US News - The Actual News

Venezuelan immigrants in Chicago live in fear after loss of temporary legal status

June 27, 2025

The Trump administration decided that Haitians will no longer be allowed to stay in the U.S. under a special program called temporary protected status starting September 2. This is part of a larger plan affecting citizens from several countries, including those from Venezuela.

Key Facts:

Temporary protected status (TPS) is a program that lets people stay in the U.S. if it is dangerous to return to their home country.
The decision will affect Haitians currently living in the U.S. under this program.
The change begins on September 2.
The policy shift is part of a larger effort to change immigration rules for various countries, including Venezuela.
Venezuelan migrants, particularly in Chicago, are concerned about these changes.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Communities fight back against states banning Pride flags on government buildings

June 27, 2025

This year is the tenth anniversary of same-sex marriage being legal across the United States. In some states led by Republican officials, there are moves to stop Pride flags from being displayed in public schools and government buildings, leading to some local pushback.

Key Facts:

Same-sex marriage was legalized nationally in the U.S. ten years ago.
Some states with Republican leadership are trying to ban Pride flags from public areas like schools and government offices.
These efforts to ban the flags are meeting resistance from local communities.
Pride flags are symbols of support for LGBTQ+ rights.
The legal changes come a decade after the landmark decision to allow same-sex marriage in the U.S.
Community resistance highlights ongoing debates about LGBTQ+ symbols in public spaces.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Trump says he is cutting off trade talks with Canada

June 27, 2025

The U.S. President, Donald Trump, announced that he is ending trade talks with Canada due to a new tax Canada plans to impose on large tech companies. He also stated that new tariffs on goods from Canada will be announced soon.

Key Facts:

President Trump said he is stopping trade discussions with Canada.
Canada plans to enforce a new tax on large tech companies.
The two countries were working on a trade deal to finalize by mid-July.
Both countries have been applying tariffs on each other's goods during a trade dispute earlier this year.
Trump described the Canadian tax on tech companies as "egregious," or really bad.
He plans to announce new tariffs on Canadian goods within a week.
Trump communicated these decisions through social media.

Source Information

BBC Business

Brooks and Capehart on the Supreme Court’s decisions and Trump’s claims about Iran

June 27, 2025

In a recent discussion, key political topics included the Supreme Court's latest rulings, claims by the Trump administration about U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear program, and the results of the New York City mayoral primary.

Key Facts:

The discussion involved New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart.
The conversation covered the Supreme Court's recent decisions.
The Trump administration claimed that recent U.S. strikes destroyed Iran's nuclear program.
The results of the New York City mayoral primary were also discussed.
Amna Nawaz hosted the discussion.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Pentagon strips Harvey Milk’s name from ship

June 27, 2025

The USNS Harvey Milk will be renamed to honor World War II sailor Navy Chief Petty Officer Oscar V. Peterson, who received the Medal of Honor. This decision means removing the name of Harvey Milk, a well-known gay rights activist, from the ship.

Key Facts:

The USNS Harvey Milk was initially named after Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist and politician.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the ship will be renamed in honor of Oscar V. Peterson.
Oscar V. Peterson received the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea.
The decision to rename the ship is part of efforts to remove politically charged names from military assets.
Harvey Milk served in the Navy but was ousted because he was gay; he was later elected to public office.
The ship renaming coincides with Pride Month and ongoing discussions about diversity in the military.
The USS Peterson was another ship named after Oscar V. Peterson and was in service for more than 20 years.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Supreme Court curbs judges' power to block Trump's orders in birthright citizenship case

June 27, 2025

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that lower courts have limited power to block presidential orders, supporting President Trump's attempt to change birthright citizenship rules. This decision impacts how presidential actions can be challenged and could lead to further legal disputes.

Key Facts:

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of limiting judges' power to block presidential orders.
The ruling involved an executive order by President Trump aimed at ending birthright citizenship.
Birthright citizenship allows anyone born in the U.S. to become a citizen automatically.
Immigrant rights groups and 22 states had sued to stop Trump's order.
The decision does not directly address whether Trump's order on birthright citizenship is legal.
The ruling changes how executive actions are challenged in court, likely leading to further legal cases.
It allows presidential actions to take effect more easily with fewer immediate blockages by lower courts.
The court's decision came after the Justice Department appealed injunctions against Trump's order.

Source Information

BBC US

UVA president resigns rather than ‘fight federal government’

June 27, 2025

James Ryan, president of the University of Virginia, decided to resign due to pressure from the Trump administration to end the university's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. The Trump administration has been focusing on reshaping higher education by targeting such programs and the University of Virginia has recently become involved in these efforts.

Key Facts:

James Ryan became the University of Virginia president in 2018.
Ryan resigned following the Trump administration's pressure regarding DEI practices.
The Justice Department demanded his resignation, though the department did not publicly comment.
Trump signed an order to eliminate DEI programs in schools, arguing they discriminate against some students.
The University of Virginia shut down its DEI office and ended related policies in various areas.
Virginia's Democratic senators criticized the administration's actions against Ryan.
Some schools across the country have also responded to federal pressures by altering their DEI initiatives.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

A look at today's Supreme Court decisions

June 27, 2025

The Supreme Court decided to let the Trump administration move forward with plans to ban birthright citizenship. The court also made it harder for people to contest executive orders.

Key Facts:

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States.
Birthright citizenship means being granted citizenship automatically because you are born in the country.
The Trump administration wants to change the current birthright citizenship rules.
An executive order is a directive from the President that manages operations of the federal government.
It is now tougher to legally challenge these executive orders because of the Supreme Court’s decision.

Source Information

NPR National

U.S. stocks close at an all-time high just months after plunging from Trump trade worries

June 27, 2025

U.S. stocks reached a new high on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq making record gains. This rise comes after a sharp fall earlier in the year due to concerns about trade policies. Other factors like crude oil prices and U.S.-China trade talks also played a role in market movements.

Key Facts:

U.S. stocks, including the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, hit record highs on Friday.
Stocks recovered quickly from a nearly 20% drop earlier this year.
The S&P 500 rose by 0.5%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 1%.
Nike led gains among companies, despite warning about tariff impacts.
U.S. and China signed a trade deal to ease access to critical materials.
Crude oil prices in the U.S. remained mostly unchanged.
Inflation slightly increased in May, aligning with economists' expectations.
The U.S. has 10% tariffs on all imported goods, with higher rates on some items like Chinese goods and steel.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Plans to help benefits recipients into work 'a mess', say DWP officials

June 27, 2025

The UK government plans to fast-track a £1 billion support plan to help people affected by changes to welfare benefits get jobs. However, officials at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) believe the plan is poorly organized and unlikely to be successful. The government hoped to save money with welfare reforms but faced opposition, leading to changes that could reduce potential savings and possibly result in higher taxes.

Key Facts:

The government aims to speed up an employment support plan that was set for 2029, pushing it earlier with a budget of £1 billion.
Officials at the DWP have expressed concerns, calling the program a "mess" and "undeliverable."
The government wants more people in jobs to lower welfare costs and help grow the economy.
A senior benefits official stated that the program lacks proper planning and sufficient effort.
The initial goal was to save £5 billion a year by 2030 from welfare reforms, but changes in plans have altered this.
Due to opposition, the government revised its plans, allowing current recipients of certain benefits to keep them, reducing expected savings.
The employment support scheme announced in March has made little progress, according to DWP sources.
There are challenges in getting certain groups into work, partly because of health issues and long-term unemployment, especially in rural areas like Cumberland.

Source Information

BBC Business

Why the Trump administration is targeting immigration courts for arrests

June 27, 2025

Oscar Gato Sanchez, a Cuban immigrant, attended a court hearing in Houston seeking asylum, fearing danger if he returned to Cuba. After his case was dismissed, federal agents detained him as he left the courtroom, a situation that concerns immigrant rights advocates about due process.

Key Facts:

Oscar Gato Sanchez is a 25-year-old Cuban immigrant seeking asylum in the US.
He fears danger if he returns to Cuba due to his involvement in antigovernment protests.
Federal agents took Gato Sanchez into custody immediately after his court hearing was dismissed.
His aunt, who was waiting outside the courtroom, was not given detailed information about his detention.
He was sent to a detention center in Conroe, Texas.
Advocacy groups are worried that such arrests may discourage immigrants from attending court hearings.
The situation raises concerns about potential violations of due process rights for immigrants.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

Top court ruling expands Trump's power - and he intends to use it

June 27, 2025

The Supreme Court decided to let President Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship become active, increasing his and future presidents' abilities to implement policies despite lower court challenges. The ruling limits the power of lower courts to block nationwide executive orders, impacting both current and future presidential actions.

Key Facts:

The Supreme Court approved President Trump's order to end birthright citizenship.
Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the U.S. automatically becomes a citizen.
Trump's policy aims to stop automatic citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.
The court's decision restricts lower courts from blocking executive orders nationwide.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett mentioned that lower courts can still address concerns on a case-by-case basis.
This ruling allows Trump to advance other policy actions that lower courts have previously blocked.
Trump's Attorney General stated that the Supreme Court will revisit birthright citizenship in October.
Both Democratic and Republican presidents have struggled with lower courts blocking their actions.

Source Information

BBC US

US Supreme Court upholds Texas law requiring ID verification for porn sites

June 27, 2025

The US Supreme Court decided that a Texas law requiring age verification through an ID or face scan to access pornography websites is lawful. The decision, which was made to protect minors, was challenged by websites for allegedly violating free speech rights.

Key Facts:

The US Supreme Court upheld a Texas law mandating age verification for accessing porn sites.
Users must use a government ID or face scan to verify their age.
PornHub and similar sites argued the law infringed on free speech rights.
Texas claims the law aims to prevent minors from accessing harmful content.
The decision was split 6-3 among the justices, reflecting ideological differences.
Critics worry about adult privacy and potential misuse for restricting other adult content.
Texas lawyers referenced a 1968 case that restricted selling adult magazines to minors.
More than a dozen states have passed similar laws.

Source Information

BBC US

Murders are down nationwide. Researchers point to a key reason

June 27, 2025

Murders have decreased significantly in many U.S. cities after they increased in 2020 and 2021. Experts believe this drop is mainly due to new investments in communities from both the government and private organizations.

Key Facts:

Murders have gone down significantly in many U.S. cities.
There was a rise in murders in 2020 and 2021.
Analysts suggest that the decrease is due to new community investments.
Both government and private organizations provided the investment.
These efforts followed disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source Information

NPR National

Trump says ruling is 'monumental' as he thanks Supreme Court

June 27, 2025

The US Supreme Court limited the power of lower courts to stop presidential orders across the entire country. President Donald Trump welcomed the ruling and described it as a significant win for his administration, which had faced challenges from court rulings blocking its policies.

Key Facts:

The US Supreme Court made a decision to reduce the ability of lower courts to block presidential actions nationwide.
President Trump expressed happiness about the ruling, calling it a significant achievement.
The decision is viewed as a win for the Trump administration, which faced previous legal obstacles.
Trump mentioned the ruling would help his administration implement its policies more effectively.
The decision impacts how presidential orders are challenged and could streamline policy enforcement.

Source Information

BBC US

US Supreme Court allows parents to opt out of lessons with LGBT books

June 27, 2025

The US Supreme Court allowed parents in Maryland to opt their children out of reading books with LGBTQ themes in school. The court voted 6-3 in favor of the parents, stating that not allowing opt-outs violated their religious rights while the case continues.

Key Facts:

The Supreme Court sided with parents in Maryland who want to opt their children out of reading books with LGBTQ themes.
The court's decision was a 6-3 vote.
The parents argued that the school’s curriculum violated their religious rights.
The court allowed a preliminary injunction, meaning the parents' request to opt out could proceed while the case is ongoing.
Justice Samuel Alito wrote that not allowing opt-outs burdens parents' rights to practice their religion freely.
The three liberal justices, including Sonia Sotomayor, disagreed, warning of potential chaos in schools.
The parents involved come from various religious backgrounds but share a common opposition to LGBTQ-themed books.
The school system removed the opt-out choice in 2023 to avoid disruptions and the possible isolation of LGBTQ students.

Source Information

BBC US

USNS Harvey Milk renamed amid Trump administration efforts to cut DEI

June 27, 2025

The U.S. Navy has changed the name of the ship USNS Harvey Milk to USNS Oscar V. Peterson. This change is part of efforts to remove names associated with civil rights leaders from military vessels.

Key Facts:

The USNS Harvey Milk is now renamed the USNS Oscar V. Peterson.
Harvey Milk was a gay civil rights leader and former Navy veteran.
The ship was originally named during the Obama administration by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.
Oscar V. Peterson was a World War II naval officer awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the renaming.
This change aligns with the Trump administration's efforts to remove what they describe as "woke" ideology.
The Navy is also reviewing the names of other ships named after various civil rights leaders, women, and people from minority groups.

Source Information

NPR Home

Anna Wintour's legacy and who might replace her as Vogue editor

June 27, 2025

Anna Wintour has stepped down as the editor-in-chief of Vogue after 37 years but will continue to oversee Vogue's content as the chief content officer of Condé Nast. She is known for making significant changes to the magazine, such as featuring casual and celebrity-focused covers. Her tenure is noted for transforming fashion's role in pop culture.

Key Facts:

Anna Wintour became US Vogue's editor-in-chief in 1988.
Her first Vogue cover featured an outside photo of a model in a jacket and jeans, changing traditional expectations.
Wintour was hired to keep Vogue innovative as it moved into the 1990s.
Over her career, she adapted Vogue from print to digital and social media platforms.
She will continue working at Condé Nast as their chief content officer, managing multiple magazines.
Wintour introduced a casual, celebrity-focused style to Vogue covers, starting with Madonna.
She faced protests over certain fashion choices, such as wearing fur.

Source Information

BBC US

What is a universal injunction and how did the Supreme Court limit its use?

June 27, 2025

The Supreme Court has decided to limit the use of "universal injunctions," which are court orders stopping government actions nationwide. This decision means that individual judges will have less power to block executive actions, affecting how policies are enforced nationwide.

Key Facts:

A universal injunction is a court order that stops the government from enforcing a law or policy against anyone, not just the people involved in the case.
The Supreme Court's decision reduces the power of federal judges to issue these injunctions.
A case related to birthright citizenship led to this decision, where judges had previously stopped President Trump's executive order with a universal injunction.
The ruling does not address whether the executive order violated any laws, only the judges' power to block it nationwide.
Universal injunctions have become more common in the last decade with more executive orders from recent presidents.
Some Supreme Court justices have previously criticized universal injunctions because they were not commonly used before the 1960s.
A law from 1937 aimed to reduce the power of single judges in similar cases, but its scope was reduced in 1976.
The decision is considered a victory for the Trump administration, allowing more freedom to implement its policies.

Source Information

NPR Home

WATCH LIVE: Trump meets with officials from Rwanda and DRC after signing of peace deal

June 27, 2025

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have signed a peace agreement to help end long-standing conflict in eastern Congo. The deal, supported by the U.S., is expected to improve access to important minerals needed for technology.

Key Facts:

Congo and Rwanda signed a peace deal on Friday.
The goal is to end ongoing fighting in eastern Congo.
The U.S. helped facilitate this agreement.
The U.S. is interested in gaining access to minerals needed for technology.
President Donald Trump will meet with officials from Congo and Rwanda.
The deal follows over 30 years of conflict in the region.
Many view the agreement as important but not a quick fix to stopping the violence.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour