US News - The Actual News

Senate rejects Democratic bid to restrain Trump on Iran as GOP backs his strikes on nuclear sites

June 28, 2025

The U.S. Senate voted against a resolution that would have required President Trump to get congressional approval before taking further military action against Iran. The resolution, led by Senator Tim Kaine, was defeated in a 53-47 vote, with most Republicans supporting the president's decision to act without Congress due to perceived threats from Iran.

Key Facts:

The Senate vote was 53-47 to block the resolution.
The resolution was authored by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine.
The resolution wanted President Trump to consult Congress before more military action against Iran.
Republicans mainly opposed the resolution, believing Iran was an immediate threat.
Senator Rand Paul was the only Republican supporting the resolution.
Senator John Fetterman was the only Democrat to oppose the resolution.
The War Powers Resolution mentions presidents should, when possible, consult Congress before military actions.
President Trump stated he would act against Iran again if he thought it necessary.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

What is Canada’s digital tax and why is Trump killing trade talks over it?

June 28, 2025

Canada has introduced a digital services tax on tech companies, which has led to trade tensions with the United States. President Donald Trump ended trade talks with Canada and plans to impose new tariffs in response to this tax, which affects big U.S. tech companies like Amazon and Google.

Key Facts:

Canada has a new digital services tax on tech revenue from users in Canada.
U.S. President Donald Trump ended trade talks with Canada and plans new tariffs.
The tax affects companies with global revenues over $820 million and Canadian revenues over $14.7 million.
The tax rate is 3% on certain digital services, not on profit.
The U.S. is Canada's largest trading partner, with a significant amount of goods traded annually.
The tax is retroactive, meaning it applies to earnings from January 1, 2022.
U.S. Congress members have urged President Trump to oppose this tax.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

WATCH LIVE: Funeral for slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and husband Mark Hortman

June 28, 2025

Former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris plan to attend the funeral of Melissa Hortman, a former Minnesota House Speaker, and her husband, who were killed in an attack. The funeral will take place at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis, and neither Biden nor Harris is expected to speak. The man accused of the attack appeared briefly in court and is being held under suicide watch.

Key Facts:

Melissa Hortman, a former Minnesota House Speaker, and her husband were killed in attacks described as an assassination.
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will attend their funeral but will not speak.
Their funeral will be held at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis.
The couple and their pet dog lay in state at the Minnesota Capitol, a rare honor.
Vance Boelter, charged with the killings, appeared in court wearing a suicide prevention suit.
Boelter's court hearing was delayed, and he is under suicide watch in jail.
The Capitol viewing was attended by many, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

People gather to pay respects to slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman

June 28, 2025

People are gathering at a Minneapolis basilica to attend the funeral of Minnesota state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Lawmakers from different political parties are expected to be present.

Key Facts:

The funeral is for Melissa Hortman, a Minnesota state representative, and her husband.
The event takes place in a basilica in Minneapolis.
Lawmakers from both major political parties will attend.
The funeral is covered by Weekend Edition Saturday.
Additional audio coverage will be available later in the day.

Source Information

NPR National

Here's what's in the GOP megabill headed for a vote in the Senate

June 28, 2025

Senate Republicans are aiming to pass a large tax and spending bill that includes many of President Trump's domestic goals, such as extending tax cuts and boosting funding in several areas. The bill differs from the House's version, particularly in increasing the debt limit and making changes to Medicaid. GOP leaders want it voted on before the self-set deadline of July 4.

Key Facts:

The bill seeks to extend President Trump's 2017 tax cuts.
It includes increased funding for border security, defense, and energy.
The Senate bill proposes raising the debt limit by $5 trillion.
Changes to Medicaid, the healthcare program for low-income people, are included.
The Senate version adds limits to tax deductions for high earners and increases the child tax credit slightly.
The Senate bill expands the standard deduction permanently, unlike the House's temporary plan.
The legislation may face opposition within the GOP, especially from those concerned about national debt and social program cuts.
Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough advised on amendments to align with chamber rules.

Source Information

NPR Home

Funeral home owner who stashed nearly 190 decaying bodies is sentenced to 20 years

June 28, 2025

A funeral home owner in Colorado, Jon Hallford, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for hiding nearly 190 bodies and sending families fake ashes. He also committed fraud by obtaining almost $900,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Hallford admitted to his actions and will face additional sentencing for corpse abuse.

Key Facts:

Jon Hallford owned the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, Colorado.
He stashed about 190 dead bodies in a poor condition building between 2019 and 2023.
Families received fake ashes instead of their loved ones' remains.
Hallford pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, involving fake COVID-19 aid claims.
He also pleaded guilty to 191 counts of corpse abuse in state court.
Hallford and his wife used funds for personal purchases, including luxury cars and items.
Families affected by these actions reported emotional distress and grieving difficulties.

Source Information

NPR Home

In Budapest, thousands defy a national ban by participating in a Pride march

June 28, 2025

Thousands of people joined a Pride march in Budapest, even though the government of Viktor Orban had banned the event.

Key Facts:

The march took place in Budapest, Hungary.
Viktor Orban's government banned the annual Pride event.
Despite the ban, thousands participated in the march.
The Pride march represents support for LGBTQ+ rights.
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary.
The event was reported by NPR through journalists Rob Schmitz and Scott Simon.

Source Information

NPR World

Opinion: Remembering Bill Moyers

June 28, 2025

Bill Moyers, a well-known figure in public broadcasting, passed away at the age of 91. He was recognized for his work as a journalist and broadcaster, winning many awards for his documentaries and interviews. Moyers worked with various influential people and was known for asking thoughtful questions.

Key Facts:

Bill Moyers died at the age of 91.
He began his journalism career as a teen reporter in Texas.
Moyers worked as an intern for Senator Lyndon Johnson and later as his press secretary.
He won over 30 Emmy Awards and 11 Peabody Awards for his work in journalism.
Moyers hosted shows like "Bill Moyers Journal," interviewing prominent figures like Elie Wiesel and Desmond Tutu.
He was known for deep, meaningful interviews that often explored complex human issues.
Moyers also served as a Baptist minister early in his career.

Source Information

NPR Home

'Where's our money?' CDC grant funding is moving so slowly layoffs are happening

June 28, 2025

Health departments across the U.S. are experiencing delays in receiving grant funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The delays are affecting local health programs, leading to service disruptions and job losses as departments wait for funding that usually comes from the CDC.

Key Facts:

Health departments rely on CDC funding for most of their budgets, but the funds are not arriving as expected.
Two CDC staff members report that the agency has not received its full funding for the fiscal year 2025.
The CDC is currently operating with only 30 days of funding at a time, which is not enough for long-term planning.
States like Alabama rely on federal grants for over two-thirds of their health department funding.
Delayed funding has caused disruptions in services like HIV prevention in states such as Ohio and job losses in North Carolina.
Health officials warn that these funding delays could lead to more widespread public health issues as services are reduced or halted.

Source Information

NPR Home

Slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman to be laid to rest in private funeral service

June 28, 2025

Melissa Hortman, a former Democratic leader in Minnesota, and her husband were killed in their home earlier this month. A private funeral service will be held and broadcast online. The suspect, Vance Boelter, is in custody, accused of targeting multiple political figures.

Key Facts:

Melissa Hortman, a former Minnesota House speaker, and her husband were killed in their Brooklyn Park home.
Their family dog was injured in the attack and later euthanized.
Hortman's funeral will be private, with a livestream available for viewing.
The suspect, Vance Boelter, faces charges for these murders and an attack on another family.
Democratic State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also attacked but survived.
The incidents are seen as part of a broader trend of political violence.
The Hortmans' children encouraged community kindness to honor their parents.

Source Information

NPR Home

Where the Voting Rights Act stands after the Supreme Court punts on a Louisiana case

June 28, 2025

The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to delay a ruling on a Louisiana case related to redrawing voting district maps, which could affect minority voting rights nationwide. The court will hear more arguments in its next term beginning in October. This decision continues ongoing discussions about the Voting Rights Act and racial discrimination in elections.

Key Facts:

The Supreme Court postponed a decision on a Louisiana redistricting case.
The case may influence voting rights for minority groups across the U.S.
The court plans to hear more arguments starting in October 2023.
Redrawing voting districts affects how communities are represented in elections.
Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act requires fair opportunities for minority voters to elect their candidates.
A federal court order asks Louisiana to have two voting districts where Black voters can realistically elect preferred candidates.
Some non-Black voters have challenged the current map as unfair.
The case ties into broader debates about the future of the Voting Rights Act.

Source Information

NPR Home

Big beautiful bottleneck: Trump's high-stakes week at home and abroad

June 28, 2025

President Trump experienced a significant week with a favorable Supreme Court decision and developments in international relations. The ruling made it more difficult for opponents to block his executive actions, while Trump also claimed progress in peace efforts in the Middle East and commitments at the NATO summit.

Key Facts:

The Supreme Court issued a ruling that limits the use of nationwide injunctions, which have been used to block Trump's executive actions.
The ruling specifically helped Trump with his order to end birthright citizenship, although the constitutionality of the order was not decided.
Trump held a press conference to announce the Supreme Court's decision, calling it a major victory.
The Trump administration highlighted U.S. military actions on Iranian facilities and a subsequent ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
Trump stated that Iran's nuclear program was significantly damaged but acknowledged that assessments are still ongoing.
At the NATO summit, Trump secured commitments he viewed as further successes in his foreign policy efforts.

Source Information

NPR Home

What cases did the US Supreme Court decide at the end of its 2024 term?

June 28, 2025

The United States Supreme Court ended its 2024 term with several important decisions on topics like healthcare and internet regulations. The court decided to uphold preventive healthcare requirements and allowed Texas to enforce age restrictions on viewing online pornography. Another ruling limited courts' power to issue nationwide injunctions.

Key Facts:

The Supreme Court completed its 2024 term, and the justices will reconvene in October.
A major decision limited the power of courts to issue universal injunctions, which can block executive actions across the country.
The court upheld that parents could choose to opt out of school materials with LGBTQ content.
The Supreme Court supported Texas in setting up age restrictions for accessing pornographic websites.
A significant ruling supported the continuation of preventive healthcare coverage.
In the preventive care case, three conservative justices joined three liberal justices in a six-to-three decision.
The decision affirmed the constitutionality of the healthcare task force under the Affordable Care Act.
Concerns were raised about sharing personal information for age verification to access online content.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

California Governor Newsom sues Fox News over alleged defamation

June 27, 2025

California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News for allegedly misrepresenting a phone call between him and President Trump. The lawsuit claims Fox News falsely reported about the conversation and harmed Newsom's reputation.

Key Facts:

Governor Gavin Newsom filed a $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News.
The lawsuit accuses Fox News of misrepresenting a phone call between Newsom and President Trump.
Newsom's conversation with Trump occurred after immigration-related protests in Los Angeles.
Fox News reportedly aired misleading claims, suggesting Newsom lied about the call.
Newsom alleges these reports were meant to damage his reputation and mislead the public.
Fox News plans to defend itself vigorously and dismissed the lawsuit as frivolous.
Newsom's requested damages match the amount Fox paid to settle a previous lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems.
Newsom may drop the lawsuit if Fox retracts its statements and issues an apology.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

‘Explosive’: US Supreme Court deals blow to those challenging Trump’s power

June 27, 2025

The U.S. Supreme Court has limited judges' power to issue nationwide bans on presidential actions, affecting challenges to Donald Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship. The court's decision weakens the judiciary's ability to stop Trump’s order temporarily, which seeks to restrict citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents.

Key Facts:

The Supreme Court ruled that judges can no longer issue widespread bans on presidential decisions.
Trump's executive order aims to limit U.S. citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants.
The court's decision restricts judges' ability to issue universal injunctions, but these can still occur through class action lawsuits.
The ruling means Trump's order isn't enforceable for at least 30 days.
The American Civil Liberties Union opposes the order and warns of potential partial enforcement.
Without injunctions, children of undocumented parents may face difficulties obtaining U.S. documentation like passports.
A class action lawsuit now must represent a challenge to issue a nationwide injunction, making it a more complex process.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

What is birthright citizenship and what happens after the Supreme Court ruling?

June 27, 2025

The Supreme Court decided to limit the power of federal judges to issue nationwide bans on executive actions. However, it did not make a decision about President Trump's plan to end birthright citizenship. In response, immigrant rights groups are taking legal action by using a new strategy called a national class action lawsuit.

Key Facts:

The Supreme Court limited federal judges' ability to issue universal injunctions, which are orders that can stop laws or actions across the entire country.
The Court did not make a ruling on President Trump's executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship.
Birthright citizenship is the right for anyone born in the U.S. to automatically be a citizen.
Immigrant rights groups are filing a national class action lawsuit to challenge Trump's order.
The lawsuit involves members of two organizations who are immigrants without legal status in the U.S.
President Trump described the Supreme Court's decision as a victory, saying it allows him to proceed with changes to U.S. immigration and citizenship policies.
Nationwide injunctions have been used in the past to stop actions seen as illegal or unconstitutional.
The ruling raises questions about how disputes over birthright citizenship will continue and how executive actions will be challenged in the future.

Source Information

NPR National

A fourth judge has blocked a Trump executive order targeting elite law firms

June 27, 2025

A federal judge has blocked an executive order from President Trump that aimed to punish the law firm Susman Godfrey. This decision follows three previous rulings that also stopped similar actions against other law firms, with judges finding these orders unconstitutional.

Key Facts:

A federal judge named Loren AliKhan stopped Trump's order against Susman Godfrey.
This is the fourth time judges have blocked similar orders from Trump against law firms.
The judge declared the order unconstitutional, meaning it goes against the U.S. Constitution.
Trump's orders targeted firms for representing people or causes he disliked.
Punishments in the orders included suspending security clearances and ending government contracts.
Four law firms took legal action against these orders, saying they were a threat to their rights.
Judges across these cases said the orders attacked the law firms' rights to free speech and fairness.
No previous U.S. president has issued orders like this targeting law firms.

Source Information

NPR Home

How Zohran Mamdani shocked New York

June 27, 2025

Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old socialist and Muslim, is now expected to be the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City. He was not well-known until recently but has quickly gained popularity.

Key Facts:

Zohran Mamdani is 33 years old.
He identifies as a socialist.
He is a Muslim.
Mamdani is likely to be the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City.
He was not widely recognized a few months ago but has since become popular.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

How the Supreme Court ruling on nationwide injunctions affects presidential powers

June 27, 2025

The Supreme Court made a decision that limits the ability of federal judges to stop the president's plans across the entire country. This decision came from a case about an order by Trump regarding birthright citizenship.

Key Facts:

The Supreme Court's decision affects how much federal judges can do to block presidential actions nationwide.
The case involved Trump's policy on birthright citizenship, which is the right to get citizenship if born in the country.
The ruling means individual judges cannot issue nationwide orders to stop a president's policy.
The decision may change how legal challenges against presidential decisions are handled.
Legal experts Amy Howe and Amanda Frost discussed the decision with Geoff Bennett.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

The major snags holding up Trump’s ‘big bill’ as the Senate prepares to vote

June 27, 2025

The U.S. Senate is preparing to vote on a significant budget bill backed by former President Trump. They aim to begin voting over the weekend, although the detailed proposal was not yet made available as of Friday.

Key Facts:

The budget bill is important to former President Trump.
Republican senators have not yet released the detailed proposal of the bill.
PBS News Hour reported on the planned timeline for the vote.
Senators want to start voting on the bill on Saturday.
The target for passing the bill is by July 4.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour