The court released a brief, unsigned opinion granting Texas’ request, over the objections of the three liberal justices.
In its brief order, the Supreme Court explained that the lower court that ruled against the map likely did so in error, including by failing to respect the “presumption of legislative probity” and interpreting ambiguous direct and indirect evidence to the detriment of the Legislature. Critics see the new constituency layout as racist.
According to the US, four people were killed in an attack by the US military on a suspected drug boat in the Eastern Pacific. The attack was directed against a ship in international waters that was operated by an organization classified as “terrorist,” the US Southern Command said on Thursday (local time) in the online service X.
Intelligence confirmed that the ship was transporting illegal drugs and was traveling on a known drug trafficking route in the eastern Pacific, it said. “Four male narco-terrorists” on board the ship were killed.
Since September, US forces have repeatedly attacked boats belonging to alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific. According to a count by the AFP news agency, more than 80 people were killed. Critics describe the attacks as extrajudicial executions and contrary to international law.
The USA accuses Venezuela of actively promoting drug smuggling into the United States and thereby endangering the security of the USA and its citizens. Venezuela’s left-wing nationalist President Nicolás Maduro, however, suspects US plans to overthrow him.
US President Donald Trump has changed the architect for his $300 million ballroom project in the White House. Shalom Baranes will now be in charge, a White House spokesman said on Thursday. The previous architect, James McCrery, will remain active as a consultant. The Washington Post newspaper reported that McCrery had advised restraint to prevent the new ballroom from overshadowing the existing White House structure.
The planned ballroom is the largest construction project at the seat of government of the US president in decades. Trump had the east wing of the White House torn down for the project in the fall. This sparked protests from critics and preservationists. Trump rejected the criticism and said the White House needed a ballroom for state banquets and other large events.
