Trump Plans Call With Thailand and Cambodia to Ease Rising Border Tensions 
U.S. Bombers Join Japan in Show of Force Amid Rising China-Russia Military Activity 
China Adds Domestic AI Chips to Government Procurement List as U.S. Considers Easing Nvidia Export Curbs 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
U.S. Condemns Houthi Detention of Yemen Embassy Staff 
U.S. Pressures ICC to Limit Authority as Washington Threatens New Sanctions 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
U.S. Expands Sanctions on Venezuela, Targeting Maduro Family and Oil Tankers 
Trump Administration Unveils High-Priced “Trump Gold Card” Visa Program 
Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Sparks Global Debate and Early Challenges 
Trump Signals Conditional Push for Ukraine Peace Talks as Frustration Mounts 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
US Criticizes China After Radar Incident Escalates Tensions With Japan 
Thailand Moves Toward Early Elections After Parliament Dissolution 
Bolivia’s Ex-President Luis Arce Detained in Embezzlement Probe 
Democrats Face Uphill Battle in Midterm Elections Despite Recent Victories, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Shows 
The Iraqi parliament has passed the controversial amendments to the country’s election laws this week. The amendments would potentially undermine chances for smaller parties and independent candidates to win seats in future elections.
The Iraqi parliament passed the controversial amendments to the country’s election laws this week, the amendments widely supported by the pro-Iran Coordination Framework faction. The amendments increase the size of electoral districts and reverse key provisions that were passed ahead of the 2021 election and redraw the electoral maps to return the country to having one electoral district per governorate. The legislation reportedly passed the chamber in a 206-12 vote in the 329-seat parliament.
Several Iraqi political factions and independent parliamentarians opposed the amendments and stalled the votes for weeks. Hundreds of people also took to the streets over the weekend to protest against the amendments. Independent lawmakers who opposed the law also walked out of a previous session, resulting in the postponement over the lack of a quorum.
The Coordination Framework holds the majority in the current parliament, which led to Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani taking office last year.
The previous election law in Iraq was adopted following widespread anti-government protests in 2019. The legislation gave independent candidates and grassroots parties a good chance at winning seats in the assembly. The law and the amendments to the law in 2021 were drafted with assistance from the United Nations.
Revising the electoral law and reversing provisions that disempowered the governing parties became a priority for the new government. Iraq is set to have its provincial elections on November 6, the first local vote in 10 years.
March marked 20 years since the start of the US war in Iraq, and the Senate voted to advance legislation that would repeal the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for the Use of Military Force which presidents have used to justify the country’s military action in the world. The legislation passed 65-28 to limit debate on the bill, which would clear the way for passage in the coming days. All 28 votes opposing the legislation were from Republicans.
Under the US Constitution, Congress has the authority to declare war.
