Republican Representative Thomas Massie read articles of impeachment against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in the House, accusing him of waging war without congressional approval, carrying out extrajudicial killings and disregarding civilian casualties. A vote may come within days but is unlikely to succeed in the Republican-majority chamber.

US politicsimpeachmentPete HegsethIran war

Saudi air defenses destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, a spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said on Wednesday, as conflict spreads across the Middle East.

Saudi ArabiaHouthisMeccadrone

Saudi Arabia says its air defenses intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday, while the Iran-aligned rebels denied launching the attack. Several explosions were also heard on Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz.

Saudi ArabiaMeccaHouthisMiddle East

Saudi Arabia’s air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered the holy city’s prohibited airspace, according to the Saudi-led coalition. Its spokesperson said the security of Islam’s two holiest sites and pilgrims was a “red line”. The Houthis denied targeting Mecca, while the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned the attack.

Saudi ArabiaMeccaHouthisdrone interception

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned what it called “heinous” Houthi attacks targeting the Mecca and Medina region.

MeccaMedinaHouthisOrganisation of Islamic Cooperation

Saudi Arabia says its air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi-launched drone before it entered Mecca’s restricted airspace. The coalition called the incident an attempt to frighten worshippers and harm civilians, declaring the security of the holy mosques and pilgrims a “red line”. The Houthis deny threatening Mecca or other Islamic holy sites.

Saudi ArabiaHouthisMeccadrone interception

The Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted a Houthi drone heading toward Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, and declared the country’s holy cities a “red line.”

Saudi ArabiaHouthisMeccadrone

An NBC Los Angeles news helicopter crashed in Chatsworth while providing aerial coverage of a deadly collision involving a metro bus and another vehicle. At least three people, including someone on the ground, were killed and one person was hospitalized. The cause is under investigation.

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A helicopter from NBC Los Angeles crashed while covering a fatal bus accident, killing three people. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass offered prayers to the victims’ families and loved ones. The bus crash involved an L.A. Metro bus and a passenger vehicle, killing two people and injuring others.

Los Angeleshelicopter crashbus accident

A news helicopter covering a deadly bus crash in Los Angeles’ Chatsworth neighborhood crashed on Tuesday, killing three people, including a pedestrian.

helicopter crashLos AngelesChatsworth

A helicopter crash in Los Angeles killed at least three people. It happened near the site of a separate deadly bus accident, but it was not immediately clear whether the two incidents were connected.

Los Angeleshelicopter crashaccident

Officials say a news helicopter crashed Tuesday night in a commercial area of a Los Angeles suburb, killing at least three people.

helicopter crashLos Angelesaccident

At least three people were killed and another was injured when a helicopter crashed in Los Angeles, California. The helicopter reportedly belonged to a local media outlet, while the cause remains unknown. It came down near the site of a major traffic accident.

Los Angeleshelicopter crashcasualties

A multi-storey residential building collapsed overnight in western Gaza City, reportedly trapping six families beneath the rubble. Rescue crews and residents dug by hand and pulled out children and other survivors, while casualties remained unclear. Local media said the building had previously been damaged by an Israeli bombing and left structurally unsafe.

Gazabuilding collapserescueIsraeli bombing

The US House voted 220-204 for a resolution urging President Donald Trump to end military operations against Iran. The nonbinding measure is only a recommendation. The report says the US and Israel began the war on February 28, while Washington resumed massive strikes on July 8, accusing Tehran of violating agreements concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

US HouseIran warDonald Trump

The House approved a measure requiring President Donald Trump to end his war with Iran. The vote delivered a potent political rebuke of the administration’s handling of the conflict just weeks before the midterm elections.

US politicsIran warHouse of RepresentativesDonald Trump

China’s 134.2-kilometer Pinglu Canal officially opened to navigation on Wednesday, linking the Xijiang River shipping network with the Beibu Gulf. Built at a cost of 72.7 billion yuan, it can handle vessels of up to 5,000 tonnes and is expected to cut the route from southwest China to the sea by about 560 kilometers. Mangrove restoration, a fish passage and a wildlife overpass were incorporated into the project.

Pinglu CanalGuangxiinland shippingecological protection

China’s Pinglu Canal in Guangxi officially opened to commercial navigation on Wednesday. The 134.2-kilometer waterway links the Xijiang River corridor with the Beibu Gulf, shortening shipping routes from southwestern China to the sea by more than 560 kilometers and creating a more direct gateway to ASEAN. Fish passages and a wildlife bridge were built along the canal, while more than 98% of excavated material was reused.

Pinglu CanalGuangxiChina-ASEAN tradeenvironmental protection

A 49-50 procedural vote in the Senate left the crypto market structure bill 11 votes short of the threshold needed to advance. The setback sent every major token lower, with bitcoin moving toward $76,000 and XRP falling 10%.

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Analysts told The Block that the defeat of the Clarity Act is not a truly structural setback for crypto. They said the market will continue to move with interest rates and the broader monetary environment, as bitcoin and major crypto stocks dipped.

crypto marketbitcoininterest ratesClarity Act

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun called for consensus and concrete action on global security governance at the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum. He urged multilateralism, dialogue, shared development and practical cooperation, saying the Chinese military is ready to work with other militaries on security coordination, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.

Chinaglobal securityXiangshan Forummilitary cooperation

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun called on countries on Wednesday to stop provocative actions and prevent a resurgence of regressive historical trends, remarks likely to be seen as veiled criticism of Japan.

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Defense Minister Dong Jun said at the opening of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum that China supports creating a more effective, balanced and stable regional security architecture. He said it should address all countries’ legitimate security concerns and take developing countries’ interests into account.

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Chinese Vice President Han Zheng spoke at the welcome banquet of the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, attended by representatives from nearly 100 countries, regions and international organizations. He called for adherence to the UN Charter, genuine multilateralism and dialogue to resolve disputes, while urging deeper security cooperation to support global peace and stability.

Beijing Xiangshan ForumHan Zhenginternational securitymultilateralism

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said the Chinese military is ready to deepen practical cooperation with all parties, jointly address global security challenges and safeguard world and regional peace. He spoke during meetings with foreign defense officials and the ASEAN secretary-general attending the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, which has participants from nearly 100 countries, regions and international organizations.

Chinaglobal securityBeijing Xiangshan Forum