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Israel Enacts Controversial Death Penalty Law Targeting Palestinians

  Soldiers carry the coffin of Israeli soldier Sergeant Liran Ben Zion, who, according to the Israeli army, was killed in combat in southern Lebanon. Israel’s parliament has approved a controversial new law making the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks, sparking intense criticism from rights groups and international observers. The measure, championed by far‑right members of the governing coalition, is set to take effect within 30 days and has already prompted legal challenges and diplomatic condemnation.  Israel’s parliament has passed a landmark—and highly contentious—law establishing the death penalty as the default sentence for Palestinians convicted in military courts of lethal attacks against Israelis. The bill, long pushed by far‑right members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, mandates execution by hanging and requires sentencing within 90 days, with no right to clemency.  The legislation applies spec...
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Inflation Falls in June for First Time Since 2020

A closely-watched report on US inflation revealed that consumer price increases cooled further during the month of June. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) declined by 0.1% over the previous month and increased just 3.0% over the prior year in June. This marks a deceleration from May’s flat month-over-month increase and the 3.3% annual gain in prices. Notably, it’s the first time since May 2020 that monthly headline CPI came in below 0%.

On a “core” basis, which excludes the more volatile costs of food and gas, prices in June climbed 0.1% over the prior month and 3.3% over last year—cooler than May’s data. Economists had expected a 0.2% monthly uptick in core prices and a 3.4% year-over-year increase.

The markets responded to this report, with the 10-year Treasury yield falling about 9 basis points to trade around 4.2%. While inflation has remained stubbornly above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target on an annual basis, recent economic data suggests that the central bank may consider cutting rates sooner than later. Markets are now pricing in a roughly 87% chance that the Federal Reserve will begin rate cuts at its September meeting.

This data adds to other rate cut signals across the labor market and economy. The labor market added 206,000 nonfarm payroll jobs last month, ahead of economists’ expectations. However, the unemployment rate unexpectedly rose to 4.1%, the highest reading in almost three years.

Notably, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge—the core PCE price index—showed inflation easing in May, with a year-over-year change of 2.6%, in line with estimates and the slowest annual gain in more than three years.


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