Another Election Day, Brexit Turns 10 & Messi Makes History - Tuesday, June 23, 2026

**Erica Mandy** (0:00)
Today is Tuesday, June 23rd. What to know about the latest elections happening today in four states? And what's behind a major reversal in US policy when it comes to Iran? Also, just as the UK is marking 10 years since Brexit, its Prime Minister is stepping down. Plus how Alan Greenspan and Clive Davis are being remembered. Which record was just broken at the World Cup? And what could make this week's Amazon Prime Day deals different from years past? Those stories and even more news coming up.
Welcome to The NewsWorthy. All the day's news in less than 15 minutes. I'm Erica Mandy. Thanks so much for being here. Let's do this.
Today marks another big day in the midterm election calendar. Voters head to the polls in New York, Utah, Maryland and South Carolina to choose their party's nominees for November. We'll start in New York. The Empire State is holding primaries for governor, congress and key statewide offices. Several of the most closely watched contests are taking place in New York City, where progressive candidates are trying to build on the momentum of Mayor Zoran Mamdani's political movement. Meanwhile, in Utah, a recently redrawn congressional map has shifted the political landscape, creating at least one new competitive district. Now to Maryland. Democrats and Republicans are holding primaries for congress and state legislative seats. There's particular attention on suburban districts outside of Washington DC and Baltimore.
Those areas could help determine whether Democrats or Republicans can make inroads in the general election. And finally, in South Carolina. Both Republicans and Democrats are choosing who they want to run for a competitive seat in congress this November. And Republicans are again weighing in on the governor's race, picking between two Trump-backed candidates. Of course, all four states have dozens of other local and statewide races on the ballot, so stay tuned.
The UK is about to get a new prime minister for the sixth time in just seven years. Keir Starmer announced his resignation yesterday in the face of pressure from both voters and British lawmakers. It's a pretty dramatic reversal from less than two years ago when he led his party to its biggest majority in parliament this century. But his popularity dropped after a series of controversial decisions. For example, his plans to lower some disability benefits, cut winter heating assistance for some wealthier retirees, and scandal because the person he chose to be the UK's ambassador to the US ended up being linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Now, the leading candidate to replace Starmer is Andy Burnham. He was sworn in as a lawmaker yesterday, making him eligible. The shakeup also comes at a symbolic moment. Today marks exactly 10 years since British voters narrowly chose to leave the European Union in what's known as Brexit. As the AP puts it, that vote led to the most dramatic shakeup of the UK economy and society since World War II. Backers of Brexit believed the UK could grow its economy outside of the EU, take back control of immigration policy, and focus more on British priorities. Ten years later, the results are still debated.
In what's considered a major reversal of US policy, the Trump administration has suspended oil sanctions against Iran, at least for the next 60 days. In other words, Iran can now sell its oil in US dollars at market prices, including to American buyers and importers. This could be a huge economic boon for Iran, since for decades it's been forced to sell at a discount, only to buyers willing to risk upsetting the US. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent credited the recent productive talks between the US and Iran for the major policy change. And speaking of those talks, Vice President JD Vance got into more specifics, saying Iran had agreed to invite UN inspectors back to Iran's nuclear sites. But one top Iranian official said Iran made no such commitment. Also yesterday, Vice President Vance outlined a proposal for potentially unfreezing Iranian assets, something Iran says the US already signed off on.
There are also some conflicting reports from the US and Iran about exactly who is controlling the Strait of Hormuz and how much oil is now flowing through it.
Still, in the aftermath of this weekend's talks, oil prices fell. Gas prices in the US followed. As of this morning, AAA data shows the nationwide average for a gallon of regular unleaded stands at $3.92.
That's down 62 cents from last month, but still well above what they were before the war started. Many analysts say they do expect gas prices to keep falling in the weeks ahead.
The man who's widely considered the most powerful central banker of modern times has passed away. Former US. Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan died at 100 years old. His wife, NBC News correspondent Andrea Mitchell, broke the news, saying Greenspan died from complications of Parkinson's disease. He was in charge of the Fed for nearly 20 years, serving under presidents from both parties, and he actually presided over the longest sustained period of American economic growth in a generation. Granted, it wasn't all easygoing. Critics argue low interest rates during his tenure fueled the.com bubble of late 1990s and caused the housing crisis of 2008 But for better or for worse, Greenspan is now being remembered as the architect of the modern American economy. Meanwhile, the world is mourning the loss of another man who had a huge impact on another facet of American culture. Legendary record producer and music executive, Clive Davis died at 94 years old from what his rep says was an age-related illness. He's considered one of the most influential record moguls in music history, and the mastermind behind the careers of artists like Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Janice Joplin, Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Pink Floyd, Earth, Wind & Fire, Aerosmith and dozens more. So the tributes are now pouring in.