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Today's top stories
A federal appeals court in California has ruled that President Trump can maintain control over 4,000 California National Guard troops in Los Angeles. The decision blocks, at least temporarily, Gov. Gavin Newsom's efforts to regain control of the Guard. The Trump administration deployed the troops nearly two weeks ago in response to protests in LA, which were sparked by immigration raids in the area.
- 🎧 The unanimous ruling from the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit doesn't come as a surprise since the judges seemed skeptical of the state's arguments during Tuesday's hearing, Laura Fitzgerald of CapRadio, an NPR network station, tells Up First. The 38-page ruling says the situation in LA likely warranted the president using the California National Guard to ensure federal immigration laws were enforced. The court emphasized the decision only pertained to Trump's authority to deploy the Guard and not what he could do with the troops once deployed. The president called the decision a big win that would have an impact, not just in California, but in any other state where he decides to call in the National Guard.
Trump will make a decision about whether the U.S. will strike Iran within two weeks, the White House announced. This latest move over the United States' involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict comes amid growing concerns from some of his vocal supporters, who have expressed that they think Trump is betraying his "America First" principles. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson warned that the president's legacy could be on the line based on his decision. The White House has dismissed any connection between the decision's delay and the criticism.
- 🎧 Not everyone in the MAGA world opposes U.S. involvement in the conflict, NPR's Franco Ordoñez points out. Some, like Fox News host Mark Levin, have enthusiastically called for the president to help Israel in the war. Many of Trump's supporters oppose U.S. involvement in Ukraine or Taiwan. But longtime Republican pollster Jon McHenry says some religious conservatives will make an exception for Israel because they consider it the Holy Land.
Today, European diplomats are meeting Iran's foreign minister in Geneva in an attempt to reach a diplomatic solution between Israel and Iran as they enter their second week of war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested that Israel will continue attacking Iran's nuclear sites even if Trump doesn't take part. Over 650 people in Iran have been killed by Israeli strikes, according to an independent group. Israel says Iranian missiles have killed 24 people in its country.
- 🎧 European diplomats have called for restraint but say Israel has the right to protect its security, which is a sharp contrast from Europe's calls for Israel to end the Gaza war, NPR's Daniel Estrin says. A person familiar with the conflict says they believe Israeli officials can destroy Fordo, Iran's most fortified nuclear site, on its own without the U.S.'s help. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, Estrin says. Experts tell Estrin that the U.S.'s bunker-busting bombs would do serious damage to the site, but it wouldn't destroy Iran's ability to build nuclear weapons in the future.
Picture show
Doctors Without Borders launched a two-year project in 2022 aimed at healing psychic wounds in the remote area of Alto Baudóin western Colombia. The region has experienced years of violence due to conflicts between armed rebel groups and criminal organizations. The project involves tearing up photographs of loved ones and homes and then sewing them back together, an act that serves as a metaphor for healing. The goal is to create rituals that help individuals manage anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Colombian photographer Fernanda Pineda documented the initiative in her photo series Riografias del Baudó. Take a peek at the photo collection here.
Weekend picks
Check out what NPR is watching, reading and listening to this weekend:
🍿 Movies: The latest Pixar movie, Elio, follows a lonely 11-year-old orphan who believes that being abducted by aliens is his only path to happiness. Plus, here are two more new movies worth checking out.
📺 TV: From The Waterfront, which focuses on a family struggling to maintain control of a fishing empire, to King of the Hill returning after 15 years, these are some shows worth checking out this summer.
📚 Books: Ready to spice up your life with some mystery and suspense this month? One or all four of these new novels are sure to scratch that itch.
🎵 Music: Next Friday, Bruce Springsteen is releasing seven new records at once, featuring previously unreleased music recorded between 1983 and 2018. To prepare for his upcoming box set, Tracks II: The Lost Albums, take a look at this listening guide.
🎮 Games: NPR's Vincent Acovino attended the Play Days showcase, where he had the opportunity to experience a variety of games, including Resident Evil Requiem and a heist game that took him by surprise. Here's his honest review of many upcoming titles.
❓ Quiz: Educated guesses and trick questions left me with a barely passing score this week. Are you up for the challenge of passing with flying colors? Give it a try.
3 things to know before you go
- Labubus have sparked a global frenzy. But how did these plush toys, with their toothy, mischievous grins and furry bodies become a sensation?
- Addiction to social media, mobile phones, and video games is associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, according to a recent study published in JAMA.
- Brad Larsen last saw his mom at a New York diner before she suddenly died. Years later, he returned to the diner and shared memories of her with a group of strangers. Among them was a bartender who invited him to sit at the table where he and his mom had last been together. That day, Larsen's unsung heroes provided him with the gift of connection with his mom.
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
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