The Presidential Daily Brief

Kabul Suicide Bombing Kills 90, Wounds 400

It was morning rush hour. What’s believed to have been a massive truck bomb went off in the Afghan capital’s busy diplomatic district, leaving at least 90 people dead and 400 injured. The majority of the casualties are thought to be civilians. It’s not clear what the target was or who’s behind the attack — neither the Taliban nor ISIS, both of which have launched previous attacks, have taken responsibility. Meanwhile, ambulances and relatives rushed to the blast site, and officials warn that the death toll is likely to rise.

UN Chief Warns US, Says Climate Deal Essential

“Get on board or get left behind.” U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres implored nations to “stay the course” of the 2015 Paris climate accord, despite U.S. officials reporting to CNN that Trump plans to withdraw from the agreement – a significant departure from the policy of other major nations and a backpedal on Obama-era environmental efforts. Guterres noted that American states and companies can still fight climate change even if President Donald Trump follows through on his threat to withdraw. With heavy hitters like China, India and the EU all reaffirming their commitment, Guterres is planning a 2019 summit to review the deal’s implementation.

UK Election Polls Increase Uncertainty, Batter Pound

Theresa May might not make it through June. When the British prime minister called a snap election for June 8, she was widely expected to increase her majority. But a series of missteps and backtracks have weakened that certainty. A new YouGov poll predicts the Conservatives could lose their majority altogether, sending the pound sliding 0.5 percent against the dollar. Meanwhile, the European Space Agency’s leader advised British companies hoping for space-related contracts that they’ll likely have to set up European subsidiaries after the U.K.’s expected 2019 EU withdrawal.

Men Probing Ivanka Trump’s Chinese Factory Missing, Arrested

They were undercover. Two investigators are missing and a third has been arrested, according to China Labor Watch — the group that employed them to examine working conditions at a Huajian Group factory in Jiangxi province that manufactures thousands of Ivanka Trump-branded shoes each year. Hua Haifeng, accused of illegal surveillance after police reportedly ordered him to stop investigating, and his missing colleagues had already documented shoddy labor practices at the company. The Democratic National Committee has called on Trump to stop working with the Huajian Group.

Terror in the Philippines, Griffin’s Apology and a New Kenyan Train

Know This: The Philippine military is battling ISIS-affiliated militants in the country’s south alleged to be using child soldiers. Comedian Kathy Griffin has apologized after causing outrage with a photo shoot featuring a bloody model of President Trump’s severed head. And Kenya’s just opened its first major train line in more than a hundred years, 18 months ahead of schedule. 

Look at This: The prime ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland and Sweden have posed with a soccer ball, reenacting a recent viral photo of Trump, the Saudi king and the Egyptian president touching a glowing orb. Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg posted the two pictures on Facebook, asking, “Who rules the world?”

Answer This: Tell us how you really feel. OZY’s next TV show, Third Rail with OZY, is launching on PBS this fall! To kick things off, we’re shelving the PC and launching debates. Each Wednesday, we’ll post a provocative question, with a focus on topics that might make it onto the show. Our Third Rail with OZY question this week delves into politics: Should you be able to withhold taxes for issues you disagree with? Why or why not? Email thirdrail@ozy.com with your thoughts or a personal story, and we might feature your answer next week.