Defeat in power struggle: McCarthy fails first round in US Congress main post election A dozen hammerheads in the sea: A well-known Sydney beach is closed

Republican Kevin McCarthy suffered a historic defeat in the first attempted election for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. McCarthy missed the required majority for the powerful US office in the vote in the constituent session of the parliamentary chamber on Tuesday, it was officially announced in the plenary after the vote. It is the first time in a hundred years that more than one pass is required for an election.

His party colleague Elise Stefanik nominated the 57-year-old. He is a “seasoned MP, a seasoned leader, a friend to so many of us, a proud conservative with a tireless work ethic,” she said.

Given the narrow majority, it was already clear in advance that McCarthy would probably miss the necessary majority on the first ballot. This sensation has now occurred. The last time it happened was a hundred years ago that it took more than one ballot to vote for the powerful office. Some Republican lawmakers disagreed with McCarthy on Tuesday’s vote.

The Republican also had competition from its own ranks. Representative Andy Biggs of the party’s right wing was also nominated for the Republicans. The Democrats nominated their party leader Hakeem Jeffries. In the congressional elections in early November, the Republicans regained a majority in the chamber. The Democrats still have a narrow majority in the Senate. (sda/dpa)