Friday, July 31st

President Donald Trump said Thursday he may temporarily withdraw Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination and resubmit it after Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis leave office next year, while leaving Blanche as acting attorney general. The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed a planned vote after Cornyn and Tillis withheld support, preventing the nomination from advancing. They are seeking a written Justice Department commitment to unwind or change a $1.8 billion settlement tied to Trump’s IRS lawsuit and tax-audit protections.

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The United States launched overnight strikes on dozens of targets in Iran after Tehran targeted a U.S.-used base in Jordan, ending a brief lull in the five-month war. Iran fired missiles toward Jordan for a second day and struck Kuwait, killing one worker, while the IRGC threatened countries aiding Washington with a “harsh response.” Egypt said a drone caused fires aboard two vessels at Damietta, bringing the conflict onto Egyptian territory. CENTCOM said the Jordan attack was intercepted and denied IRGC claims that three F-35s were destroyed.

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Spain said it will deploy military forces to Ceuta after thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into the North African enclave on Thursday, breaching border fences or reaching shore by sea. At least nine people died during the crossings, which local officials said had pushed the small territory’s reception and security systems beyond capacity. Ceuta’s president, Juan Jesús Vivas, asked Madrid to declare a national emergency and send reinforcements. Spain also moved additional police officers to the enclave to restore border control.

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