AP-Newswatch

Pete Hegseth vows a ‘warrior culture’ if confirmed as Trump’s defense secretary, confronting critics

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth vows to bring “warrior culture’” to the military if confirmed as President-elect Donald Trump’s defense secretary pick. Hegseth is dismissing the sexual assault allegations against him as a “smear” campaign. The former combat veteran and TV news show host calls himself a “change agent’ as senators determine whether he is fit to lead the U.S. military. Chairman Roger Wicker says Hegseth will “shake up” the Pentagon. But the top Democrat Sen. Jack Reed says the allegations against Hegseth are “extremely alarming.” Tuesday’s hearing starts a weeklong marathon as the Republican-led Senate rushes to have some of Trump’s Cabinet picks ready to be confirmed as soon as Inauguration Day, Jan. 20.

The Latest: Pete Hegseth is combative as he faces questions from senators in confirmation hearing

Donald Trump’s cabinet picks are beginning their nomination process this week, starting with Trump’s choice for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth. The hearing opened Tuesday as senators question whether the former combat veteran and TV news show host is fit to lead the U.S. military.

Firefighters deploy widely as strong winds threaten more Los Angeles neighborhoods

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A beefed-up firefighting force is staged around Los Angeles to attack flare-ups or new blazes. And anxious residents prepared for more fire danger Tuesday as strong winds kicked up again, a week after massive infernos destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people. Planes that drop firefighting chemicals and crews ready to pounce on hotspots are positioned across the city. Dozens of water trucks are in place to replenish supplies after hydrants ran dry last week. LA County’s fire chief says crews are better prepared but warns that everyone in the potential fire zones should be ready to evacuate.

Contaminated drinking water is a growing concern for cities facing wildfires

As fires burn in Los Angeles, water utilities are responding to extensive damage to pipes and storage and treatment facilities. Several have issued “do not drink” notices to households until there is time to assess whether the water is safe. One utility official in Pasadena, which issued a “do not drink” notice last week for the first time in its long history, said you have to assume the worst. Water providers are used to dealing with occasional contamination that can be boiled out. But a warmer, drier climate means wildfires are encroaching on cities, like Santa Rosa, California and Louisville, Colorado, where damaged water pipes sucked in toxic chemicals common in urban fires, and remained contaminated for months.

Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages, officials say

CAIRO (AP) — Officials say Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages. Mediators the United States and Qatar said Tuesday that Israel and the Palestinian militant group are at the “closest point” yet to sealing a deal that would bring them a step closer to ending 15 months of war. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the proposed agreement, and an Egyptian official and a Hamas official confirmed its authenticity. An Israeli official said progress has been made but details are being finalized. The three-phase plan would need Israeli Cabinet approval.

Blinken makes case for post-war reconstruction, security and governance of Gaza

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made a last-minute case for a plan for the post-war reconstruction and governance of Gaza as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas appears tantalizingly close to completion. Blinken touted the proposal, which has been in the works for a year, in a speech on Tuesday and discussed the importance of ensuring its success after the Biden administration leaves office. Blinken and his top aides have spent months trying to sell Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Gulf Arab nations on the plan, which calls for a unified Palestinian-led government and and interim foreign-led security mission that would eventually lead to a permanent government run by a reformed Palestinian Authority.

Biden is packing up to leave the White House. But what about any classified documents?

WASHINGTON (AP) — The last time Joe Biden packed up and left office, he took with him tens of thousands of papers from his decades in public service. Those included some classified documents that should have gone to the National Archives for safekeeping. The moving trucks are at the White House again, and his staff is pulling documents and items for storage as Biden prepares to depart next week. The administration has promised a new, more secure protocol to review and separate out classified information. But with a week left to go, there’s still been no word from a federal task force formed at Biden’s behest to develop best practices for transitions.

France’s new prime minister announces renegotiation of contested plan to raise the retirement age

PARIS (AP) — France’s new prime minister, François Bayrou, has announced the renegotiation of a contested plan raising the retirement age from 62 to 64. In his first address to lawmakers at the National Assembly on Tuesday, Bayrou vowed to seek “a new path of reform, without any totems or taboos, not even the retirement age,” as long as the financing for the changes is provided. Bayrou’s government has no parliamentary majority amid unprecedented political instability. He urgently needs to pass a budget bill for 2025, in order to help reduce France’s deficit and allow key expenses such as defense measures needed amid the war in Ukraine and aid promised to angry farmers.

Biden health officials say they built up US pandemic defenses. Trump promises changes

NEW YORK (AP) — The Biden administration is releasing a “roadmap” for maintaining government defenses against infectious diseases, just as President-elect Donald Trump pledges to dismantle some of them.. The 16-page report recaps steps taken in the last four years against COVID-19, mpox and other diseases. Biden officials are touting the steps they took to halt or prevent disease threats, but some public heath researchers offer a more mixed assessment of the administration’s efforts. Several experts, for example, say not nearly enough has been done to make sure an expanding bird flu pandemic in animals doesn’t turn into a global health catastrophe for people.

Al Capone called it his sweetheart. The pistol that saved his life is coming to Vegas

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A rare glimpse into mobster Al Capone’s home life will be on display in a new exhibit at the Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas. The exhibit opening Wednesday marks the first time the public can view Capone’s favorite personal weapon and a short home movie shot by the mob boss himself. The weapon is a .45-caliber Colt 1911 pistol that Capone nicknamed “Sweetheart” because according to family lore it saved him more than once. The home movie features fellow mobsters Lucky Luciano and Frank Costello. The museum says it’s rare to have such personal artifacts of organized crime on display.