Iran limits nuclear inspector access; Venezuela quake toll hits 2,295; floods kill 71 in West Africa

Iran's Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf declared on Wednesday that nuclear inspectors' access will be limited exclusively to the Bushehr power plant and the Tehran reactor, with no further access granted to other sites. The announcement signals a potential rollback of IAEA monitoring across Iran's nuclear facilities and marks a significant shift in Tehran's posture toward international oversight. The declaration comes amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing scrutiny of Iran's nuclear program.

Iran Restricts Nuclear Inspectors to Two Sites

Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf said inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency would only be permitted access to the Bushehr power plant and the Tehran reactor. No further access to other nuclear sites would be granted, according to the declaration.

The move signals a potential rollback of IAEA monitoring across Iran's nuclear program. The restriction could constrain international oversight of sites that have been subject to inspection under previous agreements and frameworks.

Ghalibaf's statement represents the most explicit signal yet from Iran's parliament that monitoring arrangements may be narrowed going forward.

Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 2,295

Top lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez announced updated casualty figures showing the death toll from last week's earthquakes has climbed to 2,295, with 11,267 injured. The figures mark a sharp increase from earlier reports.

Rodriguez, speaking on state television, also declared a 7-day national mourning period for the victims. The announcement came as the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating quakes that struck last week.

The updated toll underscores the scale of the disaster and the challenges facing rescue and recovery operations across affected regions.

Heavy Rains Kill 71 Across Ivory Coast and Ghana

At least 71 people have died in Ivory Coast and Ghana following days of heavy rainfall, with the worst downpours reported on Sunday and Monday. The flooding has affected communities across both West African nations.

Authorities in both countries are assessing the full extent of the damage as rescue and relief operations continue. The heavy rains have caused widespread disruption, displacing residents and damaging infrastructure.

The death toll may rise further as assessments continue in remote areas cut off by floodwaters.

Supreme Court Ruling Expands Trump's Control Over Federal Agencies

A US Supreme Court ruling this week expanding Donald Trump's control over federal agencies has reopened lawsuits over his efforts to oust officials from their positions. The ruling has also fueled concerns about who could be targeted for removal next.

The decision broadens executive authority over independent agencies and could reshape the balance of power between the presidency and the federal bureaucracy. Lawsuits that had been paused or dismissed are now being revisited in light of the ruling.

Legal challenges are expected to multiply as officials and advocacy groups assess the implications of the court's decision for civil service protections and agency independence.

What to Watch

The IAEA has not yet issued a formal response to Iran's declaration on inspector access, and it remains unclear whether Tehran will implement the restrictions immediately or allow a transition period. In Venezuela, the 7-day mourning period will shape the government's public response as recovery efforts intensify. In the United States, reopened lawsuits tied to the Supreme Court ruling on federal agency control are expected to move quickly through lower courts.