What's Happening: A Nuclear Agreement With Iran
Six world powers and Iran have agreed on a framework for Iranian nuclear program, a process that took 18 months. In exchange for having economic sanctions lifted by the major powers, Iran will significantly reduce its ability to enrich uranium, agree to not create weapons-grade uranium, reduce its existing stockpile of uranium, and allow inspectors into the country.
Reactions: In a speech, Obama said the deal “cuts off every pathway” for Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, and emphasized inspections will work. "If Iran cheats, the world will know it." Iranian diplomat Mohamad Javad Zarif said the deal "stopped a cycle that is not in the interest of anybody." Republicans were quick to compare Obama to Neville Chamberlain, with House Speaker John Boehner emphasizing that Congress must be allowed to "fully review the details of any agreement before any sanctions are lifted."
The next step: Today's deal is only a framework, with many details still to be worked out. All parties will still need to finalize the agreement by June 30 of this year.
Snapshot
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Pullquote
"Oddly enough, Corn Flakes were apparently invented as an antidote to masturbation, according to several accounts."
—Rachel Smith, "America's Immortal Cereal"
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Today in Science
Incredibly cute scientific research looks at how 11-month-old babies learn through being surprised. Yes, there's video.
Evening Read
The emotionally and ethically wrought arithmetic of how, exactly, to distribute money donated to victims of tragedies:
Fairness was also a sore point in Aurora, Colorado, where a relief fund took in $5.3 million in tragedy relief. After two months of rocky communication, survivors and victims’ families became irate when they received checks for only $5,000. Their fury increased when the recovery committee gave $100,000 to several community-service agencies. Donors had wanted their contributions to go directly to the victims, one bereaved father insisted. “Victims are paralyzed,” he told the Associated Press, “facing multiple and painful surgeries, unable to walk, to work and pay their rent, food and medical bills.”
Verbs
Kenyan university attacked, Yemen fighting intensifies, Cuban Airbnbs open, unemployment claims fall, gay Scout leader hired, anti-gay pizzeria shuttered, and an extraterrestrial-free Japan confirmed.
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