JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1076

Washington, President Trump signed an executive order this week directing federal agencies to centralize regulation of artificial intelligence and to challenge state AI laws deemed onerous. The order instructs the Justice Department to pursue lawsuits, directs attorney general to form a task force, and authorizes agencies to consider withholding federal funds from states with conflicting laws. State leaders and governors, including in California and Wisconsin, criticized the move and pledged legal and legislative responses. The order reflects the administration's stated aim to preserve U.S. competitiveness and a unified regulatory framework for AI. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington, US — Friday, House lawmakers introduced a resolution to terminate President Donald Trump's national emergency declaration that authorized tariffs up to 50 percent on imports from India. Representatives Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey and Raja Krishnamoorthi seek to rescind the 25 percent 'secondary' duties imposed on August 27, 2025, layered onto earlier reciprocal tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Sponsors said the tariffs harm American workers, consumers and US‑India ties and the measure would restore congressional authority over trade. The resolution follows a bipartisan Senate effort addressing similar tariffs on Brazil. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States. A fast-moving winter storm tracked east from Montana this week, bringing heavy snow to parts of the Plains and northern Midwest before spreading into the Ohio Valley, Great Lakes, Chicago region and Mid-Atlantic. National Weather Service offices issued winter storm warnings, winter weather advisories and cold weather alerts for multiple counties from Saturday into Sunday. Forecasts called for 1–10 inches locally, lake-effect enhancements in Northeast Ohio, damaging wind chills into negative degrees in Chicago, and slippery travel across I-95 corridor including Washington, D.C. Officials opened warming centers and urged precautions. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

BRASILIA/WASHINGTON, The United States lifted sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Friday, rescinding July Global Magnitsky designations and related measures affecting his wife and a family-linked institute. The Treasury Department said continued designation no longer served US foreign-policy interests, following diplomatic outreach between Washington and Brasilia and recent tariff rollbacks. Moraes welcomed the decision in Brasilia. The move follows prior Trump-administration actions that targeted Moraes over his role in the trial of former president Jair Bolsonaro. The decision may affect bilateral relations and legal diplomacy between two governments. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Atlanta, The U.S. Department of Justice sued Fulton County on Friday, seeking copies of used and void 2020 ballots, ballot stubs, absentee signature envelopes and digital files, saying county officials refused requests tied to a state election board resolution and a prior demand letter. The complaint invokes the Civil Rights Act and cites a prior state subpoena and federal voting statutes and asks a court to compel production within five days. Separately, the Justice Department filed lawsuits against Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Nevada and has sued 18 states over voter registration lists. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Chicago — Governor J.B. Pritzker signed legislation Friday officially allowing terminally ill Illinois adults to obtain prescribed life-ending medication, making Illinois the 12th U.S. jurisdiction to authorize medical aid in dying. The Medical Aid in Dying Act, known as Deb’s Law, takes effect in September 2026 and allows qualifying patients with a prognosis of six months or less to request and self-administer medication. The Illinois Department of Public Health will develop implementation procedures and reporting requirements. The law includes safeguards and criminal penalties for coercion; opponents, including religious groups, raised concerns during debate. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Boston, US. California and 19 states filed suit on Friday to block President Donald Trump's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, alleging the fee exceeds statutory authority and bypasses required rulemaking. Plaintiffs argue federal law limits visa fees to cost recovery and that DHS implemented the charge without congressional authorization. The fee, announced in September, would raise employer costs from about $2,000-$5,000 to $100,000 and could affect hiring in technology, healthcare and education. Courts will resolve legality and enforcement while employers and public providers assess near-term operational impacts. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington. President Donald Trump said Friday that Thailand and Cambodia agreed to renew a ceasefire after days of deadly border clashes that caused casualties and mass displacement. Trump posted on Truth Social that he spoke with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and credited Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Thai and Cambodian defense and foreign ministries later reported continuing fighting and disputed details of the announcement. Reports recorded dozens of deaths and hundreds of thousands displaced. International officials monitored developments as negotiators sought to restore the peace accord. Based on 11 articles reviewed and research.

STEWARTVILLE, Minn. The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office said a student wrestler was critically injured after a shooting in the school parking lot early Friday, Dec. 12, as the team prepared to board a bus for a meet. Deputies found the student on the ground, transported him to Mayo Clinic Hospital-Saint Marys, where he underwent surgery; officials described condition as critical but stable. Authorities found a 19-year-old man, identified as Logan Moyer, with a rifle and a self-inflicted wound; investigators said he died at the scene. The sheriff said the motive remains unknown. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON — House Republican leaders unveiled a health care package Friday and set a floor vote for next week after centrists and bipartisan lawmakers pressured leadership to allow amendments extending expiring Affordable Care Act enhanced subsidies. Nearly a dozen Republicans filed discharge petitions to force separate votes as subsidies face expiration at month end, risking higher premiums for over 20 million Americans. The Republican plan omits an automatic extension but permits amendment votes, while Democrats press a three-year extension without GOP reforms. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.