Messy Endgame Looms for Greece
Talks between Greece and its bailout creditors enter the final stretch this week, with an emergency eurozone summit to be held in Brussels on Monday. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has expressed optimism a deal will be reached, but the country’s emergency lenders have held a tough stance. The bailout runs out on June 30, the same day Greece is due to make a €1.54 billion ($1.75 billion) repayment to the IMF. A default could result in Greece leaving the eurozone.
Supreme Court Decision Expected on Obama Care
The Supreme Court will rule on the case determining the future of the Affordable Care Act by the end of June, which means an opinion could be handed down this week. King vs. Burwell questions the validity of insurance subsidies for around six million people in more than 30 states that use the federal exchange HealthCare.gov. The disagreement is over whether language in the law allows the Obama administration to offer insurance subsidies nationwide. Republicans hope a ruling against the government would allow them to rewrite thehealth care law.
Fast-Track Trade Bill in the Senate
Legislation allowing the Obama administration to push trade agreements more easily through Congress has a good chance of coming up for a vote in the Senate, after passing the House this past Thursday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) wants to pass the bill this week. The White House has been lobbying hard for its passage, though the bill was previously blocked by Democrats who want assurances a measure to help workers hurt by international trade also becomes law.
Charleston Tries to Make Sense of Church Killings
The killing of nine people at a historic black church in Charleston, S.C., this past Wednesday will continue to reverberate in the news.Funerals and memorials for the dead are likely to be held. A white man, 21-year-old Dylann Roof, has been charged with their murders, and the Justice Department is considering prosecuting him under federal hate-crime laws.
Economists Expect Solid U.S. Home Sales Data
Two reports on May home sales in the U.S. are on tap this week. The National Association of Realtors reports on sales of existing homes on Monday, and the Commerce Department releases numbers on new-home sales on Tuesday. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal expect increases in each housing segment. One catalyst for buying this spring: The recent rise in mortgage rates might have pushed hesitant buyers to sign on the dotted line before rates increase further.
Frenchman on Death Row in Indonesia Awaits Verdict
A verdict is expected Monday in the appeal of Frenchman Serge Atlaoui, who is on death row for drug offences in Indonesia. Mr. Atlaoui was slated to face the firing squad in April, when eight people—including seven foreigners—were shot dead for their roles in drug crimes. But his execution was delayed because a decision was still pending in his legal appeal. France has been vocal in its opposition to the planned execution. “Until the last minute, we must do everything so that the execution does not go ahead,” French President François Hollande said in April.
Nokia May Sell Mapping Unit
Nokia this week could announce a buyer for its mapping services unit, Here, which it values at around $2.2 billion. The front runners for the unit are German car makers BMW, Audi and Daimler, which are banding together to prevent a technology giant such as Google, Apple or Facebook from gaining control of a key part of the technology needed to run self-driving cars and in-car digital services. But ride-sharing company Uber could upset the German firms’ plans, and Nokia has said it may call off the auction if it isn’t satisfied with the price.
Via: Wall Street Journal
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