AP News Summary at 12:50 p.m. EST

Hegseth slams his potential impeachment as a 'political spectacle’ that undermines US troops WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is contending that a rogue lawmaker is undermining American troops in war zones by targeting him with an impeachment effort over mere “policy disagreements.” On Tuesday, Hegseth gave a defiant and politicized defense of his stewardship of the U.S. military in his first news conference at the Pentagon in six months. It comes just a day after Republican Rep. Thomas Massie launched an effort to impeach him over his handling of the unpopular war against Iran and other actions. Hegseth framed the impeachment effort as an indictment against the nation’s service members and their successes while undermining American forces “in real time.” A House vote on whether to move forward with the impeachment is expected later Tuesday. Impeachment isn't only for presidents. How does the process work for Cabinet secretaries? The Constitution allows Congress to impeach and remove federal officials, including Cabinet secretaries. Article II, Section 4 covers “all civil Officers of the United States.” Impeachment addresses abuses of power and breaches of public trust, not just criminal violations. The process for impeaching Cabinet secretaries is similar to that for presidents. It begins in the House of Representatives, which investigates and votes on impeachment. If impeached, a trial is held in the Senate. A two-thirds Senate vote is needed for conviction and removal. Impeachment of Cabinet secretaries is rare. Alleged spy plot targeting CEO Jensen Huang raises questions about Nvidia's future SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Investigations into whether Nvidia’s CEO was targeted by a Chinese intelligence effort are raising questions about the future of the chipmaker. Nvidia became one of the world’s most valuable companies by providing technology that powered the artificial intelligence boom. Jensen Huang has been synonymous with the brand since he co-founded it more than 30 years ago. The company now faces potential damage to its reputation and stock price, uncertainty over a possible successor and new scrutiny from shareholders and elected officials. With a valuation of more than $4 trillion, the company has outsized importance on Wall Street. Russia and Ukraine hold nearly 4 hours of US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Russia, Ukraine, and the United States held three-way talks in the United Arab Emirates to address the ongoing war. Tuesday's discussions marked the first meeting since February. The U.S. is pushing for a resolution to the war which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. The discussions aim to focus on security guarantees. Russian President Vladimir Putin demands Ukraine pull back troops and abandon its NATO bid. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejects these terms. Both sides remain far apart on key issues. Russia and Ukraine have intensified aerial attacks meanwhile including the escalation of long-range strikes with drones and missiles. Inflation runs hotter than expected as higher prices extend beyond the gas station WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. inflation was higher than expected last month in a sign that the rising prices that powered sweeping Democratic victories in last week’s midterm elections will continue to pose challenges for the White House and Federal Reserve. The data shows that inflation remains noticeably above the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%, and Americans’ struggles with high prices were evident as they ousted Republican majorities from the House and Senate last week. More from this section US national debt keeps rising after years of tax cuts – and this will make policymaking all the more difficult COP31: Governments are failing to rein in emissions from their own power plants What happens after a midterm tsunami? Lessons from 1974 and 1994 Republicans leave closed-door meeting without a decision on reelecting John Thune as leader WASHINGTON (AP) — An initial meeting of Senate Republicans over whether to keep Sen. John Thune as their leader has broken up without any resolution. They’re expected to reconvene Tuesday afternoon. The morning meeting came just a week after steep losses in the midterm elections that cost them their majority. Thune is expected to be reelected, given that he remains popular with his GOP colleagues and is so far running unopposed. But senators left the meeting after two hours of discussions with no resolution on a way forward. Democrats have gained control in more states. That could change the way the US elects its president WASHINGTON (AP) — Last week's big Democratic wins could change the way the U.S. elects its president. That's because Democrats picked up unified control of six more states. Eighteen states run by Democrats have already joined an interstate compact to award their Electoral College votes to whichever presidential candidate wins the national popular vote. Just a few more states would push that number above the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency. There will most likely be legal challenges that could only be settled by the Supreme Court, and it's unclear whether the governors in all the states newly under Democratic control are on board with the compact. Texas man accused of cruise ship murder had argued with woman in their cabin, FBI says A 48-year-old man is detained on a murder allegation in connection with the death of woman aboard a cruise ship off Texas. The FBI says Jason Watford, of Tyler, Texas, told agents that he struck and choked the woman Sunday night aboard the MSC Seascape after it had left Galveston. A criminal complaint says Watford told authorities that he snapped during an argument with the victim. Watford is scheduled to make an initial appearance in federal court in Galveston on Tuesday afternoon. It's not clear if he has a lawyer who could respond to the allegations. The towering vessel can host nearly 5,900 guests and has more than 1,600 crew. US stocks fall after a discouraging update on inflation NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are falling after a report showed inflation was worse across the country last month than economists expected. The S&P 500 fell 0.8% Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 291 points, and the Nasdaq composite fell 1.3%. The discouraging report on inflation caused traders to up their forecasts for coming hikes to interest rates by the Federal Reserve. One top Fed official even suggested that it could raise its main interest rate by twice the typical amount at its meeting next month. Treasury yields jumped in the bond market even though oil prices continued to ease. Bob Boone, World Series champion and part of 3-generation baseball family, dies at 78 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bob Boone, the catcher on the Philadelphia Phillies’ first World Series championship team who won seven Gold Gloves and was part of baseball’s first three-generation family, has died. He was 78. Boone’s son, Bret, announced his father’s death Tuesday on social media. The Phillies said in a statement Boone died Monday. No cause of death was announced. Boone spent his first 10 seasons with the Phillies, played seven with the California Angels and two with the Kansas City Royals. He also managed the Royals and Cincinnati Reds. His father, Ray, played in the major leagues, and two of his sons, Bret and Aaron, enjoyed long major league careers.