Barack Obama

The Kremlin said Putin noted in the telegram Saturday that despite the differences between the two countries, their relations remain important for global stability and security.

"Putin expressed confidence that by building a dialogue based on the principles of equality and mutual respect for each other's interests, Russia and the United States are able to find solutions to the most complex international problems and effectively counter global threats and challenges," the Kremlin said.

Several 2016 contenders have brushed off Trump's comments while others have ignored them. Marco Rubio, a Florida senator who is Hispanic, denounced them as "not just offensive and inaccurate, but also divisive," after declining for two weeks to address the matter directly. Another Hispanic in the race, Ted Cruz, said Trump is "terrific," ''brash" and "speaks the truth."

It's an uncomfortable moment for Republicans, who want more votes from the surging Latino population.

President Barack Obama has reiterated his call for Congress to lift the embargo on Cuba which he said has failed to bring political change in the country. However, he faces stiff resistance from Republicans, as well as some Democrats, who say he is prematurely rewarding a government that engages in serious human rights abuses.

 And Obama announced Wednesday that the U.S. and Cuba will reopen their embassies in Havana and Washington, heralding a "new chapter" in relations after a half-century of hostility.

President Barack Obama is expected to announce the agreement Wednesday at the White House. The Cuban Foreign Ministry said the embassies in Washington and Havana would open July 20.

The U.S. and Cuba have been negotiating the re-establishment of embassies following a surprise December announcement that secret talks had led to an agreement to restart diplomatic relations.

The announcement marks a major step in ending hostilities between the longtime foes.

The U.S. and Cuba have been negotiating the reestablishment of embassies following the Dec. 17 announcement that they would move to restore ties.

For Obama, ending Washington's half-century freeze with Cuba is seen as a major element of his foreign policy legacy. He has long touted the value of engagement and argued that the U.S. embargo on the communist island just 90 miles south of Florida was ineffective.

"What a life Clementa Pinckney lived," Obama said to rounds of applause and "amens." ''What an example he set. What a model for his faith. And then to lose him at 41. Slain in his sanctuary with eight wonderful members of his flock."

"Their church was a sacred place," Obama said, "not just for blacks, or Christians, but for every American who cares about the expansion of liberty. ... That's what the church meant."

The president, in a Rose Garden statement, said the court ruling has "made our union a little more perfect."

Obama was to pay tribute to the Rev. Clementa Pinckney and eight parishioners of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church who were slain at the church during a Bible study session last week in what authorities are investigating as a racially motivated attack.

Friday's service for Pinckney, who was also a state senator, promised to be another wrenching but cathartic occasion for the community to say goodbye to the victims. Obama was scheduled to attend with first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill.

"Today, after more than 50 votes in Congress to repeal or weaken this law, after a presidential election based in part on preserving or repealing this law, after multiple challenges to this law before the Supreme Court — the Affordable Care Act is here to stay." — Obama, speaking in the Rose Garden.

The justices said in a 6-3 ruling that the subsidies that 8.7 million people currently receive to make insurance affordable do not depend on where they live, as opponents contended.

The outcome was the second major victory for Obama in politically charged Supreme Court tests of his most significant domestic achievement. And it came the same day the court gave him an unexpected victory by preserving a key tool the administration uses to fight housing bias.