Aug 13: Settler leader says Qusra siege ‘not our way,’ condemns violence

• The Trump administration has urged the U.S. Supreme Court to quickly rule on a case regarding an executive order that seeks to limit vote-by-mail options for the upcoming midterm elections. • The request follows conflicting rulings from district and circuit courts, leaving the Supreme Court's emergency docket to determine if the restrictive rulemaking can proceed.

• Karoline Leavitt is departing her role as White House press secretary, and the Trump administration may delay naming a successor until after the midterm elections. • In separate political developments, Tuesday's primaries have highlighted ongoing divisions within the Democratic party.

• Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned sine die on Thursday, resulting in a complete washout of the current parliamentary session. • The adjournment followed intense disruptions, aggressive sloganeering, and a fierce political standoff between the ruling BJP and the INDIA opposition bloc.

• President Donald Trump is facing increasing difficulties in managing the ongoing conflict with Iran, which has now entered its sixth month. • The administration is struggling to maintain the prosecution of the war amid mounting strategic and political challenges.

• Recent primary election results have highlighted a significant ideological divide within the Democratic Party. • A new inflation report suggests that the Federal Reserve may have more flexibility and time to implement strategies to bring inflation under control.

• A board largely appointed by Donald Trump has reportedly voted again to close the Kennedy Center to undergo renovations. • This follows a previous unanimous vote in May that was temporarily blocked by a U.S. district judge.

• White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down from her position at the end of August. • President Trump announced that Leavitt will transition into a role as an outside adviser to the administration.

• The Parliament Monsoon Session has been adjourned sine die following weeks of intense disruptions and political deadlock. • Proceedings were halted due to deep divisions between the government and the Opposition over the NEET controversy, police actions during Delhi protests, and Ram Mandir donation allegations.

• Parliament passed 12 bills during the 2026 Monsoon session, though significant disruptions limited the Lok Sabha's functioning to 15% and the Rajya Sabha's to 33% of scheduled time. • Key legislative items, including the FCRA and delimitation bills, were shelved as the session concluded.

• The recent Monsoon Session of Parliament has highlighted a decline in legislative scrutiny, leaving India's deep social and political divisions without effective democratic mediation. • As Parliament weakens and executive institutions lose credibility, political disputes are increasingly shifting toward the courts as constitutional litigation.

• India's Parliament has concluded its monsoon session following weeks of significant disruption and protests by rival lawmaker groups. • Opposition members specifically demanded accountability from Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the alleged use of force during student protests in New Delhi last month.