INTERNACIONAL
The Supreme Court appears to side with parents in religious liberty dispute over storybooks
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority offered strong support for parents seeking the religious liberty right to be informed about and opt their children out of reading material in elementary schools that they say conflicts with their faith.
The Montgomery County, Maryland school board withdrew its original opt-out policy for books related to gender and sexuality, prompting a federal lawsuit.
In a marathon two-and-a-half oral argument, the justices debated whether parents have been unfairly burdened in exercising their constitutional rights.
It is one of three high-profile religious-themed cases the high court will decide this term—including disputes over tax exemptions for religious groups, and taxpayer funding for private religious charter schools—which will be argued next week.
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Justice Sonia Sotomayor and her liberal colleagues appeared to back the county’s position on the storybooks. She noted a lower appeals court had refused a preliminary injunction to temporarily reinstate the opt-out policy.
«They never reached the issue of whether or not there was disruption, or what the motive was for taking away the opt out,» said Sotomayor. «What they decided was that there wasn’t coercion here, that there was mere exposure. I understood from the record that all that was required is that the books be put on the bookshelf. If that’s all that’s required, is that coercion?»
But Justice Samuel Alito echoed the views of several of his conservative colleagues, about returning to the previous policy that he said most schools around the country permit.
«What is the big deal about allowing them to opt out of this?» he asked.
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool, File)
Alito also questioned the content of several of the books raised in the appeal dealing with same-sex marriage.
«I don’t think anybody can read that and say: well, this is just telling children that there are occasions when men marry other men,» said Alito. «It has a clear moral message, and it may be a good message. It’s just a message that a lot of religious people disagree with.»
Hundreds on both sides of the issue rallied outside the court, some carrying signs like «Let Parents Parent» and «Include All Families.»
The suburban Washington county introduced new books with LGBTQ+ characters and themes into the elementary school curriculum in 2022, as part of the district’s «inclusivity» initiative.
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One of the challenged storybooks raised in the appeals is «Prince & Knight,» described as a «modern fairy tale» for ages 4-8, of the two males falling in love after working together to battle a dragon threatening their kingdom, and later marrying.
Another book mentioned repeatedly in the court’s public session was «Uncle Bobby’s Wedding,» about a little girl’s reaction to her favorite relative’s plans to marry a man.
The school district refused to allow parents to opt out of their
Grace Morrison is one of the parents petitioning the Supreme Court to rule that a Maryland school district’s ban on parental opt-outs is unconstitutional. (Becket/Getty Images)
The school district refused to allow parents to opt out of their elementary school from the reading program – the same way older students can forego sex ed instruction.
While the school board initially allowed parents to keep their children out of this curriculum, the plaintiffs say officials quickly reversed course, announcing in March 2023 that exceptions would not be granted and that parents would not be notified before the books were introduced into their children’s classrooms. Officials cited increased absenteeism as one of the reasons for the change.
«We felt as parents that we would present these things to our children like we always have, when they’re ready to receive them. And especially a child with special needs, it’s even more difficult for her to understand,» said Grace Morrison, one of the plaintiffs. She and her husband, both Catholics, now homeschool their daughter, after the school refused an accommodation.
«Starting to present issues of gender ideology to a child like this could be extremely confusing and damaging, let alone to the faith that we’re raising her in,» she told Fox News Digital.
A federal appeals court ruled for the school district, concluding educators did not apply any pressure on children to abandon their religious beliefs, and «simply hearing about other views does not necessarily exert pressure to believe or act differently than one’s religious faith requires.»
State officials told the court that parents who choose to send their children to public school are not «coerced» simply by their classroom exposure there to religiously objectionable ideas.
The practical feasibility of an opt-out policy at was the key focus of the high court’s public session.
«Once we articulate a rule like that,» said Justice Elena Kagan, «it would be like, opt outs for everyone.»
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But Kagan also raised concerns about young children being exposed to some of the books offered in Montgomery County.
«I too, was struck by these young kids picture books and, on matters concerning sexuality. I suspect there are a lot of non-religious parents who weren’t all that thrilled about this.»
Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who noted he grew up in the affluent county and still lives there with his wife and two school-age daughters, said he was «mystified» at the why the county canceled its original opt-out policy.
Some on the bench raised concerns about a sweeping «a la carte» discretion parents would have to object to what goes in schools.
«What about a trans student in the classroom?» said Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. «There’s a student who’s in the class. Must the teacher notify the parents of the student’s existence and give them an opt out to not be in the same classroom with this child?»
Dozens of briefs were filed by advocacy groups on both sides of the issue, including competing coalitions of states and lawmakers.
Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson stands as she and members of the Supreme Court pose for a new group portrait following her addition, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, Oct. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File )
Many educators say they should be given deference to develop lesson plans that reflect the community at large, and that navigating a flood of individual religious rights claims would make classroom instruction and collaboration extremely problematic.
Parents rights and religious groups counter impressionable children should not be forced to participate in reading activities that undermine their families’ teachings and spirituality. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, representing the parents who sued, called the school policy «compelled instruction.»
The Trump administration is backing the parents, saying in a written brief the board’s no opt-out policy «compromises parents’ ability to act consistent with those [religious] beliefs regardless of whether their children feel pressured or coerced by the instruction.»
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The case is Mahmoud v. Taylor (24-297). A ruling is expected before the court’s summer recess in late June.
Kristine Parks and Jessica Sonkin contributed to this report.
US,Supreme Court,Supreme Court Oral Arguments,Politics,US Education,Education Controversies,First Amendment Religious Freedom
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A resolution led by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., aimed at curbing President Donald Trump’s war powers in Iran is getting the blessing of the House of Representatives’ top Democrat.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., released a statement alongside other Democratic leaders Thursday announcing that they will force a vote on Massie’s resolution next week.
«As soon as Congress reconvenes next week, we will compel a vote of the full House of Representatives on the bipartisan Khanna-Massie War Powers resolution,» the joint statement read.
«This legislation would require the President to come to Congress to make the case for using military force against Iran. The Iranian regime is brutal and destabilizing, seen most recently in the killing of thousands of protesters. However, undertaking a war of choice in the Middle East, without a full understanding of all the attendant risks to our servicemembers and to escalation, is reckless.»
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is backing an effort by Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna to force a vote on reining in President Donald Trump’s war powers. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images; Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images; Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images)
Jeffries and other top Democrats argued that any military force against Iran would be illegal without approval from Capitol Hill.
«We maintain that any such action would be unconstitutional without consultation with and authorization from Congress. Next week, every Member will have the opportunity to go on the record as to whether they support military action against Iran absent Congressional approval,» they said.
Massie cited Congress’ war powers in the Constitution in unveiling the legislation earlier this month alongside Khanna.
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«Congress must vote on war according to our Constitution,» he posted on X. «[Khanna] and I will be forcing that vote to happen in the House as soon as possible. I will vote to put America first, which means voting against more war in the Middle East.»
Buses that were burned during Iran’s protests, in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 21, 2026. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters)
There are multiple mechanisms for forcing a vote over the will of House leadership. But the quickest route is called a «privileged resolution,» which mandates that a specific piece of legislation is considered by the full chamber within two legislative days of its introduction.
Before a vote on the measure itself, however, House GOP leaders can call for a preliminary vote to «table» the legislation or refer it to the relevant committee, both ways of effectively killing those resolutions.
It’s considered easier for lawmakers in the majority party to vote to kill resolutions on that procedural vote before they have to take a vote on the bill itself.
Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., left, and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., conduct a news conference after reviewing unredacted portions of the Jeffrey Epstein files, outside a Department of Justice office in NoMa on Feb. 9, 2026. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
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Privileged resolutions, which are traditionally seldom used, have gained popularity in recent years as Republicans grapple with a razor-thin House majority.
In this case, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., can only afford one GOP defection if all Democrats vote to proceed with blocking Trump’s war powers.
Because Massie is already likely to vote with the minority party, all remaining Republicans in the chamber must vote in lockstep to block the resolution.
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An Egyptian tour guide was arrested after allegedly sketching a stick figure onto the side of the 4,000-year-old Pyramid of Unas while leading a group of tourists.
Video of the incident, which circulated widely on social media, shows the man leaning toward a lower section of the pyramid’s outer casing while tourists stand nearby listening. He is then seen attempting to wipe the markings away with his hand, though remnants remain visible in the footage.
In a post on X, Egypt’s Interior Ministry said the guide «damaged an antiquity by drawing on the outer casing of one of the pyramids» while explaining the site to tourists. Although the initial report mentioned the general Giza area.
The ministry said the investigation was launched after the video spread online, prompting an antiquities inspector to file a report with the Saqqara Tourism Police Station identifying the guide. Officials said the markings were later removed by specialists.
An Egyptian tour guide was arrested after allegedly sketching a stick figure on the 4,000-year-old Pyramid of Unas in Saqqara, officials said. (Egyptian Ministry of Interior)
Authorities apprehended the suspect, who confessed to the act during questioning, according to the ministry.
«Legal measures have been taken,» the ministry added, noting that specialists have since removed the markings.
Local media outlets, citing the Interior Ministry’s investigation, identified the site as the Pyramid of Unas in the Saqqara necropolis south of Giza.
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An Egyptian tour guide was arrested after allegedly sketching a stick figure on the 4,000-year-old Pyramid of Unas in Saqqara, officials said. (Egyptian Ministry of Interior)
B.C. for the Pharaoh Unas, is historically significant for containing the earliest Pyramid Texts. These religious inscriptions consist of more than 200 spells carved into the pyramid’s interior walls, forming what scholars consider the oldest known collection of funerary texts.
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An Egyptian tour guide was arrested after allegedly sketching a stick figure on the 4,000-year-old Pyramid of Unas in Saqqara, officials said. (Egyptian Ministry of Interior)
The pyramid is located within the vast Saqqara necropolis, part of ancient Memphis – Egypt’s first capital and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site that contains a sprawling complex of tombs, temples and pyramids.
Egypt has increased enforcement and preservation efforts at archaeological sites in recent years as officials seek to protect ancient monuments that attract millions of visitors annually.
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Under Egypt’s Antiquities Protection Law, damaging actions such as writing on or damaging archaeological sites can carry prison sentences and fines, with the exact penalties varying by offense.
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ancient egypt,heritage,historic sites,vandalism
INTERNACIONAL
Irán y Estados Unidos lograron “progresos” en una nueva ronda de diálogos en Ginebra para evitar una guerra
Irán y Estados Unidos lograron “progresos” en las conversaciones este jueves en Ginebra, afirmó el canciller iraní, Abbas Araqchi, tras las negociaciones indirectas que buscan evitar una guerra.
Estos diálogos, mediados por Omán, transcurren bajo la amenaza del mayor despliegue militar estadounidense en Oriente Medio en décadas.
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Irán insiste en que las negociaciones deben ceñirse al programa nuclear, pero Estados Unidos quiere abordar también el tema de los misiles y el apoyo que da Teherán a grupos armados en Oriente Medio.
Cómo fueron las conversaciones en Ginebra
Las dos delegaciones sostuvieron conversaciones durante la mañana en la residencia del embajador de Omán y mantuvieron otra ronda de reuniones que concluyó por la tarde.
“Hemos terminado el día con progresos significativos en la negociación entre Estados Unidos e Irán”, apuntó el canciller de Omán, Badr Albusaidi en la red X. Además dijo que ambos países sostendrán conversaciones a nivel técnico la próxima semana en Viena. El ministro de Exteriores de Omán, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi (derecha), mantiene una reunión con el enviado especial de la Casa Blanca, Steve Witkoff (centro) y Jared Kushner como parte de una nueva ronda de negociaciones indirectas entre Estados Unidos e Irán, en Ginebra, Suiza, el 26 de febrero de 2026. (Ministerio de Exteriores de Omán vía AP)
El ministro iraní de Relaciones Exteriores, Abbas Araqchi, también informó de “progresos” tras el final de las reuniones y afirmó que se abordaron temas sobre el programa nuclear y el levantamiento de las sanciones.
El canciller indicó que las conversaciones a nivel técnico comenzarán el lunes en Viena y que habrá un nuevo ciclo de negociaciones en menos de una semana.
El argentino Rafael Grossi participó en las negociaciones
El director general del Organismo Internacional de Energía Atómica (OIEA), el argentino Rafael Grossi, participó en las negociaciones, informó una fuente cercana a las conversaciones.
El presidente estadounidense Donald Trump envió a Oriente Medio un dispositivo militar masivo que incluye un portaaviones, el USS Abraham Lincoln, nueve destructores y otros tres buques de combate.
Además movilizó por el Mediterráneo al portaviones más grande del mundo, el USS Gerald R. Ford.
“Soluciones nuevas y creativas”
El diario The Wall Street Journal reportó este jueves que el equipo negociador estadounidense busca exigir que Irán desmantele sus tres principales instalaciones nucleares y entregue todo el uranio enriquecido.
Más temprano, el canciller de Omán afirmó que los negociadores mostraron “una apertura sin precedentes a ideas y soluciones nuevas y creativas”.
El presidente iraní, Masud Pezeshkian, insistió antes de las negociaciones en que su país no busca dotarse de armas nucleares.
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“El tema de las negociaciones (…) se centra en la cuestión nuclear”, dijo el portavoz del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores iraní Esmail Baqai.
Añadió que su país presionará para que levanten las sanciones a las que se ve sometido y reiterará su derecho “al uso pacífico de la energía nuclear”.
Para el jefe de la diplomacia estadounidense, Marco Rubio, esto es “un gran problema”. “Tenemos que hablar de otros temas además del programa nuclear”, advirtió.
Irán ha “desarrollado misiles que pueden amenazar a Europa y nuestras bases” militares y quiere diseñar otros aún más poderosos, capaces de “alcanzar pronto a Estados Unidos”, aseguró el martes el presidente Trump en su discurso sobre el estado de la Unión.
Irán, que afirma que el alcance máximo de sus misiles es de 2.000 km, tachó de “mentiras” estas afirmaciones. Irán dispone de un amplio arsenal, en particular los Shahab-3, que pueden alcanzar a Israel, su enemigo jurado, y a algunos países de Europa del Este.
(Con información de AFP)
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