1:40 p.m.
The Supreme Court has canceled arguments set for Oct. 10 in the dispute over President Donald Trump’s travel ban, after Trump rolled out a new policy Sunday.
The unsigned order from the justices Monday asks both sides to weigh in by Oct. 5 about what to do with the case.
The court had been ready to hear argument about the legality of a 90-day ban on travelers from six mostly Muslim countries and a 120-day ban on refugees from around the world.
The ban expired Sunday and was replaced by a new policy that affects eight counties and has no expiration date.
Those countries are Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen.
Chad, North Korea and Venezuela were not covered by the earlier ban.
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12:25 p.m.
Chad’s government says it learned “with astonishment” of the decision by the U.S. government that its country is on a list whose nationals will be prohibited from entering the United States.
A government statement Monday said the government expresses its incomprehension about the “official reasons for this decision; which contrasts with Chad’s constant efforts and commitments in the fight against terrorism at regional and global levels.”
Chad’s government called for a better appreciation of the situation and for Trump to reconsider the decision which it says “undermines the image of Chad and the good relations between the two countries.”
It said it was open to discussions on strengthening collaborations with the U.S.
Chad is the headquarters for a multinational force set up to fight Nigeria-based Boko Haram Islamic extremists. — AP reporter Dany Padire in N’Djamena, Chad.
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11:20 a.m.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (nee-koh-LAHS’ mah-DOO’-roh) says the Trump administration’s decision to include Venezuelan officials on a travel ban is a form of “political and psychological terrorism.”
His foreign ministry issued a statement Monday saying that the travel restrictions violate the values of the United Nations charter and international law and are part of a continuing effort by the U.S. to oust Maduro from power.
The ministry said it is considering “all necessary measures” to defend Venezuela’s sovereignty and national interest.
The Trump administration says Venezuela’s government has been uncooperative in verifying whether its citizens represent national security threats and says the travel restrictions target officials at agencies and ministries responsible for screening.
The Trump administration also calls for Venezuelan nationals who are already visa holders to be subject to “appropriate additional measures” to ensure their traveler information remains current.
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