U.S. and world news for August 5

Texas Republicans issue warrants to arrest Democrats

The Republican speaker of the Texas House signed civil arrest warrants for Democrats who did not show up to the special session on Monday, even though legal experts say they are likely unenforceable outside of state lines. The Democratic lawmakers left Texas and traveled to New York, Illinois and Massachusetts to block Republicans from redrawing the state’s congressional map in their favor. Since the Texas Constitution requires two-thirds of the state’s House members to be present to conduct legislative business, the Democrats’ absence denied the GOP a quorum. The GOP’s proposed map could potentially eliminate five Democratic U.S. House seats ahead of the 2026 midterms. Such a partisan change may also have repercussions in Washington, D.C., where House Republicans hold a razor-thin majority. While Texas Republicans were scheduled to reconvene today, it doesn’t appear that the House will have enough lawmakers present for quorum.

Trump Administration starts investigation of Obama

Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed federal prosecutors to launch a grand jury investigation into accusations that Obama administration officials manufactured intelligence about Russia’s 2016 election interference, a source familiar with the matter told CNN. The move follows a referral from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who declassified documents last month that she alleged undermined the Obama administration’s conclusion that Russia had launched a campaign of influence and hacking to help Donald Trump win the election against Hillary Clinton. CNN has previously reported that Gabbard’s allegations misrepresented what the intelligence community actually concluded.

Child nutrition increases in Afghanistan amid Trump’s cuts in aid

Afghanistan is experiencing a surge in child malnutrition according to the World Food Programme (WFP). It said that more than half a billion dollars is needed to help the country’s most vulnerable families. Almost 10 million people in Afghanistan face acute food insecurity. While climate change and mass returns from neighboring countries are exacerbating the situation, the WFP attributed the rise in child malnutrition to a decline in emergency food assistance. In the past, the U.S. had been the largest funder of the WFP, having provided $4.5 billion in donations just last year. However, in April, the Trump Administration cut off food aid to Afghanistan.

Netanyahu reported planning expansion of Israel-Hamas war

With negotiations on a hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza appearing to be at an impasse, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly leaning towards expanding military operations. Netanyahu will urge a meeting of the security cabinet today to support the full “conquest of the Strip” according to reports in Israeli media that were described as accurate by a source familiar with the matter. Israel’s Ynet cited senior officials close to Netanyahu as saying: “The die is cast – we’re going for full conquest. If the Chief of Staff doesn’t agree – he should resign.” The source told CNN that the defense establishment opposes an expansion of ground operations in areas where the hostages are believed to be held, as it would risk putting them in harm’s way.

AP debunks Trump’s claim of massive drug price cuts

The Associated Press today reported that Donald Trump’s claim that he has cut drug prices by up to 1,500% is false. The AP said that the claim made by Trump cannot possibly be true since if it were drug companies would be paying people to take their medications. The AP quoted Geoffrey Joyce of the University of Southern California’s Schaeffer Center as saying that Trump’s claim is total fiction and was made up by Trump. Joyce is director of health policy for the Schaeffer Center. When the AP asked the White House for evidence to back up Trump’s claim of having cut drug prices by up to 1,500%, it did not provide any.

Voice of America director fired

The director of the Voice of America, the U.S. government broadcasting service that broadcasts to foreign countries, has been fired. Michael Abramowitz had resisted Trump Administration efforts to shut down the Voice of America and was being demoted from his position in Washington to a job in Greenville, North Carolina. Abramowitz refused to accept the demotion. Abramowitz has gone to court alleging that the action taken against him is illegal. The Trump Administration has cut VOA funding and fired most of its employees, crippling U.S. competition with broadcasts by other countries such as Russia. Most of VOA’s radio and TV broadcasts already are off the air.