NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-14-2025 12PM EST

Episode Date: January 14, 2025

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Lai from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The Senate Armed Services Committee is holding a confirmation hearing this hour for President-elect Trump's nominee for defense secretary. Pete Hegseth is trying to overcome allegations that include sexual misconduct and his stance on women in combat. A short time ago, Republican Senator Joni Ernst asked about excessive use on women in the military. As Secretary of Defense, will you appoint a senior level official dedicated to sexual

assault prevention and response? Senator, as we have discussed, yes I will. Ernst, an Iraq War combat veteran, has long pushed to improve the military's response to reports of sexual misconduct. Hegseth is also being questioned about reports of excessive drinking and financial mismanagement, which he denies as a leftist-driven smear campaign against him and Trump. If confirmed, Hegseth would have oversight of a department with a workforce of more than 2 million people and a budget of nearly a trillion dollars.

The Justice Department is out with a final report on an investigation into 2020 election interference by now-President-elect Trump. NPR's Kerry Johnson reports former Special Counsel Jack Smith is strongly defending the investigation even though the case will never go to trial. The report concludes there was enough evidence for a jury in Washington, D. Washington DC to convict Trump for trying to cling to power after he lost the 2020 election. Prosecutors say Trump engaged in a campaign of pervasive deceit about those election results and that he stood at the center of a criminal conspiracy. Jack Smith says the rule of law matters and so does setting

an example to pursue justice in the face of personal attacks and threats. But he walked away from the election interference case because longstanding Justice Department policy prohibits prosecuting a sitting president. In a social media post, Trump called Smith names and said the voters in 2024 had spoken, returning him to the White House. Kari Johnson, NPR News, Washington. Keri Johnson, NPR News, Washington. Israel and Hamas are very close to reaching a ceasefire agreement that would stop the

fighting in Gaza, according to several officials involved in the talks. Here's NPR's Kat Lonsdorf. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Washington. It's been weeks of talks in Doha negotiated through mediators, including both the incoming and outgoing U.S. administrations. Similar talks have fallen apart several times over the past year, but one Israeli official with knowledge of the talks told NPR that they have, quote,

never been in such detailed negotiations. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks. A spokesperson for the Qatari Prime Minister echoed that same sentiment, saying the two parties have overcome major obstacles in recent days. Even if a deal is reached, it won't be implemented immediately. It will still need approval from the Israeli cabinet and could head to the Israeli Supreme

Court. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv. From Washington, this is NPR News. High winds forecast for the Los Angeles area threaten to undermine the gains made in the massive firefighting operations underway in the region. The Eaton fires at 35% containment, the Palisades fires at 17%, and officials are reporting 97% containment of the Hearst fire. That could all change if the strong winds coupled with dry conditions cause the fires to explode in size again. The Actors' Equity Association, the union representing

theater actors and stage managers, has designated tomorrow National Swing Day in honor of the legions of performers who substitute for chorus members on Broadway shows and tours at the drop of a hat. Jeff London reports. When a chorus member gets sick or injured or goes on vacation who you gonna call? Swings like Willie Trace Smith the third and Hamilton. Swings are the superheroes of musical theater. When people call out is our job to suit up. Smith and his compatriots at musicals on Broadway and in national tours cover up to six different performers in a variety of roles and often go on with little notice. Actors Equity is honoring these unsung heroes in social media posts and with gift bags being

delivered backstage at every show. For NPR News, I'm Jeff London in New York. US stocks are trading lower this hour. The Dow is now down more than 100 points. The Nasdaq has fallen 112 points. And the S&P is off 25. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.