U.S.-mediated Russia-Ukraine peace talks resume in Abu Dhabi
American, Ukrainian and Russian negotiators gathered in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday for a new round of U.S.-mediated trilateral talks aimed at ending the war, the first substantive negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv since February and the first since the United States launched joint strikes. The two-day session is also expected to include European representatives.
The White House said beforehand that the talks would focus on long-term security guarantees and a broader security architecture for Europe, but a cease-fire is not on the table. President Donald Trump said the war could "end soon," while U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were leading the American delegation in preparatory meetings with European and Ukrainian officials. Ukraine continues to demand security guarantees, which Russia has resisted, leaving the same sticking points that stalled earlier rounds.
Republican lawmaker moves to impeach Defense Secretary Hegseth
Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced eight articles of impeachment against U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and moved to force a House vote this week. The articles accuse Hegseth of "high crimes and misdemeanors," including illegally waging war against Iran without congressional authorization in violation of the 1973 War Powers Resolution.
The charges also allege extrajudicial killings, abuse of power, misconduct involving civilian casualties, and operations in Yemen and Venezuela. The move sets up a potentially explosive vote in Congress as Republicans prepare to lose their House majority in January.
Nvidia and CEO Jensen Huang sued over alleged spy affair
Nvidia and its chief executive Jensen Huang have been sued by shareholders who accuse them of defrauding investors over Huang's relationship with a business executive U.S. intelligence believes was gathering information for Beijing. Huang has acknowledged being intimate with the woman and has apologized.
Nvidia's board is investigating whether Huang was the target of a foreign intelligence operation; Huang will remain chief executive during the inquiry and has pledged cooperation. Former President Donald Trump said the FBI is looking into the matter, while Elon Musk and other finance figures have publicly defended Huang.
France blames Iran's Revolutionary Guards for supermarket cyberattacks
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps carried out an "unprecedented" cyberattack in October that hit hundreds of supermarket refrigeration systems across France, turning up temperatures overnight and spoiling large quantities of food. Estimates of affected stores ranged from around 700 to more than 1,000.
France has summoned Iran's ambassador and said it will seek European sanctions or other collective action against those responsible. Iran did not immediately respond to the accusation.
Russell Brand jailed for 10 and a half years for sex offences
British comedian and actor Russell Brand, 51, was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others between 2004 and 2009. A jury had found him guilty on charges brought by six women.
At Southwark Crown Court, Judge Joel Bennathan called Brand a "sexual predator" who had acted with "staggering arrogance" and shown contempt for his victims. Brand showed no emotion as the sentence was handed down following a four-week trial.
Trump says Dana White press secretary offer was 'just kidding'
President Donald Trump said he was "only kidding" about offering the job of White House press secretary to Dana White, the chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Trump had posted on Truth Social on Saturday that he was asking the "violent Fighter and Warrior" to take the post, but told reporters on Sunday the offer was "just a little fun."
The White House currently has no press secretary after Katie Zacharia left the role after five days. White had said he would meet Trump in Washington on Monday to discuss the offer.
Supreme Court allows Trump border wall construction in Big Bend
The U.S. Supreme Court granted the Trump administration's emergency request to resume building a section of border wall in the Big Bend region of southwestern Texas, including parts of Big Bend National Park. In an unsigned five-page ruling, the court lifted a district court order that had paused construction while a lawsuit proceeds.
The project includes physical walls, access roads and vehicle barriers. The court said a law enacted by Congress reflects a preference for border control over environmental and recreational harm. The underlying lawsuit, which targets waivers that sidestep protections, continues.
California voters reject Proposition 40 billionaire wealth tax
California voters have rejected Proposition 40, a proposed one-time 5 percent tax on the net worth of billionaires that would have helped fund healthcare. The measure's defeat marks a victory for technology industry leaders who spent heavily to oppose it.
The campaign was the most expensive in state history. Its failure is a setback for progressives seeking to tax the wealth of the ultra-rich and could hinder the broader wealth-tax movement in the United States.
Krakow market square gunman dies in hospital, police say
The 24-year-old man suspected of killing six people and wounding 15 others in a shooting in Krakow's Main Market Square has died in hospital, Polish police said. He had been in critical condition after officers shot him during his arrest on Saturday.
The gunman had undergone several operations before dying on Monday. His motive remains unclear.
Anthropic targets up to $1.4 trillion valuation in IPO
Artificial-intelligence company Anthropic, maker of the Claude chatbot, is preparing a stock market debut that could value it at up to $1.4 trillion and raise as much as $64.4 billion. The company plans to offer shares at between $70 and $78 each, below earlier expectations of a $2 trillion valuation.
The initial public offering, expected next week, would be one of the largest in history. It comes as investors question the sustainability of the AI boom after a period of market volatility.
Ohio State suspends fraternity after video shows students on fire
Ohio State University has temporarily suspended the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity after a video circulated online showing two students with their sweatpants on fire at a chapter gathering. One individual appears to tackle another while spectators laugh.
The university and Columbus police are investigating the off-campus incident, which occurred as the video drew widespread attention.
Meghan Markle makes first public appearance since father's arrest
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, joined Prince Harry in Brussels for an event on online safety for children, her first public appearance since her father, Thomas Markle Sr., was arrested and charged with possessing child sexual abuse material in the United States.
Markle attended the remembrance event but pulled out of a planned speech, with her office saying she was not strong enough to speak about child safety. Her 82-year-old father was arrested by FBI agents at a dementia care home.