Washington Watch: Failed U.s. Banks Struck A $22.5 Billion Blow To The Deposit Insurance Fund. Who Will Pay The Price? 

A person waves two Palestinian flags in celebration of Israel and Hamas reaching a cease-fire deal. Abdel Kareem Hana/APIsrael and Hamas have reached a multiphase cease-fire and hostage agreement, negotiators announced. People in Israel and the Gaza Strip gathered to celebrate the news of the long-awaited accord. The tentative deal comes after 15 months of bloodshed that left tens of thousands dead.

Tal and Oren Alexander cofounded the luxury real-estate brokerage Official. Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty ImageA judge in Manhattan denied the Alexander brothers bail in their sex-trafficking case on Wednesday. The denial followed a contentious hearing over whether the three brothers are dangerous or a flight risk. The judge criticized a lawyer who argued a woman can't be incapacitated if she can still stand up.

Biden delivered his farewell address on Wednesday. Alex Wong/Getty ImagesBiden delivered his farewell address to the nation on Wednesday, days before he leaves office. Biden warned of an oligarchy taking shape in the US and a "tech industrial complex."He also said AI posed opportunities and risks and that the US must lead the way over China.

Under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia is angling to become the Silicon Valley of Asia. Marcus Brandt/picture alliance via Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BIAs Malaysia enters a period of political stability, its new dream is to become a regional tech hub. Investments and startups are flowing into the country, but it's still early days.

Hindenburg Research website displayed on a laptop screen. Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/Getty ImagesNate Anderson said he's disbanding Hindenburg Research after completing all its outstanding projects. Hindenburg, a short-seller founded in 2017, gained fame for its forensic financial research. The firm impacted major companies and plans to share its tactics publicly. Nate Anderson, founder of the short-selling firm Hindenburg Research, is tapping out.

Listeners of The Severance Podcast with Ben Stiller & Adam Scott were treated to an unexpected story about Stanley Kubrick, courtesy of podcast guest Turturro. In the podcast's Jan. 15 episode, during which Stiller, Scott, and Turturro discussed Severance Season 1, episode 8, "What's for Dinner?," Turturro mentioned that the series had a "Kubrickian approach" to it. SEE ALSO: I went to the 'Severance' pop-up in Grand Central Station.