Takeaways from Supreme Court term: Trump's power is enhanced, but he lost some high-profile cases
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump didn’t get what he wanted in some of the biggest Supreme Court cases this year: tariffs, birthright citizenship and the attempted firing of Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook. But that doesn’t mean the term that ended Tuesday was a bad one for the president. He emerged from the court session with his immigration crackdown intact and his call to redistrict for partisan advantage marching ahead. The court also enhanced his control over independent regulatory agencies. Its conservative majority seemed willing to look past Trump’s invocation of racial tropes and boundary-pushing moves as it hands down decisions in line with its own conception of a powerful presidency.
Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump’s proposed limits
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has upheld a broad conception of birthright citizenship, rejecting President Donald Trump’s executive order declaring that children born to people in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens. The justices in their decision in a New Hampshire case Tuesday relied on a long-settled understanding of the 14th Amendment, adopted after the Civil War, and more recent federal laws in ruling anyone born in the country is a citizen, with limited exceptions. The Republican president’s restrictions had been blocked by several lower courts and had not taken effect. The outcome is another major defeat at the high court for Trump, who saw his global tariffs blocked in February.
A US missile killed Iranian schoolchildren four months ago. We still don’t know the full story
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Feb. 28 attack on a primary school in southeastern Iran was the deadliest reported strike in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Most of the victims were children. In almost any other conflict, these haunting truths would be seared into national memory. Yet more than 120 days since at least one U.S. missile struck the school in Minab, there remains no final accounting of what happened. The rapid pace of U.S. bombing and chaotic death tolls have left families without resolution. President Donald Trump has denied U.S. involvement, while Iran blames the U.S. The Pentagon’s investigation remains incomplete.
Democratic socialist Melat Kiros defeats longtime US House incumbent in Colorado
Democratic socialist Melat Kiros has defeated U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette in a Colorado House primary. It’s a stunning victory for the first-time candidate against an almost 30-year incumbent. It’s also another win for the Democratic Socialists of America. Kiros is a former corporate attorney. She’s the latest democratic socialist or progressive candidate to boot a Democratic incumbent this month. Two other democratic socialists won in New York primaries. With the district covering the dark blue Denver, Kiros is expected to win in November.
Trump announces midterm convention for Republicans in Dallas in September
President Donald Trump has announced that Republicans will hold their first-ever national convention ahead of the midterm elections, an unusual event aimed at boosting turnout in races that will decide whether the party maintains control of Congress. The convention will be held in Dallas on Sept. 9 and 10. Although both major parties traditionally hold blockbuster conventions during presidential campaigns, Trump has long floated the idea of a similar gathering this year to focus voters’ attention on a sprawling collection of House and Senate races. Democrats considered holding a similar convention but rejected the idea as they struggle with fundraising woes.
Aid groups warn Venezuela’s healthcare system is near its limit after earthquakes
LA GUAIRA, Venezuela (AP) — Aid groups are warning that Venezuela's healthcare system is at its breaking point nearly a week after two powerful earthquakes hit the South American country. Damaged hospitals are overwhelmed, and conditions in the disaster zone are worsening. The government death toll has surpassed 1,900. A humanitarian crisis is also unfolding, with thousands of displaced people living in unsanitary conditions. On Tuesday, the U.N. expressed concern about the spread of infectious diseases. The healthcare system has been strained by years of underinvestment. Many hospitals are damaged, and specialist doctors are missing, adding to the chaos.
US envoys arrive in Qatar for meetings on Iran, with tensions high over Hormuz
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. envoys arrived in Qatar for meetings with mediators working to negotiate an end to the war with Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump's special Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, flew to Qatar on Tuesday following a weekend of crossfire in the Persian Gulf over efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial ships. A spokesman for Qatar's foreign ministry says the U.S. delegation won't have any direct negotiations with Iranian diplomats. But Iran is sending representatives to the Qatari capital of Doha this week. That opens the possibility for Qatari mediators to pass messages between the two sides.
Forecasters cite 'dangerous' conditions as heat scorches Midwest while on its way to the East
DETROIT (AP) — It's a hot one for millions of people in the Midwest and Great Lakes states. Intense heat and humidity are baking the regions with no immediate relief. The National Weather Service says conditions are “dangerous.” The heat index is exceeding 100 degrees in some areas. The heat index is how hot it feels when air temperature and humidity are combined. In suburban Detroit, George Liller says it took only 15 minutes for someone to claim his free window air conditioner. The misery will shift later this week to the eastern U.S.
Consumer confidence ticks up as gas prices fall but Americans remain gloomy about the economy
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans’ attitudes toward the economy improved slightly this month as gas prices declined, but their outlook is still mostly negative by historical standards. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index rose 0.6 point to 91.2 in June, a figure that is still below the year-ago reading of 95.2. Consumer attitudes worsened after the Iran war caused oil and gas prices to spike, accelerating inflation and causing Americans’ inflation-adjusted incomes to decline. Before the pandemic, the index regularly topped 120.
Mbappé scores twice to tie Messi for World Cup lead with 6 goals, France beats Sweden 3-0
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Kylian Mbappé put France ahead with a brilliant crossover step in the 45th minute and added a second-half goal to break a World Cup knockout round scoring record, and Les Bleus beat Sweden 3-0 to set up a round of 16 match against Paraguay. Bradley Barcola added a 53rd-minute goal for France and Mbappé capped the scoring in the 74th minute for his third two-goal game in four matches. His six goals tied Argentina forward Lionel Messi for the tournament lead and gave him 18 in his World Cup career, one shy of Messi’s record.
