US News Roundup: Trump denies sexual assault accusation; 'Dreamers' immigrants get new hope and more

Following is a summary of current US domestic news briefs.

Trump denies woman's sexual assault accusation: 'She's not my type'

U.S. President Donald Trump denied a new accusation of sexual violence raised by a woman who said she had to fight him off more than 20 years ago in the dressing room of a high-end New York department store. In an interview with The Hill newspaper on Monday, Trump said E. Jean Carroll, a longtime advice columnist for Elle magazine, was "totally lying."

After long delay, U.S. Supreme Court may act on 'Dreamers' immigrants

The U.S. Supreme Court in the coming days will have the last chance before its three-month summer break to decide whether to take up President Donald Trump's long-stalled bid to end a program that shields from deportation hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. The Trump administration on Nov. 5 asked the conservative-majority court to throw out three lower court rulings that blocked the Republican president's 2017 plan to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program implemented in 2012 by his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama.

Juul loses home turf as San Francisco bans e-cigarette sales

San Francisco will become the first major city in the United States to ban the sale of e-cigarettes as officials look to control the rapid uptick in teenage use of nicotine devices made by companies such as Juul Labs Inc. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved the ordinance on Tuesday, banning the sale and distribution of e-cigarettes until they have approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Exclusive: Philadelphia Energy Solutions seeks to permanently shut oil refinery - sources

Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) is expected to seek to permanently shut its oil refinery in the city after a massive fire caused substantial damage to the complex, two sources familiar with the plans said on Tuesday. Shutting the refinery, the largest and oldest on the U.S. East Coast, would cost hundreds of jobs and squeeze gasoline supplies in the busiest, most densely populated corridor of the United States.

Fate of opioid litigation hinges on government 'police power'

The fate of thousands of lawsuits seeking to hold drugmakers responsible for fueling the U.S. opioid epidemic hinges in part on a thorny legal question: Can a company use a bankruptcy to stop lawsuits from cities and states? U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Gross is expected in July to decide whether to halt more than 160 active lawsuits brought by state attorneys general, cities and counties against opioid manufacturer Insys Therapeutics Inc. When it filed for Chapter 11 protection in Delaware earlier this month, Insys requested the cases be paused.

Wayfair employee walkout called over alleged furniture sales to U.S. migrant camp

Wayfair Inc came under pressure on Tuesday after hundreds of employees were reported to be planning a walkout over the retailer's alleged sale of more than $200,000 in bedroom furniture for a Texas detention facility for migrant children. Shares of the company fell 5.3% to $144.40 on the New York Stock Exchange.

New York progressive backed by AOC declares victory in local Democratic primary

Political newcomer Tiffany Caban, a progressive Democrat endorsed by U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, declared victory in a close-run primary race for district attorney in the New York City borough of Queens. Votes were still being tallied early on Wednesday, and Caban's rival Melinda Katz - seen as the main establishment candidate - had not conceded, the New York Post and other media reported.

World Pride in New York celebrates LGBTQ advances but mourns setbacks under Trump

New York City will host 4 million visitors this week to celebrate World Pride for both a celebration of advancements in LGBTQ rights and a call to action in the face of anti-LGBTQ policies enacted by U.S. President Donald Trump. New York has been designated the site for World Pride this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising on June 28, 1969. The annual gay pride parade on Sunday will coincide with parades in cities around the world.

Americans demand climate action (as long as it doesn't cost much): Reuters poll

Nearly 70 per cent of Americans, including a majority of Republicans, want the United States to take "aggressive" action to combat climate change - but only a third would support an extra tax of $100 a year to help, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Wednesday. The results underscore a crucial challenge for Democrats seeking to unseat President Donald Trump in next year's election. Many will have to balance their calls for strict environmental regulation with a convincing argument for why the changes are good for taxpayers and the economy.

First Democratic debate offers struggling candidates a chance to shine

The first Democratic presidential debate on Wednesday will give contenders struggling to break through in the crowded field an opportunity to step out of the shadow cast by front-runners Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, who take the stage a day later. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, who is gaining strength in opinion polls, will be the headliner of the opening night in Miami. She will be joined onstage by nine other candidates, including U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Amy Klobuchar and former U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke.