Trump lawyers make case for immunity in 2020 election case

Former President Donald Trump appeared at a high-stakes court hearing as his legal team argued that he is immune from criminal prosecution for anything he did while in office. NBC’s Laura Jarrett reports for TODAY.

House Republicans move forward to impeach homeland security head

Hearing will be held Wednesday on Alejandro Mayorkas, who they say has encouraged illegal immigration across US-Mexico border House Republicans are barreling ahead with their effort to impeach homeland security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, part of a broader effort to make immigration and border security a defining issue of this year’s presidential election. The House homeland … Read more

Ramaswamy insists he’s still in the game as he fails to qualify for last debate

Republican candidate’s poll numbers are not high enough to take part in Iowa debate as campaign says not to write him off Predictions of the end of Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign for the presidential nomination are premature, a senior aide insisted, as the biotech entrepreneur who enjoyed early success with a brash and aggressive campaign contemplated … Read more

Is Europe’s left really in crisis? Our research shows it’s complex – and there is hope | Macarena Ares and Silja Häusermann

Mainstream parties of the left are in decline. But progressive politics is thriving far beyond its traditional blue-collar base Adopting rightwing policies ‘does not help centre-left win votes’ Over the past two decades, election results in western Europe have been framed within the narrative of a crisis of the left. Think of the near-implosion of … Read more

US and UK repel major Houthi attack in Red Sea | First Thing

Authorities describe Houthi attack with drones and missiles as largest yet in the Red Sea. Plus, why speed dating is back in fashion Don’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up here Good morning. Yemen’s Houthi rebels fired one of their largest barrages of drones and missiles targeting shipping in the Red Sea, … Read more

Is it OK to speculate about Taylor Swift’s sexuality? | Arwa Mahdawi

I take more offence at the idea that it’s upsetting to discuss a public person’s sexuality in 2024 – especially when no one seems perturbed at gossip about celebrities’ straight sex lives For about 18 months there was incredibly disruptive construction going on next door to me. It drove me mad. Like verging-on-a-nervous-breakdown mad. I … Read more

Blinken seeks path to contain Israel-Hamas war from expanding

Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Israel to offer a possible off-ramp to end the Israel-Hamas war before it expands even further. Blinken told Israel’s government that Arab states are willing to sign peace accords. NBC’s Richard Engel reports for TODAY.