Politics and views in the United States.

Hamas accepts a ceasefire deal amid warnings of a ground attack on Rafah by Israel, some faculty members defend protesters as colleges cancel graduation ceremonies, and Bernie Sanders announces his re-election run.

TRANSCRIPT

Welcome to 2024 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

We want to get these hostages out.

We want to get a ceasefire in place for six weeks.

We want to increase humanitarian assistance.

And the last thing that I want to do is say anything at this podium that's going to put that process at risk.

At a White House briefing, national security spokesman John Kirby would say little beyond confirming that Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joe Biden spoke by phone marking Monday's Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Under U.S. pressure, Israel is letting more aid reach Gaza, but it also says it'll go ahead with a Rafa ground offensive.

For the first time, the Biden administration has blocked shipment of ammunition to Israel, raising pressure on Netanyahu to accept a deal.

Human rights groups have accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon.

Cindy McCain, the widow of the late Senator John McCain and head of the World Food Program, says Gaza is now in famine.

There is famine, full-blown famine in the north, and it's moving its way south.

What we're asking for and what we continually ask for is a ceasefire and the ability to have safe and unfettered access to get into Gaza.

In a speech for the Holocaust Museum's Days of Remembrance, President Biden is expected to use the phrase "never again" and condemn anti-Semitism.

A large number of University of Chicago faculty are defending a pro-Palestinian student encampment, saying it's peaceful and non-disruptive.

Philosophy professor Anton Ford urges the school not to call in the police.

We support the protesters' central demands, that the university divest its endowment and that it suspend its formal cooperation with Israeli institutions.

We don't want them getting beat up just because they're camping on the lawn.

Many colleges have canceled graduation ceremonies, while others say they're reluctant to take commencement from students who missed their high school ceremonies due to the pandemic.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says for his part, Biden sees invitations to speak at graduations as a chance to address students directly.

To call for protests peacefully, and that's what we're going to continue to do.

But we do feel for them.

These are graduates who are going to miss out on an incredibly important day of commencement.

Former President Donald Trump has again been fined for violating the gag order in his hush money trial.

Judge Juan Marchand fined Trump $1,000 for attacking the jury as full of Democrats.

Marchand says another violation could lead to jail time.

Progressive Vermont Independent Bernie Sanders says he's running for re-election to his fourth term.

Along with his concerns about rising wealth inequality, Sanders says he's running to defend American democracy during the most important election of our lives.

Will the United States continue to even function as a democracy?

Or will we move to an authoritarian form of government?

I'm Farah Siddiqui for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

Find our trust indicators at publicnewsservice.org.