July 5 Weekly News Quiz: The US President is Immune to What?

On July 1, 2024, the US Supreme Court ruled that former presidents have absolute immunity from prosecution for actions taken while exercising their “core constitutional powers.” The ruling means that any official acts performed in their presidential capacity are protected. However, they can still be prosecuted for unofficial acts. This ruling primarily affects ongoing cases, such as Donald Trump’s 2020 election interference trial, potentially delaying proceedings until after the 2024 election. This case was returned to US District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which actions fall within presidential immunity, which could delay proceedings for months. The dissenting justices warned that the ruling could lead to presidents believing they are above the law.

During the first 2024 Presidential debate, on June 27, 2024, former President Donald Trump made at least 18 false or misleading statements – and up to 30 falsehoods – one for every 3 minutes of the debate. This number was meticulously verified by fact-checking organizations such as FactCheck.org and PolitiFact, which analyzed claims about topics ranging from healthcare to manufacturing jobs. For instance, Trump incorrectly claimed he brought back 700,000 manufacturing jobs and misrepresented Biden’s healthcare policies. On the other hand, Joe Biden made fewer inaccuracies but wasn’t wholly error-free.

Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, was sent to jail on July 1, 2024, after being convicted of contempt of Congress. This conviction stemmed from his refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House January 6 committee, which sought information about his interactions with Trump leading up to the Capitol attack. Bannon’s provocative statements (including declaring his “Maga army” ready) highlight his defiant stance. His legal appeals ultimately failed, leading to his imprisonment in Danbury, Connecticut.

Dame Quentin Bryce. Screenshot: ABC News (Australia) – YouTube

Australia has had two female governor-generals in its 123-year history. The first was Dame Quentin Bryce, who served from 2008 to 2014. The latest appointment is Samantha Mostyn, announced on April 2, 2024, and sworn in on July 1, 2024. Mostyn will receive an annual salary of over $709,000, significantly higher than her male predecessor’s $495,000. With her salary, she’s breaking a record as Australia’s second female governor-general and breaking the glass ceiling.

Hungary took over the EU presidency from July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, led by ultranationalist and Euroskeptic Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. With the official motto “Make Europe Great Again,” a cheeky nod to Donald Trump’s famous slogan, Hungary’s presidency is already raising eyebrows. Concerns abound regarding Hungary’s ability to serve as an “honest broker” for the EU, given its frequent clashes with EU policies on issues like the rule of law and migration. Perhaps due to these concerns, Orban’s first visit during his presidency was to Ukraine.

Heavy rainfall has caused sewage overflows into Paris’s Seine River, leading to dangerous E. coli bacteria levels. This problem has already led to the cancellation of several test events, raising significant health concerns even less than a month before the event. Massive cleanup efforts began with a €1.4 billion investment in reducing pollution. The aim is to ensure the Seine is safe for swimming for the first time in 100 years. However, with no backup plan, the 2024 Summer Olympics triathlons could revert to duathlons if the water quality doesn’t improve.

On July 1, 2024, during the Euro 2024 knockout match against Slovenia, Cristiano Ronaldo missed a vital penalty in the shootout. As he wept on the field, his emotional reaction highlighted the immense pressure and passion he brings to the game. Despite this setback, Portugal won the shootout and advanced to the quarterfinals.

Kylian Mbappe sustained a broken nose during France’s opening match against Austria on June 17, 2024. To continue playing safely, he started wearing a protective face mask. This mask shields his nose from further damage while allowing him to maintain his performance on the field despite facing some challenges, including discomfort and impaired vision.

In June 2024, Paramount Global decided to streamline its digital presence by removing vast amounts of archived content from several of its major online platforms. This purge included video clips, articles, and other media from MTV News, Comedy Central, CMT, and TV Land. The decision was primarily driven by financial considerations, aiming to reduce costs and refocus digital strategies. Former contributors to “The Daily Show” and other affected shows voiced their dismay over losing access to significant cultural and historical records. Currently, there are no plans to restore the purged archives, leaving many to ponder the future of digital media preservation.

Tubi, founded in 2014 and acquired by Fox Corporation in 2020, is a free, ad-supported streaming service. It offers a diverse library of over 50,000 titles, including blockbuster movies, popular TV series, and Tubi Originals. Tubi’s ad-supported model means viewers can access its extensive content without paying subscription fees. As of July 1, 2024, Tubi launched in the UK, continuing its international expansion.

The most expensive Harry Potter item ever auctioned is the original watercolor illustration for the first edition of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.” Created by Thomas Taylor in 1997, this artwork was sold at Sotheby’s New York on June 26, 2024, for a record-setting price of $1.92m.