Iran’s leaders believe a victory is within reach, and that time is on their side
Iran's leaders believe that sooner or later the United States will have to accede to their control over the Strait of Hormuz. That would mark a victory in the five-month war, as the critical waterway carries a fifth of the world's traded oil and gas in peacetime. But Iran's strategy also carries major risks. A prolonged conflict could inflict further damage on Iran's economy and infrastructure, potentially triggering another wave of internal unrest. In the meantime, the conflict over the strait makes it difficult to wind down the wider war, much less resume negotiations over Iran's disputed nuclear program.
A New Mexico judge ordered new child safeguards for Meta. Advocates hope other courts follow
In a landmark ruling against Meta, a New Mexico judge likened the company’s social media platforms to factories. The psychological harm to children who use Facebook and Instagram, he said, can be seen as their pollution. Judge Bryan Biedscheid fined the company $567 million in his ruling Thursday, but he also ordered new safety measures including time limits for kids and AI chatbot restrictions. How easily those features can be implemented, and how effective they could be at protecting young users from mental health harms, are unresolved questions. But the judge’s order showed a possible path forward for other court fights around the country as Meta faces mounting legal challenges.
Eastern China braces for Typhoon Dolphin, shutting schools and tourist activities
BEIJING (AP) — Authorities in eastern China are shutting schools and tourist sites as Typhoon Dolphin heads for the coast. The storm is moving toward land on Saturday with maximum sustained winds of about 162 kilometers per hour. It is expected to bring heavy rains, severe flooding and possibly landslides when it hits Zhejiang and parts of neighboring Fujian province late Sunday. National authorities have declared a level III emergency response, the second lowest level. Many tourist destinations in Zhejiang are closed Saturday and Sunday, along with ferries and cruises, while Ningbo city has ordered schools to remain shut this weekend.
Democrats try to present a united front in Michigan after bitter primary
DETROIT (AP) — Michigan Democrats are showing unity behind their statewide candidates. This comes three days after a heated U.S. Senate primary highlighted divisions between the party's progressive and moderate wings. Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official who narrowly beat Rep. Haley Stevens for an open Senate seat, attended. El-Sayed’s victory is seen as a win for progressives and a sign of discontent with establishment politicians. With less than three months before the general election, Democrats are under pressure to close ranks in a race that will help determine control of the Senate.
What to know about Trump's new attempt to limit birthright citizenship
The Trump administration has announced renewed efforts to limit birthright citizenship for children born to immigrant parents under specific circumstances and children who are the result of “birth tourism.” A Supreme Court decision in June struck down Trump's attempt at restricting birthright citizenship, but Trump's team said Thursday they were confident their expanded restrictions would not run afoul of any of the Supreme Court rulings. Meanwhile, advocates opposing the changes say the proposed exclusions for birthright citizenship will prompt new legal questions, including cases regarding children who are born in the U.S. to surrogates hired by noncitizen parents.
California may fine content creators who don't disclose they were paid to post about politics
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — States are debating whether to crack down on social media influencers making political advertisements without disclosing that they were paid. It comes as paying influencers to boost candidates has become the new normal for U.S. political campaigns. Texas passed a rule requiring content creators to include compensation disclaimers on their posts. Lawmakers in New York are considering a similar requirement. California already requires influencers to disclose if they were paid by political committees. But a bill in the state Legislature would penalize them if they don't comply. The measures are a sign of the changing landscape of modern campaigns.
Blanche wins support for attorney general from GOP Sen. Cassidy, likely paving way for confirmation
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana says he’ll vote for Todd Blanche as attorney general, likely paving the way for Blanche to be confirmed to lead President Donald Trump’s Justice Department. Cassidy announced his support Friday on the Senate floor, saying Blanche isn’t perfect but no one is. Blanche’s confirmation had been thrown into doubt over opposition from two other Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine. Blanche’s path to confirmation has been complicated over a settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service that has drawn intense scrutiny by Republicans and Democrats alike.
Appeals court rules Trump can't build White House ballroom without congressional approval
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump’s administration must stop construction of the $400 million White House ballroom because Congress has not approved the project. Trump blasted the decision Friday as “unjust” while vowing to appeal it to the U.S. Supreme Court. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia circuit ruled that Trump doesn’t have the unilateral authority to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom where the East Wing stood before he ordered its demolition. The panel upheld an April order from a lower court judge for aboveground work on the project to be halted.
Senate passes sweeping Russia sanctions bill negotiated by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has approved a punishing Russian sanctions bill that was a top priority for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Passage of the package Friday signals renewed bipartisan support for Ukraine as the war drags on. The legislation would penalize countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas and other exports. It comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Capitol late last month and watched from the gallery as the Senate took the first procedural votes on the legislation. The legislation allows the president to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas, including China and India. The package next goes to the House, but some Democrats have concern it gives Trump too much tariff authority.
Student kills at least 7 people at a high school and a home outside Bangkok, officials say
NONTHABURI, Thailand (AP) — A student shot several people at a high school outside Bangkok, killing at least five and wounding several others. Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee says five school staff members died on Friday. The shooter earlier killed his two grandparents at home before going to the school with a gun authorities said belonged to the shooter’s grandfather. Officials say the student gunman then took his own life, The motive is still under investigation, though there were reports he had been stressed in connection with school.
