Supreme Court rejects Trump mail ballot restrictions ahead of midterms
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has rejected President Donald Trump’s bid to restrict mail ballots ahead of the midterm elections. The decision allows states to continue sending ballots under existing processes used by nearly one-third of voters. The Trump administration wanted restrictions in place before the November elections. Election officials said there wasn’t enough time to implement the changes, and opponents said Trump lacked constitutional authority to set election rules. The Justice Department argued that postal rules are controlled by the federal government. The plan would have required uniform envelopes and online submissions of voter lists, but a whistleblower report raised questions about systemic flaws that potentially could disenfranchise millions of voters.
Supreme Court lifts a cloud over midterms, letting mail ballots flow as normal to voters
The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected President Donald Trump's attempt to limit mail voting by imposing new Postal Service regulations for the midterm elections. The decision announced late Monday allows mail voting to continue as usual. It also suggests that the court is unlikely to support similar efforts in future elections. Voting rights advocates and state officials expressed relief, given that roughly a third of voters in the U.S. use mail ballots. The decision, which came as mail voting is already underway in some states, was especially welcome in states that conduct elections primarily by mail.
Tech CEOs call for AI regulation. Trump and Congress are not rushing to act
WASHINGTON (AP) — The technology industry is urgently warning about the potential harm of artificial intelligence, but political inaction in Washington poses a challenge. President Donald Trump leads opposition to calls for greater oversight, dismissing them as a “conspiracy” on Monday. Democrats are pushing for a stronger response, with private discussions and briefings planned this week. The divide highlights a disconnect between tech warnings and government action. Some bipartisan efforts exist, but progress is slow. With elections approaching, swift legislative action seems unlikely. The debate underscores Washington's struggle to address significant issues amid partisanship and election pressures.
Federal Reserve is expected to raise its benchmark rate, defying Trump's demands
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve is widely expected to lift its short-term interest rate Wednesday for the first time in three years to fight stubbornly high inflation, a move that would put the central bank at odds with President Donald Trump’s demands. An increase in the Fed’s rate, currently about 3.6%, isn’t guaranteed but most analysts and economists expect a hike after a speech two weeks ago in which Fed Chair Kevin Warsh argued that the central bank had not yet achieved its goal of putting inflation in check.
Zelenskyy says Ukraine will pause strikes on Russia if Kremlin spares critical infrastructure
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine is ready to stop strikes on Russian territory if allies secure a Russian commitment not to hit Ukraine’s infrastructure. His comments Monday follow President Donald Trump’s claim that Russia and Ukraine agreed not to target each other’s energy infrastructure. Trump has urged Zelenskyy to stop targeting Russian oil refineries, blaming these attacks for a global diesel shortage. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte says Russian drone strikes near the Ukraine-Poland border show Moscow’s desperation. Rutte pledged Monday to increase alliance support for Ukraine after the drone attacks on Sunday. Poland says it will increase security along its border with Ukraine after the attacks.
As the last US troops pack up in Iraq, militias signal their weapons will stay
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq faces two major deadlines at the end of September. The U.S. military is set to end its decades-long presence, with remaining troops in northern Iraq withdrawing by the agreed deadline. The Iraqi government has linked this withdrawal to the disarmament of militias, but many groups show no signs of complying. Tehran-backed militias have attacked U.S.-linked targets since February, and the ongoing conflict with Iran complicates the situation. The withdrawal has raised concerns in the Kurdish region about increased vulnerability. Meanwhile, negotiations continue over the integration of militias into the Iraqi military structure.
What the closure of Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline could mean for oil flows
CHICAGO (AP) — The war with Iran has plunged the world into an energy crisis. That crisis could be aggravated by the closure of a Saudi Arabian oil pipeline after an attack. Oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz were disrupted by the war with Iran. Roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply passed through the strait before the war. For much of the last six months, the Saudi East-West pipeline was crucial to exporting additional crude oil. If the pipeline stays shuttered for a long period of time, experts warn that more supply shocks and higher prices straining households could pile up.
Carney heads to Europe for high-stakes speech and deeper EU ties as Canada clashes with Trump
TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is heading to Europe seeking deeper ties with the European Union as Canada’s trade war with President Donald Trump intensifies. Ottawa wants a broader strategic partnership that could eventually give Canadians greater freedom to live, work and study in Europe, while stopping short of EU membership. The trip will put Carney back on a European stage after his Davos criticism of great-power coercion drew a rebuke from Trump. Canada has retaliated against U.S. tariffs while Europe chose accommodation. Ottawa says its European push is not simply leverage against Washington but part of a broader effort to reduce dependence on the U.S.
McConnell returns to the Senate for the first time since his June hospitalization
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has returned to the Senate after a long absence. The 84-year-old senator has not been to the U.S. Capitol since June 14, when he was hospitalized for a fall in his home. His three-month absence from the Senate generated a flood of criticism and online speculation, as the Kentucky senator initially remained quiet for weeks about his condition. The 84-year-old senator eventually disclosed that he had been “briefly unconscious” due to a fall and had also been treated for mild pneumonia in the hospital. In a statement Monday McConnell said his recovery has been a “long and often frustrating process.”
‘Widow’s Bay’ breaks Emmys record with 14 wins including best comedy series, 'Pitt' wins best drama
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Widow’s Bay” has stormed the Emmy Awards, breaking a record for a comedy series with 14 awards including best comedy series and three acting wins. The first-season horror comedy was created by Katie Dippold about a New England island community reckoning with a centuries-old curse. It spoiled the going-away party for “Hacks,” which had gotten the most comedy nominations of any show in its fifth and final season. It broke the comedy record set last year by “The Studio” when it won 13. Star Matthew Rhys won best actor, Stephen Root won best supporting actor and Kate O’Flynn won best supporting actress. Dippold won for writing.
