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District of Columbia

Court erases party spending limits

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court has erased limits on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates for Congress and president, striking down a federal election law that's more than 50 years old.

Prodded by a Republican-led Ohio lawsuit, the court's conservative justices Tuesday were again in the majority of the latest decision that upended congressionally enacted limits on raising and spending money to influence elections. The party spending limits stem from a desire to prevent large donors from skirting caps on individual contributions to a candidate.

Texas

Trump announces midterm convention

President Donald Trump has announced that Republicans will hold their first-ever national convention ahead of the midterm elections, an unusual event aimed at boosting turnout in races that will decide whether the party maintains control of Congress.

The convention will be held in Dallas on Sept. 9 and 10.

District of Columbia

States can ban transgender athletes

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court is upholding state laws barring transgender girls and women from playing on school athletic teams, in another setback for transgender people.

The court's conservative majority ruled Tuesday that state bans in Idaho and West Virginia don't violate the Constitution or the federal law known as Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in education.

World

Venezuela

Aid groups: Healthcare system strained

LA GUAIRA -- Aid groups are warning that Venezuela's healthcare system is at its breaking point nearly a week after two powerful earthquakes hit the South American country.

Damaged hospitals are overwhelmed, and conditions in the disaster zone are worsening. The government death toll has surpassed 1,900. A humanitarian crisis is also unfolding, with thousands of displaced people living in unsanitary conditions. On Tuesday, the U.N. expressed concern about the spread of infectious diseases.

Pakistan

Roof of tutoring center collapses

LAHORE -- A roof collapse at a tutoring center under construction in Lahore, Pakistan, has killed at least 14 schoolchildren. Police and rescue officials report that the tragedy happened Tuesday. Eight other children were injured and are receiving treatment at a hospital.

A senior police official says the owner of the tutoring center and another person have been arrested. Rescuers continue to clear the rubble, fearing more children could be trapped.

Monaco

Explosion wounds Ukrainian tycoon

MONACO -- An explosive went off in an apartment building entrance in Monaco, wounding three people, reportedly including a Ukrainian tycoon with ties to Russia.

That's according to the exclusive country's chief prosecutor. A search was underway Tuesday for a suspect who fled on foot. Prosecutor Stéphane Thibault said the motive was unclear.

Starting at /week.