News Wrap: Heat wave brings dangerous temperatures to central and eastern U.S.

Amna Nawaz:

A record-breaking heat wave is intensifying across much of the Central and Eastern U.S., pushing temperatures to what officials are calling dangerous levels.

More than 200 million Americans were under alerts today for extreme heat. Temperatures felt well above 100 degrees across much of the Midwest. And soon that same sweltering heat will peak in places like New York.

Zohran Mamdani:

Temperatures will climb into the high 90s and triple digits. With humidity, it will feel even hotter, with a heat index that could peak around 112 degrees. If the forecast holds, this could be the hottest Fourth of July since 2010.

Amna Nawaz:

As we look ahead to that July 4 weekend, forecasters say that, starting tomorrow, it's going to get worse before it gets better for large portions of the Midwest, including Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit. The heat dome, as it's known, shifts east by the end of the week, threatening record temperatures across New York, much of the mid-Atlantic and even New England.

As the Supreme Court wraps up a consequential term today, it's set to take up a major gun rights case in the fall. The justices will hear arguments on whether bans on AR-15s and other assault weapons in Connecticut and the Chicago area violate the Second Amendment.

Similar laws are in place in about a dozen states, including New York and California, a national assault weapons ban expired in 2004. This conservative-leaning High Court has significantly expanded Second Amendment rights, including a ruling just last week that struck down a gun restriction in Hawaii.

The Food and Drug Administration announced today that Zyn nicotine pouches can be marketed as less harmful than cigarettes. The company can now sell 20 versions of its products with a claim that reads -- quote -- "Using Zyn instead of cigarettes puts you at a lower risk of mouth cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis."

It's a win for Philip Morris International, the parent company of Zyn's Swedish manufacturer. But the FDA does not say Zyn is safe, and critics fear the new designation could lure new users, especially young people.

Turning now to Iran, U.S. diplomats touched down in Qatar today for another round of indirect talks with Iranian officials. U.S. officials say Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will meet with Qatari and Pakistani mediators this week, as will delegates from Iran in separate talks.

This latest diplomatic effort comes days after a new round of strikes and with tensions remaining high over the Strait of Hormuz. Today, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said mediators will discuss the interim deal this month, but there will be no face-to-face talks.

Esmaeil Baghaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman (through translator):

What will likely take place in Doha tomorrow is a discussion regarding the implementation of provisions of the memorandum of understanding. Therefore, I emphasize once again we have not planned any meeting at any level with the American side for the coming days.

Amna Nawaz:

The memorandum of understanding includes a 60-day window for the two sides to negotiate a permanent truce, as well as other issues, like Iran's nuclear program.

Russia says it shot down more than 400 Ukrainian drones nationwide in a wave of overnight attacks. That includes near Moscow, where the region's governor says a 6-month-old was killed and at least three people injured.

Separately, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted video today, saying a strike hit won a Russia's largest satellite centers. In the meantime, Ukrainian officials say at least 17 people were injured when Russian strikes hit civilian and infrastructure facilities in the Zaporizhzhia and Sumy regions. Russia's military released video today claiming it struck military targets.

Also today;

Keir Starmer, British Prime Minister:

The best way to avoid war is to prepare for it. The best way to defend is to deter, to have the strength to make your adversaries think again before they act. And that is what we are delivering.

Amna Nawaz:

Britain's outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a roughly $20 billion hike to the U.K. defense budget to counter threats like Russia. The increased spending is meant to focus on drone technology and other elements of modern warfare.

President Trump reported more than $1 billion in income from his family's crypto ventures last year. That's according to an annual financial disclosure released today. That includes more than 500 million from World Liberty Financial, which he and his sons co-founded, and more than $600 million from Trump meme coins.

Meantime, on Wall Street today, stocks ended higher, thanks in part to a rebound in A.I. stocks. The Dow Jones industrial average added around 130 points. The Nasdaq jumped nearly 400 points, or about 1.5 percent. The S&P 500 also closed in positive territory, though it was down for the month of June.

And in World Cup news today, Norway advanced to the Round of 16 for the first time ever, beating Ivory Coast two goals to one. A late goal by Erling Haaland sealed that victory. And, after the match, the team joined fans in their now famous Viking Row. They will play Brazil on Sunday for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Paraguay fans celebrated last night's win over Germany, with the country's president declaring today a national holiday. It was one of two upsets decided in penalty shoot-outs, with Morocco sending the Netherlands home earlier than many expected.

NBA superstar LeBron James says he won't be heading back to the Los Angeles Lakers next year, and will instead play his 24th season elsewhere. Team president Jeanie Buss called James one of the greatest athletes in history, adding -- quote -- "We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers."

The 41-year-old can officially start talking with other teams as of this evening, when his free agency period starts. But the NBA's all-time leading scorer won't be able to sign with a new team until July 6.

And tennis great Serena Williams played her first singles match in nearly four years today, thrilling the crowd at Wimbledon, but coming up short on the court. The 44-year-old lost in three sets to a player less than half her age, Australia's Maya Joint, who's just 20.

At times, Williams showed the flashes of greatness that helped her win seven singles titles at Wimbledon, but Joint came up big when it counted for her first major win at the tournament. Williams still has a doubles match later this week with her sister, Venus. She left the court today with a wave and a smile.

New Jersey Representative Tom Kean returns to Congress after mysterious monthslong absence; and Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy explains his tense relationship with the media.