Today’s edition of quick hits:
* Iran: “On the eve of international talks in Baghdad over Iran’s disputed nuclear program, the leader of the United Nations nuclear monitoring arm announced what appeared to be a significant concession from Tehran, saying that, despite unspecified differences, he expected a deal ‘quite soon’ on arrangements for an investigation into potential military applications of the program.”
* Afghanistan: “The leading American diplomat in Afghanistan, Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, will leave his post this summer for health reasons after serving here less than a year, a State Department official said Tuesday.”
* After a brutal tornado killed 161 people in Joplin, Missouri, a year ago, President Obama returned to the community last night to deliver a commencement address at Joplin’s high school graduation.
* A case worth watching: “The Supreme Court will decide next term whether a group of lawyers, human rights activists and journalists may challenge the federal government’s widespread use of electronic surveillance to monitor suspected terrorist activities overseas.”
* They overcounted affluent whites owning multiple homes: “The 2010 census missed more than 1.5 million minorities after struggling to count black Americans, Hispanics, renters and young men, but was mostly accurate.”
* Good move: “A bipartisan group of four senators proposed on Tuesday easing visa limits for highly skilled immigrants and foreign students, a move that challenges Congressional leaders on their fixed positions on the issue of immigration during an election year.” * There’s a bipartisan effort underway, at least in the U.S. House, to roll back legal prohibitions on State Department propaganda campaigns inside the United States. Glenn Greenwald talked to Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), one of the bill’s sponsors. * Political comparisons involving rape and the Holocaust are never a good idea. Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
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