Roll Call

A long list of countries walked out of Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the United Nations, with the roll call including Suriname, Egypt, Yemen, Sudan, Tunisia, Senegal, Palestine, Panama, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu and others. The mass exodus reflects anger over the war in Gaza and deepening international isolation of the Israeli leader, and the published list is being widely shared as the UN General Assembly session draws attention.

President Donald Trump said he has approved new fuel economy standards that roll back Biden-era rules pushing automakers toward electric vehicles. The move ends what Trump called the Biden EV mandate, loosening requirements that had pressured manufacturers to sell more electric cars. The decision affects US automakers, emissions rules and the wider EV market.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that expanded voter-citizenship checks can resume ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. The decision allows officials to restart verification programs aimed at confirming the citizenship status of registered voters, a policy that has drawn sharp debate between supporters who call it a safeguard for election integrity and critics who warn it could lead to eligible voters being wrongly removed from registration rolls.

Senators are preparing for a confrontation with Jack Smith at the Senate Judiciary Committee, according to Roll Call. Smith, the former special counsel who led federal investigations into Donald Trump, is expected to face pointed questioning from lawmakers. The hearing signals continued partisan tension over the prosecutions and their handling of cases involving the president.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that Social Security data can be used to help identify noncitizens on voter rolls, a victory for officials pushing tighter election verification measures. The decision is drawing strong reactions, with supporters calling it a step toward election integrity and critics warning it could enable improper voter purges and discourage eligible voters from registering.

President Trump announced new fuel economy standards that his administration says will terminate what he calls the Biden-era electric vehicle mandate, declaring 'America is back' as part of the rollout. The move rolls back emissions and mileage requirements that pushed automakers toward EVs, a centerpiece of his effort to unwind his predecessor's climate and auto policies. Supporters hail cheaper cars and regulatory relief, while critics warn it undermines emissions goals and EV investment.

The updated 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine has rolled out in the United States, with people booking Moderna booster appointments at pharmacies such as Walgreens. The news comes as a COVID update reports a 13th wave underway, with outbreaks in 40 states and territories and an estimated 3.8 million new infections, prompting renewed calls to get the latest shot.

OpenAI has announced a new AI agent called 'dots', according to The Guardian. The company reportedly scrapped the launch of a new AI model over safety concerns before rolling out the agent instead. The move is drawing attention as it highlights OpenAI's stated focus on safety reviews, even as competition over AI agents intensifies across the tech industry.

In a game using MLB's automated ball-strike system, a batter challenged a called first strike, but the ruling was upheld after review. The challenge system, being used at the top level, allows players to contest ball-strike calls, with cameras determining whether the pitch crossed the zone. The incident is drawing attention as baseball rolls out robo-ump technology.

A roboticist at Caltech is arguing that safety should be the top priority in the development and deployment of humanoid robots. As companies race to put human-shaped machines into homes, factories and public spaces, the warning adds a cautionary voice to a fast-moving industry. The call reflects growing debate among researchers about how quickly humanoid robots should be rolled out and what protections are needed.

Chuck E. Cheese is expanding beyond its arcade-and-pizza model with a new format called Adventure World, which adds outdoor-style playground attractions to its family entertainment centers. The company is rolling out the concept as it works to draw families back after years of declining visits and changing habits in children's entertainment, positioning itself more broadly as a play destination.

Roll Call has published a piece titled 'Confessions of a political handicapper', in which an election forecaster reflects on the craft of predicting political races. The article offers an insider's perspective on how campaign odds are assessed and where the practice falls short. Beyond the headline, no further details about the author or specific claims are available.

Veteran advocacy organization Mission Roll Call is calling on the 120th Congress to continue its work on veterans' issues, stressing that key legislative priorities remain unfinished. The message emphasizes that despite past progress, lawmakers must keep advancing policies on veteran healthcare, benefits, and support as the new congressional session gets underway.

Roll Call profiles Ansari's look back at her first job on Capitol Hill, recounting her experience serving in Congress under the titles 'madam speaker' and 'madam president'. The piece offers a retrospective on her early career in congressional politics as interest in her trajectory continues.

Kentucky singer-songwriter Ian Noe released what critics call one of the strongest roots music albums in recent memory, then withdrew from public view, skipping the usual promotional push. Rolling Stone highlights the puzzling contrast between the record's acclaim and the artist's silence. Fans and commentators are debating the reasons for his absence and what it means for his career.