Jack Smith reports; Israel and Hamas ceasefire: NPR
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Today's headlines
The U.S. Department of Justice today released its election interference report targeting President-elect Donald Trump. Although special prosecutor Jack Smith will not record a criminal conviction against Trump, the report claims the evidence is sufficient to convict him. Smith dropped two indictments against Trump following his 2024 victory, in line with his policy against prosecuting sitting presidents.
Special Counsel Jack Smith comments on the recently unsealed indictment against Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., August 2023
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- 🎧 Trump's final attempt to have a judge block the report was unsuccessfulsays NPR's Carrie Johnson first up. In the nearly 150-page report, Smith said he fully supported the decision to charge Trump. Although the case did not go to trial, Smith said the rule of law and the example set by the prosecution team in pursuing justice against all odds was important. Democrats are demanding that the Justice Department preserve all of Smith's documents. Republicans, meanwhile, want him investigated.
one new fire breaks out Last night in Southern California, the devastation that began last week intensified. The wildfires have killed more than 20 people and hundreds of thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate. The physical elements of the disaster are obvious, but how it affects people's mental health is less clear.
- 🎧 NPR's Katia Riddle says experts note there could be ripple effects even for those in Los Angeles who aren't forced to evacuate. Trauma reactions can be contagious if someone you know is affected. Some are still waiting for the possibility of having to evacuate. Natural disasters are unique in that people grieve the land beyond their homes and communities. Los Angeles is a breathtakingly beautiful place, and some people rely on the natural environment for emotional support.
- ➡️ Anthony Mitchell Sr., killed with son in Eaton fire While waiting for rescue. His family remembers his devotion to his children.
- ➡️ 175-pound celebrity tortoise in Pacific PalisadesTiptoe is one of the fire escapers. This is his survival story.
- ➡️ At least two lawsuits have been filed against Southern California Edison has accused it of having a hand in starting the Eaton fire.
Qatari negotiators are close to reaching a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. If agreed, the initial phase of the deal would require Hamas to release the 33 hostages still being held in Gaza in exchange for Israel releasing some Palestinian detainees. Fighting will also be suspended for six weeks.
- 🎧 Specific details of the deal are still being discussed, but an Israeli official with knowledge of the situation told NPR they hope to provide good news “soon,” says NPR's Kat Lonsdorf. The official also said that this is the first time since November 2023 that such detailed negotiations have been held with representatives of all parties present. While the deal is still being discussed, the fight continues. More than 50 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks yesterday, according to Gaza Civil Defense, and five Israeli soldiers were killed, according to the military.
deep dive
Workers clear snow from sidewalks at the White House in Washington, D.C., in January 2025. A massive storm system brought heavy snow and freezing rain to a large swath of the eastern United States, bringing unusually high snowfall amounts to the region.
Mandel Yan/AFP Photo credit: Getty Images/AFP
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Mandel Yan/AFP Photo credit: Getty Images/AFP
This year started in bad weather. Southern California experienced 100 mph wind gusts that sparked destructive wildfires, while the mid-Atlantic and South experienced severe winter storms. Not all weather fluctuations are clearly affected by climate change. But Dartmouth College climate scientist Justin Manchin said rising global temperatures can now be detected in a variety of extreme weather events and in many more typical weather patterns.
- ❄️ Scientists typically define a location's climate as its 30-year average weather. Variations in daily weather are expected to persist even as climate change progresses.
- ❄️ Earth’s temperature rises by about 1.3 degrees Celsius Since the mid-1800s, people have burned large amounts of fossil fuels.
- ❄️ Climate change reshapes complex atmospheric and ocean patternssometimes introducing weather conditions that are different from what people have experienced before.
- ❄️ Over the past decade, scientists have developed techniques called detection and attribution This helps them determine whether human-caused climate change affects the likelihood of weather events.
Picture display
December 12, 1982: Former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter attend a show with Willie Nelson at the Omni Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
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December 12, 1982: Former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter attend a show with Willie Nelson at the Omni Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
Rick Diamond/Getty Images
When Jimmy Carter ran for president, he was virtually unknown outside his home state of Georgia. His friendships with popular musicians such as Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and the Allman Brothers fueled his campaign and endeared him to young people. Music was very important to Carter growing up. His hometown instilled in him a love of the gospel in the black church and an appreciation for the power and spirituality of music.
Leslie Charlson as Dr. Monica Quartermaine general hospital. Pictured above is a photo of her taken in 1982.
ABC Photo Archives/Disney Universal Entertainment Content via Getty Images
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ABC Photo Archives/Disney Universal Entertainment Content via Getty Images
- Leslie Charleson as Dr. Monica Quartermaine about daytime drama general hospital Nearly fifty years old, died on Sunday.
- 55-year-old man arrested on suspicion of felony stalking According to prosecutors, she sent harassing messages to basketball star Kaitlyn Clark and then traveled to Indianapolis to try to meet her.
- A major auction will be held on January 18th featuring historical artifacts from the life and career of Bob Dylan. It will include early handwritten drafts of his popular works Mr. Tambourine Manphotos, posters and signed harmonicas.
The editor of this newsletter is Suzanne Newyen.