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World News

Fresh news brought to you daily from around the world. Hot news, breaking stories as they happen.

Federal Judges Block Trump Student Loan Rule Changes

Two federal judges have blocked the Trump administration from enforcing new restrictions on a federal student loan forgiveness program, preventing changes that would have denied debt relief to some public service workers based on their employers' activities.

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The rulings, issued on Tuesday by federal judges in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., came one day before the revised eligibility rules for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program were due to take effect.
Federal judges halt overhaul before new restrictions take effect
The administration had sought to overhaul the program by excluding borrowers employed by organizations deemed to have a "substantial illegal purpose," arguing the changes would ensure the program supports organizations aligned with its priorities.
More than 20 states and a coalition of nonprofit organizations filed separate lawsuits, arguing the new rule would allow the Department of Education to deny loan forgiveness based on political or ideological disagreements.
The challengers said the policy could be used against organizations involved in areas such as transgender healthcare and immigration advocacy.
States and nonprofits challenge new eligibility rules
In Massachusetts, U.S. District Judge Myong Joun ruled that the Education Department lacked the legal authority to impose the new restrictions. He also said the rule could violate the First Amendment by discouraging protected speech and forcing the administration's viewpoints on employers.
"The Department cannot create new criminal prohibitions through rulemaking," Joun wrote. He added that the evidence showed the final rule had already "chilled protected speech."
Separately, U.S. District Judge Amir Ali in Washington, D.C., blocked the rule in a lawsuit brought by four nonprofit organizations that advocate for immigration rights and other causes.
Administration defends policy
Education Department Under Secretary Nicholas Kent said the administration was reviewing its legal options following the rulings.
In a statement, Kent said the PSLF program was designed to support public service rather than "subsidize organizations that engage in terrorism, facilitate illegal immigration, or support the mutilation of children."
Congress created the PSLF program in 2007 to encourage graduates to work in public service by forgiving eligible federal student loans after 10 years of qualifying employment. More than one million borrowers have received loan forgiveness through the program.
The Trump administration has argued that some organizations have exploited the program in ways that undermine U.S. values and national security.
Existing program remains in place
An executive order signed by President Donald Trump last year directed the education secretary to narrow eligibility for the program by excluding organizations involved in activities the administration considered unlawful.
The Education Department's final rule listed activities including aiding illegal immigration, supporting terrorism or trafficking, and facilitating what it described as the "chemical and surgical castration or mutilation of children."
The two court rulings leave the current PSLF program unchanged while the legal challenges continue, marking another setback for the Trump administration's efforts to reshape federal student loan policy.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 2 July 2026
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Idaho Makes Firing Squad Primary Execution Method

Idaho has become the first US state to make the firing squad its primary method of execution, marking a significant shift in the country's use of capital punishment as states continue to face difficulties carrying out lethal injections.

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The state's newly renovated execution chamber officially became operational on 1 July after the Idaho Department of Correction completed a more than $1 million project at its maximum-security prison south of Boise. The upgrade includes AR-style, .308-calibre rifles that will be used by volunteer marksmen during executions.
Idaho adopts firing squad as primary method
Under Idaho's protocol, three anonymous volunteers selected by prison officials will carry out executions. The state currently has eight inmates on death row.
The department said it is prepared to carry out executions and that its procedures are designed to ensure they are conducted in a "secure, orderly, and dignified manner."
Shift driven by problems with lethal injection
Idaho's decision follows growing challenges with lethal injection, the most common execution method in the United States.
In February 2024, the state halted the planned execution of convicted murderer Thomas Creech after medical personnel were unable to establish an intravenous line. Similar problems have occurred in other states, while restrictions on the supply of execution drugs have further complicated the use of lethal injections.
Alabama has also faced legal challenges over its use of nitrogen gas asphyxiation after federal courts ruled against the method earlier this year.
Against that backdrop, several states have turned to firing squads. Idaho is now the seventh state to authorise the method in some form, joining Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Utah, while Florida and Tennessee also permit its use under certain circumstances.
Supporters argue that firing squads provide a faster and more reliable means of execution because bullets aimed at the heart rapidly stop blood circulation to the brain.
Executions raise concerns over pain and accuracy
Despite those claims, recent executions have fuelled debate over whether the method consistently works as intended.
Historical records show that several firing squad executions in the United States have resulted in prolonged deaths after shooters failed to strike the intended target. Among the 147 civilian firing squad executions recorded since 1608 are cases in which prisoners remained alive for several minutes after being shot.
Questions have also emerged over more recent executions.
A 2010 execution in Utah prompted later scrutiny after forensic experts reviewing autopsy photographs concluded the bullets appeared to have struck outside the intended area around the heart, raising concerns that the inmate may have experienced prolonged suffering.


File photo courtesy of The Guardian

Similar concerns followed the April 2025 execution of South Carolina inmate Mikal Mahdi. Witnesses reported that Mahdi cried out after being shot and continued breathing for more than a minute. Autopsy findings reviewed by independent forensic experts suggested the bullets missed the left ventricle of the heart, potentially prolonging his death.
South Carolina officials rejected claims that the execution had been mishandled. The state's Supreme Court later ruled that the execution was not botched, although it acknowledged that the bullets did not directly strike the prisoner's left ventricle.
Experts question growing reliance on firing squads
Legal filings in subsequent court cases have gone further, with defence lawyers and some forensic specialists alleging that marksmen may have intentionally avoided the intended target in certain executions. Those allegations remain speculative, and both Utah and South Carolina authorities have rejected or declined to comment on claims of deliberate misconduct.
Execution experts say the renewed interest in firing squads reflects the wider difficulties states face in maintaining capital punishment rather than renewed confidence in the method itself.
Some legal scholars who previously regarded firing squads as one of the least problematic execution methods now argue that the process still depends on human judgement and therefore remains vulnerable to mistakes or misconduct.
As more states consider alternatives to lethal injection, Idaho's adoption of the firing squad is likely to intensify the national debate over how executions are carried out and whether any method can reliably avoid unnecessary suffering.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 1 July 2026
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Antwerp Apartment Fire Kills Several Residents

Several people have died after a major fire swept through an apartment building in the Belgian port city of Antwerp on Wednesday morning, while firefighters continued searching the building for additional victims.
Search Continues as Fire Burns Through Apartment Block

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Emergency services were called to the apartment block on Antwerp's Left Bank at around 9:53 a.m. local time after reports of a fire. The building is home to approximately 200 residents.
Authorities said multiple people were killed in the blaze, while several others sustained serious injuries. Additional residents were treated for smoke inhalation. Officials had not confirmed the exact number of casualties by the time of publication, and it remained unclear how many people had been evacuated or were still inside the building.
Residents affected by the fire were taken to the nearby Hof Ter Schelde care centre for assistance.
Rescue Efforts Continue
Marie De Clercq, a spokesperson for Antwerp Fire Zone, said firefighters were concentrating on searching the building for possible victims as thick smoke complicated rescue operations.
She said the smoke spread rapidly between floors and apartments, making it more difficult for crews to locate residents and carry out evacuations safely.
Firefighters had not yet brought the blaze under control, De Clercq added. Initial assessments suggested the fire may have started on the building's eighth floor, although officials said it was too early to confirm the exact origin.
Multiple firefighting units, supported by drone teams, remained at the scene as efforts to contain the fire and search the building continued.



Emergency Response Expanded
Although authorities did not activate the provincial disaster plan, they requested a provincial-scale response, allowing neighbouring fire zones to provide additional personnel and equipment.
A medical intervention plan was also put in place to support the emergency response and treat those injured or affected by smoke.
Fire services urged the public to avoid the area while operations continued. Residents in nearby buildings impacted by smoke were advised to keep their doors and windows closed and switch off ventilation systems if necessary.
Cause Yet to Be Determined
The cause of the fire has not been established.
Local police said a forensic investigation would begin later on Wednesday after specialist investigators arrived at the scene. Authorities are expected to examine the building once conditions are safe enough to determine how the fire started.
Search and rescue operations were still ongoing, with firefighters continuing to inspect the building for anyone who may remain trapped inside.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 1 July 2026
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U.S. Supreme Court to Decide Fate of AR-15 Bans

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a major Second Amendment case that will determine whether bans on AR-15s and similar assault-style rifles are constitutional, setting the stage for a landmark ruling that could affect gun laws across the country.

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The justices announced on Tuesday that they will consider challenges to assault weapon bans enacted in Connecticut and the Chicago area. The case will be argued during the court's next term.
Second Amendment Challenge to Be Heard
At the heart of the dispute is whether AR-15s and similar firearms are protected under the Second Amendment. States defending the restrictions argue that these weapons do not fall within the constitutional definition of "arms" that individuals have the right to keep and bear.
Nationwide Impact Expected
The Supreme Court's decision is expected to provide nationwide guidance on the legality of assault weapon bans. Oral arguments are likely to take place after the court's next term begins in October, with a ruling anticipated next year.
According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, around 32 million modern sporting rifles are currently in circulation in the United States.
The case follows years of legal disputes over state assault weapon bans, particularly after the Supreme Court's conservative majority introduced a new Second Amendment standard requiring modern gun regulations to be supported by a historical tradition of similar restrictions.
State Laws Under Scrutiny
Although definitions vary, 10 states have enacted bans on assault weapons, according to gun control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety. The Supreme Court's ruling could have significant implications for those laws.
The justices had considered whether to take up the case for several months before announcing on Tuesday that they would hear the challenges.
The decision also comes after the court concluded its Second Amendment cases for the current term. In recent rulings, the justices limited the government's authority to prosecute people for possessing firearms solely because they occasionally use marijuana and struck down Hawaii's restrictions on carrying guns on private property.



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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 1 July 2026
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Trump Faces Pressure to Pay $5M After Supreme Court Rebuff

Attorneys for E. Jean Carroll have asked a federal judge to order US President Donald Trump to pay the $5 million awarded to her after the Supreme Court declined to hear his appeal in a civil case involving sexual abuse and defamation.

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Carroll seeks release of judgment funds
In a court filing submitted on Tuesday, Carroll's legal team argued that the long-running legal battle has reached its conclusion and that the money held in escrow should now be released to her.
The Supreme Court rejected Trump's appeal without any recorded dissent, leaving intact the 2023 verdict and judgment against him.
Lawyers oppose further delay
Carroll's attorney, Roberta Kaplan, told the court that Trump's legal team had contacted her to ask whether Carroll would agree to another delay while Trump sought reconsideration from the Supreme Court.
Kaplan rejected the request, writing that after four years of litigation through every level of the federal court system, the case should now come to an end.
She argued that the conditions agreed by both sides for releasing the funds had been met once the Supreme Court declined to review the case. Under that agreement, she said, Carroll is entitled to receive the money awarded by the jury.
The $5 million has remained in escrow while Trump's appeal was pending.
Trump vows to continue legal fight
Following the Supreme Court's decision, Trump said he intended to continue challenging the case.
In a post on his social media platform, he described the lawsuit as an example of "weaponization" and "lawfare" and said he would keep fighting the defamation claim "with all of my power and strength."
His attorneys have indicated they may ask the Supreme Court to reconsider its refusal to hear the appeal.
Jury found Trump liable in 2023
A Manhattan jury ruled in 2023 that Trump was liable for sexually abusing Carroll in a dressing room at the Bergdorf Goodman department store during the mid-1990s. The jury also found him liable for defaming Carroll in 2022 after he publicly denied her allegations.
The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages.
In his appeal, Trump argued that the trial judge had made several legal errors. He objected to jurors being shown excerpts from the 2005 "Access Hollywood" recording, in which he discussed sexually aggressive behaviour that he later dismissed as "locker room talk."
Trump also challenged the judge's decision to allow testimony from Jessica Leeds and Natasha Stoynoff, two women who accused him of sexual assault. Trump has denied their allegations.
With the Supreme Court declining to hear the appeal, Carroll's attorneys argue that there are no remaining grounds to withhold payment and have urged the court to release the funds without further delay.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 1 July 2026
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Furious Trump Demands Congress End Birthright Citizenship

President Donald Trump has vowed to pursue legislation to end birthright citizenship after the US Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution guarantees citizenship to children born in the United States, dealing a setback to one of his key immigration policies.

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The president said Congress should begin work immediately on changing the law, arguing that legislation could achieve his goal without the need for a constitutional amendment. However, legal experts say any such law would almost certainly face constitutional challenges because birthright citizenship is rooted in the US Constitution.
Trump rejects court ruling
The Supreme Court voted 6-3 to strike down an executive order Trump signed on his first day back in office that sought to end automatic citizenship for many children born in the US.
Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to every person born in the United States. He wrote that the amendment extended the promise of citizenship "to every free-born person in this land" and that the court would continue to uphold that principle.
Responding on his social media platform, Trump described the ruling as "too bad for our Country" but insisted that Congress could still act.
He argued that lawmakers could end birthright citizenship through legislation backed by the president, saying there was no need for what he called a "long and unwieldy" constitutional amendment. Trump urged Congress to begin work on the issue immediately.
Legal hurdles remain
Birthright citizenship is protected by both the 14th Amendment to the Constitution and federal citizenship law enacted in 1940.
Although Trump believes Congress could change the law, any legislation attempting to restrict birthright citizenship would likely face immediate legal challenges. Courts would have to decide whether such a law is compatible with the Constitution, raising the possibility that the issue could eventually return to the Supreme Court.
ABC News asked the White House for details on how the administration believes legislation could overcome the court's ruling and whether it expects further legal challenges. The White House referred questions to Trump's social media statement.
The president's comments marked a shift in emphasis following remarks he made a day earlier, when he said he would accept the Supreme Court's decision and acknowledged that the matter was ultimately for the justices to decide.
Later on Tuesday, Trump repeated his call for Congress to act while also highlighting other recent Supreme Court decisions that had gone in his favour.
Congress weighs next steps
Before Trump's latest comments, House Speaker Mike Johnson said Republicans were disappointed by the court's decision and expected Congress to consider possible responses.
Johnson said lawmakers would discuss whether a constitutional amendment was needed to address birthright citizenship, arguing that the current policy had been "grossly abused."
He acknowledged, however, that changing the Constitution would be difficult and could take many years. Under the US Constitution, an amendment requires approval by a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress before being ratified by three-quarters of the states.
Johnson said he believed a constitutional amendment was likely to be the only long-term solution following the Supreme Court's ruling.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 1 July 2026
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Trump Reports More Than $1bn in Crypto Income

US President Donald Trump reported earning more than $1 billion (£750 million) from cryptocurrency-related business activities in 2025, according to his latest mandatory financial disclosure, highlighting the growing role of digital assets in his personal wealth.

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Crypto earnings dominate financial disclosure
The 927-page filing shows Trump received $635 million in royalties from his Trump-themed meme coin, which has lost much of its value since it was launched shortly before he returned to office.

He also disclosed more than $500 million in income from World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency company founded by his sons alongside the sons of his special envoy, Steve Witkoff.
The latest filing far exceeds Trump's previous disclosure for 2024, when he reported more than $600 million in income.
White House rejects conflict claims
The White House dismissed suggestions that Trump's crypto ventures create a conflict of interest, noting that his business assets are held in a trust managed by his sons.
Deputy White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly said the president had fulfilled his pledge to make the United States the "crypto capital of the world."
She said neither Trump nor his family had engaged in conflicts of interest and described allegations to the contrary as politically motivated. Trump has also argued that the US president is not bound by federal conflict-of-interest laws.
Trump's embrace of cryptocurrency marks a significant shift from his earlier views. In 2021, he described Bitcoin as a "scam" and a "disaster waiting to happen." During his 2024 presidential campaign, however, he pledged to make the United States the world's leading centre for cryptocurrency. After returning to office, he signed an executive order supporting the responsible growth of the digital asset industry.
Ethics experts raise concerns
Richard Painter, who served as the chief White House ethics lawyer under former President George W. Bush, described Trump's reported crypto earnings as "extraordinary" and said they represented a conflict of interest.
Will Walker-Arnott, director of private clients at Raymond James Financial Group, said Trump's approach differed sharply from previous presidents.
He noted that former President Jimmy Carter placed his peanut farm into a blind trust, while George W. Bush sold his ownership stake in the Texas Rangers baseball team before taking office. Walker-Arnott said Trump appeared to be taking a very different approach by continuing to generate substantial income through family-linked cryptocurrency businesses.
Real estate and branded products add millions
Although cryptocurrency generated the largest share of Trump's reported income, his real estate holdings continued to produce significant earnings.
The filing shows he earned about $122 million from his golf resort in Doral, Florida, and approximately $77 million from his Mar-a-Lago club. His golf clubs in Bedminster, New Jersey, Jupiter, Florida, and Turnberry, Scotland, each generated more than $30 million.
Trump also received millions in royalties from branded merchandise, including watches, Bibles, trainers, fragrances and guitars. The disclosure lists $4.7 million from Trump-branded watches alone.
First Lady Melania Trump reported $10.7 million from a licensing agreement linked to a documentary about her released last year, along with $6 million from the sale of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Trump also disclosed $86.5 million from legal settlements involving several media and technology companies. The White House said most of those funds would support Trump's future presidential library or a nonprofit responsible for maintaining park sites in the Washington area.
According to Forbes, Trump's estimated net worth has risen to $6 billion, up from $2.3 billion in 2024, while Bloomberg estimates it at $7.6 billion. His filing, at more than 900 pages, is substantially longer than those of previous presidents. Former President Joe Biden's final full-year disclosure, for comparison, was 11 pages long.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 1 July 2026
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Refugees Face £10,000 Repayment Under New Asylum Bill

People granted asylum in the UK could be required to repay around £10,000 towards the cost of their accommodation and financial support once they begin earning, under proposals contained in the government's new Immigration and Asylum Bill.

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The measures are intended to recover some of the costs of supporting asylum seekers from adults deemed able to contribute financially. Under the plans, asylum seekers who have the right to work would have to repay the flat-rate amount before becoming eligible to settle permanently in the UK.
Failed asylum seekers who leave the country would also be expected to repay outstanding costs before being allowed to return.
Refugees Could Repay Support Costs
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the proposals reflected the principle that while asylum support is a right, it also carries responsibilities. She said people should contribute once they are financially able to do so, describing it as a way of repaying the support provided by taxpayers.
The government expects the repayment amount to be set at about £10,000, although the Home Office has not yet decided the earnings threshold at which repayments would begin. Ministers would also have powers to adjust both the repayment amount and income thresholds to ensure the scheme remains fair to taxpayers while avoiding hardship for migrants.
Concerns Over Practicality
Dr Madeleine Sumption, director of the University of Oxford's Migration Observatory, said the proposals marked a further tightening of the UK's immigration system while remaining within international refugee and human rights obligations.
She also questioned how much money the scheme would recover, noting that many refugees earn relatively low incomes. According to Migration Observatory analysis, only an estimated 13% of people granted refugee status five years earlier earned at least £20,000 in 2023, with most either unemployed or earning less.
The Home Office said 24% of refugees aged 16 to 64 were in employment during their first year after being granted asylum between 2015 and 2023. That figure rose to about 48% after two years. Among those working eight years after receiving refugee status, 37% were employed full time, with median earnings of £23,000 and only 40% earning above the minimum wage.
Critics and Wider Reforms
The Refugee Council criticised the plans as "unfair" and "impractical", arguing they would amount to an extra financial burden on refugees trying to rebuild their lives. The charity said asylum seekers are prevented from working while their claims are processed and that support is provided only to those facing destitution.
The Home Office said around £4 billion of public money was spent supporting asylum seekers last year. It estimated that accommodation costs average £23.25 per night in private rented housing and £144 per night in hotels, while weekly subsistence payments range from £9.95 to £49.18 per person.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said Labour had adopted a proposal previously put forward by the Conservatives after opposing it during debate on an earlier Immigration Bill.
The legislation would also establish a new immigration appeals authority designed to speed up the removal of failed asylum seekers. It includes changes to the application of human rights and modern slavery laws to asylum claims, with ministers saying the aim is to reduce what they describe as vexatious applications.
The government says the wider package will create a firm but fair asylum system and reduce incentives for illegal migration, although some of the tougher measures are expected to face opposition from Labour MPs.
The bill also includes plans for capped safe and legal refugee routes, allowing organisations such as universities, businesses and community groups to sponsor refugees. Separately, ministers recently announced plans to expand the use of former military barracks to house asylum seekers after closing additional hotels in England.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 1 July 2026
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Spain Draws One Million Applications in Migrant Amnesty

More than one million undocumented migrants and asylum seekers have applied to regularise their status in Spain under a government programme aimed at bringing more people into the formal workforce and supporting the country's long-term economic and demographic needs.

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Overwhelming response to regularisation scheme
The initiative, announced by Spain's socialist-led government in January, was originally expected to benefit around 500,000 people. However, by the time applications closed on Tuesday, the number of applicants had exceeded one million.
The programme offers successful applicants a one-year residence and work permit. To qualify, individuals must prove they have no criminal record and show they had been living in Spain for at least five months before 31 December 2025, or that they had applied for international protection before that date.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the unexpectedly high number of applications demonstrated the need for the scheme.
"The fact that more than one million people submitted applications shows just how necessary this recognition of rights and responsibilities was," he said during an event in Madrid.
Government argues immigration is vital
Sánchez said immigration would be essential for Spain's future economic growth, its ageing population and the sustainability of its welfare system.
He warned that without immigration, Spain's gross domestic product would be 19% lower by 2050. He said such a scenario would result in the closure of around 90,000 bars, leave 50,000 primary and secondary school classrooms without pupils, and lead to the loss of approximately 220,000 farms.
According to the prime minister, Spain would become "poorer, emptier, weaker and without the resources to fund its welfare state" without continued migration.
Spain has previously introduced large-scale regularisation programmes under both socialist and conservative governments, but the latest measure has drawn strong opposition from conservative and far-right parties.
Opposition mounts legal and political challenge
The centre-right People's Party (PP) has argued that the scheme risks placing excessive pressure on public services, while the far-right Vox party has accused the government of using immigration to reshape Spain's population, labour market and electoral landscape.
Regional PP administrations in Valencia and Aragón have challenged the programme in court. On Tuesday, a court said it was considering asking the European Court of Justice to determine whether parts of the government's decree are compatible with European Union law.
PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has also criticised a separate democratic memory law introduced in 2022, which allows descendants of Spaniards exiled during the Spanish Civil War and Francisco Franco's dictatorship to obtain Spanish citizenship.
More than 2.4 million people have applied under that law, with more than 544,000 applications already approved.
In a radio interview on Monday, Feijóo accused the government of pursuing "electoral engineering" by expanding the number of potential voters.
The government rejected those claims. Migration Minister Elma Saiz described the accusations as "incredibly irresponsible", saying they reflected political frustration rather than a credible policy alternative.
Integration plan unveiled
Sánchez has consistently defended immigration even as many European governments have adopted tougher migration policies.
Reiterating comments he made to parliament in October 2024, he said migration has historically driven national development, while hatred and xenophobia have undermined societies.
Alongside the regularisation programme, the government announced a €500 million (£431 million) integration and citizenship plan aimed at helping migrants settle successfully in Spain.
Sánchez said the initiative would promote equal treatment, combat discrimination and expand opportunities, while also expecting newcomers to respect Spanish law, learn the country's official languages and embrace its democratic values.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 1 July 2026
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US Supreme Court Upholds Transgender Sports Bans

The US Supreme Court has ruled that states may ban transgender women from competing in female school and college sports, upholding laws that require athletes to compete according to their sex recorded at birth.


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The decision came in two cases involving challenges to laws in Idaho and West Virginia, where transgender students argued the restrictions were unlawful. More than two dozen states have introduced similar bans since Idaho became the first to do so in 2020.
The court unanimously found that the state laws do not violate Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in schools.
States Win Challenge Over School Sports Rules
However, the justices split 6-3 over whether the bans breached the US Constitution's 14th Amendment, which guarantees equal protection under the law. The court's six conservative justices concluded the restrictions were constitutional, while its three liberal members disagreed.
Writing for the majority, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said the Constitution and Title IX "do not require an overhaul of women's and girls' sports throughout America."
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing in partial dissent, criticised the ruling, saying the majority had adopted "a diminished view of equal protection" in cases involving school sports.
Challenges From Idaho and West Virginia
One of the cases was brought by Lindsay Hecox, a transgender woman and long-distance runner, shortly after Idaho enacted its law. She had previously secured injunctions from both a federal district court and an appeals court while the legal challenge continued.
At the time the legislation was passed, Idaho state lawmaker Barbara Ehardt, who introduced the measure, said it was intended to ensure that "boys and men will not be able to take the place of girls and women in sports because it's not fair".
A federal appeals panel had later ruled that Idaho failed to provide sufficient evidence that its law protected equal opportunities for female athletes, concluding that it violated constitutional rights. The Supreme Court's ruling overturns that outcome.
Supporters Welcome Decision, Campaigners Condemn It
West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey welcomed the ruling, describing it as a victory for common sense that would give states "the clarity and confidence to ensure fairness and safety for female athletes today and for generations to come".
LGBT advocacy group the Human Rights Campaign strongly criticised the decision. Its president, Kelley Robinson, said the ruling was "heartbreaking for transgender student athletes who are being forced to sit on the sidelines simply for who they are".
President Donald Trump also praised the judgment, calling it a "BIG WIN" in a social media post. The participation of transgender athletes in women's sports was a prominent issue during his 2024 election campaign.
After returning to office, Trump signed an executive order aimed at preventing transgender women from competing on female school and college sports teams. The NCAA, which governs US college athletics, subsequently barred transgender women from women's competitions.
Broader Debate Continues
Supporters of the restrictions argue that transgender women retain physical advantages over athletes recorded female at birth, making separate eligibility rules necessary to protect fairness in women's sport.
The International Olympic Committee said in March that, following an 18-month review of scientific evidence, it would restrict the women's category at the Olympic Games to biological females. The IOC said its working group found a "clear consensus" that male sex provides a performance advantage in sports that depend on strength, power and endurance.
Opponents of the bans argue the policies discriminate against transgender students and dispute claims that there is a scientific consensus showing transgender women and girls possess an inherent competitive advantage in all cases.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 1 July 2026
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Blow to Trump as Supreme Court Upholds Birthright Citizenship

The US Supreme Court has ruled that children born in the United States are entitled to citizenship under the Constitution, rejecting President Donald Trump's attempt to end the long-established policy through executive action.

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Court rejects executive order
In a 6-3 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts said that children born in the US to parents who are in the country unlawfully or on a temporary basis are citizens from birth under the 14th Amendment.
Trump had sought to narrow the constitutional guarantee by arguing that children of undocumented immigrants and some temporary visitors were not "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States and therefore should not automatically receive citizenship.
The ruling marks a significant defeat for the president's immigration agenda and preserves a constitutional principle that has been in place for more than 150 years.
Writing for the majority, Roberts said the framers of the 14th Amendment had extended the promise of citizenship to "every free-born person in this land".
"Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights – to freely participate in our political community," he wrote, adding: "We keep that promise today."
Trump vows to continue fight
Reacting on Truth Social, Trump described the decision as "too bad" and pledged to continue efforts to end birthright citizenship through Congress rather than by constitutional amendment.
"No long and unwieldy constitutional amendment is necessary," he wrote. "Congress should today start work on ending expensive, and unfair to our country, birthright citizenship."
The United States has recognised birthright citizenship since 1868, when the 14th Amendment was adopted following the Civil War. Originally intended to secure the rights of formerly enslaved people, the amendment states that all persons born or naturalised in the United States, and subject to its jurisdiction, are citizens of the country.
Sharp division among justices
Three conservative justices – Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito – dissented.
Justice Thomas argued that the 14th Amendment was being used beyond its original purpose, saying it had been "repurposed for political projects" and that the formerly enslaved people it was designed to protect "were Americans" who owed no allegiance to another country.
Justice Alito described the majority's decision as a "serious mistake", arguing it grants citizenship to almost anyone born in the United States, including children whose parents travel to the country specifically to give birth before returning home.
The case carried particular importance for Trump, who made a rare appearance at the Supreme Court during oral arguments in April.
Political reaction
White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller criticised the ruling, calling it "one of the most destructive and outrageous decisions" in the court's history.
Writing on X, he said: "American citizenship is not the birthright of the world. No provision of the Constitution can be read to require our national self-obliteration."
Democrats and civil rights groups welcomed the outcome.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said the Supreme Court had upheld both the Constitution and longstanding legal precedent by confirming that everyone born in the United States is an American citizen.
Dariely Rodriguez, chief counsel at the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said the judgment reaffirmed a principle that has existed for more than a century.
"Anyone born on American soil, regardless of the legal status of their parents, is born an American citizen," she said, adding that the decision demonstrated the country had "endured an incredible test of our collective will as a nation and have prevailed."


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 1 July 2026
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Starmer Vows Army '10 Times More Lethal'

Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled a major defence investment plan, promising to build an army that is "10 times more lethal" through increased military spending and greater use of advanced technology.

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Launching the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan (Dip) on Tuesday, the prime minister announced an additional £15 billion for defence, £1.5 billion more than had previously been pledged to former defence secretary John Healey.
The strategy had originally been due for publication last year but was delayed amid disagreements within government over funding levels, a dispute that ultimately contributed to Healey's resignation last month.
Bigger military budget aims to modernise UK forces
Starmer said defence spending would rise from 2.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024 to 2.7%, putting the UK "on a trajectory" to reach 3% during the next parliament.
Annual defence spending is expected to increase from £54 billion to £80 billion by 2029. Starmer argued that strengthening the armed forces was essential to preventing future conflict, saying that "the best way to avoid war is to prepare for it".
Investment focused on technology and deterrence
The four-year investment programme includes funding across several major defence projects.
The largest allocation, £63 billion, will support the UK's nuclear deterrent through the Dreadnought and SSN-AUKUS submarine programmes, as well as the purchase of 12 F-35A fighter aircraft.
A further £8 billion will be invested in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which is developing a next-generation stealth fighter for the Royal Air Force.


Picture courtesy of PA

Project Royal Oak, described as the biggest upgrade of Britain's naval bases in more than 45 years, will receive £26 billion.
More than £5 billion has been earmarked for transforming the armed forces through drones and autonomous systems, including £650 million for unmanned aerial and ground vehicles. Another £2 billion will fund a Digital Targeting Web using software and artificial intelligence to speed military decision-making and target engagement.
The government also plans to spend £11 billion on munitions and weapons stockpiles, including the construction of at least six new energetics factories by 2030.
Lessons from Ukraine shape strategy
Starmer said the investment would ensure Britain was prepared to confront Russia by 2030 if required, describing the programme as a "generational transformation" built on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine.
He highlighted the growing role of autonomous technology in modern warfare, saying future warships and aircraft would increasingly operate alongside autonomous systems as part of an integrated force.
The UK has closely monitored the widespread use of drones during the conflict in Ukraine, where around 200,000 are reportedly used each month, as well as their deployment in conflicts involving Iran.
The prime minister acknowledged that some infrastructure projects, including spending on roads and energy, might not proceed as originally planned to accommodate the higher defence budget.
However, he insisted the increased military investment would not come at the expense of frontline public services such as health and education. He also ruled out reducing day-to-day defence spending, arguing that cutting public services to fund defence would leave Britain "fundamentally weaker as a nation".
Political criticism and NATO pressure
The Defence Investment Plan has been viewed as a key part of Starmer's legacy, though Labour leadership contender Andy Burnham has indicated it could be reviewed if he succeeds him.
Burnham has suggested future defence contracts should place greater emphasis on supporting British-based defence companies.
Opposition parties criticised the plan, with Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge describing it as "too little, too late". He argued the additional funding was only marginally higher than the amount disputed before John Healey's resignation and said the strategy had been delayed for almost a year.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also called the plan "late and underfunded".
The announcement comes as NATO allies face increasing pressure to raise defence spending. At next week's NATO summit in Ankara, members are expected to outline a credible path towards spending 5% of GDP on defence by 2035. The White House said on Monday that US President Donald Trump expects the UK and other alliance members to meet their defence spending commitments.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 30 June 2026
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Axel Springer Completes £575m Telegraph Takeover

European media group Axel Springer has completed its £575 million acquisition of Telegraph Media Group (TMG), bringing to an end three years of uncertainty over the ownership of the 172-year-old British newspaper titles.

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The Germany-based company said it had received all necessary regulatory approvals in the UK, Ireland and Austria, allowing it to take full control of the publisher.
Axel Springer secures Telegraph ownership
Chief executive and controlling shareholder Mathias Döpfner described the completion of the deal as a significant milestone, saying the company and the Telegraph shared a commitment to press freedom, innovation and shaping the future of journalism.
Digital growth plans
The Telegraph will join Axel Springer's portfolio, which includes German newspapers Bild and Die Welt, along with digital news outlets Politico and Business Insider.
Döpfner said the company plans to use its digital expertise to accelerate the Telegraph's digital transformation, including expanding its presence in the United States. He has previously said his ambition is to make the Telegraph the leading centre-right English-language news organisation.
He also said the acquisition would strengthen the company's AI-powered digital strategy while maintaining trusted journalism.
Döpfner reiterated that the editorial independence of the Telegraph titles would remain "sacrosanct" and confirmed his support for the existing leadership team, including editor-in-chief Chris Evans, Sunday Telegraph editor Allister Heath and chief executive Anna Jones.
Evans welcomed the completion of the takeover, saying the company had endured three difficult years without long-term owners and now looked forward to pursuing new opportunities for growth in the UK and overseas.
Three years of ownership uncertainty
The sale process began in 2023 after the Barclay family lost control of Telegraph Media Group over £1.16 billion in unpaid debts owed to Lloyds Bank.
A joint venture, RedBird IMI, which was 75% backed by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, vice-president of the United Arab Emirates and owner of Manchester City, initially took control after agreeing to repay the Barclays' debts.
However, the British government later introduced legislation preventing foreign states or state-linked investors from owning UK newspaper assets, forcing RedBird IMI to sell the titles. The new rules also introduced a 15% cap on foreign state influence in newspaper ownership.
A consortium led by RedBird Capital, RedBird IMI's junior partner, offered £500 million for the newspapers last year but withdrew from the process in November.
Late bid beats Daily Mail owner
After RedBird Capital's withdrawal, Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT) moved close to acquiring the Telegraph after receiving government approval to assume the right-to-buy option from RedBird IMI.
However, Axel Springer entered the process with a late offer worth £575 million, exceeding DMGT's bid by £75 million. Combined with what was seen as a straightforward regulatory approval process, the proposal was accepted by RedBird IMI, clearing the way for the German media group to become the Telegraph's new owner.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 30 June 2026
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Ukrainian Drones Leave Some Russian Troops Minutes to Live

Russian soldiers reaching some of the most contested areas of the front line in Ukraine can expect to survive an average of only 20 to 35 minutes, according to estimates shared by Russian military bloggers and cited by Oxford historian Peter Frankopan in a Foreign Policy report. The claim has not been independently verified by CBS News.

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Similar accounts have become increasingly common on Russian military channels, suggesting growing awareness among some Russians of the war's human cost, despite longstanding efforts by the Kremlin to limit public discussion of battlefield losses.
Russian Military Bloggers Highlight Front-Line Risks
The conflict has inflicted heavy casualties on Russian forces. The head of Britain's GCHQ intelligence agency said last month that Russian military deaths have likely approached 500,000. Meanwhile, Ukraine's defence ministry says more than 1.4 million Russian troops have been killed or wounded since the full-scale invasion began.
Drones Reshape the Battlefield
The widespread use of drones has transformed the front lines into what military analysts describe as a "kill zone," forcing both sides to adapt their tactics.
With heavy artillery increasingly vulnerable to inexpensive first-person-view (FPV) drones, Russian forces have relied more heavily on small assault groups travelling on foot or motorcycles to probe Ukrainian defences and exploit weak points.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said drones now account for more than 80% of Russian battlefield losses. Some estimates also suggest that Russian forces are now suffering more fatalities than injuries, a pattern described as unprecedented in modern warfare.
Ukraine has also faced significant manpower shortages and has increasingly used similar infiltration tactics during efforts to hold or regain territory.
Rob Lee, a military analyst based in Ukraine, said personnel shortages have persisted since the end of Ukraine's 2023 counteroffensive.
"Manpower's been a problem since the end of the summer of 2023 offensive," Lee told CBS News. "We've had some cases where infantry have spent more than a year in position with no rotation."
Ukraine Expands Drone Operations
Ukraine has sought to reduce troop exposure by expanding the use of drones beyond combat missions. Uncrewed systems are increasingly used for logistics, medical evacuation and other battlefield support roles.
"We say there is no need to send a human being where the robot can do the job," Oleksandr Kamyshin, the Ukrainian official overseeing the country's defence industry, told CBS News earlier this year.
Some estimates indicate Russia is losing roughly eight soldiers killed or seriously wounded for every Ukrainian casualty.
Despite those losses, Russia has continued to make gradual territorial gains. Ukraine's top military commander said Ukrainian forces have recaptured more than 230 square miles of territory this year, but Russian troops have advanced in strategically important parts of the Donetsk region.
Ukrainian commanders said last week that Russian forces were attempting to infiltrate the outskirts of Kostyantynivka, a key industrial city in Donetsk.
War's Impact Felt More Widely in Russia
A nationwide Russian public opinion survey released on Monday by the Institute for Conflict Studies and Analysis of Russia, a Ukrainian think tank, found that 31% of respondents said at least one family member had been mobilised, up from 17% in 2022.
Oleksandr Shulga, head of the institute, cautioned against overstating the findings, saying that "even after four years, the majority of Russians do not perceive this war as existential."
However, he noted that the conflict has become increasingly personal for many Russians. According to the survey, only 29% of respondents said none of their relatives or acquaintances had been killed in the fighting since the war began.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 30 June 2026
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Eisenkot Emerges as Netanyahu’s Main Election Challenger

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is increasingly targeting former military chief Gadi Eisenkot as his main political rival ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for late October, reflecting the growing strength of Eisenkot’s newly formed party.

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On June 8, Netanyahu’s Likud party posted a message on X declaring, “There is no Gadi without Tibi,” alongside an AI-generated video depicting Eisenkot with Arab lawmaker Ahmad Tibi. The clip ended with a message claiming Eisenkot could not form a government without Arab parties.
The post highlighted two key themes of Likud’s campaign: its continued use of anti-Arab messaging and its recognition of Eisenkot as Netanyahu’s principal challenger.
Although Eisenkot is less well known internationally, his profile has risen sharply in Israel. An adviser to Netanyahu said the party has prepared hundreds of campaign videos targeting him.
Polls Show Rising Support
Eisenkot founded the Yashar party less than a year ago. Initially polling in the single digits, it has climbed rapidly and is now running close to Likud in several surveys.
He rejected efforts by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid to unite the anti-Netanyahu opposition, choosing instead to run independently.
A recent Channel 12 poll projected Yashar winning 21 seats in the 120-member Knesset, just behind Likud’s 23 seats and ahead of the Bennett-Lapid alliance on 18. The same survey found 38% of respondents preferred Eisenkot as prime minister, compared with 36% for Netanyahu. Other polls have shown a similar trend.
Likud has responded by shifting its campaign focus from Bennett to Eisenkot. Recent attacks have mocked Eisenkot’s accented English and contrasted it with Netanyahu’s polished international style, while also questioning whether Eisenkot would have ordered military action against Iran.
A Different Leadership Style
Political analysts say those differences may be contributing to Eisenkot’s appeal.
Netanyahu, 76, is known for his commanding public presence, political messaging and decades of campaigning. Eisenkot, 66, projects a quieter and more reserved image shaped by a career in military planning rather than politics.
Their backgrounds also differ significantly. Netanyahu, the son of a historian, grew up in Jerusalem and served in the elite Sayeret Matkal unit. Eisenkot, the second of nine children born to Moroccan immigrants, was raised in Tiberias and Eilat before rising through the Golani Brigade to become chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces from 2015 to 2019.
At Eisenkot’s retirement ceremony in 2019, Netanyahu praised his military service and leadership.
During his tenure, Eisenkot oversaw the prosecution of soldier Elor Azaria, who was convicted of killing a wounded Palestinian attacker in Hebron. Eisenkot supported the military’s legal process despite criticism from many on the political right, including Netanyahu.
War Experience Shapes Political Campaign
Eisenkot entered politics in 2022 under former military chief Benny Gantz. After the October 7 attack, both men joined Netanyahu’s emergency war cabinet before later leaving over disagreements about the government's strategy and the lack of a long-term plan for the war in Gaza.
In a February 2024 letter, Eisenkot argued that the conflict was producing tactical successes without achieving broader strategic goals.
The war also had a profound personal impact. His youngest son, Gal, was killed while fighting in Gaza two months after the conflict began, and two of his nephews later died in combat. Eisenkot said at his son's funeral that the family would strive to ensure his sacrifice was not in vain.
In 2025, Eisenkot split from Gantz to establish his own party, which has since gained momentum.
Commentators say his military credentials, personal loss and background as the son of Moroccan immigrants have broadened his appeal, particularly among Mizrahi voters, a demographic that has traditionally supported Likud. Israel has never had a Mizrahi prime minister.
Coalition Challenge Remains
Despite his recent rise, Eisenkot still faces significant obstacles.
Polls suggest no party is close to winning a parliamentary majority, meaning any government would require coalition partners. A potential anti-Netanyahu coalition would likely span parties from the left, centre, right and Arab political groups, making it difficult both to form and sustain.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, remains an experienced campaigner with an established political organisation. His allies have intensified criticism of Eisenkot, while Likud continues to argue that any government led by its rival would depend on Arab parties.
Journalist and Netanyahu biographer Anshel Pfeffer said many previous challengers had failed because they tried to emulate Netanyahu's political style.
According to Pfeffer, Eisenkot's strongest asset may be that he offers a distinctly different style of leadership, although he noted that the two men may differ more in personality than in policy, given Eisenkot's role in shaping Israel's military strategy over recent years.



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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 30 June 2026

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Virginia Approves Recreational Marijuana Retail Stores

Virginia will allow licensed retail sales of recreational marijuana beginning in 2027, five years after becoming the first Southern state to legalize adult possession of cannabis.

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The change was approved through state budget legislation enacted on Monday, creating a regulated retail market for adults aged 21 and older. Up to 350 cannabis stores will be permitted to operate across the state from July 1, 2027, marking a major expansion of legal cannabis access despite marijuana remaining illegal under federal law.
Retail Market to Open in 2027
Virginia already operates a medical marijuana program that allows registered patients to buy cannabis through licensed dispensaries. Under the new law, state regulators will begin accepting applications for recreational retail licenses on Feb. 1, 2027, ahead of sales launching five months later.
The legislation also raises the legal possession limit for adults from 1 ounce to 2 ounces (28 grams to 57 grams). Residents will continue to be allowed to grow a limited number of marijuana plants at home.
Retail cannabis sales will be subject to an excise tax in addition to the state's existing sales tax. Legislative budget documents estimate the combined taxes will generate about $51 million in state revenue during the program's first year.
Years of Political Debate
Virginia legalized recreational marijuana possession in 2021, becoming the first Southern state to do so. However, lawmakers did not establish a legal retail system at the time, leaving consumers without licensed stores to purchase cannabis.
Democratic lawmakers have argued that creating a regulated market is necessary to replace illegal sales while ensuring products are tested, accurately labeled and sold through licensed businesses.
State Sen. Lashrecse Aird, a Democrat who has led legislative efforts on the issue, said the compromise creates a safer and more accessible legal marketplace that can better compete with illicit sales.
Democrats have also framed legalization as an equity issue, pointing to state data showing Black Virginians were disproportionately arrested and convicted for marijuana-related offences.
Most Republican lawmakers have opposed legalization, citing concerns about public health and public safety. Former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed legislation in 2024 that would have established recreational retail sales after possession had already been legalized.
Compromise Under New Governor
Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who took office in January 2026 after campaigning in support of a regulated cannabis market, initially vetoed legislation passed earlier this year before reaching a compromise with lawmakers.
The agreed provisions were incorporated into the state budget bill, which became law after legislators accepted all of the governor's amendments.
Some legalization advocates welcomed the legislation but criticised a provision increasing the civil fine for public marijuana consumption, arguing it could lead to disproportionate enforcement against Black residents.
Chelsea Higgs Wise, a grassroots organizer with Marijuana Justice, said the law still represented significant progress after years of uncertainty for adults seeking to use cannabis legally.
Virginia Remains a Southern Outlier
Virginia continues to stand apart from much of the South with its permissive cannabis laws. While most U.S. states now allow marijuana for medical use or recreational use, roughly half permit recreational sales to adults.
At the federal level, marijuana remains illegal, although the Trump administration announced in April that it would reclassify state-licensed medical marijuana as a less dangerous drug and speed up the process for broader federal reclassification.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 30 June 2026
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Burnham Unveils 'No 10 North' Devolution Plan

ndy Burnham has pledged to shift power away from Whitehall by creating a new Manchester-based Downing Street unit, dubbed "No 10 North", as he outlined his vision in his first major speech since launching his bid to become Britain's next prime minister.
Addressing supporters at Manchester's People's History Museum, Burnham said the new team would oversee what he described as the largest redistribution of power in the country's history. He argued that devolving authority to local communities would help deliver economic growth across every part of the UK.
The speech marked Burnham's first major policy address since announcing his leadership campaign after being elected MP for Makerfield. He is currently the only Labour MP to declare a candidacy and could become prime minister as early as 20 July if no challenger emerges.
Devolution at the heart of proposals
Burnham said decision-making had been held back by central government and insisted that economic growth could not be directed from Whitehall alone.
He proposed giving regions greater control over services including water, energy and transport, while suggesting London should gain more authority over education and housing. He also called for further devolution within Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, arguing that people in cities such as Dundee and Bangor often felt as distant from their devolved governments as they did from Westminster.
According to Burnham, the proposed No 10 North unit would coordinate reforms focused on essential utilities, industrial renewal and regional regeneration.
Although he did not provide detailed policy plans, he said devolving power would act as a "circuit-breaker" for Britain and help spread economic opportunity more evenly across the country.
Housing, welfare and education reforms
Alongside his devolution plans, Burnham promised the largest council house building programme since the years following the Second World War.
He also pledged a "complete rethink" of education, arguing that schools should no longer be primarily geared towards university education. Instead, he said greater emphasis should be placed on technical and vocational training.
On welfare, Burnham said he was prepared to reduce spending but insisted any reforms would be "fair and lasting". He proposed expanding mental health support for young people receiving employment assistance and suggested that employment services should be devolved to regional mayors and delivered more through trusted community organisations.
He also repeated his proposal to reform business rates to support pubs and high street businesses, while promising to maintain sound public finances and pursue a 10-year strategy aimed at raising living standards.
Burnham declined to discuss potential cabinet appointments, including the position of chancellor, saying decisions would be made only after the Labour leadership contest concludes. He also confirmed that transition discussions with the civil service would begin this week following authorisation from outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Opposition questions proposals
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised Burnham's emphasis on devolution, arguing it reflected a lack of national solutions rather than a clear governing strategy. She said politicians too often shifted responsibility without providing local authorities with sufficient powers.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey welcomed Burnham's focus on growth but warned that previous promises of regional renewal had failed to deliver lasting change. He urged Burnham to reconsider Labour's stance on relations with Europe and support rejoining the single market.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said devolution could be effective but questioned whether creating separate centres of political power in northern and southern England would lead to conflict rather than cooperation.
Green Party co-leader Zack Polanski argued that greater powers for local authorities would have limited value without increased funding, while the SNP's Westminster leader Dave Doogan said the proposals offered little that would significantly benefit Scotland.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 30 June 2026
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Supreme Court Hands Trump Big Win but Three Setbacks

Donald Trump secured a significant victory at the US Supreme Court on Monday after the justices expanded presidential authority over independent federal regulators. However, the court also handed the president three notable defeats, underscoring that its conservative majority is not always aligned with his agenda.

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The rulings, issued on the second-to-last day of the court's current term, covered presidential powers, election rules, the Federal Reserve and one of Trump's long-running legal battles.
Court Expands Presidential Authority
In its most consequential decision, the Supreme Court overturned a nearly century-old precedent that had limited a president's ability to remove officials serving on independent regulatory agencies.
Writing for the six-member conservative majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said officials exercising executive authority must remain accountable to the president and, ultimately, to voters through the elected executive.
The decision reverses a landmark ruling dating back to the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and gives Trump, as well as future presidents, broader authority to dismiss and replace officials leading agencies that Congress had intended to operate independently.
Although the case centred on the Federal Trade Commission, the ruling is expected to affect numerous agencies responsible for elections, communications, labour, finance and environmental regulation.
Trump welcomed the decision on his Truth Social platform, saying it had "greatly" increased presidential power.
Federal Reserve Ruling Limits Trump's Reach
Despite the sweeping ruling on executive authority, the court refused to extend that reasoning to Trump's effort to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
In a 5-4 decision, Roberts and conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined the court's three liberal justices in allowing Cook to challenge her dismissal.
Trump has accused Cook of mortgage fraud, although the dispute has also unfolded against the backdrop of his criticism of the Federal Reserve's refusal to lower interest rates.
Roberts wrote that Cook should have the opportunity to contest the allegations against her, while warning of the serious consequences that could arise if presidents were able to exert direct control over the central bank.
The decision represented a significant setback for Trump, whose administration has repeatedly criticised the Federal Reserve's monetary policy.
Court Rejects Trump on Mail-In Ballots
Trump also lost a separate case involving mail-in voting.
In another 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the authority of states to count mail-in ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but arrive afterwards, rejecting Trump's challenge.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett, joined by Roberts and the court's three liberal justices, wrote that the US Constitution gives states broad authority to determine the "time, place and manner" of congressional elections.
The majority also dismissed Trump's arguments that mail-in voting is particularly vulnerable to fraud, indicating that such policy questions should be addressed through the political process rather than the courts.
Following the ruling, Trump renewed his call for Congress to pass legislation restricting mail-in voting. Although the Republican-controlled House has approved the measure, it has not advanced in the Senate.
Appeal in Carroll Defamation Case Rejected
The Supreme Court also quietly declined to hear Trump's appeal of the $5 million civil judgment awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll after a jury found he had defamed her.
The justices provided no explanation for declining the case, leaving intact the 2023 verdict.
Trump criticised the decision on social media and vowed to continue challenging what he described as "lawfare" against him.
The ruling effectively ends Trump's effort to overturn the $5 million judgment, although he is continuing to appeal a separate case in which a jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million in damages.
Monday's decisions highlighted the complex relationship between Trump and a Supreme Court with a conservative majority. While the court significantly strengthened presidential authority over independent agencies, it also blocked the president on key priorities involving the Federal Reserve, mail-in voting and one of his most prominent legal appeals.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 30 June 2026
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Five Killed in Shooting at Germany Youth Centre

Five people were killed in a shooting at a youth centre in the northern German town of Stade on Monday, police said, adding that a male suspect had been detained.

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The motive for the attack remains unclear as investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Shooting at Youth Centre
Local media reported that the incident occurred at a youth centre in central Stade, a town of just under 50,000 residents located west of Hamburg.
Police confirmed that one male suspect was in custody but did not immediately provide further details about his identity or possible connection to the victims.
Investigation Underway
Some local media reports suggested that more than one person may have been involved in the shooting. However, police did not confirm those reports and said investigations were ongoing.
Emergency services responded to the scene as officers secured the area and launched an investigation. Authorities have not yet released information about the victims or said whether they believe there is any ongoing threat to the public.
Police said they would provide further updates as more information becomes available.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 29 June 2026
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Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Hits 1,450 as Search Continues

Rescue teams from Venezuela and around the world continued searching for survivors on Sunday, four days after two powerful earthquakes devastated the northern state of La Guaira, as the death toll climbed to 1,450.

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Thousands of people also remain missing, according to several databases being used by families trying to locate loved ones, while hopes of finding more survivors fade with each passing day.
Search Continues Despite Dwindling Odds
Emergency crews pressed on with rescue efforts despite the passing of the critical 48- to 72-hour window that aid agencies consider the best chance of finding people alive after a major disaster. Authorities said survival remains possible if those trapped have access to food and water.
On Sunday morning, rescue workers from the United States and France pulled a man and his son from the ruins of a collapsed building. Covered in dust, the pair were carried on a black tarp to an ambulance and given intravenous fluids as crowds gathered to watch.
The United Nations said more than 2,200 rescue workers from around the world had arrived by Saturday, with additional teams continuing to reach the disaster zone.
Civilian volunteer Jason Mercano, who had been communicating with relatives trapped beneath the rubble through social media, said rescuers remained determined.
"It's been incredibly hard work, but we're going strong," he said. "We've never given up hope."
Criticism of Government Response
The disaster has sparked growing criticism of the Venezuelan government, with many residents saying rescue operations were initially led largely by civilians rather than state authorities.
President Delcy Rodríguez's government said more than 14,000 military personnel and police officers were patrolling La Guaira, where access has been restricted and entry now requires special permits.
Officials also reported that more than 770 buildings had collapsed or suffered damage in the earthquakes, roughly double the number previously reported on Friday.
The earthquakes present a major challenge for Rodríguez, who assumed office in January following the U.S. capture and removal of former President Nicolás Maduro. Venezuela has struggled with prolonged economic difficulties for more than a decade, and many citizens continue to question the legitimacy of the political movement Rodríguez represents.
Destruction and International Aid
Scenes across La Guaira reflected the scale of the devastation. Families searched through the remains of collapsed buildings, calling out the names of missing relatives in the hope of hearing a response.
As temperatures remained high, many residents wore face masks because of the smell of decomposing bodies. Elsewhere, recovery teams loaded victims onto trucks from a hospital parking area where bodies were being identified.
Many rescuers worked with limited equipment, wearing motorcycle helmets instead of proper protective gear as they searched unstable piles of debris.
Frustration also boiled over at one rescue site, where residents prevented an excavator from leaving after accusing government workers of taking photographs at the scene without helping with recovery efforts.
The International Organization for Migration estimated that more than six million people could be affected by the disaster, including around two million residents of the capital, Caracas.
Experts said the extensive damage was intensified because the two shallow earthquakes struck in quick succession. Smaller aftershocks have continued to shake Caracas and surrounding areas, including a magnitude 4.8 tremor on Saturday.
International rescue teams and aid supplies continued arriving from countries including Mexico, the United States, Brazil, El Salvador and France.
Hope Amid the Tragedy
Despite the widespread destruction, occasional rescues have kept hope alive for families waiting at disaster sites.
Yonahí Regalado said she spent hours calling the names of her sister and one-year-old nephew until international rescue teams reached the area.
"It doesn't matter who it is, whoever, whether it's family or somebody else. If there is anyone alive, let's get them out," she said.
Small acts of compassion also emerged during the crisis. In one widely shared video, a Venezuelan rescuer comforted an elderly woman trapped beneath debris, reassuring her that he would remain beside her if the unstable structure collapsed.
Meanwhile, Simón Bolívar International Airport, which serves Caracas, suffered significant damage. One runway has reopened while U.S. teams continue repair work to restore the airport's operations, according to Jeremy Lewin, a senior U.S. State Department official overseeing foreign assistance.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 29 June 2026
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How Scotland Escaped Europe's Murder Capital Label

Scotland has transformed its approach to tackling violent crime, cutting homicide rates dramatically after shifting from a law enforcement-led strategy to one that treats violence as a public health issue.

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In the early 2000s, Scotland was described by the United Nations as the most violent country in the developed world. Between 2003 and 2005, Glasgow recorded the highest murder rate of any city in Europe, while Scots were almost three times more likely to be assaulted than Americans. Knife crime, gang violence and organised crime were widespread, particularly in Glasgow's east end.
Scotland Cut Violence by Treating It as a Public Health Issue
Faced with persistently high levels of violence, police and government officials established the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU) in 2005. Rather than focusing solely on arrests and prosecutions, the unit adopted a prevention-based strategy that sought to address the underlying causes of violent behaviour.
Prevention replaces punishment
One of the SVRU's best-known initiatives came in 2008, when 85 rival gang members gathered at Glasgow Sheriff Court for an unusual intervention. Instead of a criminal trial, they heard from victims' relatives, doctors and others affected by violence, who described its devastating personal consequences.
Participants were offered confidential support to help them leave gang life behind. Similar sessions followed, attracting hundreds of young people, with almost 400 later seeking assistance.
The programme formed part of a broader strategy that viewed violence as a preventable problem rather than an inevitable feature of society. Officials compared the approach to tackling infectious disease, combining early intervention, support for those most at risk and measures aimed at preventing violence before it occurred.
Researchers identified key risk factors, including poverty, unemployment, unstable family environments and social deprivation. In response, the SVRU worked with schools, healthcare providers, social workers and community organisations to develop targeted programmes.
Broad partnerships drive lasting change
Many initiatives focused on supporting vulnerable people before violence occurred. Dentists and hospital staff were trained to identify signs of violence and direct patients towards specialist services. Schools were encouraged to reduce pupil exclusions, while charities introduced education programmes and support workers to help victims of violence in emergency departments.
The strategy also drew on successful initiatives from abroad, including programmes in Chicago and Cincinnati, but adapted them to Scotland's own circumstances rather than replicating them unchanged.
The results were significant. Over the following decade, Glasgow's homicide rate fell by 56%, while Scotland's overall homicide rate declined by 38%. Violent crime across the country dropped by almost one-third between 2006 and 2015, and Scotland now records its lowest homicide levels in more than two decades.
The country now sits around the middle of European rankings for murder rates, with fewer killings per head of population than Sweden, France, and England and Wales.
New challenges remain
Despite the progress, experts say further work is needed. A 2024 study found that reductions in serious violence have slowed, partly because of a shortage of safe spaces for young people.
Officials also point to new challenges, including the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the influence of social media and continuing child poverty, with nearly one in four Scottish children growing up in poverty.
The profile of violent offenders has also changed. Whereas teenagers and young adults once accounted for most murder suspects, people in their 30s and 40s now make up the largest group, suggesting different forms of intervention may be required.
The Scottish model has attracted international attention. Since 2019, violence reduction units based on the Scottish approach have been established across 20 police force areas in England and Wales, with early assessments indicating reductions in the most serious forms of violence.
While Scotland's experience has become an example for other countries, those behind the programme argue that lasting success depends on continued investment in prevention, collaboration across public services and adapting interventions to emerging social challenges.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 29 June 2026
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GOP Fears Trump Is Losing Voters on the Economy

Republican lawmakers are expressing growing concern that President Donald Trump is increasingly out of step with both GOP candidates and voters on the economy, as inflation and rising living costs remain central issues ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

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Several Republican senators have urged Trump to focus more closely on household finances and promote his administration's economic record. Instead, they say, the president has concentrated on foreign policy, internal party disputes and election-related legislation, raising fears that Republicans could struggle to retain voter support.
Housing bill sparks frustration
Tensions intensified after Trump declined to sign the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, despite the measure passing Congress with overwhelming support. The president said he would not approve the legislation until Congress passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act, a proposal that faces long odds of becoming law.
The decision surprised Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other Republican lawmakers, who argued that delaying the housing bill undermines efforts to address affordability concerns during a difficult political period.
Sen. John Cornyn said Republicans needed to remember that the midterm elections were approaching, while other lawmakers warned that abandoning widely supported legislation could further weaken the party's standing with independent voters.
Concerns over economic messaging
Republican senators have also questioned Trump's public comments about the economy, saying they risk reinforcing voter concerns about rising prices.
Sen. Thom Tillis said Americans wanted to know that leaders understood the financial pressures they faced and had a clear plan to address them. Recalling his own struggles with fuel costs decades ago, Tillis said voters would give policymakers time to solve economic problems if they believed their concerns were being acknowledged.
He suggested the conflict involving Iran had diverted the president's attention from domestic economic issues but argued that the administration should communicate more clearly that tackling inflation and living costs remains a priority.
Trump has also drawn criticism after saying he was not thinking about Americans' financial situations while working to negotiate an end to the Iran conflict. His allies argued the remarks were taken out of context and that he was referring to his focus on preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Nevertheless, some Republican senators privately expressed discomfort with the comments.
Polls add to Republican concerns
Republican strategists say the economy remains the dominant issue for many voters, even as Trump prioritises national security and election-related measures.
Ron Bonjean, a Republican strategist, said the president's focus on Iran and the SAVE America Act was not aligned with the issues most important to many Americans, despite his belief that he was acting in their best interests.
A Republican senator, speaking anonymously, said internal polling showed independent voters moving away from Republicans. The lawmaker said negative perceptions of Trump's handling of the economy had worsened following US military strikes against Iran, which were followed by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, higher fuel prices and increased fertiliser costs.
Recent public polling has also pointed to economic dissatisfaction. A Fox News survey found that 59% of registered voters felt pessimistic about the economy, while 44% said they were falling behind financially, both figures higher than a year earlier.
A PBS/NPR/Marist poll found that 33% of Americans approved of Trump's handling of the economy, the lowest level recorded by Marist on that issue since it began tracking the measure in 2019.
Pressure ahead of the midterms
Concerns about the political impact of the economy have also surfaced during private Republican meetings. According to a senior Republican aide, Sen. Tim Scott warned colleagues that polling had deteriorated for both the party and the president, arguing that the Justice Department's proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponisation fund would further damage Republican prospects.
Veteran Republican strategist Vin Weber said voters would ultimately judge the administration based on economic conditions rather than messaging alone. While acknowledging that the president should show greater empathy toward voters' financial concerns, Weber argued that the overall state of the economy would remain the decisive factor in the election.
He added that Democrats were likely to highlight Trump's comments about the economy but said the broader economic environment and the president's approval ratings would have a greater influence on the outcome of the midterm elections.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 29 June 2026
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Pakistan Airstrikes Kill Dozens in Afghanistan

Pakistan launched overnight airstrikes and a ground operation along its border with Afghanistan, with Afghan officials saying at least 36 civilians were killed and more than 160 injured, marking the latest escalation in tensions between the two neighbours.

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Afghanistan's Taliban government condemned the strikes, describing them as a "cowardly act of aggression" and an "act of brutality."
Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Taliban administration, said Pakistani forces first struck a house in Chamkani district of Paktia province, killing an elderly man and a child and injuring several members of the same family.
Afghanistan Accuses Pakistan of Targeting Civilians
He said a second strike hit the area after local residents gathered to help those affected, killing 28 villagers and wounding 158 others.
In neighbouring Paktika province, another airstrike reportedly hit a home in Giyan district, killing six people, most of them women and children. Afghan officials also said a civilian house in Kunar province was struck, killing around 30 livestock but causing no human casualties.
Pakistan Says Militants Were Targeted
Pakistan said its military action targeted militant hideouts and safe havens following a series of attacks inside the country.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said security forces carried out a ground operation before launching airstrikes, killing 29 militants. He said the operation was a response to multiple attacks by armed groups operating against Pakistan.
Militant violence has increased in Pakistan in recent years, with authorities blaming the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and allied groups for many of the attacks. Although separate organisations, the TTP maintains close ties with Afghanistan's Taliban rulers, who returned to power in 2021.
The latest operation came after militants attacked the regional headquarters of Pakistan's paramilitary Rangers in Karachi, killing three soldiers. Pakistani security forces said they killed three attackers and captured a fourth suspect, whom they identified as an injured Afghan national.
Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a faction that split from the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the Karachi assault.
Conflict Continues Despite Peace Efforts
The latest cross-border operation took place less than three weeks after Pakistan carried out airstrikes on what it described as militant positions inside Afghanistan. Those strikes ended roughly a month of relative calm following what Islamabad had previously referred to as an "open war" between the two countries.
Relations have steadily deteriorated in recent months, with repeated military exchanges across the border. Hundreds of people have been killed in the fighting since February, when Afghanistan launched retaliatory strikes after earlier Pakistani air raids.
Several rounds of negotiations have failed to produce a lasting ceasefire. China hosted talks between the two countries in April and later said both sides had agreed to avoid further escalation while seeking a diplomatic solution to the conflict.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 29 June 2026
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US, Iran Agree to Halt Strikes in Strait of Hormuz

The United States and Iran have agreed to "stand down" following several days of military exchanges that threatened a fragile ceasefire, according to media reports citing a US official.

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The reported agreement follows a series of attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz, with both countries accusing each other of breaching the truce reached earlier this month.
Shipping Route to Reopen
The US official told CBS News, the BBC's US partner, that vessels would once again be able to move through the Strait of Hormuz "freely". The official also said negotiations aimed at bringing the conflict to an end would continue.
Iran has not publicly commented on reports that it has agreed to halt attacks in the strategic waterway.
On 17 June, the US and Iran signed a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which called for the "immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts".
Under the agreement, Iran also pledged to make its "best efforts" to ensure the safe passage of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz without charge for 60 days.
Ceasefire Under Pressure
The ceasefire came under renewed strain after an Iranian projectile struck a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday.
The US responded over the weekend with strikes on multiple targets in Iran. US Central Command (Centcom) said the operation was a direct response to Iran's "continued aggression" against commercial shipping.
Iran then launched strikes on US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain on Saturday. The US said the attacks failed to reach their intended targets and caused no casualties or damage.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important shipping routes for oil and gas exports. Tehran had effectively closed the waterway after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran at the end of February.
Lebanon Ceasefire Also Tested
Separately, the US helped broker a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon on Friday, with the aim of laying the foundations for a lasting peace.
However, the agreement quickly came under pressure as fighting continued between Israeli forces and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah's leader rejected the deal, accusing the Lebanese government of undermining the country's sovereignty.
Two days after the agreement was signed, the Israeli military said it had destroyed a 200-metre-long tunnel in southern Lebanon that it said was used by Hezbollah and contained hundreds of weapons.
A joint statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the US had been informed before the strike.
Tehran has said an end to hostilities in Lebanon is necessary for any broader regional ceasefire to hold.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 29 June 2026
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'Horrific' Scene as 117 Dead Dogs Found at Shelter

Authorities in California have discovered the remains of at least 117 dogs buried at a self-described "no-kill" animal shelter, with investigators saying many of the animals appeared to have died from gunshot wounds.

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The remains were uncovered during searches at Miranda's Rescue Animal Sanctuary, a 50-acre facility in Fortuna, northern California. The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office said investigators also found 21 canine skulls, hundreds of bones and other animal remains across the property.
Investigation uncovers mass burial site
Investigators searching the site on Thursday identified an area inside a barn where they believe dogs were likely killed. More than 600 dog collars were recovered nearby, according to the sheriff's office.
Sheriff William Honsal described the discovery as a "horrific scene" and said the investigation remains in its early stages. No criminal charges have been filed.
The inquiry began in April after authorities received what they described as credible allegations of felony animal abuse, animal cruelty, fraud and conspiracy involving the shelter.
Using ground-penetrating radar, investigators located 117 intact canine remains buried in an open field in various stages of decomposition. Seventy of the remains were examined with portable X-ray equipment, which revealed bullet fragments in many cases. Authorities said gunshot wounds appeared to be the cause of death for numerous animals. Additional remains in more advanced stages of decomposition were also recovered.
Court documents from an earlier search state that investigators were alerted by two animal advocates, including a neighbouring property owner who used trail cameras to monitor activity near an alleged burial site. The pair later entered the shelter property and uncovered dog remains, according to the affidavit.
Shelter defends its practices
Miranda's Rescue receives animals transferred from shelters and accepted from private owners. The organisation also collects transfer fees and donations, saying the money helps cover food, veterinary treatment, medications, staffing and operating expenses.
A request for comment was left for the shelter's founder, Shannon Miranda.
In a statement published on the organisation's website on 18 June, Miranda said recent media reports and online commentary had presented "an incomplete and, in some cases, inaccurate picture" of the rescue's work.
Miranda said the organisation's mission was to save as many animals as possible while balancing animal welfare with public safety. The statement maintained that the rescue does not euthanise animals simply to create space.
However, Miranda said euthanasia may be carried out in rare circumstances, including when an animal is terminally ill or poses a serious and ongoing danger to people or other animals.
Investigation remains ongoing
Sheriff Honsal said investigators still have extensive evidence to examine, including physical evidence, witness interviews and data collected during the searches.
The sheriff said hundreds of dogs had been transferred or surrendered to Miranda's Rescue by private owners and animal shelters over the years. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing, with no charges filed so far.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 29 June 2026
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