Supreme Court Declines for a Second Time to Reconsider Trump Loss in E. Jean Carroll Case
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected President Trump's second attempt to overturn a 2023 jury verdict finding him liable for sexual abuse and defamation of writer E. Jean Carroll, issuing the denial in an unsigned order without explanation.The Supreme Court denied, for a second time, President Trump's petition to reconsider a 2023 civil jury verdict that found him liable for sexually abusing and later defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. The court issued the denial in an unsigned order, providing no explanation for its decision, which is standard practice for such rejections. Trump had previously sought to have the court hear the case, and after that initial refusal, filed a petition asking the justices to reconsider. Monday's ruling ends the court avenue for challenging the underlying verdict, though separate legal proceedings in the case may continue. Carroll was awarded damages by the jury in 2023 following findings of liability on both the abuse and defamation claims.
Justice Department Opens Process for Certain Individuals to Seek Restoration of Federal Gun Rights
Attorney General Todd Blanche announced a new administrative process allowing individuals who are federally prohibited from possessing firearms to apply to have those rights restored.The Justice Department has established a new pathway for people who are legally barred from possessing firearms under federal law to apply for the restoration of their gun rights. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the process, which creates a formal mechanism for individuals to petition for relief from federal firearms prohibitions. Federal law bars a range of individuals from possessing guns, including those convicted of certain felonies, domestic violence offenses, and other disqualifying conditions. The announcement did not specify the criteria under which applications would be evaluated or the scope of who would be eligible to apply. The move represents a notable shift in federal gun rights policy and is likely to face scrutiny from gun safety advocates.
House Ethics Committee Opens Investigation into Rep. Jimmy Gomez Over Staffer Allegation
The House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into Representative Jimmy Gomez over allegations of inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer.The House Ethics Committee has opened a formal investigation into Representative Jimmy Gomez, a Democrat, following allegations of inappropriate sexual contact with a congressional staffer. The committee's announcement did not include details about the specific nature of the allegations or the identity of the staffer. Ethics Committee investigations are preliminary proceedings and do not constitute findings of wrongdoing. Gomez has not been charged with any crime. The committee is the body responsible for reviewing potential violations of House rules and standards of conduct by members of Congress.
DHS Acknowledges Tracking and Questioning Man Who Sent Critical Email to ICE Official
Federal officials confirmed that ICE agents tracked a New York man to his home, an airport, and a hotel to question him about a critical email he had sent to a former ICE director, raising free speech concerns.The Department of Homeland Security acknowledged that Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents tracked a New York man across multiple locations — including his home, an airport, and a hotel — to question him about a critical email he had sent to a former ICE director in January. The department defended the practice, characterizing it as within the scope of agency operations, though the acknowledgment has drawn scrutiny from civil liberties advocates who argue the surveillance of someone for sending a critical email raises serious First Amendment concerns. The man was not charged with any crime. The episode adds to a broader debate about how federal agencies respond to public criticism of their officials and whether such responses constitute improper pressure on free expression.
Trial Opens Against Meta Over Allegations Its Platforms Were Designed to Addict Children
Four states have brought a landmark trial against Meta, alleging that Facebook and Instagram were deliberately designed to be addictive to minors and that the company concealed known mental health risks.A trial has begun in which four states are suing Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, alleging that the company designed its social media platforms to maximize engagement among minors in ways that caused psychological harm, and that Meta was aware of those harms but did not disclose them. The case is considered a significant legal test of whether technology platforms can be held liable for the effects of their design choices on young users. Plaintiffs argue that features such as recommendation algorithms and notification systems were knowingly used to keep children on the platforms longer, contributing to anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Meta has disputed the characterizations. The outcome could have major implications for how social media companies operate and what disclosures they are required to make regarding minors. New Mexico's attorney general is separately pursuing additional state legislation following a $900 million court victory against Meta earlier this year.
New Laws Banning Student ID Use for Voting in Indiana and New Hampshire Face Legal Challenges
Indiana and New Hampshire have enacted laws prohibiting the use of student identification cards to meet voter ID requirements, prompting lawsuits from voting rights advocates who argue the bans will reduce turnout among younger eligible voters.Newly enacted laws in Indiana and New Hampshire that bar the use of college student identification cards to satisfy voter ID requirements have triggered legal challenges from advocacy groups concerned about their effect on youth voter participation. Young voters — those between 18 and 29 — already vote at the lowest rates of any age group among eligible U.S. voters. Critics argue the bans add a specific and unnecessary obstacle for college students, many of whom may not have a driver's license or other accepted identification readily available. Supporters of the laws contend that student IDs vary too widely in their security features to be reliable for voter verification. The lawsuits are pending, and the outcome could affect how states across the country define acceptable identification for voting purposes ahead of the November midterm elections.
Trump Threatens Oman Over Iran Talks as Gaza Negotiations Remain Stalled After Kushner-Netanyahu Meeting
President Trump threatened military action against Oman over its independent negotiations with Iran on the Strait of Hormuz, as a 60-day nuclear deal deadline passed without agreement. Separately, Jared Kushner's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu produced no breakthrough on Gaza.President Trump issued a public threat to bomb Oman — a U.S. ally — if the country's independent talks with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz interfered with Washington's own negotiations, as a 60-day window for a nuclear deal expired without a final agreement. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that new economic pressure on Iran would follow the deadline's passage. Trump also confirmed the existence of a direct U.S. backchannel to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while calling on Iran to surrender. The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global oil passes, has been a central point of tension throughout the U.S.-Iran conflict. On a parallel diplomatic track, Trump's envoy Jared Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an effort to revive the stalled Gaza ceasefire and withdrawal negotiations. Netanyahu told Kushner that no progress was possible until Hamas fully disarms — a condition Hamas has not accepted — and an Israeli official confirmed there was no breakthrough from the talks. Kushner had met with Hamas representatives the day before. The USS Washington is en route to the Middle East to relieve the USS Lincoln, which has been deployed for an extended period. The Diego Garcia military base has taken on added significance as a logistics hub following earlier strikes on U.S. facilities in Bahrain. Separately, Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have increased pressure on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, raising concerns about a second major maritime chokepoint coming under threat. The overlapping negotiations — on Iran's nuclear program, Strait of Hormuz access, and the Gaza ceasefire — reflect the interconnected and unresolved state of U.S. engagement across the Middle East.
Trump Orders Reduction in U.S. Military Exercises With South Korea, Citing North Korea Outreach
President Trump directed the Pentagon to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and noting South Korea's absence from the U.S.-Iran conflict. Lawmakers from both parties described the move as damaging to a 73-year alliance.President Trump abruptly ordered the Pentagon to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, framing the decision as a goodwill gesture toward North Korea and referencing what he described as a positive personal relationship with Kim Jong-un. Trump also cited South Korea's decision not to participate in the U.S.-led conflict with Iran as a factor in the scaling back of the alliance's military posture. The move drew immediate criticism from U.S. lawmakers across party lines, who described it as shortsighted and potentially advantageous to Russia's position in the broader geopolitical competition with the West. The U.S.-South Korea alliance, formalized in 1953, has served as a cornerstone of American military presence in northeast Asia. Critics noted that under Kim Jong-un, North Korea has become increasingly hostile toward South Korea in recent years, making the timing of reduced exercises particularly concerning to security analysts. The decision came days after other moves that have strained relationships with traditional U.S. allies, and adds to mounting questions in Washington about the direction of American alliance commitments in Asia.
Iran's Leadership Consolidates Hard-Line Control as Reports Suggest Planned Escalation
Reports indicate Iran's supreme leadership is preparing for further escalation in its conflict with the United States, with hard-line loyalists placed in senior military and governmental positions. Separately, Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff delivered a critical speech on the administration's handling of the Iran war.Iran's supreme leader has appointed hard-line loyalists to top military and governmental positions, a move analysts interpret as preparing the country for sustained conflict and signaling an intent to suppress domestic dissent. Reports also indicate that Israel was caught off guard by the pace of Iran's rearmament during a recent ceasefire period. Inside Iran, the appointments suggest the leadership is prepared to keep the country on a war footing indefinitely. At the same time, Iran faces pressure both from the ongoing conflict abroad and from internal dissent, with the government moving to tighten political control ahead of any further confrontation. In the United States, Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia delivered a pointed speech criticizing the Trump administration's conduct of the war with Iran, framing it in terms of accountability and the use of executive power. Ossoff is running for re-election in November. The combination of Iran's internal consolidation and the unresolved diplomatic tracks — including the expired 60-day nuclear deal deadline — suggest the conflict is entering a more uncertain and potentially more volatile phase.
Russian Court Sentences Opposition Politician to 11 Years for Speaking Against the War in Ukraine
A Russian court convicted prominent opposition politician Lev Schlosberg on charges of discrediting the Russian military and sentenced him to 11 years in prison, in the latest prosecution of dissent ahead of parliamentary elections.A Russian court found Lev Schlosberg, a well-known opposition politician, guilty of discrediting Russia's armed forces and sentenced him to 11 years and one month in prison. Schlosberg rejected the verdict, describing it as punishment for his political positions rather than any criminal act. The conviction is among the most significant of an opposition figure since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, and comes ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for next month. Russian authorities have used a law against discrediting the military — passed after the invasion — to prosecute journalists, activists, and political figures who have spoken against the war. Schlosberg had been a member of the Yabloko party and was one of Russia's most prominent voices calling for an end to the conflict.
Markets have been relatively flat with no clear direction over the past two weeks.
Government Borrowing Costs in Major Economies Reach Highest Levels Since 2008 Financial Crisis
Bond yields in several advanced economies, including the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, and Japan, rose to their highest levels since the 2008 financial crisis, as investors weighed the effect of the Middle East conflict on inflation and government spending.Government borrowing costs — measured by bond yields — climbed to multi-decade highs across several major economies on Monday, with some reaching levels not seen since the 2008 financial crisis or earlier. The United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan all saw yields rise, driven by investor concerns that the ongoing Middle East conflict would keep energy prices elevated and inflation persistently above central bank targets. Higher oil and gas prices contributed to the move, as markets weighed the risk of prolonged disruption to global energy supplies through strategic maritime chokepoints including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb. Rising yields reflect higher borrowing costs for governments and can translate into higher interest rates on mortgages, business loans, and other consumer credit. In the U.K., separately, housing market data showed the weakest August for home prices since 2018, with average asking prices falling 2% to approximately £365,000 — a larger seasonal decline than is typical — as sellers reduced prices to attract buyers.
China's Economic Slowdown Continues as Industrial Output and Retail Sales Decline in July
New data showed Chinese industrial output and retail sales both fell in July, extending a slowdown in the world's second-largest economy and increasing pressure on Beijing to introduce stimulus measures.Economic data released for July showed that China's industrial output and retail sales declined, extending a pattern of slowing growth that has emerged in recent months. The figures add to pressure on Beijing to respond with policy support to stabilize the economy. China posted one of its weakest quarterly growth readings on record in the most recent reporting period, and the July data suggests that weakness is continuing into the third quarter. Structural challenges including a property sector contraction, weak domestic consumer demand, and excess manufacturing capacity — particularly in steel — are all contributing to the slowdown. The performance of the Chinese economy has implications for global commodity markets, supply chains, and trading partners including the United States.
Earthquake in Indonesia Kills at Least 68; Aid Access Slowed by Difficult Terrain
A powerful earthquake in Indonesia killed at least 68 people and prompted a 14-day state of emergency. Thousands of survivors are awaiting food, water, and medicine as difficult terrain has slowed relief efforts.A powerful earthquake struck Indonesia, killing at least 68 people and prompting authorities to declare a 14-day state of emergency. Thousands of security personnel and aid supplies have been dispatched to the affected area, but difficult access conditions have significantly slowed the delivery of relief. Survivors have made urgent appeals for food, water, medicine, and basic supplies including cooking equipment. The precise location and magnitude of the earthquake were not specified in available reports. Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences frequent seismic activity. Large earthquakes in the country have historically resulted in significant casualties, particularly in areas where infrastructure limits rapid emergency response.
Hurricane Lala Weakens to Tropical Storm After Striking Hawaii, Leaving One Dead and 183,000 Without Power
Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm after skirting Hawaii's Big Island without making landfall, bringing heavy rain, hurricane-force gusts, and flooding that left one person dead and roughly 183,000 people without power.Hurricane Lala made its closest approach to Hawaii's Big Island without making direct landfall, but still caused significant damage before weakening to a tropical storm. The storm brought hurricane-force wind gusts and heavy rainfall — totaling nearly 11 inches in some areas — that resulted in flooding, one reported death, and left approximately 183,000 residents without electricity. Cleanup efforts were underway as the storm moved away from the island chain. Hawaii is infrequently affected by hurricanes of this magnitude, and the storm's impact on power infrastructure across such a large number of households was notable. The event is being reviewed in the context of a broader pattern of intensifying Pacific storm activity.
Severe Flooding in Indiana Kills at Least Five in Worst Event in Over 30 Years
At least five people died in Indiana following floods described as the worst in more than 30 years, after more than 11 inches of rain fell in some areas over two days. First responders used boats to reach residents in affected communities.At least five people died in Indiana after storms produced flooding that officials described as the worst the state has experienced in more than 30 years. The National Weather Service reported that more than 11 inches of rain fell in some areas over a two-day period, overwhelming drainage systems and inundating communities. First responders used boats to reach residents stranded by the floodwaters as storms continued to affect the state. Authorities have not released a complete damage assessment. The severity of the flooding has prompted renewed attention to infrastructure resilience and flood preparedness across the Midwest.
Nvidia to Invest Up to $105 Billion in Ohio Data Center to Be Leased by OpenAI
Nvidia announced plans to back an Ohio data center with up to $105 billion in investment. The facility, which could total $500 billion in cost, will be leased by OpenAI and is expected to be among the largest in the world.Nvidia has announced plans to invest as much as $105 billion in a data center project in Ohio, which is expected to be leased by OpenAI. The full cost of the facility could reach up to $500 billion, which would make it one of the largest data center projects in the world. The investment reflects the scale of infrastructure required to support large AI models and the intense competition among technology companies to secure computing capacity. Ohio has emerged as a significant destination for data center investment, in part because of available land, power infrastructure, and favorable regulatory conditions. The announcement is the latest in a series of large domestic AI infrastructure commitments as the U.S. government and technology sector seek to maintain a competitive position in artificial intelligence development.
China Seeks to Export Its Data to Shape How Global AI Systems Respond
China is working to export not just AI models but the data that trains them, aiming to embed Beijing-aligned narratives into chatbots used around the world, according to a New York Times report.Beyond developing and exporting its own artificial intelligence models, China is pursuing a strategy of seeding international AI systems with training data that reflects Chinese government narratives and perspectives. The goal, as described in the report, is to influence how AI chatbots answer questions on topics that are geopolitically sensitive to Beijing — from Taiwan and Xinjiang to historical events and territorial claims. As AI assistants become more widely used for information-seeking, the question of whose data and whose framing shapes their responses has significant implications for global information flows. The strategy represents a new dimension of digital influence that operates through commercial and technical channels rather than traditional state media. Critics and security analysts have raised concerns that this form of soft influence could be difficult to detect and regulate, particularly as AI systems are trained on large amounts of web-scraped data of varied origin.
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Trial Begins for Suspect Charged in 1996 Killing of Tupac Shakur
Opening statements began in the trial of the first person charged in connection with the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, nearly 30 years after the drive-by shooting in Las Vegas.Opening statements began in Las Vegas in the trial of Duane Davis, the first person to face criminal charges in connection with the 1996 drive-by shooting death of rapper Tupac Shakur. Davis has been charged with murder. Shakur was killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas in September 1996 at age 25. The case went unsolved for nearly three decades before Davis was charged. The trial represents a significant development in one of the most prominent unsolved crimes in American cultural history.