Wildfires tearing through the Los Angeles area have killed at least 24 people, destroyed more than 12,000 structures, and forced more than 100,000 people to evacuate. Although the fires have mostly stopped spreading, forecasters warn that strong Santa Ana winds will return through at least Wednesday.
With just a week left in office, President Joe Biden delivered his foreign policy address at the State Department. Biden said his stewardship of American foreign policy has left the United States safer and economically more secure than when he took office four years ago.
Senate confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees begin Tuesday. The Armed Services Committee will question Pete Hegseth—Trump’s pick for secretary of defense—who is facing the most scrutiny.
A federal judge has allowed the Justice Department to release part of special counsel Jack Smith’s report on Trump’s 2020 election case. However, Trump’s lawyers may seek to challenge the order all the way to the Supreme Court.
The White House said Israel and Hamas are on the verge of reaching a cease-fire and hostage agreement. In the first phase of the deal, Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages, while Israeli forces would maintain a presence along the Egypt-Gaza border and the Israel-Gaza border.
