U.S. and world news for Jan. 14

Hegseth: Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut is among the members of the Senate Armed Services Committee who are raising alarm over the refusal of Republicans who control the committee to share with all committee members the FBI report on Pete Hegseth. Donald Trump nominated Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense. A confirmation hearing by the Armed Services Committee was taking place today. It appears that the Trump transition team limited the scope of the FBI investigation of Hegseth in view of accusations against him including sexual misconduct, alcohol use and business incompetence.  

Jack Smith: Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election and remain in power has been made public. The report says that Trump resorted to a series of criminal efforts to retain power and that there was enough evidence to convict Trump in court. Trump and his allies tried but failed to stop the Department of Justice from making the report public. Smith’s separate report on Trump’s possession of secret government documents after leaving office is being kept from public release because people other than Trump are awaiting trial in the case.

Wildfires: A new wildfire has broken out in Ventura County, just northwest of Los Angeles County. Winds as high as 72 miles per hour were recorded overnight, increasing the risk that the existing Los Angeles County fires will spread or new fires will be started as burning embers are carried long distances. An estimated 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed. The known death toll remains at 24 with searches of burned out areas still to be conducted.

Cease-fire: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reported meeting with the country’s finance minister today to discuss the impending deal with Hamas for a cease-fire and hostage release. The finance minister is among those opposing any deal with Hamas. It’s believed the first phase of a cease-fire would include the release of 33 hostages that Hamas has been holding. Hundreds of Palestinians being held in jail by Israel also would be released.

Carter: In what appears to be an insult aimed at deceased Former President Jimmy Carter, Donald Trump has been flying the U.S. flag at full height at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Both President Biden and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered U.S. flags flown at half-staff for 30 days following Carter’s death, through Jan. 28. Flying the U.S. flag at half-staff for 30 days is the protocol that has been followed to show respect at the death of a former U.S. president. During the 2024 campaign, Trump frequently criticized Carter.

Starbucks: Starbucks has reversed its policy that allowed anyone to use the restroom at a Starbucks store or to hang out at one of the tables without having to buy anything. The new policy is contained in a new code of conduct. It warns that anyone who tries to use the restroom or hangs out at a store without making a purchase will be asked to leave and that law enforcement may be called. A spokesman for the chain said that employees would receive training in enforcing the new code of conduct.