President Donald Trump responded on social media after the Supreme Court made two different rulings about his power to fire officials. The Court ruled that Trump acted lawfully when he fired Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Slaughter, but he cannot fire Federal Reserve Commissioner Lisa Cook while legal cases continue.
Key Facts
President Trump fired Rebecca Slaughter from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The Supreme Court decided that firing Slaughter was lawful.
President Trump also tried to fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve.
The Court ruled that Trump cannot fire Lisa Cook at this time.
Legal proceedings regarding the firing of Lisa Cook are ongoing.
President Trump shared his reaction on social media after the rulings.
The Supreme Court issued split decisions on these firings, meaning they ruled differently on each case.
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A $25,000 long-term certificate of deposit (CD) opened in July can earn a fixed amount of interest depending on the term length. Current top interest rates range from about 4.15% to 4.30%, offering guaranteed returns over periods from 18 months to 10 years.
Key Facts
A CD is a savings account with a fixed interest rate and fixed term.
Interest rates on CDs do not change once you open the account.
For a $25,000 deposit in July, interest earned ranges from about $1,591 (18 months) to $13,087 (10 years).
Example rates: 18-month CD at 4.20%, 2-year at 4.16%, 3-year at 4.15%, 5-year at 4.20%, 10-year at 4.30%.
The Federal Reserve has kept interest rates steady during the first half of 2026.
Savers should pick the best rate now because if interest rates rise later, the CD rate will not increase.
CDs can be a good option for people who want a low-risk, guaranteed return on money they can leave untouched.
Online marketplaces make it easy to compare CD rates and terms from different banks.
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Nato’s secretary general, Mark Rutte, expressed confidence that Andy Burnham, expected to become the UK’s next prime minister, will support continued increases in UK defence spending. Rutte noted that defence investments help keep countries safe and create jobs, and he acknowledged that the UK plans to increase funding gradually toward Nato’s target of spending 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035.
Key Facts
Nato wants the UK to spend 3.5% of its GDP on defence by 2035.
John Healey resigned as UK defence secretary over slow progress on defence spending.
The UK government plans to increase defence spending to 2.68% of GDP by 2030.
The new UK defence investment plan covers over £300 billion in projects.
The UK recently reduced a funding gap in defence spending from £18 billion to under £4 billion.
Nato chief Mark Rutte met UK leaders ahead of a Nato summit in Turkey.
Rutte praised Labour prime ministers for their past commitment to Nato.
Other countries like Germany plan to meet Nato defence targets earlier than the UK.
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Rep. Glenn Ivey from Maryland said that the idea of the Democratic Party moving strongly to the left is exaggerated. He made this comment after some democratic socialists won in recent Democratic primary elections, but he pointed out that many Democrats, including himself, do not share those far-left views.
Key Facts
Rep. Glenn Ivey is a Democratic Congressman from Maryland.
Ivey said the claim that the Democratic Party is shifting hard left is overstated.
His comment came after democratic socialists won some Democratic primary races.
Ivey emphasized that many Democrats, including himself, do not support those far-left positions.
The discussion relates to the direction and diversity of views within the Democratic Party.
Democratic primaries are elections to choose candidates representing the party in the general election.
The phrase “hard-left” refers to more progressive or socialist policies.
Ivey’s statement was made publicly on Friday following the primary results.
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The US Supreme Court ruled that President Trump and future presidents can fire leaders of independent government agencies, overturning nearly 90 years of legal protections for these officials. This decision came after Trump fired a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commissioner, Rebecca Slaughter, leading to the court case Trump v Slaughter.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court decision allows the president to remove leaders of independent agencies without cause.
This ruling overturns a 1935 precedent, Humphrey’s Executor, which protected agency leaders from being fired for political reasons.
The case was triggered by President Trump firing FTC commissioner Rebecca Slaughter.
President Trump has fired several independent agency leaders during his second term.
Critics worry this ruling weakens checks on presidential power and could harm government independence.
The court ruled separately against Trump’s attempt to fire Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook.
The ruling could give presidents greater control over agencies meant to operate without political pressure.
Some legal experts describe the decision as a major change in how government operates and warn of its long-term effects.
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Many small towns in the United States are finding it hard to afford large fireworks shows for the country’s 250th birthday celebrations. High costs, staff shortages, and limited equipment mean some towns have canceled shows or moved celebrations to different dates.
Key Facts
Fireworks companies are seeing more demand and higher budgets from bigger cities for the 250th Independence Day.
Smaller towns often cannot meet minimum prices, which can be $20,000 or more for a show.
Average fireworks shows cost about $1,000 to $1,500 per minute.
Fireworks companies are doing more shows than usual but have turned away many requests, especially from smaller places.
There are not enough licensed pyrotechnicians because many work only summer jobs and safety training limits who can operate fireworks.
Some towns have tried drone light shows as a safer and quieter option, but these often cost as much or more and are less popular with communities.
Many smaller towns try fundraising or schedule shows on less busy dates to manage costs.
Despite challenges, small towns still want big fireworks displays for celebrations.
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Masih Alinejad, a CBS News contributor, said that many Iranians do not want nuclear weapons. Instead, they want to receive the support and help promised to them during U.S.-Iran negotiations aiming for a lasting peace deal.
Key Facts
Masih Alinejad spoke about the opinions of Iranian people regarding nuclear weapons.
She stated that Iranians generally do not want nuclear arms.
Iranians want the assistance they were promised by international agreements.
This statement was made during ongoing talks between the U.S. and Iran.
The goal of these talks is to create a lasting peace deal between the two countries.
Alinejad shared this view on CBS News.
The discussion relates to Iran’s nuclear program and diplomatic efforts.
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Nursing homes usually cannot make family members pay unpaid bills just because they are related. However, family members might have to pay if they signed a contract agreeing to take responsibility, live in a state with filial responsibility laws, are spouses, or if they manage the deceased resident’s estate.
Key Facts
Nursing home bills generally belong to the person who received care, not their relatives.
If a family member signs a contract agreeing to pay, they can be held responsible for the bills.
Some states have filial responsibility laws that can require adult children to pay for a parent’s care in certain cases.
These filial responsibility laws are rarely enforced and often don’t apply if Medicaid pays some costs.
Spouses may have legal responsibility for nursing home bills, depending on state law and marital property rules.
After a resident dies, unpaid nursing home bills become debts of the resident’s estate, not directly of the family.
It is important to carefully read nursing home admission documents and understand the financial obligations before signing.
Acting under power of attorney means managing care decisions, but does not automatically mean paying the bills personally.
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Countries and organizations around the world have increased their aid to Venezuela after two earthquakes hit the country last week. Rescue teams and relief efforts are ongoing to find survivors and provide help.
Key Facts
Venezuela experienced two earthquakes last week.
The earthquakes caused damage and affected many people.
Countries globally have started sending aid and support.
Rescue teams are searching for survivors in the affected areas.
Relief efforts include providing food, water, and medical help.
The situation remains urgent as recovery continues.
News coverage is ongoing to update on the rescue and aid progress.
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A strong aftershock shook Caracas, Venezuela, as rescue teams continued their work on the fourth day after recent powerful earthquakes. The emergency response is ongoing in the areas damaged by the earthquakes.
Key Facts
Caracas experienced an aftershock following major earthquakes last week.
Rescue efforts have been ongoing for four days and are working nonstop.
The earthquakes caused damage in several areas around Caracas.
The aftershock affected the daily lives of residents by shaking their homes.
Venezuela is also dealing with economic problems and a displacement crisis.
Authorities and rescue teams are focused on helping affected communities.
The situation remains critical as emergency operations continue.
The news report was issued on June 29, 2026.
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Justice Sonia Sotomayor disagreed with a Supreme Court decision that changed a long-standing rule about the president’s power to fire officials. She said the ruling gives President Trump and future presidents too much control, which could upset the balance between different parts of the government.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court overturned a nearly 100-year-old rule about presidential firing powers.
Justice Sotomayor filed a dissenting opinion, meaning she disagreed with the majority.
She warned that the decision gives the president “unbridled authority” to fire officials.
Sotomayor argued this change weakens the separation of powers in the government.
The ruling affects how much control the president, including President Trump, has over government employees.
The separation of powers means different branches of government have their own roles and limits.
This decision marks a significant change in how government authority is defined.
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A JetBlue pilot reported hitting a drone while landing at New York’s JFK Airport on Monday morning. The plane landed safely, and no damage was found after inspection. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will investigate the incident.
Key Facts
The incident happened on JetBlue Flight 948 during landing at JFK Airport.
The pilot reported striking a drone at about 7:15 a.m. on Monday.
The airplane landed safely without any problems.
The FAA inspected the plane and found no damage.
The FAA will conduct an investigation to learn more about what happened.
Drones near airports can pose safety risks to aircraft.
The event took place in New York City.
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France’s government has faced criticism from different political parties for not being prepared enough for a recent extreme heatwave. Around 1,000 more people than usual died in France during this heatwave.
Key Facts
A record heatwave hit Europe, including France.
France recorded approximately 1,000 extra deaths linked to the heatwave.
Political parties from both the left and right criticized the French government’s response.
The heatwave exposed issues in emergency preparedness and public safety measures.
French hospitals and funeral homes faced heavy demand due to the health crisis.
The government is being pressured to improve plans for future heat emergencies.
Previous deadly heatwaves, like the one in 2003, have offered important lessons for France.
The article also mentions other international news, but the main focus is on France’s heatwave situation.
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New York City’s Racial Equity Plan, introduced by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, uses racial categories to guide many city projects and decisions. The plan includes setting aside hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts specifically for certain racial groups.
Key Facts
The plan is called New York City's Racial Equity Plan.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled the plan.
The plan uses racial classifications to guide more than 200 city goals.
It applies to nearly all city agencies.
The plan continues a long-standing policy of awarding contracts based on race.
Hundreds of millions of dollars are set aside in contracts for specific racial groups.
The plan aims to advance racial equity in city contracting.
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The U.S. Supreme Court blocked President Donald Trump’s attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, who was appointed by President Biden. The Court ruled 5-4 that Trump cannot fire Cook without following proper legal procedures because Fed governors serve fixed terms and can only be removed "for cause."
Key Facts
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 against President Trump’s effort to fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve.
President Trump cited allegations of mortgage fraud to try to remove Cook, but these claims were unproven and denied by Cook.
Federal Reserve governors serve 14-year terms and cannot be fired just because the president wants to; removal must be for a valid legal reason ("for cause").
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that Cook was not given the legal protections required before removal.
The Court decision helps protect the Federal Reserve’s independence from political interference.
Cook’s term is set to last until 2038, after being appointed in 2022 by President Biden.
Trump’s justice department asked to override a judge’s order blocking Cook’s firing, but the Court denied this request.
In a separate case the same day, the Court allowed Trump to fire a different government official, changing protections for agency leaders.
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The Slinky toy was invented by accident in 1943 when engineer Richard T. James dropped a spring and saw it "walk." His wife named the toy "Slinky," and it became a popular American-made toy, featured in movies like "Toy Story."
Key Facts
Richard T. James discovered the Slinky while testing a ship for the U.S. Navy in 1943.
The toy was named "Slinky" by his wife, Betty James.
The Slinky moves by "walking" when dropped and positioned correctly, such as down stairs.
The toy was first sold in 1945 at a department store in Philadelphia.
The Slinky was made and stayed made in America, a point of pride for the inventors.
It gained cultural fame by appearing as the character Slinky Dog in Disney and Pixar's "Toy Story" movies.
Disney featured the Slinky story as part of its America 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026.
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Pakistani military strikes and ground actions in Afghanistan killed at least 36 civilians and injured more than 160, according to Afghan officials. Pakistan said these operations targeted militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan.
Key Facts
Pakistani forces carried out airstrikes and ground operations in Afghanistan.
At least 36 civilians were killed and over 160 wounded during these actions.
Afghan officials warned that the attacks would lead to retaliation.
Pakistan stated that the strikes were in response to militant attacks across its border.
The situation has increased tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The incident took place overnight before June 29, 2026.
Both countries share a border with ongoing security challenges involving militants.
Civilian casualties sparked concern from Afghan officials and local communities.
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The Supreme Court decided not to bring back a $300 million defamation lawsuit that attorney Alan Dershowitz filed against CNN. Dershowitz claimed CNN twisted his words during his defense of President Donald Trump in the 2020 impeachment, but the court chose not to review the case.
Key Facts
Alan Dershowitz sued CNN for $300 million, alleging defamation.
The lawsuit relates to CNN's coverage of his comments defending President Donald Trump during the 2020 impeachment.
Dershowitz said CNN showed only part of his statement, changing its meaning.
The Supreme Court rejected the request to revive the lawsuit without explanation.
Justices Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas disagreed and wanted to rethink defamation rules for public figures.
The decision came alongside the court's refusal to overturn a verdict in another case involving President Trump.
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Three firefighters died fighting a wildfire near the Colorado-Utah border while using emergency shelters to protect themselves from flames. The incident occurred during a period of intense wildfires across the Western U.S., caused by dry weather and high fire danger.
Key Facts
Three firefighters died on Saturday while battling the Snyder Fire near the Colorado-Utah border.
They were using tent-like emergency shelters when overcome by the fire.
The firefighters were part of a special team that is flown by helicopter to remote fires for quick response.
The deaths occurred nearly 13 years after a similar tragedy in Yarnell, Arizona, where 19 firefighters died under similar circumstances.
Wildfires have increased across the Western U.S. due to dry conditions and low snowfall during the past winter.
Over two dozen large fires are burning, with nearly 8,000 wildland firefighters and many helicopters deployed.
About half of the biggest fires are in Alaska, with the rest mostly in Western states.
Evacuations have been ordered near seven fires as the firefighting efforts continue.
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