This Morning’s Top Headlines – Aug. 19 | Morning News NOW

International Relations & Geopolitics - The report discusses President Trump's efforts to arrange a trilateral meeting with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine to address the ongoing war [1] - European leaders urged President Trump to push President Putin for a ceasefire and to guarantee Ukraine's security as part of any peace deal [1] - President Trump expressed openness to the idea of security guarantees for Ukraine, potentially involving US support [1] - Discussions included the possibility of direct talks between President Putin and President Zelensky, signaling a potential shift in negotiation dynamics [2][3] - French President Macron expressed skepticism about President Putin's willingness to pursue peace with Ukraine, highlighting differing perspectives on the situation [4][5] Military & Security - The US is considering providing NATO-like security guarantees for Ukraine, including potential defensive forces on the ground [1] - President Trump did not rule out the possibility of deploying US troops to Ukraine, marking a significant statement [1] - Putin has insisted that Russia retains about 20% of Ukrainian territory that it now controls [18] - The Russians are now occupying 19% of Ukraine [19] US Domestic Affairs - President Trump is pushing to eliminate mail-in voting, a move that is expected to face legal challenges due to the Constitution giving states the power to oversee elections [24][25] - Newsmax is set to pay a $67 million settlement to Dominion over claims of election rigging [30] Weather & Natural Disasters - Hurricane Aaron is a category 3 storm with winds at 115 mph, expected to impact the US East Coast with high surf, rip currents, and coastal flooding [39] - Storm surge is expected to range from 1 to 4 inches along the Mid-Atlantic and Carolina beaches [44]