big blunder” in his recent speech by calling the country a security threat. 

  • Attempted diplomacy:Biden administration has reached out to North Korea, seeking to prevent further escalation
  • March video: Biden says North Korea is top foreign policy issue
  • Did you keep up with this week’s news?Take our news quiz to find just how well you did

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi on Thursday welcomed South Korea's President Moon Jae-in to Capitol Hill. Moon said he'd be addressing tackling the pandemic, economic issues and climate change in discussions with members of Congress. (May 20)

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Texas Gov. Abbott’s order banning schools, officials from requiring masks takes effect

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order that bans local governments – including counties, cities, public health authorities and public schools – from requiring masks goes into effect Friday night. Entities that defy Abbott’s order could face a fine of up to $1,000. “Texans, not (government), should decide their best health practices,” Abbott tweeted Tuesday. Texans can only be required to wear masks in businesses that require them, at state-supported living centers, government-owned or operated hospitals and several criminal justice facilities. Public schools may leave face covering requirements in effect until June 4, but Abbott’s edict came as others, such as the Austin district, were weighing whether to end the use of masks indoors for summer and fall classes or wait until more students are vaccinated against COVID-19.

  • Fact check:No, COVID-19 vaccine isn’t transmitted to others via contact
  • CDC analysis:Rural COVID-19 vaccination rates lag behind urban areas as access, hesitancy remain barriers
  • COVID-19 updates:US to keep Canadian, Mexican borders closed through June 21

The CDC said vaccinated people no longer need masks in most indoor and outdoor places. Here's what that means for businesses, variants and kids.

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Asian American community bands together for star-studded TV special 

The Asian American community is banding together Friday in a TV special to show unity amid ongoing violent, racist incidents throughout the U.S. Artists of part-Asian descent, including R&B singer Jhené Aiko and rapper Saweetie, are set to perform during the TV special “See Us Unite for Change – The Asian American Foundation in service of the AAPI Community.” The event will air at 8 p.m. ET/PT on a series of channels. including MTV, BET, VH1, Comedy Central as well as Facebook Watch. Actor Ken Jeong will host the special, which will include appearances by fellow actor Daniel Dae Kim and journalist Lisa Ling and “will feature testimonials from leading Asian American public figures, as well as individuals working to enact change on the ground,” organizers said. 

  • AAPI pride:Asian and Pacific Islander heritage helps lift America to what it must be
  • ‘A complete erasure’:Asian, Pacific Islanders face stunning lack of representation in Hollywood

‘The Me You Can’t See’: Oprah, Prince Harry launch mental health series

Apple TV+ is launching a documentary series created by Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry on Friday. “The Me You Can’t See,” will feature high profile guests, like Lady Gaga and Glenn Close, and mental health experts to discuss living with the challenges of mental health issues. “Now more than ever, there is an immediate need to replace the shame surrounding mental health with wisdom, compassion, and honesty,” Winfrey said in the release. Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle opened up about their own struggles with mental health during an interview with Winfrey.

  • Major revelation: Prince Harry said he turned alcohol and drugs to cope with a ‘nightmare’ time in his life
  • ‘The Me You Can’t See’:Oprah talks about being molested as a child, breaks down in tears

"Sometimes people think resilience is like bouncing back like you’re some kind of nerf ball. But it really is about absorbing the difficult moments."

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