Jun 26, 2017

Qatar rejects list of 13 demands from its neighbors

Data: Natural Earth; Map: Lazaro Gamio / Axios

Over the weekend, Qatar received — and rejected — a list of 13 demands from the coalition of Middle Eastern countries that have cut diplomatic ties with the nation, accusing Qatar of supporting terrorist groups.

What's in the list: The list, released by AP, demands that Qatar loosen its relationship with Iran and close a Turkish military base. Turkey and Iran have helped Qatar navigate its diplomatic isolation, flying in food and other resources. Qatar must also shut down Al Jazeera and cut ties with Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, the list says.
What's next: The Saudi-led coalition gave Qatar just 10 days to address the demands after delivering them Friday, but Qatar's foreign minister rejected the list on Saturday, BBC reports. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said it would be "very difficult" for Qatar to comply with the demands and encouraged the nations to continue negotiating.

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Updates: George Floyd protests continue past curfews

Protesters on Tuesday evening by the metal fence recently erected outside the White House. Photo: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Protests over the death of George Floyd and other police-related killings of black people continued Tuesday night across the U.S. for the eighth consecutive day — prompting a federal response from the National Guard, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.

The latest: Protesters were still out en masse for mostly after curfews were in force in cities including Washington, D.C., New York City, Los Angeles and Portland — where police used pepper spray and flash bangs on a group throwing projectiles at them during an "unlawful assembly," per KATU. Portland police said this group was separate to the thousands of demonstrators who protested peacefully elsewhere in the city.

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Primary elections test impact of protests, coronavirus on voting

Election official at a polling place at McKinley Technology High School in Washington, D.C. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

In the midst of a global pandemic and national protests over the death of George Floyd, eight states and the District of Columbia held primary elections on Tuesday.

Why it matters: Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, needs to win 425 of the 479 delegates up for grabs in order to officially clinch the nomination. There are a number of key down-ballot races throughout the country as well, including a primary in Iowa that could determine the fate of Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa).

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Iowa Rep. Steve King defeated in GOP primary

Rep. Steve King. Photo: Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images

State Sen. Randy Feenstra defeated incumbent Rep. Steve King in Tuesday's Republican primary for Iowa's 4th congressional district, according to the Cook Political Report.

Why it matters: King's history of racist remarks has made him one of the most controversial politicians in the country and a pariah within the Republican Party.

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