The defense secretary dismissed the resolution from a Republican lawmaker as ‘political spectacle’, saying it was an attempt to set up a ‘show trial’. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenThe defense secretary dismissed the resolution from a Republican lawmaker as ‘political spectacle’, saying it was an attempt to set up a ‘show trial’. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesFirst Thing: Pete Hegseth survives effort to impeach himHouse Republicans block impeachment resolution that cited US military actions in Iran, Yemen and Venezuela. Plus, SS United States to be sunk to create artificial reef
Good morning. House Republicans have blocked an effort to impeach Pete Hegseth. The defense secretary dismissed the impeachment resolution from a Republican lawmaker as “political spectacle”, saying it was an attempt to set up a “show trial”. Top Democrats announced their support for the resolution, but Republicans moved to kill it by referring it to the judiciary committee.
Thomas Massie’s 34-page resolution, which he read aloud on the House floor, centered on the Iran war. Hegseth said the articles targeted not just him but the troops who carried out his orders. He insisted that every operation the articles cite – including strikes on Iran and Yemen, attacks on alleged drug boats and the capture of Venezuela’s now former leader Nicolás Maduro – was lawful, ordered by Donald Trump and notified to Congress.
Why has the US Treasury chief reportedly moved? Scott Bessent has relocated from his home in the Washington area to a military base after an Iranian threat against his life, the New York Times reported. Bessent has led the US sanctions and economic pressure campaign against Iran, called Operation Economic Outcast, since August.
View image in fullscreenOhio lawmaker Jim Jordan is known for being a strident defender of Donald Trump. Photograph: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPARepublicans have elected the longtime congressman Jim Jordan as their new leader in the House of Representatives, putting a strident defender of Donald Trump at the helm of their conference as they navigate the fallout from sweeping losses in last week’s midterm elections. Joseph Gedeon has this profile of the pugnacious Trump ideologue. We also have a gallery of newly elected Democrats, including Abdul El-Sayed and Annie Andrews, arriving in Washington for a new-member orientation day.
View image in fullscreenThere are concerns about the whereabouts of the child who Democrats in California said was put in restraints and taken into custody last week. Photograph: Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty ImagesDemocratic lawmakers in California are demanding answers from the Trump administration about the safety and whereabouts of an eight-year-old Haitian boy who they say was put in restraints and taken into custody by federal immigration officers at a check-in last week.
A spokesperson for the US Department of Homeland Security said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took the child into custody “out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the child’s safety”.
View image in fullscreenDr Hussam Abu Safiya was detained at work in December 2024 and later held in solitary confinement at a notorious underground prison. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty ImagesAn independent professor who reviewed the medical records of a prominent Gaza doctor held in an Israeli prison without charge for nearly 23 months has raised serious concerns about his health. Hussam Abu Safiya was detained at work in December 2024 and later held in solitary confinement at Rakefet, a notorious underground prison.
During a visit by a lawyer from Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) last summer, the doctor told of harsh conditions, untreated medical problems and severe food shortages.
View image in fullscreenThe allegations, which David Walliams denies, were revealed in a joint investigation by the Guardian and ITV News. Composite: Guardian Design/ITV/REX/ShutterstockOne of Britain’s best-known entertainers and children’s authors, David Walliams, has been accused of using his celebrity status to prey on young women for sex. The allegations, which he denies, were revealed in a joint investigation by the Guardian and ITV News that spoke to 30 first-hand sources. A court rejected Walliams’s attempt to block publication after his legal team argued it was “highly likely” to lead him to attempt suicide. Michael Savage explains the main legal issues considered by the court – balancing Walliams’s right to privacy against the media’s right to publish. The full investigation is available here.
View image in fullscreenThomas Markle has been jailed after US authorities said he cut off a monitoring tag days after his arrest. Photograph: MEGA/GC Images The estranged father of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has been jailed after US authorities said he cut an electronic monitoring device off his ankle, days after his arrest for keeping child sexual abuse material in storage units.
At least three people are dead and three critically injured after a car struck pedestrians on a Los Angeles street corner during rush hour. The driver, whose identity remains unknown, is in a critical condition in hospital.
The FDA has issued a new warning on GLP-1 weight-loss medications over a rare eye condition that could lead to sudden and permanent blindness.
Parents are suing to stop a Washington state trans sports ban that could require “invasive” genital exams.
An 11-month-old boy was found alive in South Carolina after he was believed to have been buried for about 24 hours, local police said.
A woman in Saudi Arabia has been sentenced to 100 lashes for giving birth outside marriage.
View image in fullscreenThe October inflation data followed Republicans’ midterms losses, which were largely seen as a rebuke of the party over high prices. Photograph: Christina House/Los Angeles Times/Getty ImagesUS inflation rose 0.4% from September to October, slightly above expectations but still a cooldown in price increases as the cost of gas dipped during the month.
View image in fullscreenIt takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection. Photograph: andreswd/Getty ImagesAs Adrienne Matei explains, it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection, so the time is near to guard yourself before the holiday season. For those who are looking for some domestic advice, Victoria Turk has nailed how to solve 10 stubborn laundry problems – from stains to rough towels to “permastank”.
View image in fullscreenInternal fixtures and toxic materials have been removed from the SS United States. Photograph: Matt Rourke/APThe SS United States is to finally be sunk off the coast of Florida to become an artificial reef. Internal fixtures and toxic materials have been removed, and divers will be able to visit the wreck at a depth of about 180ft as it becomes home to marine wildlife.
View image in fullscreenStoryboard images from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. There is now a pushback against AI being involved in storyboarding. Photograph: TCD/Prod.DB/AlamyI found this read by Lana Crowe about the art of storyboarding – and why there is a pushback against AI being involved – fascinating. It features lots of great images in it, as does this photo gallery of Günther Kieser’s incredible psychedelic music posters for the likes of David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix and Diana Ross.
View image in fullscreenPoor countries are supposed to receive $300bn a year from the governments of industrialized nations by 2035. Photograph: Bianca Otero/ZUMA Press Wire/ShutterstockDeveloping countries have been left in limbo by the failure of some of the world’s biggest economies to flesh out their plans for new climate finance. Poor countries are supposed to receive $300bn a year from the governments of industrialized nations by 2035 to help them cope with the effects of extreme weather and shift to a low-carbon future. But many rich governments have not yet set out their targets.
You can follow the latest from Cop31 in Turkey with our live blog.
View image in fullscreenThe art installation entitled The Foot Soldier, was created by a group of anonymous artists known as the Secret Handshake. Photograph: mpi34/MediaPunch/ShutterstockA new statue titled The Foot Soldier mocking Donald Trump has been installed on Washington’s National Mall, this time poking fun at bone spurs he was diagnosed with, which allowed him to defer the Vietnam war draft. Created by the Secret Handshake, a group of anonymous artists, the statue depicts the US president sitting down while rubbing his bare foot.
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