US-Canada animosity could impede an end to a trade war neither country wants
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Canada have ramped up their trade war, hitting each other with steep new tit-for-tat tariffs. Despite the bravado coming from both sides of the border over the past few days, though, analysts suspect the longtime allies will eventually strike a deal to end a conflict neither really wants. The prospects for compromise looked bleak Tuesday, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reacting to new 50% U.S. tariffs on certain Canadian goods by responding in kind on about $20 billion worth of American imports, including steel, dairy products, appliances and farm equipment. With the breakdown threatening to harm one of the world’s largest trading relationships, experts say there’s still time to avoid an even bigger trade war.
Iran warns of military ship ban in Hormuz under potential deal with Oman, and other Middle East news
Iran won't allow military vessels to transit through the Strait of Hormuz if an agreement it's negotiating with Oman is finalized. That's what Iran’s deputy foreign minister told state television late Tuesday. The top diplomats of the two countries met to discuss managing commercial shipping traffic in the vital waterway which remains largely shut down nearly six months after the Iran war began. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes continued in Gaza on Wednesday. A ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war appears increasingly fragile. The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln will make a stop in Thailand after its lengthy Middle East deployment.
Meta reaches $18 billion settlement with states in landmark trial over teen social media addiction
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Meta has agreed to pay up to $18 billion and add stronger child-safety measures to its Facebook and Instagram platforms as part of a landmark legal settlement. The deal announced Wednesday ends a trial over teen social media addiction and settles claims with 48 states and some U.S. territories. The settlement resolves a pivotal case years in the making that sought to hold the tech giant accountable for the role its platforms played in undermining children’s mental health. The effort targeted features designed to hook young people’s attention. If approved by the court, it will stop an avalanche of litigation by states against Meta. The company still faces lawsuits from individuals and school districts across the U.S.
At least 160 killed and hundreds missing after flash floods in Nepal and China
UDIN DHUNGA, Nepal (AP) — Flash floods in a border area of Nepal and China on Wednesday have killed at least 160 people and left hundreds missing. Experts said an avalanche from a glacier was the likely cause in the warming Himalaya region. Nepalese police report 157 dead, while China’s state broadcaster reports at least three dead there and over 260 missing. Drone footage shows roads destroyed and buildings buried. Officials in Nepal say 403 people, including 341 foreign nationals, are missing. Many were on a pilgrimage to a sacred site. The U.S. Geological Survey first reported an earthquake then called the shaking a 5.2 magnitude landslide.
Dolly Parton's philanthropy was based on 'her belief in the goodness of people'
NEW YORK (AP) — Dolly Parton's death is shining a new light on the country music icon's philanthropy. The Library of Congress has called Parton a “titan of children’s literacy” for the millions of free books provided monthly through her Imagination Library. Similarly well-known is the $1 million gift she made to Vanderbilt University’s Medical Center to help develop Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. There was also quieter giving that the public was still uncovering in her final years. That includes paying for uniforms for Tennessee marching bands and using songwriting royalties to buy a Nashville strip mall to support the surrounding Black neighborhood.
Tim Curry, iconic character actor and 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' star, dies at 80
Tim Curry has died at 80. The beloved character actor created a gallery of delicious, loony villains for stage and screen. Curry gained fame as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” an iconic role that became a cultural touchstone. He also played the smug concierge in “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.” His longtime friend and manager Marcia Hurwitz says he died Tuesday night at his home in Los Angeles. No cause was disclosed. He had suffered a stroke in 2012 that put him in a wheelchair. Curry earned three Tony nominations — for “Spamalot,” “My Favorite Year” and “Amadeus” — and an Emmy nod in 1994.
Judge removes one hurdle for Trump mail voting order as states file new challenge before midterms
A federal judge has lifted a major obstacle to President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting mail voting, but Democratic state officials are already filing a new court challenge with the midterm elections fast approaching. The fresh round of legal wrangling comes days after the Supreme Court handed down a procedural ruling in Trump’s favor. It’s unclear if the order will be in effect for November’s midterm elections, but it already is beginning to create uncertainty just a week before the first mail ballots are sent out. The order directs the Postal Service to send mail ballots only to those on a list of eligible voters and required a uniform envelope format.
Talarico wants to unearth Paxton's depositions to keep focus on opponent's past in Texas Senate race
James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, wants to reveal depositions involving his Republican opponent, Ken Paxton. The depositions are part of a civil case where Unity Resources was accused of fraud. Paxton was connected to the company but not a defendant, and the case was settled. Talarico's campaign plans to ask a court on Wednesday to release the documents. Talarico hopes voters will recoil from past accusations against Paxton, though similar tactics have failed before. Paxton denies the allegations and calls them politically motivated smears. Talarico's lawyers say the documents should be public.
Maryland court rules Democratic-backed redistricting amendment cannot go on November ballot
A Maryland court has ruled that a redistricting amendment cannot go on the November ballot. Democratic state lawmakers had approved a proposed constitutional amendment earlier this month. If passed by voters, it could pave the way to redraw congressional districts before the 2028 election. But a judge ruled Wednesday that lawmakers missed a July deadline they had set to prepare summaries of ballot measures. The judge paused the effect of his ruling to allow for an appeal. Democrats already hold seven of the state’s eight U.S. House districts. They hope that redistricting could help them win all eight.
A Wildberries depot in Russia is destroyed as Ukraine extends its drone campaign
Ukrainian long-range drones have struck a major warehouse belonging to Russia’s biggest online retailer, Wildberries, for the second time in six weeks. Authorities say the attack started a fire that destroyed the facility. The depot, in the Tambov region, was previously hit July 18, killing seven people. Kyiv officials say goods sold by Wildberries includes equipment used by Russia’s military, which the company denies. The attacks aim to unsettle Russians far from the front line and hurt the economy. Wildberries confirmed the attack and fire, saying the facility was evacuated. Ukraine also has targeted oil facilities in Russia, which is one of the world’s largest energy producers.
