House Republicans are starting a push to hold former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress over the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. This opens up the prospect of the House using one of its most powerful punishments against a former president for the first time. The contempt proceedings are an initial step toward a criminal prosecution by the Department of Justice that could send the Clintons to prison. Oversight Committee chairman Rep. James Comer initiated the contempt proceedings after the Clintons refused for months to fulfill a House Oversight Committee subpoena for their testimony in the panel’s Epstein investigation. The Clintons argue the subpoenas are invalid.

If practicality, fuel economy, and premium amenities are all high on the list of priorities for your next vehicle purchase, a luxury plug-in hybrid sport-utility vehicle might be just what you’re looking for. Edmunds compares the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e and the BMW X5 xDrive50e to determine which SUV is the better buy.

A commuter train crash in Catalonia, Spain, has led to the suspension of rail services in the region. The crash occurred when a train hit a retaining wall that had fallen onto the tracks. At least one person died, and 37 others were injured. Emergency services responded with 20 ambulances, and the injured were taken to local hospitals. The crash happened near Gelida, about 35 minutes from Barcelona. Heavy rainfall is believed to have caused the wall to collapse. This incident follows a deadly high-speed train crash in southern Spain on Sunday that killed at least 42 people.

Rome is paying its last tribute to legendary designer Valentino, who made of his high-glamour gowns and trademark shade of red an iconic symbol of Italian elegance. Valentino Garavani, who died aged 93 at his Rome residence on Monday, built his house in the Italian capital, where he will be lying in state at his foundation in Piazza Mignanelli on Wednesday and Thursday, just a few steps away from the world-known Spanish Steps. His funeral will be held on Friday in the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in central Rome.

A South Korean court has ruled the 2024 imposition of martial law by then President Yoon Suk Yeol constituted an act of rebellion as it sentenced his prime minister to 23 years in prison for his involvement. Ex-Prime Minister Han Duck-soo became the first Yoon administration official convicted of rebellion charges in related to Yoon’s martial law imposition in December 2024. Wednesday’s verdict is expected to set the stage for upcoming rulings involving Yoon and his other associates who also face rebellion charges. Han, who was appointed by Yoon prime minister, the No. 2 post in South Korea.

A Japanese court sentenced a man who admitted assassinating former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to life imprisonment. Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, earlier pleaded guilty to killing Abe in July 2022 during his election campaign speech in the western city of Nara. The Nara District Court said Wednesday that it had issued a guilty verdict and sentenced Yamagami to life in prison, as prosecutors requested. Yamagami told investigators that his goal in shooting Abe was to hurt the controversial Unification Church and expose its ties with the former leader.

Iran's foreign minister has issued a direct threat against the United States, warning of retaliation if attacked. This comes after Tehran's crackdown on protesters and as a U.S. aircraft carrier group moves toward the Middle East. Abbas Araghchi made the threat in an opinion article, blaming armed demonstrators for the violence. Videos from Iran show security forces targeting unarmed protesters. The death toll from the protests has reached at least 4,519, according to U.S.-based activists. More than 26,300 people have been arrested, with fears of executions coming amid the ongoing tensions.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel says he's agreed to join Trump’s Board of Peace. Netanyahu made the announcement Wednesday from his office. The announcement came after Israel said the makeup of the Board’s Gaza executive body did not align with Israel’s interests. A statement from Netanyahu’s office said he had accepted Trump’s invitation. The Board of Peace led by U.S. President Donald Trump was originally envisioned as a small group of world leaders overseeing the Gaza ceasefire plan. The Trump administration’s ambitions have ballooned into a more sprawling concept, with Trump extending invitations to dozens of nations and hinting it will soon broker global conflicts, like a pseudo-U.N. Security Council.

European leaders and California Gov. Gavin Newsom have expressed strong concerns at the World Economic Forum over the Greenland crisis and global trade issues. On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron warned against a "new colonial approach" that could harm international collaboration. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized proposed U.S. tariffs, emphasizing the importance of maintaining alliances. In a blunt statement, Newsom urged leaders to stand firm against U.S. President Donald Trump's actions, calling for more decisive diplomacy. The forum in Davos, Switzerland, highlighted tensions between the U.S. and Europe over trade and territorial sovereignty.

President Donald Trump is heading to the World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alps where his ambitions to wrest control of Greenland from NATO ally Denmark could tear relations with European allies. Trump arrives Wednesday at the international forum at Davos on the heels of threatening tariffs on Denmark and seven other allies unless they negotiate a transfer of the semi-autonomous territory — a concession the European leaders indicated they are not willing to make. Trump said the tariffs would start at 10% next month and climb to 25% in June, rates high enough to increase costs and slow growth, potentially hurting Trump’s efforts to tamp down the high cost of living.

Democrats are rethinking their midterm election strategy due to the controversial immigration crackdown in Minnesota. The killing of an American mother by federal agents has sparked outrage, but the party is divided on how to respond. Some are calling to abolish ICE, echoing "defund the police" rhetoric from President Donald Trump's first term. Others are proposing legislation to curb alleged abuse, which activists criticize as insufficient. The party faces pressure to balance immigration issues with core messages on health care and affordability. Republicans, meanwhile, feel confident in their stance on immigration and crime.

Guatemala President Bernardo Arévalo declared a state of emergency following a surge of gang-related violence that included prison riots and the killing of several police officers over the weekend. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Brooklyn Beckham has accused his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, of trying to sabotage his marriage and putting branding ahead of family. In a series of Instagram posts, the eldest of their four children says his parents have above all sought to control narratives in the press throughout his life. He says he doesn't want to reconcile with them. Brooklyn married American actor Nicola Peltz in 2022, and many of his grievances stem from their wedding. He claims his mother bailed on designing Peltz's dress and “hijacked” their first dance to his embarrassment. David and Victoria Beckham did not have an immediate public response to the posts, and messages left for their representatives were not immediately answered.

Doctors say immigrant patients are missing key medical appointments, afraid to come to medical clinics amid the Trump administration’s sweeping Minnesota immigration crackdown. They say that has resulted in everything from a diabetic scared to pick up insulin to a patient with a treatable wound that festered and required a trip to the intensive care unit. There are also the hospital staffers – from Latin America, Somalia, Myanmar and elsewhere – too frightened to come to work. At a state Capitol news conference in St. Paul on Tuesday, doctor after doctor told of patients suffering amid the clampdown. Dr. Roli Dwivedi, immediate past president of the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, says: “Our places of healing are under siege.”