From NPR News in Washington, I’m Lakshmi Singh.Chuck Hagel is being forced to explain some controversial votes and statements on a number of issues,including Iraq, Israel and Iran,as he seeks confirmation as secretary of defense.On Capitol Hill today,the former two-term Republican senatorencountered resistance from GOP critics on the Senate Armed Service Committee,who have called Hagel anti-Israel.But Democratic Chairman Karl Levinexplained why Hagel should be embraced as the first enlisted man to serve as secretary of defense."It would be a positive message for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines in harm’s way around the world to knowthat one of their own holds the highest office in the Department of Defense, and that he has their backs."Hagel is a decorated Vietnam War veteran.The Senate is expected to vote today on legislation to suspend enforcement of the debt ceiling for three months.The bill would allow the Treasury to borrow enough money to pay the government’s bills at least through mid-May.The Republican-led House passed the measure last week.The New York Times says Chinese hackers repeatedly penetrated its computer systems over the past four months.NPR’s Louisa Lim reports the attacks appear to be part of a broad campaign against American media.In late October,the Times reported that the family members of China’s Premier Wen Jiabao had accumulated assets of at least 2.7 billion dollars.That very day, unusual activity was noticed on the Times’ computer network.The Times says the hackers broke into e-mail accounts of two of its journalists and stole passwords belonging to others.
