Daily Skimm

Order in the Court 

A Bit of Gavel-Gazing

What’s going on: The Supreme Court is counting down to summer break. But before the justices can put their pencils down, they still need to decide 12 cases in the next two weeks — including some of the term’s biggest blockbusters. With a battery of rulings expected by the end of the month (or early July at the latest), they’re making slow progress. Yesterday, it delivered one with major implications for religious freedom. Here’s what’s still on the docket: 

Will birthright remain a right?: Since 1868, nearly all babies born on US soil have automatically become US citizens, regardless of their parents' immigration status. But on the first day of his second term, President Donald Trump took aim at that guarantee with an executive order. Now, a case that challenges the order could redefine what it means to be an American. Every lower judge has found Trump’s push unconstitutional, and SCOTUS may lean the same way. 

Does Trump trump oversight?: A pair of cases will define the reaches of presidential power. In Trump v. Slaughter, SCOTUS considers whether the executive branch can fire the heads of independent agencies without just cause. If the ultra-conservative majority backs the president as expected, it may spell trouble for Trump v. Cook, which addresses whether or not he can remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve Board. 

Will trans athletes be sidelined?: The court will decide two cases — one at the college level, one in high school — to determine if state laws that ban transgender athletes are constitutional, or if it’s gender-based discrimination that violates Title IX. The outcome will affect athletes across 27 states, including a 15-year-old plaintiff in West Virginia who says she just wants to have fun with her friends.

Related: Trump’s Protégé Follows in His Footsteps With His Own Firing Purge (NBC News)

The News in 6

🗞️ At least 40 people drowned in France when crowds jumped into canals and rivers to escape Europe’s brutal heatwave.

🗞️ Washington lawmakers finally agreed on something on Tuesday, passing the largest housing affordability bill in decades. It now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk — and awaits the stroke of a Sharpie. 

🗞️ It's a new era for Democrats in New York as three candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani sail to easy victories.

🗞️ Savannah Guthrie had an emotional response to news about a prior ransom note stating her mother was dead. 

🗞️ New research offers more evidence of the HPV vaccine’s impact: Early adolescents who receive it have almost no risk of dying from cervical cancer before age 30.

🗞️ The Department of Education announced that borrowers who use this feature to pay their student loans are eligible for an interest cut through 2028. How generous.

Five Eyes on You

CTRL + Alt + Panic?

What's going on: In what sounds like something out of a thriller but is very much real, an international alliance of spy agencies is warning that AI could reshape cybersecurity in a matter of months, not years. The Five Eyes intelligence alliance — made up of the US, UK, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia — warned on Monday that advanced AI models will “fundamentally [transform] both offensive and defensive cyber capabilities.” They say the models could lower “barriers for malicious actors” and speed up attacks that could put everything from small businesses to entire governments at risk. They urged swift action to "remain ahead." Uh, would changing our password help?

How’d we get here?: The warning came less than two weeks after Anthropic disabled its most advanced AI models following a Trump administration order to suspend access for foreign nationals. It’s one of the most aggressive government measures to limit AI. The move reportedly happened after Anthropic’s AI identified vulnerabilities in secure US government computer systems during testing. Experts say China and other countries may be racing to build similarly powerful systems. Five Eyes’ statement advised adding AI security tools as one step to reduce risk. That’s right — apparently the best way to fight AI fire is with better proverbial AI fire. Anyone else feeling a little overheated?

Related: Inside Medicare’s “Horrendous” AI Rollout (CBS News)

Just in time for July 4th...

Is the World Cup Making Us Patriotic Again? 

What's going on: It turns out the feel-good story of the tournament isn’t just the impressive moments happening on the pitch. Americans have fallen for the visiting fans embracing our culture — from an England supporter marveling at Everglades alligators to a Swedish influencer falling in love with Walmart. Then there’s Freddy, the German fan who went viral documenting his Southeast road trip, complete with stops at Waffle House and Taco Bell (the “holy land”). He even got a hand from former NFL star JJ Watt when he hit a travel snag. Not every viral moment has been authentic (why can’t we have nice things?). But Scotland’s tartan army drinking Boston’s bars dry, Dutch dance parties, and this Scotland fan's "wee video" sum it up perfectly: “The America that we are experiencing right now is the America we were promised growing up."

Not offsides: At a time when Americans seem divided about everything — even whether it’s soccer or fútbol — many are rediscovering a feeling they haven’t felt in a while: national pride. The genuine excitement about things Americans usually take for granted feels so wholesome it almost makes you forget about FIFA’s history of corruption and allegations of mishandling ticket sales. Almost. Even Iran’s team — a country the US is literally at war with — made its feelings about America known. If nothing else, it’s a reminder to put the phone down, take a break from the news (after you finish reading The Daily Skimm, of course), and remember we probably have more in common than our governments would have us believe. Like a love of free refills, for starters. 

Related: This World Cup Striker Terrifies Opponents But Could Be His Team’s Secret Sauce (The New York Times Gift Link)

Quick Hits

🥤 In news we may never recover from, one flight attendant shared the worst drink to order on a plane.

😋 This might be the best fruit for gut health, and there are so many delicious ways to eat it. 

🏋️ One fitness trend we’re here for: “gym goblins.” No matching set, no problem. 

👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Adam Sandler’s anniversary gift to his wife is a total rom-com moment. 

🎤 Olivia Rodrigo is expanding her ‘90s vibes. First, she wore babydoll dresses. Now, she’s launching an all-women music festival with these banger headliners. 

🥒 Sure, you love pickles, but do you love them enough to spend $2,000 on this pickle-themed accessory?

We Needed This

On Our Calendar

Wednesday, June 24

🧚 International Fairy Day

Celebrate your inner kid — maybe with this.

🍴 National Take Back the Lunch Break Day

Step away from your screen and take that midday break. It could actually make you better at your job.

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Skimm'd by: Marisa Iallonardo, Stephanie Gallman, Aryanna Prasad Bhullar, Erika W. Smith, Molly Longman, Jessica Prois, and Marina Carver. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.