AP News Summary at 8:45 a.m. EST

Hegseth says bipartisan impeachment push is about ‘policy disagreements,’ not high crimes WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is condemning the impeachment effort against him as “a political spectacle, a personal manifesto driven by ego and resentment.” Hegseth made the comments at the beginning of a morning press conference Tuesday at the Pentagon. It was his first news conference from the Pentagon in six months and comes just a day after Rep. Thomas Massie launched an effort to impeach him over his handling of the unpopular war against Iran and other actions. 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. Past talks involving Russia and Ukraine have yielded little progress toward peace Negotiators from Moscow, Kyiv and Washington are scheduled to meet in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday and Wednesday for talks aimed at trying to end Russia's 4 1/2-year-old full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since Russian President Vladimir Putin poured troops into Ukraine in February 2022, talks have been held in various countries to seek an end to Europe’s most devastating conflict since World War II. President Donald Trump also has met separately with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Little progress has emerged from the series of negotiations. Inflation ran hotter than expected last month, underscoring affordability challenges 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. John Thune seeks another term as Senate Republican leader as the party reckons with election losses WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans will be meeting for what they call a “robust conversation” on their future and to decide whether to keep South Dakota Sen. John Thune as their leader. Tuesday's vote will come a week after steep losses in the midterm elections that cost Republicans their Senate majority. Thune is expected to be reelected as he remains popular with fellow Senate Republicans and is running unopposed. But some Republicans who returned to Washington on Monday for the first time since the election wipeout that cost them at least seven seats say it’s too soon to endorse the status quo. Russell Brand is sentenced to 10 1/2 years in British prison for rape and sexual assault LONDON (AP) — Russell Brand has been sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison for raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others. The assaults occurred during a time when his comedy career was taking off. A jury found him guilty of attacking four of six accusers, with allegations dating back to 2004. Prosecutors said Brand abused his fame to access women. Brand maintained his innocence, claiming all encounters were consensual. His accusers spoke about the lasting impact of his actions. Brand, known for his outrageous routines and battles with addiction, has recently focused on online content and religious discussions. Trump says FBI is looking at Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's affair with alleged Chinese agent WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says the FBI is investigating Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s affair with an alleged Chinese government agent. But Trump says he doesn’t think the executive who has helped to develop artificial intelligence has a reason to worry. “I know the FBI is looking into it in terms of something else, and I think that he’ll be in good shape,” Trump said Monday at a White House briefing. The president called Huang a “very honorable man.” He said Huang told him “he had absolutely no idea that the person in question was a spy,” Trump said. Here are some of the House seats that Democrats didn't expect to win this year WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, who led the National Republican Congressional Committee, lost his seat this year. Republicans struggled in the state after pulling support from their U.S. Senate candidate, Michael Whatley. Hudson lost to Richard Ojeda, a former Army major and liberal social media figure. Ojeda is one of several Democrats who pulled off upset victories as the party retook control of Congress. Other wins took place in Colorado, Texas, Nevada, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana and New Jersey. 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 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. Exclusive: AP joins European Union naval patrol fighting piracy in the Gulf of Aden AT SEA IN THE GULF OF ADEN (AP) — Piracy is rising in the Gulf of Aden, threatening vital shipping lanes. Spanish special forces are conducting exercises to combat this threat. The European Union's Operation Atalanta leads maritime security efforts in the region. Vice Adm. Ignacio Villanueva says instability in nearby areas like Yemen and Iran fuels piracy. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is crucial for global trade, with 12% of the world's trade passing through. Since November 2023, there have been 79 pirate attacks. Pirates exploit regional turmoil, capturing vessels and demanding ransoms. 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