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What to know:

• There are thousands of data centers in the U.S., 87% of which are in urban areas. A majority of Americans are “extremely” or “very” concerned about the impact of data centers on electricity prices or the water supply in the communities where they are built.  
  
  

• Most new data centers are planned for rural areas, according to a Pew Research Center analysis from earlier this year. About 6 in 10 Americans support limiting the number of new data centers that can be built, including most Democrats and Republicans.
  
  

• Overall, Americans are more worried about the environmental impact of AI than other industries with a substantial environmental footprint. Only about 3 in 10 U.S. adults are highly concerned about the impact of meat production or air travel.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

• AI rivals found rare agreement on safety. Putting it into practice is harder 
• The push for AI regulation gains unlikely allies. Trump and Congress aren’t among them
• As AI debate flares, Melania Trump touts the technology as she tours North Carolina school
• As the world debates the risks of AI, China closes the technology gap with the US

POLITICS

House votes for a third time to end the Iran war as conflict drags on

In a 220-204 vote, the House approved the resolution late Tuesday that would halt President Donald Trump’s ability to continue military action without congressional approval. None of the resolutions have made it to the president’s desk, where Trump would almost certainly veto the measure. Read more.

Why this matters:

• In the previous House actions, four Republicans joined all Democrats voting to bring an end to the conflict. A few more Republicans joined Tuesday, including GOP lawmakers from battleground Iowa, Rep. Zachary Nunn and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and retiring Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina. The action is likely the last House vote on the Iran war ahead of the midterm elections, where the conflict overseas is playing a substantial role in the political campaigns. 

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

• Trump administration plans to send powerful bombs to Israel in $2.8 billion weapons sale 
• Iran war has cost the US more than $38B, budget office says 
• US strips millions in military aid from Europe and Mideast to back Trump-aligned nations in Americas 
• FBI chief Kash Patel defends hiring policy changes on prostitution, bestiality at fiery hearing 
• House panel recommends contempt charge for billionaire Leon Black in Epstein probe 
• Senate blocks cryptocurrency regulation as Democrats push back on Trump investments 
• Trump slams the Supreme Court for rejecting his push to restrict mail ballots 
• Trump’s push to restrict mail ballots has failed. Other efforts to reshape the midterms are ongoing 
• US acknowledges for the first time that it has deployed weapons in space 
• Kennedy Center will close for renovations after judge blocks returning Trump’s name to building 
• Americans value press freedom, but new surveys show support for restrictions in certain cases

WORLD NEWS

European Union chief says she wants Canada to become bloc’s 1st associate member

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made the proposal to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during her annual State of the European Union address on Wednesday. It’s a striking overture as President Donald Trump’s tariffs drive Ottawa closer to Europe. Read more.

What to know:

• Von der Leyen said Canada and the EU would build on their existing free trade agreement, known as CETA, with a broader “Alliance for the Future” aimed at creating “a common prosperity and economic security space.” She said the expanded partnership would cover advanced manufacturing, technology, defense production, the Arctic, energy, critical minerals, batteries, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity and economic security. Carney has also called for a “unique alliance” with the EU as Canada seeks to reduce its heavy dependence on U.S. trade.