Top Stories Today – July 3, 2019
Top Stories Today – July 3, 2019
England beaten by US in world cup
England’s dreams of reaching their first Women’s World Cup final were dashed as Steph Houghton’s late penalty was saved in a dramatic semi-final loss to holders the United States.
The USA team is through to its third consecutive World Cup final and will now bid for a record fourth title when they face either Sweden or European champions the Netherlands on Sunday. Those two sides meet on Wednesday, with the losers taking on the Lionesses in Nice in Saturday’s third-place play-off. BBC
Rouhani: Iran will enrich uranium to any amount we want
Iran’s president warned European partners in its faltering nuclear deal on Wednesday that Tehran will increase its enrichment of uranium to “any amount that we want” beginning on Sunday, putting pressure on them to offer a way around intense US sanctions targeting the country. The comments by President Hassan Rouhani come as tensions remain high between Iran and the US over the deal, which President Donald Trump pulled America from over a year ago.
Authorities on Monday acknowledged Iran broke through a limit placed on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting in Tehran, Rouhani’s comments seemed to signal that Europe has yet to offer Iran anything to alleviate the pain of the renewed US sanctions targeting its oil industry and top officials. The Associated Press
Judge blocks Trump policy keeping asylum-seekers locked up
A federal judge in Seattle on Tuesday blocked a Trump administration policy that would keep thousands of asylum-seekers locked up while they pursue their cases, saying the Constitution demands that such migrants have a chance to be released from custody.
US District Judge Marsha Pechman ruled Tuesday that people who are detained after entering the country illegally to seek protection are entitled to bond hearings. Attorney General William Barr announced in April that the government would no longer offer such hearings, but instead keep them in custody. It was part of the administration’s efforts to deter a surge of migrants at the US-Mexico border. The Associated Press
Airstrike on Libya detention center kills 40
The United Nations and African Union have condemned airstrikes on a detention center for migrants outside of Libya’s capital that killed at least 40 people. Libyan health officials said in addition to those killed in the strikes late Tuesday, another 80 people were wounded.
The battle for control of Libya’s internationally-recognized government and the Libyan National Army (LNA) of a rival government led by general Khalifa Haftar has been raging for months in the Tripoli suburbs with little progress made. The U.N.-backed government blamed the LNA for the strikes. African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat called for all sides to ensure the safety of civilians, especially detained migrants, while demanding an independent investigation into Tuesday’s airstrikes. The Voice of America
EU leaders name 2 women to full top spots
European Union leaders picked two women, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen and current International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde, to fill the bloc’s top slots, breaking an extensive deadlock over candidates.
For the first time in European Union history, two of the bloc’s most powerful positions will be headed by women — assuming the European Parliament gives their nominations a thumbs up (approval). Ending weeks of wrangling that reflected geographic and political divides, EU leaders agreed on German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen as president of the next European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm. Former French finance minister and current IMF head Christine Lagarde was nominated to head the powerful European Central Bank. The Voice of America
Census will be printed without citizenship question
The Trump administration has dropped its plans to ask about citizenship on the 2020 census, sending the questionnaire to the printer after the Supreme Court ruled against the question’s inclusion, a Justice Department official said in an email Tuesday. Lawsuits against the question’s addition claimed asking about citizenship would deter noncitizens from taking the census, depressing congressional representation in Democratic areas.
Evidence later surfaced showing a GOP operative had found that including the question “would be advantageous to Republicans and non-Hispanic whites.” The Trump administration publicly claimed the question would help enforce the Voting Rights Act — reasoning the Supreme Court said “appeared to be contrived” in its Thursday ruling. President Trump said he would seek to delay the Census after the ruling. The New York Times via The Week
National Park Service shifted $2.5M to Trump’s July 4th event
The National Park Service, which oversees the National Mall, is diverting nearly $2.5 million in entrance and recreation fees to cover costs associated with President Trump’s Fourth of July “Salute to America” on Thursday, The Washington Post reports. Those diverted national park improvement funds exceed the $2 million the Park Service typically spends on the entire Fourth of July celebration.
The Pentagon is also likely spending several million on displays of tanks, aircraft, and other military hardware, though the White House and Interior Department have declined to say how much the event is costing taxpayers, or why Republican groups and Trump’s campaign are passing out tickets to the VIP section. The Pentagon is referring all questions to the White House. The Washington Post, Talking Points Memo via The Week