Iran's Parliament Votes to Cut Ties with UN Nuclear Watchdog Amid Rising Tensions Iran's Parliament has taken a significant step by voting to suspend cooperation with the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This move is a sharp escalation in the standoff following recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities that Tehran claims went uncondemned by the IAEA. The bill, which was unanimously backed by parliament and is awaiting approval from the Guardian Council, stipulates that future IAEA inspections will require approval from the Supreme National Security Council. This decision comes after nearly two weeks of conflict between Iran and Israel, initiated by Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear targets, and after the U.S. bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities. Despite President Trump's claim that these attacks "obliterated" Iran’s nuclear program, a U.S. intelligence report estimated the setbacks at only a few months. IAEA Director Rafael Grossi has urged Iran to reopen access for inspectors to verify the status of nuclear materials, stressing the need to "return" and "engage," but Tehran's suspension of cooperation complicates nuclear monitoring and raises questions about regional stability.
Kenya’s Anti-Government Protests Turn Deadly as Police Open Fire on Crowds Anti-government protests across Kenya have turned deadly, with at least 16 people reported dead after police fired live rounds into crowds. What began as commemorations of previous protests against a controversial tax bill quickly escalated, underscoring Kenya’s severe economic and social crisis. Thousands participated in marches in Nairobi and other cities, driven by frustration over the deteriorating economy and a staggering 67% youth unemployment rate. The killing of a blogger while in police custody further fueled demands for accountability, as many protesters highlighted that "The killer police have still not been held accountable". The situation suggests that Kenya's simmering tensions are a "powder keg waiting to explode" as the government struggles to manage unrest amidst growing public distrust and economic hardship. This latest wave of violence echoes last year’s turmoil, which resulted in approximately 60 deaths, raising significant concerns about police accountability and the future of Kenya’s democracy, particularly given widespread discontent among young people.
Supreme Court Rules Against Planned Parenthood in Medicaid Patient Rights Case The Supreme Court has delivered a setback to Planned Parenthood by ruling that Medicaid patients do not possess a clear right to sue to obtain non-abortion health care from its clinics. This 6-3 decision effectively overturned a lower court ruling that had permitted Planned Parenthood South Atlantic and a patient to challenge South Carolina’s decision to cut off Medicaid funding to the organization. The core of the case revolved around whether the federal Medicaid Act grants patients the power to enforce their right to receive care from any qualified provider. South Carolina had ceased funding Planned Parenthood's non-abortion services following a 2018 directive from Governor Henry McMaster, even though Medicaid generally prohibits funding for abortions. The Trump administration supported South Carolina's position and is separately withholding Title X family planning funds from several Planned Parenthood affiliates. This ruling significantly complicates Planned Parenthood's funding challenges, directly impacting patients who depend on these clinics for essential reproductive and gynecological care.
Mississippi Executes Longest-Serving Death Row Inmate After Nearly 50 Years Richard Jordan, Mississippi’s longest-serving death row inmate, was executed Wednesday night, bringing an end to a nearly half-century legal battle. Jordan was convicted of the 1976 kidnapping and murder of Edwina Marter. This execution marked the state’s first in three years and aimed to provide closure for a case that spanned decades. At 79 years old, Jordan died by lethal injection at the Mississippi State Penitentiary; in his final moments, he apologized to the victim’s family, asking them to "forgive me for what I did, not forget, but forgive". The murder involved a deceptive ploy where Jordan posed as an electric company worker to gain entry to the Marter home before abducting and killing her. Despite numerous trials and appeals citing constitutional violations, Jordan’s death sentence was upheld, with the U.S. Supreme Court denying his final appeals just hours before his execution. Jordan's execution is the 25th in the U.S. this year amidst a rising national execution rate, and while Mississippi’s lethal injection protocol has faced legal challenges, officials reported a smooth process, highlighting the ongoing complexities of capital punishment in America.
Senate GOP Scrambles to Pass Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Amid Growing Roadblocks Senate Republicans are racing against a July 4 deadline to pass President Trump’s signature domestic agenda, but the ambitious bill faces significant hurdles related to rural hospital funding and tax rules. The proposed legislation, described as the most sweeping health reform in history by Medicaid director Mehmet Oz, is encountering stiff opposition from within the GOP and from Senate rules. A central point of contention is a proposed reduction in state taxes on Medicaid providers from 6% to 3%, which critics fear could severely harm rural hospitals reliant on this revenue. While the Senate Finance Committee has proposed a $15 billion stabilization fund for struggling rural facilities, many senators argue this amount is insufficient. Senator Josh Hawley warned that altering the Medicaid tax could disrupt a deal President Trump made with the House. Adding to the complexity, House Republicans are threatening to reject the bill if it does not maintain the state and local tax (SALT) break negotiated for high-tax states, a provision most Senate Republicans are willing to forgo. Majority Leader John Thune remains confident that political pressure and Trump's influence will secure enough Republican support, but with only three GOP defections allowed, every amendment and compromise could tip the balance as time runs out.
U.S. Trade Deficit Jumps 11% in May but Still a Far Cry from March’s Record High The U.S. trade deficit experienced an 11% surge in May, reaching $96.6 billion, largely due to imports bouncing back following tariff cuts. However, this figure is still considerably lower than the record $162 billion peak observed in March. This May rebound indicates a cooling off from the intense import activity that preceded the Trump administration’s highest tariffs in decades. The record trade gap in March contributed to the first GDP contraction in three years, with the economy shrinking at a revised 0.5% rate in Q1. Since then, the deficit has returned to levels closer to the pre-tariff environment of last year, signaling a partial de-escalation of trade tensions. The May increase is attributed to lowered tariffs on goods from China and other nations, which encouraged businesses to resume importing items they had previously paused due to tariff uncertainty. While wholesale inventories slightly decreased and retail inventories slightly increased, these movements suggest a balancing act between supply and demand. The upcoming release of overall trade data will offer a more complete picture, but the recent fluctuations in the trade deficit highlight how tariff policy can trigger volatile swings in trade flows and, by extension, the economy.
Trump Mulls Naming Fed Chair Sooner, Eyeing Shakeup to Undermine Powell President Trump is reportedly considering announcing his choice for Federal Reserve chair months ahead of schedule in an effort to undercut Jerome Powell’s influence, a move that would break with established tradition. Trump is motivated by his frustration with Powell’s cautious approach to interest-rate cuts and is seeking a successor who would be more inclined towards rate reductions. Potential candidates include former Fed governor Kevin Warsh, National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett (though he has expressed disinterest), Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, former World Bank President David Malpass, and Fed governor Christopher Waller. Announcing the pick this summer or fall, well before Powell’s term concludes next May, could allow the incoming chair to influence market expectations early on. However, this strategy also carries the risk of political and institutional fallout, potentially placing the so-called "shadow chair" in a challenging position between Trump’s demands and the Fed’s crucial independence. Powell continues to focus on controlling inflation and sustaining economic strength, reportedly dismissing political drama. Nevertheless, Trump’s plan to accelerate the Fed transition signals a dramatic power play that could unsettle markets and complicate monetary policy at a time when inflation fears persist.
