Hundreds protested in Kenya on Monday after the US announced it was establishing an Ebola quarantine center on the Laikipia Air Base exclusively for US citizens exposed to Ebola while abroad, rather than sending them home. The protests even became mortal, with two demonstrators shot dead. Kenyan President William Ruto defended the plan yesterday, insisting that the center would ultimately strengthen Kenya’s preparedness for future outbreaks, while also citing the US previous support of health initiatives in the country. Protesters remain unconvinced, saying the facility increases the risk of introducing Ebola into the country that has not recorded any cases of the disease. The Kenyan High Court last week ordered construction on the facility to pause, but Ruto will still support the plan, putting him at odds with protestors ahead of next year’s election.
Today marks the single busiest primary day of the US midterms this year, as voters in six states – California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota – head to the polls to decide which candidates will advance to the general election. Two races, in particular, stand out. In Iowa, there’s a battle between the old and the new wing of the Democratic Party, as progressive state Sen. Zach Wahls will face leadership-backed state Rep. Josh Turek in the US Senate primary. Polls suggest the GOP-leaning seat could be competitive following the retirement of Republican Sen. Joni Ernst. Then there’s also the messy all-party primary for California governor, where billionaire Tom Steyer (D)and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra (D) are competing against the Donald Trump-backed, former Fox News pundit Steve Hilton (R) to lead the country’s largest state (outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom’s rising fame shows the clout that this role involves).
For something a little different, check out the Los Angeles mayoral race, where reality TV star Spencer Pratt is trying to oust incumbent Mayor Karen Bass.Pratt’s unconventional bid has drawn some comparisons – and contrasts to – New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
During areportedly spicy phone call on Monday, US PresidentDonald Trumpstopped Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from launching a wider assault on Hezbollah in Lebanon. In recent weeks Israel and Hezbollah have traded blows despite a fragile ceasefire, which Trump said he had renewed. In Israel, where the war against Hezbollah is popular, Netanyahu’s climbdown was assailed by allies and opponents from across the political spectrum, which could hurt him in elections due later this year. But Trump has his own voters to worry about: he’s seeking a face-saving deal to get out of thedeeply unpopular Iran war ahead of the November midterms. And there’s the rub: Tehran insists that any deal include a ceasefire between Israel and its proxies in Hezbollah. That means Trump’s electoral objectives (end the war) are increasingly at odds with Netanyahu’s (continue it). How will this circle get squared?
In this "ask ian," Ian Bremmer breaks down President Trump’s approach to the 2026 midterm elections and what his political strategy may look like afterward.
SoftBank surpassed the Japanese carmaker after pledging over the weekend to invest as much as €75 billion ($87 billion) to build Europe’s largest AI facility in France.
Seriously, they are so mad this time. #PUPPETREGIME
On Sunday, Colombians will have their say on their first left-wing leader, as they head to the polls to vote in the first round of the presidential election.