What’s behind defense secretary pick Hegseth’s war on ‘woke’ The selection of Fox News host Pete Hegseth to lead the Trump Defense Department has renewed scrutiny of his political and religious views and his aggressive criticism of the military he would be leading. Read more on NPR

South Africa’s government won’t help the illegal miners inside a closed mine Miners are believed to be suffering from a lack of food, water and other basic necessities after police closed off the entrances used to transport supplies. Read more on NPR

Masses of residents flee homes in Haiti’s capital as gangs ratchet up violence Violence has exploded in Port-au-Prince since Sunday when the Haiti’s interim prime minister was fired amid political infighting. Read more on NPR

Trump picks North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to lead the Interior Department Burgum ran in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. He then became a vocal supporter of Preesident-elect Donald Trump and was shortlisted for the GOP vice presidential nomination. Read more on NPR

Trump names former Georgia congressman Doug Collins as his pick to lead the VA Collins served in the House from 2013 to 2021 and was a key defender of the president-elect during his first impeachment proceedings. Read more on NPR