World News updates: Senate Republicans narrowly confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. (AP File)
US Senate Republicans on Saturday narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche to be President Donald Trump’s attorney general, capping one of the most contentious cabinet fights of Trump’s second term after bipartisan concerns over Blanche’s independence nearly derailed the nomination.
Earlier, the Senate voted 86-11 to pass a sanctions bill allowing tariffs of up to 100 per cent on India, China, and three other nations over their continued purchases of Russian oil and gas, a key step in pressuring Moscow over the war in Ukraine. A helicopter aiding firefighting efforts against a major wildfire in Utah’s Fishlake National Forest crashed near Richfield, with officials yet to confirm the condition of its two crew members. Meanwhile, Trump announced a $3 billion federal investment in critical minerals and battery manufacturing, calling it a national security priority after supply-chain strains exposed during the recent conflict with Iran.
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- What did the Senate just pass, and why does it matter for India: The bill, renamed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, honours the senator who authored it before his death last month. It gives President Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the top five importers of Russian oil and gas currently China, India, Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia and now moves to the House for further consideration. Read more
- What happened to the helicopter fighting the Utah wildfire: The aircraft crashed near Richfield, about 160 miles south of Salt Lake City, while working the Fishlake fire. Federal officials have not confirmed the condition of the two crew members, and local county authorities have yet to respond to questions. The fire, sparked by lightning on 27 July, has burned 165 square miles and is just 19 per cent contained, with red flag warnings and erratic winds hampering crews.
- Why is Trump investing $3 billion in critical minerals: At a State Department roundtable, Trump told mining executives the US would back projects including a $1.4 billion Defence Department loan for battery-parts maker Sila Nanotechnologies, alongside loans to scandium miner Sunrise Energy Metals and magnet developer Niron Magnetics.
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