Balm — Tuesday, May 26, 2026 PM

US Conducts Strikes on Iran During Peace Talks; Iran Calls It Ceasefire Violation

US military forces carried out strikes on Iranian missile launch sites and boats attempting to lay mines near the Strait of Hormuz, citing self-defense. Iran condemned the strikes as a violation of the ceasefire, while the attacks occurred as Iranian and Qatari negotiators were in Doha for ongoing peace talks. US officials maintained the ceasefire remains intact and said they are awaiting Iran's response to the latest proposed deal framework. US military forces struck Iranian missile launch sites and boats that were attempting to lay mines near the Strait of Hormuz, according to US Central Command, which described the action as self-defense. The strikes took place while senior Iranian negotiators were in Qatar's capital Doha for peace talks, a timing that drew sharp condemnation from Tehran. Iran's foreign ministry called the attacks a gross violation of the existing ceasefire and accused the United States of acting in bad faith. US officials disputed that characterization, saying the ceasefire remains in effect and that the strikes were a targeted defensive response to specific threats. President Trump separately said negotiations with Iran were proceeding, while cautioning that military action could resume if discussions collapsed. Oil prices reflected the uncertainty, rising back above one hundred dollars per barrel before stabilizing as markets weighed both the prospect of a deal and the risk of further escalation. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which a significant share of global oil supply passes, has been at the center of tensions throughout the conflict. US and global financial markets moved noticeably in response to each new development, illustrating how closely the conflict's trajectory is tied to energy prices and broader economic conditions. US officials said they are awaiting a formal response from Iran on the latest proposed deal terms.

Trump Pushes to Expand Abraham Accords as Iran Deal Faces Opposition at Home

President Trump is seeking to expand the Abraham Accords — normalization agreements between Israel and several Muslim-majority nations — while simultaneously pursuing a deal to end the US-Iran conflict. Republican lawmakers have raised objections to what they describe as potential concessions to Iran, and analysts have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of both diplomatic tracks proceeding in parallel. President Trump is pursuing a parallel diplomatic strategy: expanding the Abraham Accords to draw additional Muslim-majority nations into normalization agreements with Israel, while also negotiating an end to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Both efforts are facing notable resistance. On the Iran track, Republican members of Congress have issued warnings against what they characterize as excessive concessions, and the diplomatic path has grown more complicated following US military strikes during peace talks. On the Abraham Accords expansion, doubts have emerged about whether the current regional climate — shaped in part by the Iran conflict and ongoing military activity — is conducive to new normalization agreements. The Abraham Accords, first established during Trump's first term, normalized relations between Israel and several Gulf and Arab states. Expanding them to include additional countries has been a stated goal of the administration, but analysts note that the conflict environment significantly complicates those efforts. The administration has not publicly detailed which countries it is targeting for new agreements.

The Washington Post

EU Explores Potential Mediators for Ukraine-Russia Peace Process After US Steps Back

The European Union is considering potential candidates to mediate between Russia and Ukraine after the United States pulled back from trilateral peace talks. The EU's search for a so-called Russia intermediary reflects a significant shift in the diplomatic landscape around the war. No candidate has been formally named. The European Union is actively looking for a mediator who could facilitate dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, following the United States' withdrawal from trilateral peace talks. The US had previously played a central role in efforts to bring the two sides to the table, and its pullback has created a diplomatic gap that European officials are now attempting to fill. The search for a credible intermediary is complicated by the fact that most Western nations are aligned with Ukraine, limiting the pool of actors that Russia would accept as neutral. No specific candidate has been formally identified or announced. The development underscores a broader pattern of European nations taking on a larger share of diplomatic responsibility for the war's resolution as American engagement in the process shifts.

Iceland Weighs EU Membership Bid, Citing Concerns Over US Threats to Greenland

Iceland is considering joining the European Union, a significant departure from its longstanding position outside the bloc. Officials and analysts point to President Trump's repeated statements about acquiring Greenland as a factor accelerating the country's reconsideration of EU membership. A referendum on accession is being discussed, though officials have raised concerns about misinformation influencing the outcome. Iceland, which has remained outside the European Union despite being closely integrated with Europe in other ways, is now actively weighing EU membership. Officials and observers cite President Trump's statements about Greenland — a Danish autonomous territory — as a catalyst that has sharpened Iceland's sense of geopolitical vulnerability and prompted a reassessment of its relationship with European institutions. Iceland's foreign minister has acknowledged the political sensitivity of a potential accession referendum, expressing concern about the influence of misinformation and comparing the risk to the dynamics seen in the UK's Brexit vote. Iceland is already a member of the European Economic Area and the Schengen Area, giving it access to the EU's single market and free movement zone without full membership. Full EU membership would represent a substantial shift in the country's political orientation. No formal application has been submitted, and the debate is ongoing.

The New York Times

Israel Strikes Lebanon, Targeting Hezbollah Infrastructure

Israel carried out strikes on what it described as approximately 100 Hezbollah infrastructure sites and fighters in Lebanon, resulting in dozens of casualties. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel's intent to continue military pressure against Hezbollah. The strikes represent an intensification of Israeli military activity in Lebanon. Israel conducted a large-scale series of strikes in Lebanon, targeting what the Israeli military described as Hezbollah infrastructure sites and personnel. Israeli officials said approximately 100 targets were struck. Lebanese health officials reported dozens of people killed in the attacks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly stated Israel's intent to continue operations against Hezbollah, describing the goal as crushing the Iran-backed group. The strikes occurred in the broader context of ongoing conflict in the region, including parallel military activity involving the United States and Iran. Hezbollah has long maintained a significant armed presence in Lebanon and has been engaged in cross-border exchanges with Israel. The latest escalation adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile regional picture with direct implications for US policy, military posture, and energy markets.

BBC World

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Defeats Incumbent Senator John Cornyn in Republican Primary

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won the Republican primary challenge against incumbent US Senator John Cornyn, securing the party's Senate nomination. Paxton, who had the backing of President Trump, defeated Cornyn in a race that cost Republican interests more than one hundred million dollars. The outcome sets up a general election contest that could affect the balance of the US Senate. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has defeated incumbent Republican US Senator John Cornyn in the state's Republican Senate primary, securing the party's nomination for the November general election. Paxton carried the endorsement of President Trump in the primary, while Cornyn — a long-serving and senior Senate Republican — represented the party's more traditional establishment wing. The race was among the most expensive Republican-on-Republican contests in recent memory, with more than one hundred million dollars spent across the campaigns and outside groups. The outcome is significant beyond Texas: the Senate seat will be a battleground in the broader fight for Senate control. A Democratic victory in November, while historically unlikely in Texas, could affect which party controls the chamber. Paxton has faced legal and ethical scrutiny during his tenure as attorney general, though he has denied wrongdoing in those matters. The general election opponent has not yet been finalized on the Democratic side.

South Carolina Senate Rejects Trump-Backed Congressional Redistricting Effort

South Carolina's state Senate rejected a push by President Trump to redraw the state's congressional district maps. The proposed redistricting would have eliminated the state's only majority-Black congressional district, currently represented by prominent Democratic Representative Jim Clyburn. Republican state senators, who do not face election this year, voted against the proposal. South Carolina's state Senate voted against a redistricting plan backed by President Trump that would have redrawn the state's congressional maps. The plan would have eliminated South Carolina's only majority-Black congressional district, which is held by veteran Democratic Representative Jim Clyburn. Republican state senators, who are not on the ballot this cycle, rejected the proposal despite the president's public pressure campaign for them to act. The rejection is a notable instance of Republican state legislators resisting a direct appeal from Trump on a redistricting matter with significant implications for the composition of the US House. A federal court in Alabama separately issued a temporary block on a plan in that state that would have similarly eliminated one of two majority-Black districts. Redistricting battles in multiple states are shaping the landscape ahead of the midterm elections.

Justice Department Removes Online Records Related to January 6 Prosecutions

The Trump administration's Department of Justice deleted government news releases containing information about prosecutions stemming from the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. The removed records included details about cases involving violent assaults on law enforcement officers. The deletion represents a significant removal of publicly accessible government documentation about the cases. The Department of Justice under the Trump administration has purged a substantial set of government news releases that contained information about the criminal prosecutions of individuals who participated in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. Among the deleted records were documents detailing cases involving violent assaults on law enforcement officers during the event. The removal means that information previously accessible to the public, journalists, and researchers about the scope and nature of those prosecutions is no longer available through official government channels. The Justice Department has not provided a detailed public explanation for the deletions. The action comes as the administration has taken a series of steps related to the January 6 cases, including pardons for individuals convicted in connection with the events of that day. Critics of the move have described it as an effort to limit the historical record of the prosecutions.

NPR News

Trump Administration Proposes Government-Wide Nondisclosure Agreements for Federal Workers

The Trump administration has proposed requiring federal employees to sign nondisclosure agreements as part of an effort to limit unauthorized disclosures of internal government information. The proposal would apply to both new and existing federal workers across agencies. No final rule has been issued. The Trump administration has put forward a proposal that would require federal employees — both newly hired and existing workers — to sign nondisclosure agreements. The initiative was developed by the Office of Personnel Management and is framed as a measure to prevent unauthorized leaks of government information to the press and public. The proposal would apply broadly across federal agencies rather than being limited to specific departments handling classified material. Critics have raised concerns that such agreements could be used to suppress whistleblower activity or limit the flow of information about government operations to which the public has a legitimate interest. Federal employees already operate under a range of legal restrictions on disclosing certain categories of information, but a government-wide NDA of this scope would represent a significant expansion of those requirements. The proposal is in its early stages, and no final rule has been implemented.

NPR News

Trump Administration Raises Refugee Cap Specifically for White South Africans

President Trump is preparing to ease the administration's refugee admissions cap to allow additional refugees from South Africa, with the policy specifically directed at white South Africans. The move would create a group-specific exception to the broader, highly restrictive refugee limits the administration has maintained. The policy has drawn attention for its explicitly race-based qualification criteria. The Trump administration is moving to raise the number of refugees allowed into the United States under a policy that is specifically limited to white South Africans. According to a forthcoming White House memo, the adjustment would create an exception to the administration's overall refugee cap, which has been among the lowest in recent history. The administration has previously cited concerns about violence and land disputes in South Africa as reasons for offering this specific group a pathway. The policy is notable for explicitly defining eligibility by both nationality and race, a distinction that critics say is inconsistent with the administration's broader posture on refugee admissions and raises legal and ethical questions. South Africa's government has pushed back on characterizations of systematic persecution of white citizens. The general refugee admissions cap for other nationalities and groups remains in place.

PBS NewsHour

NASA Awards Contracts for Moon Rovers and Drones as Part of Lunar Base Development

NASA has awarded contracts to four US companies for vehicles and equipment intended to support a planned permanent base on the Moon. The contracts include lunar roving vehicles and hopping drones, representing the first phase of a broader Moon base effort. Blue Origin, owned by Jeff Bezos, was selected to conduct the first of three planned uncrewed lunar missions. NASA announced contracts with four US companies as part of the first phase of its effort to establish a permanent base on the Moon. The agency is procuring lunar roving vehicles, described as cars for astronauts to drive on the Moon's surface, and hopping drone vehicles designed for surface exploration. Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos, was selected to carry out the first of three planned uncrewed lunar landing missions this year. These missions are intended to lay groundwork for a Moon base estimated to cost twenty billion dollars. The contracts announced represent hundreds of millions of dollars in awards. The Moon base effort is part of NASA's longer-term goal of sustained human presence on the lunar surface, building toward eventual deep space exploration. The agency has framed these early robotic missions as essential preparation before crewed missions return to the Moon.

Experimental Gene-Editing Treatment Shows Long-Term Reduction in LDL Cholesterol in Small Trial

A small clinical trial of an experimental gene-editing drug showed a sustained reduction in LDL cholesterol — the type associated with cardiovascular disease risk — following a single infusion. Researchers described the preliminary results as potentially pointing toward a one-time preventive treatment for heart disease. The trial was small and further research is needed before any conclusions about broad applicability can be drawn. Researchers have reported early results from a small clinical trial testing an experimental gene-editing drug designed to reduce LDL cholesterol, the form of cholesterol most closely linked to heart disease risk. Participants who received a single infusion of the drug showed what appeared to be sustained reductions in LDL levels over the follow-up period. One expert quoted in connection with the research described the results as potentially pointing to something curative, meaning a one-time treatment rather than the ongoing daily medication that currently represents the standard of care for high cholesterol. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and a one-time intervention that could meaningfully reduce risk would represent a significant development. The trial was small in scale, and the researchers and independent experts cautioned that much larger studies are needed to establish safety, efficacy, and durability before the approach could be considered for broader use. Gene-editing techniques for cardiovascular conditions are an active area of research.

The New York Times

Ebola Outbreak Spreads in Congo as Response Efforts Struggle to Keep Pace

An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has spread significantly, with at least 220 people believed to have died. The World Health Organization says the virus is moving faster than containment efforts can respond. Aid cuts and healthcare system weaknesses have hampered the response. An Ebola outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of Congo has grown to a scale that is outpacing current response efforts, according to the World Health Organization. At least 220 people are believed to have died, though health officials note that the true toll may be higher given limitations in tracking and reporting in affected areas. The WHO has described the outbreak as spreading rapidly, with response teams struggling to keep pace. Factors complicating containment include deep mistrust of health authorities in some communities, weaknesses in the local healthcare infrastructure, and the effects of cuts to international health aid. Ebola is a severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever with no widely deployed cure, though vaccines and experimental treatments exist. The Congo has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks over the decades, and past experience shows that early containment is critical to preventing wider spread. The situation has direct relevance to global health preparedness and to US foreign health assistance policy.

The New York Times

Pope Leo XIV Issues Formal Warning on Artificial Intelligence in New Papal Document

Pope Leo XIV has released a formal papal document — an encyclical — addressing artificial intelligence, warning that the technology risks becoming a tool of domination and exclusion if not subject to moral and governmental limits. The document calls on governments to establish ethical boundaries around AI development. The encyclical arrives as AI investment and development accelerate rapidly in the United States and globally. Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, has issued a formal encyclical — one of the most significant categories of papal document — focused on artificial intelligence. The document, titled Magnifica Humanitas, warns that artificial intelligence carries the risk of becoming an instrument of domination, exclusion, and harm if left without adequate moral and legal constraints. The pope called on governments to establish ethical limits on AI development and deployment. The encyclical arrived as Silicon Valley's AI sector is experiencing an intense period of investment and growth, and as debates over AI regulation are ongoing in the United States and internationally. Observers noted that the document was largely dismissed or set aside in tech industry circles, where enthusiasm for AI development remains high. The encyclical follows a tradition of the Catholic Church engaging with major social and technological questions, including previous papal documents on labor, the environment, and economic inequality. Pope Leo's position as an American pope adds an unusual dimension to the document's reception in the United States.

New York Knicks Sweep Cleveland Cavaliers to Reach NBA Finals for First Time Since 1999

The New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 in Game 4 to complete a four-game sweep of the Eastern Conference Finals, earning a berth in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. Jalen Brunson was named Eastern Conference Finals MVP. The Knicks will face the winner of the Western Conference Finals. The New York Knicks advanced to the NBA Finals by sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, winning Game 4 by a score of 130-93. The sweep was decisive across all four games, with the Cavaliers unable to sustain a competitive response in the series. Jalen Brunson was named the Eastern Conference Finals MVP for his consistent scoring and leadership throughout the series. The Knicks' Finals appearance is their first since 1999, ending a lengthy drought for one of the NBA's marquee franchises and one of the sport's largest markets. New York will face the winner of the Western Conference Finals, where the Oklahoma City Thunder lead the San Antonio Spurs three games to two following a 127-114 win in Game 5.