Morning Briefing: Measles Outbreaks, Ballot Battles, and Global Bond Shifts

California Supreme Court Orders Sheriff to Return 650,000 Seized Ballots

The California Supreme Court has ruled that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco must return over 650,000 ballots seized after a 2025 special election. The Associated Press reports the seizure occurred following an election that favored Democrats; Bianco was a candidate for governor at the time.

Measles Outbreak Hits Pennsylvania Amish Country and Indiana

Public health officials are scrambling as measles spreads through rural Pennsylvania, where MS Now reports patients are arriving at clinics gravely ill. Concurrently, WANE has confirmed a new measles case in Allen County, Indiana, prompting renewed calls for vaccinations against the highly contagious virus.

U.S. Backs Elon Musk in Legal Fight Against EU Fines

The U.S. government has stepped in to support Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) in its bid to overturn a €120 million fine. The BBC reports the fine was originally levied by the EU, which alleged the platform deceived users by selling "blue ticks" without meaningful verification.

U.S. Treasury Yields Rise Amid Global Bond Rout

Treasury yields climbed at the end of the week as a global bond selloff slowed. According to CNBC, the rise follows stronger-than-expected economic data, signaling continued pressure on the debt market despite the recent stabilization of global yields.

NJ Governor Calls for Lieutenant Governor’s Resignation

New Jersey Governor Sherrill has demanded that Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell step down following an investigation that found he sexually harassed a woman and violated state ethics rules. The Washington Post reports that Sherrill gave Caldwell until Friday to resign.

Iran Proposes Seven-Day Ceasefire to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

In a significant diplomatic move, Iran’s foreign minister has offered a seven-day ceasefire proposal. The Financial Times reports the plan could see the critical Strait of Hormuz reopen within a week, potentially easing global energy tensions.