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US Senate rejects bid to limit Trump’s Iran war powers

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US Senate rejects bid to limit Trump’s Iran war powers


A general view of the U.S. Capitol after United States Vice President Kamala Harris, voted on the Senate floor to break the 50-50 tie to proceed to the Inflation Reduction Act on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S. August 6, 2022. — Reuters 
  • Measure introduced by Democrat Tim Kaine, Republican Rand Paul.
  • Democrats argue Trump bypassed Congress when he ordered air campaign. 
  • Resolution would’ve required Congress nod for continued US involvement.

WASHINGTON: The US Senate on Wednesday rejected a resolution aimed at curbing President Donald Trump’s authority to continue military strikes on Iran, in a narrow congressional show of support for a conflict launched without explicit approval from lawmakers.

The bipartisan measure, introduced by Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Rand Paul, would have required the withdrawal of US forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress authorises the campaign.

But with Republicans holding a 53-47 majority in the upper chamber of Congress and largely backing the president’s decision to attack Iran alongside Israel, the resolution fell short by exactly that margin.

The vote came five days into a rapidly expanding conflict that has already killed Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior figures in Tehran, while US troops have died in an Iranian attack on a US base in Kuwait.

Democrats argue Trump unconstitutionally bypassed Congress when he ordered the air campaign and say the administration has offered shifting justifications for the war.

“Let me say it this way, there was no presentation of any evidence in that room… that suggested that the US faced any imminent threat from Iran,” Kaine told AFP after a classified briefing from administration officials.

Republicans have largely rallied behind their leader, though some have signalled their support could wane if the war expands or drags on.

“Roadside bombs coming out of Iran have maimed and killed hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans,” Lindsey Graham, one of Trump’s top loyalists in the Senate and a longtime advocate of confronting Iran, posted on X.

“They mean it when they say ‘death to America.’ I’m glad we didn’t let it go further. I’m glad we didn’t let them build more missiles.”

‘Knocked out’

For the resolution to pass, Democrats would have needed at least four Republicans to join Paul. One Democrat, Pennsylvania centrist John Fetterman, opposed the resolution.

Even if the measure had cleared the Senate and the House — where a vote on a similar resolution is expected Thursday — Trump would have been able to veto it. Congress would have needed an almost certainly unattainable two-thirds majority in both chambers to override the president.

Governments around the world have scrambled to evacuate citizens stranded by the war in the Middle East, triggered by the US-Israeli strikes that killed Khamenei and prompted retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the Gulf.

Cities such as Dubai and Riyadh — long seen as insulated from the region’s turmoil — have been drawn into the crisis as the conflict spreads across the region.

The debate in Congress over Trump’s authority to wage war reflects broader unease on Capitol Hill about the scope and duration of the military campaign.

Administration officials told lawmakers in classified briefings this week that the operation could last weeks and may require additional funding from Congress. Lawmakers from both parties say the Pentagon could soon seek emergency funds to replenish weapons stockpiles and sustain the operation.

The war powers resolution invoked the 1973 War Powers Act, passed after the Vietnam War, which allows Congress to force votes on military engagements and limits unauthorized conflicts to 60 days.

Democrats had acknowledged the measure faced steep odds but said forcing lawmakers to take a public position on the war was essential.





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2 critical out of 10 injured in Baton Rouge, shooter at large

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2 critical out of 10 injured in Baton Rouge, shooter at large


Mall of Louisiana shooting: 2 critical out of 10 injured in Baton Rouge, shooter at large

At least 10 people have been hurt in a horrific shooting incident at the Mall of Louisiana. According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, two of the injured are in critical condition.

Police Chief TJ Morse has ruled out any threat to public at this time; however, the shooter remains at large. He added that the incident was not a random act of violence. 

Morse said: “Unfortunately there was some innocent people in the area that might have also caught some rounds.”

The initial investigation reveals that an argument between two groups of people sitting inside the food court escalated to the point that opened fire at each other. 

Arounf six victims were taken to the hospital by emergency services while the others went for medical aid by personal vehicle. Some of the injured were undergoing surgery. 

Officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were also present at the scene. 

East Baton Rogue Mayor-President Sid Edwards was also present on the scene. He updated that all the civilians were excorted out of the building. He requested public to “keep the victims and their families in your prayers.”

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry also released a statement, saying, “I am aware of the active shooter schene at the Mall of Louisiana.” He urged public to avoid the area, adding, “Sharon and I are praying for those affected.” 

He also praised the law officials for their quick response to the incident. 

The incident comes just hours after the police arrested a man on his way to Louisiana allegedly with the intent to carry out a mass shooting at a festival in New Orleans. 





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Prince William sparks AI debate in motorsport with ‘weak link’ remark

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Prince William sparks AI debate in motorsport with ‘weak link’ remark


Prince William sparks AI debate in motorsport with ‘weak link’ remark

Prince William took a turn behind the scenes of high-speed innovation this week, visiting the headquarters of Jaguar TCS Racing and putting the spotlight firmly on the future of electric motorsport.

Sharing a clip from his visit on Instagram, the Prince of Wales captioned it: “Going green with Jaguar TCS Racing and Formula E!” a nod to the team’s push toward electrification, sustainability.

William also brought his trademark curiosity to the table, joking with engineers about how far automation in racing could eventually go. 

Speaking during the visit, he quipped: “At what point does the driver become the weak link?” 

Before pushing the thought further: “(At what point do we think) get rid of drivers, we’ll get an AI person in? We’re probably not far off that, are we?”

The Prince also spent time speaking 22-year-old Phoebe Russell, where the conversation turned to careers in motorsport and the barriers still faced by women entering the industry. 

William asked: “Was it easy for you to find your way into this world?” to which Russell replied: “Not at all,” explaining she had early exposure to the sport through family connections.

After the visit, Russell admitted the encounter left her overwhelmed, saying: “Being asked to do a little career talk was very exciting.

The fact that he had so much awareness of the sport and so much interest, and it ties into his whole sustainability project, it was very interesting.”

Before leaving, William signed off with encouragement for the team ahead of their next challenge, telling them: “I’m very excited to see you racing, I’m going to cheer you guys on.”





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How ‘Michael’ continues to smash the box office despite backlash

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How ‘Michael’ continues to smash the box office despite backlash


How ‘Michael’ continues to smash the box office despite backlash

Michael has finally been released on April 24 and it is already getting a lot of attention, with people discussing how the story of Michael Jackson has been shown on screen.

The project has been in talks for a long time. It was first discussed in 2019 and later confirmed in 2022, so fans have been waiting for years to see it.

One of the biggest reasons for interest is that Jackson’s real life nephew Jaafar Jackson is playing him, which made people even more curious about how the film would turn out.

The producer Graham King shared that the goal was to show a fair and balanced version of Michael’s life, explaining the idea was to show him as a real person, not just focus on fame but also his struggles and personal side.

Before the release, some parts of the story got to be changed because of legal restrictions.

That means a few planned scenes were removed or adjusted before the final cut.

Even with all the debate and discussion around the film, early reactions suggest strong interest from audiences.

Many fans around the world are still excited to watch Michael and decide for themselves after seeing it, which is why expectations at the box office remain high.





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