Aug 12, 2026, 03:30 AM UTC

A federal judge in Boston has issued a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration's plans to tighten mail-in voting regulations ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections.

The court decision expanded a temporary ban that previously covered 23 states to all 50 states. Additionally, the judge ruled that the federal executive branch does not hold the authority to regulate election procedures in this manner, affirming that voting administration remains primarily within state jurisdiction.

The ruling halts proposed changes to voting rules less than three months before the congressional elections.

Sources: Die Zeit.

US President Donald Trump has announced that federal health programs will cease covering gender-affirming surgeries and hormone treatments for individuals under 19 years old.

The restriction targets Medicaid, which serves low-income residents, as well as the Children's Health Insurance Program. Mehmet Oz, administrator for Medicare and Medicaid, indicated that additional treatments would also lose federal funding.

The decision aligns with broader state-level actions, as at least 27 states have already banned gender-affirming care for minors. Commenting on the shift, Trump stated that "Dozens of hospitals have already stopped doing this . . . and we expect many more to follow suit."

Sources: Die Zeit, NOS, Svenska Dagbladet, Sweden Herald.

North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile toward the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, according to military authorities in Tokyo and Seoul.

Japan's Ministry of Defense stated that the weapon reached an altitude of roughly 90 kilometers and flew nearly 700 kilometers before falling into the water. South Korean defense forces, cited by the Yonhap news agency, also tracked the unidentified projectile as it traveled eastward from North Korea's eastern coastline.

Both neighboring nations are monitoring the situation and evaluating flight telemetry to identify the specific missile variant used in the test.

Sources: Sweden Herald, ORF.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has retained his position after surviving a vote of confidence within his ruling National Party ahead of a general election scheduled for November.

Luxon convened an emergency meeting with party lawmakers on Wednesday to confront growing speculation regarding his leadership. Following the vote, Luxon stated that he retains the full backing of his parliamentary colleagues, declaring, "Our caucus is united".

The confidence vote marks the second internal challenge to Luxon's leadership in recent months as the National Party prepares for a competitive parliamentary campaign later this year. Party leaders expressed confidence that the resolution would stabilize the governing coalition ahead of the upcoming nationwide vote.

Sources: BBC News.

Dutch football club NEC Nijmegen secured a 2-1 victory after extra time against Greek side Olympiacos in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. Following a goalless first leg in Greece, the home win at De Goffert stadium keeps NEC's hopes of reaching the main tournament alive.

Veteran summer acquisition Dušan Tadić provided a key assist in the intense fixture to help propel the Dutch team into the next stage. The landmark match generated widespread enthusiasm throughout Nijmegen, where local supporters gathered in public squares to celebrate the victory.

Sources: NRC, NU, NOS (Nederlandse Omroep Stichting).