A new round of nuclear negotiations with Iran began Wednesday, but Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned that his country has “red lines” it will not cross. Both sides have said an initial agreement is possible in the next few days of meetings in Geneva, but Congress, Israel and Saudi Arabia oppose a first-step deal because it would let Iran make only a few concessions for serious sanctions relief. President Barack Obama has said the deal is a necessary risk to help avoid a war no one wants and to help prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

President Barack Obama on Wednesday paid tribute to former President John F. Kennedy for the anniversary of his establishing the Medal of Freedom honors and as the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s death approaches. Obama placed a wreath near the eternal flame that marks Kennedy’s grave, and he awarded the Medal of Freedom to prominent people including former President Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey. Kennedy established the modern-day version of the award but was killed two weeks before he planned to honor the recipients.

A 30-year Harvard study released Wednesday has shown regular nut eaters were less likely to die from cancer or heart disease. Nuts have been considered heart-healthy for years, but this study is the first to test whether eating them affects mortality. For the study’s participants who ate nuts seven or more times every week, the risk of dying from heart disease dropped 29 percent, and the risk of dying from cancer fell 11 percent compared with people who never ate them.

Ohio Democrat Ed FitzGerald announced Wednesday he has chosen state Sen. Eric Kearney as his running mate to run for governor next year. FitzGerald, a former FBI agent and the Cuyahoga County executive, is running against Republican Gov. John Kasich. Kearney is a Cincinnati lawyer and a friend of President Barack Obama, and he has led the Democratic caucus in the Senate since January 2012.

Contact Carrie Blazina at [email protected].