A high-ranking Israeli official says the country and Hamas are closing in on a deal to free some hostages. / The Washington Post
From Gaza to Ukraine, Myanmar to Sudan, diplomats are “running out of bandwidth.” / The Economist
Global negotiators reconvene in Kenya to create a landmark treaty to end plastic pollution. / The Associated Press
Related: Why do corporations struggle to reach net zero? “The materials we tend to use these days are simply very good at doing what they do.” / Material World
Nepal joins India in banning TikTok entirely, to protect the nation's “social harmony.” / TIME
Regarding loneliness: “Even when one has a caring and supportive network of relationships, one will often experience 'reverse culture shock.'” / aeon
A visualization of the London skyline in 2030 if 11 new towers get built. / Building Design
Some sublime views of the American West by Korean photographer Jungjin Lee. / Howard Greenberg Gallery
“Make candlelight ordinary.” A nice list of ideas for addressing the gloom in the dark half of the year. / The Clearing
A short recording captures a hook to a 1980s-style New Wave song—but internet sleuths can't figure out what it is. / Rolling Stone
See also: Dolly Parton's final song, locked in a “dream box” at her theme park, won't be released before 2046. / Atlas Obscura