September 15: NATO Drone Alert and Panama Canal Shipping Cuts

In Lithuania NATO fighter jets shot down a drone near Pratkunai, outside Kaunas, after it crossed into Lithuanian airspace from Belarus and headed west. Authorities issued alerts in Vilnius and surrounding areas. Poland also scrambled fighters after recovering a suspected Russian drone from its waters the previous day. In U.S. policy and the courts The Supreme Court rejected President Trump’s effort to tighten mail-in voting rules before the midterms, leaving the current system in place. Separately, the administration faces two legal setbacks over restrictions on visas and green cards, with courts and Democratic-led states challenging the limits. The House Rules Committee also advanced bipartisan legislation to expand Russia sanctions. The measure would authorize penalties against people acting for Moscow who obstruct Ukraine peace talks or breach a negotiated agreement. In London Police are investigating after five hooded youths allegedly fired two rocket fireworks at Lauderdale Road Synagogue in Maida Vale during Rosh Hashanah. The building was empty, and there were no reported injuries or damage. The group fled, and the Metropolitan Police and Community Security Trust have been notified. At the Panama Canal The Panama Canal plans to cut daily ship traffic again as an El Niño-linked drought worsens. The route carries about 5% of global maritime trade and roughly 40% of U.S. container traffic, so further restrictions could add pressure to shipping routes between Asia and the United States.