Birthright citizenship, U.S. patriotism, alpine dogs

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By Nadja Lovadinov

June 29, 2026

By Nadja Lovadinov

June 29, 2026

 
 

Welcome back. The National Weather Service has said a dangerous heat wave will blast much of the eastern US this week ahead of the July Fourth holiday. So stay safe out there. Also, in the news today: Iran’s president says $6 billion in frozen assets in Qatar are to be released; a fact check of Trump’s comments on birthright citizenship, which is soon to face Supreme Court judgment; and an AP-NORC poll finds that fewer Americans are proud of U.S. achievements. Finally, a look at the St. Bernard dog breed’s rich history in the Swiss Alps.

 
A woman walks past a welcoming billboard featuring Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian along a roadside in Islamabad, Pakistan, June 23.

A woman walks past a welcoming billboard featuring Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian along a roadside in Islamabad, Pakistan, June 23. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

WORLD NEWS

Iran’s president says $6B in frozen assets in Qatar to be released as US talks challenged

Speaking on Monday, President Masoud Pezeshkian is the highest-ranking official within Iran to reference the release of Iranian funds held by Qatar, a key mediator along with Pakistan in the negotiations. Read more.

Why this matters:

  • Pezeshkian’s mention of the funds appear aimed at selling the Iranian public on the interim deal, which he called a “great victory for the Iranian people,” as Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz has been challenged. So far, U.S. officials say no frozen Iranian assets have been released. Qatar as well has not acknowledged any such transfer.

  • Pakistan has said talks will resume Tuesday between the U.S. and Iran on the terms of their interim deal. The Trump administration on Sunday said nothing has been canceled and technical talks are on track for the coming days. Iran has yet to say whether it will take part.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

  • WATCH: AP explains why preliminary agreement between Iran and US appears to be unravelling

  • Israeli strike targeting a militant kills 3, including a child, in Gaza
     
  • Aramco oil company helicopter crashes in Saudi Arabia, killing all 14 on board
 

AP FACT FOCUS

A look at the Trump administration’s challenge to birthright citizenship

President Donald Trump has repeatedly, and falsely, said the U.S. is the only country that has birthright citizenship, calling the practice “a disgrace.” While it's true that the practice, which grants automatic citizenship to nearly everyone born on U.S. soil, isn’t the norm around the world, dozens of other countries have unrestricted birthright citizenship. Read more.

What to know:

  • Most of these countries are in the Americas, including Canada, Mexico and many nations in Central and South America. Dozens of other countries, from Germany to Australia, have a mixed approach, using a variety of principles, including parenthood, place of birth, residency and ethnicity, to decide a child’s citizenship.

  • The Supreme Court is expected to address the issue in the coming days, ruling on a Trump executive order that would upend more than a century of constitutional and legal history.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

  • The Supreme Court nears the end of its term with momentous cases about Trump’s power to be decided 

  • Some paid the ultimate price to enact voting rights. Their survivors see America turning backward

 

POLITICS

Fewer Americans are proud of US achievements: AP-NORC poll

Americans’ pride in the U.S. on several key attributes has dropped since 2017 — including the nation's military and its political influence around the globe — according to a new AP-NORC poll. Read more.

What to know:

  • The findings point to a broad decline in patriotic sentiment over a tumultuous decade. Much of the falling positivity comes from Democrats, who have become increasingly disenchanted with the country since President Donald Trump’s first term. A new Gallup poll also finds that only 53% of U.S. adults are “extremely” or “very” proud to be an American, the lowest reading in the trend dating back to 2001. 

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

  • Trump says his renovation plans for a golf course will have Washington hosting a ‘major’ tournament
     
  • Democrats wrestle with race, populism and ideology in clashes with lawmakers of color 
 

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IN OTHER NEWS

READ

California: At least 117 dead dogs found in ‘horrific scene’ in ‘no-kill’ shelter

Perilous journey: Chinese dissident recounts his dinghy escape to South Korea and how he got to Canada

‘Flamingo Revolution’: Meet 3 protesters trying to torpedo Jared Kushner’s luxury project in Albania 

BET Awards: Lauryn Hill honored, Janet Jackson stuns Teyana Taylor and Druski makes history

World Cup: South Korea coach quits after early tournament exit prompts fierce criticism from president 

Today in History: In 2007, the first version of the iPhone went on sale to the public

WATCH

Venezuela: Mother and 18-day-old baby rescued from rubble of building 32 hours after earthquakes 

Paris thunderstorm: Lightning strikes Eiffel Tower days after heat wave

High temperatures: Austrian drag queens brave record heat at annual drag sports event

 

A CHANGE OF PACE

St. Bernard dogs from the Barry foundation lie in the hills at the St. Bernard Pass, Switzerland, June 22.