Several protesters disrupt Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing

The hearing began at 9:30 a.m. EST on Tuesday with Hegseth emphasizing his Christian faith and family values in his opening remarks. He promised to instill a "warrior culture" within the Defense Department but avoided directly addressing the controversies surrounding his nomination.

Hegseth held his own as Democrats, notably Sen. Elizabeth Warren, grilled him over his past comments on women in combat roles and his qualifications for leading the military.

Hegseth has been accused of sexual assault in 2017, which he denies, and his leadership during his tenure at veterans' groups came under question. Despite these issues, Trump has publicly supported Hegseth, referring to him as a "WINNER" on social media.

Republican senators remain divided, with key figures like Sen. Joni Ernst not committing their support, which could sway the outcome of the confirmation vote.

Hegseth outlined plans to reinstate service members discharged for refusing the vaccine, promising apologies, rank restoration, and back pay. He also voiced strong support for Israel's actions against Hamas, pledging U.S. assistance.

He criticized current military leadership, vowing to enforce stricter accountability if confirmed.

The Senate is expected to vote on Hegseth's confirmation soon, with the outcome potentially hinging on a few crucial votes given the GOP's slim majority.

North Korean Soldiers in Russia resort to drastic measures when captured by Ukrainians: Report

North Korean soldiers deployed to fight in Russia's conflict with Ukraine are reportedly committing suicide to avoid capture, South Korean lawmakers briefed by intelligence officials said Monday.

According to the lawmakers, over 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed and 2,700 wounded while supporting Russian forces in Ukraine, particularly in the Kursk region. This information comes from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service.

Notes found on deceased soldiers reveal they were ordered to self-destruct or commit suicide rather than be taken prisoner, with one soldier even shouting "General Kim Jong Un" before attempting suicide with a grenade.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed the capture of two North Korean soldiers, the first to be taken alive in the conflict. Zelenskyy offered to return these prisoners to North Korea in exchange for Ukrainian POWs held by Russia.

Despite the opportunity to defect, the captured soldiers have not expressed a desire to seek asylum in South Korea, according to the intelligence briefing.

The deployment of North Korean troops to aid Russia, which Moscow and Pyongyang have not officially confirmed, suggests a deepening military relationship between the two nations amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. This situation raises concerns about the North Korean military gaining combat experience and possibly receiving technological assistance from Russia.

Machete-wielding suspect at U.S. Capitol released from jail days before Trump inauguration in D.C.

A man arrested for trying to enter the U.S. Capitol with a machete and knives was released on pretrial conditions just days before Donald Trump's inauguration as president.

The suspect, whose identity was not disclosed, was apprehended at the Capitol Visitor Center on Wednesday after security screening detected the weapons in his bag. The incident occurred hours before Trump's scheduled visit to pay respects to former President Jimmy Carter, whose casket was lying in state.

The man faces charges of carrying dangerous weapons but was granted pretrial release under conditions that include wearing an ankle monitor and remaining in the Washington, D.C., area. This decision has stirred controversy, especially given the timing with the upcoming inauguration and heightened security measures around the Capitol.

The U.S. Capitol Police emphasized that there's no ongoing threat to Congress or the public following the arrest. However, the timing of the release has raised concerns among some lawmakers and security experts about potential risks during the transition period.

Trump is set to be sworn in on Jan. 20, with extensive security protocols already in place due to past incidents and the high-profile nature of the event.