US News - The Actual News

What the Supreme Court Does in the Shadows

June 26, 2025

The Supreme Court has been busy with emergency requests from the Trump administration, leading to decisions made quickly on significant issues. This process is called the "shadow docket," and it impacts many aspects of people's lives.

Key Facts:

The Supreme Court is releasing its final decisions for the term this month.
Since January, the court has handled many emergency applications from the Trump administration.
These requests ask the court to make fast decisions on important matters.
The term "shadow docket" refers to this quick decision-making process.
The shadow docket is increasingly affecting people's everyday lives.
The information is shared in a podcast episode featuring Steve Vladeck, a law professor.
The episode was originally published in 2023 and has now been updated.

Source Information

NPR National

Trump administration sues all of Maryland's federal judges over deportation order

June 26, 2025

The Trump administration sued all 15 federal judges in Maryland because of an order that stopped quick deportations of migrants who are fighting their removal from the U.S. The lawsuit argues that the judges’ order violates the president’s power to enforce immigration laws.

Key Facts:

The lawsuit targets 15 federal judges in Maryland.
The disputed order prevents the U.S. from deporting migrants until a certain time after they file requests to review their detention.
The Trump administration believes this order goes against a Supreme Court ruling and limits the president's authority.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi says judges are stopping the president's agenda with too many legal blocks.
Chief Judge George L. Russell III issued the order in May to protect migrants' rights to legal processes.
A federal judge, Paula Xinis, and others were named in the lawsuit for their rulings on deportations.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts previously stated impeachment is not appropriate for judicial disagreements.

Source Information

NPR Home

'Our food doesn't even last the month' - Americans brace for Trump's welfare cuts

June 25, 2025

Many Americans are worried about possible cuts to federal food aid as Congress prepares to vote on a plan supported by President Trump. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps people with low incomes buy groceries, is at risk of reduced funding under this plan.

Key Facts:

President Trump supports a budget bill that may cut funding for SNAP.
SNAP helps low-income people buy food, including families, the elderly, and disabled individuals.
About 16% of people in West Virginia rely on SNAP benefits.
The proposed bill aims to reduce spending, affecting SNAP and similar programs.
Republicans control both houses of Congress, making it easier to pass the bill.
Some Republicans are concerned that cutting SNAP could harm their chances in future elections.

Source Information

BBC World

Mistakenly deported man Kilmar Abrego Garcia to remain in jail for now

June 25, 2025

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man from El Salvador, remains in jail in the U.S. while lawyers work on preventing his deportation. He faces criminal charges of human smuggling, which he has denied. The case involves his earlier mistaken deportation and the U.S. government's concerns about losing the chance to prosecute him if he is deported again.

Key Facts:

Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being held in Nashville, Tennessee, on charges of human smuggling.
He was previously deported by mistake under the Trump administration but now risks a second deportation.
U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw allowed his release, but concerns about deportation have delayed it.
Lawyers are worried that deportation will prevent Abrego from defending himself and affect the government's case.
Abrego Garcia fled El Salvador to escape gang violence and has lived in Maryland with his family for over a decade.
In 2019, a judge ordered that he could not be removed from the U.S., but he was deported during an immigration raid in 2020.
The government admitted his removal was due to an "administrative error."
The Trump administration labeled certain Latin American gangs as terrorist organizations.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

The Florida airport being turned into Trump's new migrant detention facility

June 25, 2025

A nearly deserted airport in Florida's Everglades is being turned into a migrant detention center called "Alligator Alcatraz." The center will hold about 1,000 people and support immigration policies, but it has caused concerns about environmental harm and human rights.

Key Facts:

The detention center is being built on the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in the Everglades, about 43 miles from Miami.
The project started following an executive order by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to address undocumented immigration.
The new facility will have space for around 1,000 detainees and is expected to open in July or August.
The area is known for wildlife like alligators and pythons, which contributes to its nickname "Alligator Alcatraz."
Human rights and environmental groups worry about overcrowding and impact on the environment and detainees' conditions.
As of now, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is holding 59,000 detainees, which is 140% above its capacity.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has criticized the detention centers for issues like medical neglect and lack of legal access.

Source Information

BBC World

Rubiales to appeal fine for Hermoso forced kiss

June 25, 2025

Luis Rubiales, the former head of the Spanish Football Federation, plans to appeal to the Supreme Court after being fined $12,600 for forcibly kissing soccer player Jenni Hermoso. A court found him guilty of sexual assault, a verdict that stirred widespread public reaction, but Rubiales continues to claim the kiss was consensual.

Key Facts:

Luis Rubiales was fined $12,600 for kissing Jenni Hermoso without her consent.
The incident occurred at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and caused global outrage.
A court cleared Rubiales and others of a separate charge of coercion.
Rubiales plans to appeal the sexual assault conviction at the Supreme Court.
The court maintained a restraining order, banning Rubiales from contacting Hermoso for one year.
Rubiales resigned from his position and faces a three-year ban from football activities.
Jenni Hermoso became a symbol for efforts against sexism in sports.
Rubiales is also under investigation for alleged financial misconduct linked to the Spanish Super Cup's move to Saudi Arabia.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

In a first-of-its-kind decision, an AI company wins a copyright infringement lawsuit brought by authors

June 25, 2025

A federal judge ruled that the AI company Anthropic can legally use copyrighted books to train its AI models, as long as the books are obtained legally. The judge, however, will let a trial proceed regarding books Anthropic downloaded for free, as these may not be considered fair use.

Key Facts:

A judge in San Francisco ruled in favor of AI company Anthropic in a copyright case involving authors.
The ruling allows AI companies to use legally obtained copyrighted works for training purposes.
The case marks the first major decision on fair use laws applied to AI systems.
Fair use lets copyrighted works be used without permission in certain situations, like teaching or news reporting.
Authors claimed Anthropic used millions of copyright-protected digital books without permission.
Judge Alsup concluded that the use of purchased books was a "fair use" and transformative.
Anthropic allegedly also obtained books from pirate sites, which will be addressed in a trial.
The outcome highlights differing views on the scope of fair use within AI training.

Source Information

NPR News

Watch: Smoke seen from plane engine after takeoff from Las Vegas

June 25, 2025

An American Airlines plane made an emergency return to Las Vegas airport after smoke was observed coming from its left engine shortly after takeoff. The engine was inspected, and no fire was found, but the plane was taken out of service. No one was hurt, and the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the event.

Key Facts:

An American Airlines flight returned to Las Vegas shortly after taking off.
Smoke was seen coming from the plane's left engine.
Maintenance teams found no fire in the engine after inspection.
The aircraft was removed from service for further checks.
No passengers or crew members were injured.
The Federal Aviation Administration is looking into the incident.

Source Information

BBC US

How Zohran Mamdani stunned New Yorkers with mayoral primary victory

June 25, 2025

Zohran Mamdani, a left-wing Democrat and New York State Assemblyman, surprised many by winning the New York City mayoral primary. He gained support with his unique campaign style, connecting with voters on social media and advocating for policies like free public buses and city-run grocery stores.

Key Facts:

Zohran Mamdani is a 33-year-old state assemblyman from Astoria, Queens.
He used social media to share his campaign journey, including a walk across Manhattan, to connect with voters.
Mamdani's campaign resonated with young and disillusioned voters, leading to a strong grassroots support base.
He focused on policies such as free public transportation and city-operated grocery stores.
Nearly 50,000 volunteers helped his campaign outreach through door-to-door canvassing.
Mamdani is an immigrant and openly discusses his Muslim faith, which appealed to many voters.
New York's current mayor, Eric Adams, acknowledged Mamdani's authenticity but criticized him after the primary win.

Source Information

BBC US

Faith leaders challenge Texas law requiring Ten Commandments in classrooms

June 25, 2025

A group of religious leaders in the United States has filed a lawsuit to stop a new Texas law that requires public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms. This legal challenge follows the signing of the law by Governor Greg Abbott, which would impact nearly six million students across the state's schools.

Key Facts:

Religious leaders from Christian and Muslim faiths filed the lawsuit.
The Ten Commandments are biblical rules found in the Old Testament.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently signed the new law.
The law requires public classrooms in Texas to display the Ten Commandments.
The lawsuit argues the law imposes religious rules on students daily.
The US Constitution protects freedom of religion and the idea of separating church and state.
Other states like Louisiana and Arkansas have tried similar laws, facing legal challenges.
Groups like the American Civil Liberties Union plan to challenge the Texas law.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

RFK Jr. says U.S. will stop funding global vaccine group over 'vaccine safety' issues

June 25, 2025

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the United States would stop funding Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, unless it addresses concerns about vaccine safety. Gavi responded by rejecting Kennedy's claims, emphasizing that its decisions are based on scientific recommendations aimed at child safety and health.

Key Facts:

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary.
Kennedy stated the U.S. will halt funding to Gavi over vaccine safety concerns.
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is an international group that helps provide vaccines worldwide.
Gavi claims to have vaccinated 1.1 billion children and saved 20 million lives since 2000.
The U.S. has been a significant donor to Gavi, contributing about 13% of its budget.
Under the Biden Administration, the U.S. pledged $2.53 billion to Gavi until 2030.
Gavi asserts its practices align with guidelines from independent experts and the World Health Organization.
Concerns exist that cutting funding could affect vaccine distribution in low-resource countries.

Source Information

NPR Home

Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be released from prison in El Salvador

June 25, 2025

A federal judge in Tennessee decided that Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly sent to a prison in El Salvador, should be released from prison until his trial in the United States.

Key Facts:

Kilmar Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to El Salvador.
He was sent to a prison there.
A federal judge in Tennessee ruled for his release.
Garcia's release is until his trial in the U.S.
The trial is on federal charges.

Source Information

NPR National

More than a thousand schools in Peru have faced threats from criminal gangs

June 25, 2025

In Peru, over a thousand schools have received threats from criminal gangs. These gangs are demanding money from the schools and threatening violence if they do not pay.

Key Facts:

More than a thousand schools in Peru are receiving threats from gangs.
The threats include blowing up schools and harming teachers.
The gangs are demanding extortion payments, which means they want money in exchange for not carrying out their threats.
This situation is affecting schools in the South American country of Peru.
The threats and demands are causing fear and safety concerns among school staff and students.

Source Information

NPR World

US lawmaker denies charges stemming from immigration centre visit

June 25, 2025

U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver has pleaded not guilty to charges related to an incident at an immigrant detention center in New Jersey. She faces charges of assaulting and interfering with federal officials during a visit. Her trial is scheduled for November 10.

Key Facts:

LaMonica McIver is a U.S. Representative from New Jersey.
She pleaded not guilty to charges from an incident at an immigration center.
The charges include assaulting and resisting federal officers.
The incident happened during a congressional visit on May 9.
Two charges carry up to eight years in prison, while a third is a misdemeanor with a one-year maximum.
Interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, linked to the Trump administration, charged McIver.
A video shows McIver in a crowd with officers, but it's unclear if her actions were intentional.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, arrested at the protest, has filed a lawsuit after charges against him were dropped.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

4 ways Trump’s big bill could change the U.S. immigration system

June 25, 2025

President Trump's proposed spending cuts and border security plan could add about $150 billion to immigration enforcement efforts over the next four years. This funding would support extending the U.S.-Mexico border wall, building more detention centers, and hiring additional law enforcement personnel. Congress is discussing this bill, with varying opinions on its specifics and its potential impact on the immigration system.

Key Facts:

The plan includes $150 billion for immigration enforcement over four years.
The annual budget for Immigration and Customs Enforcement is currently about $10 billion.
The bill proposes $46.5 billion for border wall and barrier construction along the U.S.-Mexico border.
It allocates $45 billion to expand detention facilities for immigrants.
The Senate is reviewing a version of the bill similar to the House's proposal.
Some Republicans argue the bill is necessary for border security.
The bill's details on spending are unclear, according to some analysts.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Trump insists U.S. strikes ‘obliterated’ nuclear sites and talks with Iran could resume

June 25, 2025

President Trump stated that the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities completely destroyed them. CIA Director John Ratcliffe supported this claim, explaining that the facilities would take years to rebuild.

Key Facts:

President Trump ordered bombings on Iranian nuclear sites.
He claimed the bombings completely destroyed these sites.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed the effectiveness of the strikes.
Ratcliffe mentioned it would take Iran years to rebuild the facilities.
The information was reported by Nick Schifrin.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

What Zohran Mamdani’s primary win in New York means for Democrats nationwide

June 25, 2025

Zohran Mamdani, who is 33 years old, won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor. The final results will be confirmed in a few days.

Key Facts:

Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary for New York City's mayoral race.
He is 33 years old.
The official confirmation of the results will take several days.
Amna Nawaz interviewed Errol Lewis about Mamdani's win.
Errol Lewis is a political anchor for Spectrum News NY1 and hosts Inside City Hall.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Senate committee hears White House request to claw back foreign aid, public media funding

June 25, 2025

Senators asked questions to President Trump's budget director about why the administration wants to take back money that was planned for foreign aid and public media. This happened during a session on Capitol Hill.

Key Facts:

The questioning took place on Capitol Hill.
Senators are involved in questioning the budget director.
The focus was on the administration's plan to take back funds.
The funds in question are meant for foreign aid and public media.
President Trump's budget director is the one being questioned.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Watch: Moment twin waterspouts are spotted over Florida river

June 25, 2025

Twin waterspouts appeared over the Manatee River in Bradenton, Florida, causing drivers to pull over to watch. These waterspouts were formed due to a large storm, and such weather events are common in Florida's warmer months and usually don't last long.

Key Facts:

Twin waterspouts were seen over the Manatee River in Bradenton, Florida.
A waterspout is a rotating column of air over water, usually seen as a funnel.
Drivers stopped on a bridge to watch the waterspouts.
The waterspouts formed because of a large storm.
Waterspouts in Florida are mostly seen during warmer months.
They typically do not last long.

Source Information

BBC US

Trump judicial nominee faces scrutiny for willingness to defy court orders

June 25, 2025

A Justice Department official named Emil Bove, who was nominated by former President Trump to be a federal judge, answered challenging questions from Senate Democrats. Bove has been closely examined for his role in recent DOJ actions like firing investigators who looked into the former president and the January 6 events.

Key Facts:

Emil Bove is a Justice Department official.
He was nominated by former President Trump to be a federal judge.
Senate Democrats questioned him rigorously.
Bove is involved in recent Justice Department activities.
These activities include the firing of prosecutors and FBI agents.
The prosecutors and agents who were fired had investigated former President Trump.
They also investigated the events of January 6.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour