Politics & World Affairs — August 14, 2026

Appeals court restores Texas ballot rules. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals restored provisions of Texas Senate Bill 1 governing mail-in ballot ID requirements and voter assistance, rejecting challengers' claims before the midterms.

Fox News Politics · Read more →

Second carrier heads toward Mideast. The Navy began moving the USS George Washington toward the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln has been at sea more than 250 days, with reports of food shortages and mental health strain aboard.

The Pacific-based George Washington's movement follows the Lincoln's deployment during the U.S.-Iran war, according to NPR. Beyond food shortages, the development notes cite reported plumbing failures aboard the Lincoln, and the crew's conditions drew concern from lawmakers. The Pentagon has pushed back on those reports. Sending a relief carrier would allow the Lincoln's crew to return after one of the longer continuous stretches at sea in recent deployments.

NPR News · Read more →

Record rain kills four in Japan. Record rainfall in eastern Japan killed at least four people and triggered the region's first highest-level rain warning. Roughly 7,000 travelers were stranded at Narita airport, and 400,000 residents were put under evacuation orders.

The heaviest rain fell in Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo, prompting authorities to issue the area's evacuation orders and warnings, according to The Guardian. Officials cautioned that flooding risks remained high even as rainfall began to ease. The development notes indicate the death toll could be as high as six, with figures still being confirmed as assessments continued.

The Guardian World · Read more →