The latest chapter in the George Santos saga: resignations

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View online February 01, 2023 1/ George Santos to step down from House committees after meeting with Kevin McCarthy George Santos will voluntarily step down from two House committees he recently joined after meeting Tuesday morning with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.   The move comes after weeks of calls from Democrats for Mr McCarthy to do more to punish the freshman congressman who has now admitted to lying about much of his background and faces a federal investigation by the Justice Department.   It also comes as some critics have hit the House speaker for seeking the removal of three Democratic members of Congress from two committees over what the left decries as partisan reasons — many criticised Mr McCarthy for seeking to punish Democrats for political reasons while shielding one of his own from accountability.   Though Mr McCarthy has faced pressure to strip Mr Santos of his committee memberships or even go as far as some of his GOP colleagues and call for his resignation, it wasn't immediately clear if the suggestion that Mr Santos step down had come from the speaker. 2/ Valley fever outbreak alarms US medical experts 'It just goes to show you how serious of a disease it is if doctors seeing it think the first thing I have is cancer,' 24-year-old says 3/ American scientists launch bid to de-extinct the legendary dodo bird Colossal Biosciences has already announced plans to bring back to life the woolly mammoth and Tasmanian tiger 4/ US accuses Russia of failing to comply with nuclear weapons treaty Biden administration says Moscow refusing to allow on-the-ground nuclear inspections 5/ Alec Baldwin formally charged with involuntary manslaughter over Rust shooting Actor has denied that he pulled trigger of weapon during rehearsal on New Mexico set in 2021 Enjoying this newsletter? Unlock unlimited, ad-free reading on the website and in The Independent app when you subscribe – plus, benefit from our welcome offer when you join today. The Big Question Did Alex Murdaugh accidentally confess to murder? Alex Murdaugh's high-profile trial took a dramatic turn on Monday when jurors heard that the legal scion may have unwittingly slipped up and confessed to the murders of his wife and son.   Audio from Mr Murdaugh's second interview with law enforcement was played in Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina, revealing the disgraced legal dynasty heir's shocking five-word statement for the first time.   "I did him so bad," he appeared to say about his son. But is the apparent admission all that it first appeared? Read the full story > Watch/ Moment 5ft boulder narrowly misses woman after crashing through Hawaii home NUMBER OF THE DAY $10.5m – The amount of compensation awarded to the family of Ugandan philanthropist Esther Nakajjigo after she was decapitated by a traffic gate in front of her husband in Arches National Park in Utah. QUOTE OF THE DAY "We talk a lot about the gangbangers in the street and what colours they wear. In Memphis, they wear the blue colour, in uniform. Why were they in an elite force and acting like hoodlums... killing a man?" – Veteran civil rights campaigner the Reverend Al Sharpton hits out at the police over Tyre Nichols' killing. We noticed that you might not be registered By registering, you will enjoy limited access to Independent Premium articles, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists REGISTER FOR FREE Other stories you might like Their son's killing by police was filmed like Tyre Nichols' beating. They want answers – and change Did Alex Murdaugh accidentally confess to murder? Woman dies after being thrown from wheelchair on Southwest Airlines walkway Articles available exclusively to subscribers Ian Hamilton - Feeling 'emotionally numb'? There could be a reason for that Other newsletters you might like Climate News Fridays, 12pm (UK time) Written by Louise Boyle Sign up The Race Report Fortnightly, 6pm (UK time) Written by Nadine White Sign up If you can spare a minute we'd love your feedback on our newsletters. Join the conversation or follow us Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's US Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders.   If you do not want to receive The Independent's US Morning Headlines newsletter, please unsubscribe.   If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our privacy notice and cookie policy.