Balm — Wednesday, May 27, 2026 PM

US-Iran Nuclear Talks Continue Amid Conflicting Signals from Washington

US President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio offered differing characterizations of progress in ongoing negotiations with Iran, with Trump saying talks are proceeding while also leaving open the possibility of further military action. Iran denounced recent US strikes as talks continue. Negotiations between the United States and Iran over Iran's nuclear program continued this week, though officials in Washington offered conflicting assessments of where things stand. President Trump described talks as proceeding and said he does not believe US domestic political considerations, including midterm elections, will influence his approach. Secretary of State Rubio described the talks as showing some progress, while Trump separately said the US is not yet satisfied with the terms of any potential agreement. Iran's government publicly denounced US military strikes carried out earlier this week, which Washington described as acts of self-defense. The simultaneous military activity and diplomatic engagement reflect ongoing uncertainty about whether a negotiated resolution is achievable. Trump also stated that Iran would not be permitted to control the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipping.

Associated Press

Israel Orders Evacuation of Large Areas of Southern Lebanon, Threatens Further Strikes

The Israeli military issued evacuation orders for a large swath of southern Lebanon, declaring areas south of the Zahrani River to be combat zones. The order came one day after Israel conducted more than 120 airstrikes on Lebanese territory. Israel's military issued formal evacuation orders for residents of a broad area of southern Lebanon on Tuesday, instructing people to move north of the Zahrani River. The military designated the affected areas as combat zones and cited ongoing operations against Hezbollah as the basis for the order. The evacuation notice followed a day in which Israel carried out more than 120 airstrikes across Lebanon. Both the Israeli military and outside observers described the situation as an intensifying offensive, with Hezbollah continuing to operate in the south of the country. Lebanese residents and officials have expressed limited confidence that broader diplomatic efforts — including US-Iran negotiations — will translate into a halt to the fighting in their country. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has continued to escalate even as wider regional diplomatic activity continues.

Israeli Strike in Gaza Kills Newly Appointed Head of Hamas Military Wing

An Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza killed Mohammed Odeh, who had recently been appointed as the head of Hamas's military wing. Hamas confirmed the death and said Odeh's wife and two children were also killed in the strike on a residential building. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed this week that an airstrike in northern Gaza killed Mohammed Odeh, who had recently taken the role of head of Hamas's military wing. Hamas also confirmed Odeh's death. According to Hamas, the strike hit a residential building and killed Odeh alongside his wife and two children. The IDF did not immediately comment on reported civilian casualties. Odeh had assumed the military wing leadership role only recently, and his death represents a significant disruption to Hamas's military command structure. The strike comes as Israeli military operations in Gaza continue alongside wider regional military activity involving Lebanon and ongoing US-Iran diplomatic discussions.

UK Intelligence Chief Says Nearly 500,000 Russian Troops Have Been Killed in Ukraine

The head of Britain's GCHQ intelligence agency stated that nearly half a million Russian soldiers have been killed in the war in Ukraine. The official also said Russian forces have been losing ground on the battlefield for the first time since late 2022. Anne Keast-Butler, the director of Britain's GCHQ signals intelligence agency, said this week that nearly half a million Russian troops have been killed since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The figure is significantly higher than most prior public estimates, and reflects the UK government's assessment of cumulative losses. Keast-Butler also stated that Russian forces have been moving backward on the battlefield for the first time since late 2022, suggesting a deterioration in Moscow's military position despite continued pressure on Ukrainian territory. Separately, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy wrote to both President Trump and Congress this week requesting additional American-made air defense ammunition, citing intensifying Russian ballistic missile attacks. Russia has also recently escalated strikes on Kyiv, which analysts have described as an effort to signal strength at a time when battlefield advances have stalled.

The Guardian

Iran Begins Restoring Internet Access After 88-Day Near-Total Shutdown

Iran's government has begun partially restoring internet access following an 88-day near-total shutdown imposed during the war. As Iranians come back online, widespread expressions of frustration have emerged over food price increases and shortages. Iran's government has begun lifting restrictions on internet access that had been in place for nearly three months, restoring connections for a portion of the population. The shutdown, which lasted approximately 88 days, was among the most prolonged in the country's recent history and left most Iranians cut off from international news, communication platforms, and digital services during a period of significant conflict. As access has returned, Iranians have begun publicly voicing frustration over sharp increases in food prices and shortages of basic goods — conditions that developed during the period of restricted information flow. Not all Iranians have regained access, and those who have expressed uncertainty about how long restored connectivity will last, given the government's history of reimposing such restrictions. The partial restoration offers outside observers a clearer window into conditions inside the country during a period that has been difficult to monitor.

Analysis Finds US Weapons Stockpiles Depleted by Iran War, Creating Vulnerability Window

A new analysis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies found that US use of advanced munitions in the Iran war has depleted weapons inventories to a level that could create a vulnerability in a potential conflict elsewhere, particularly in the Western Pacific. The report states the US still has sufficient munitions for scenarios in the Iran war itself. The Center for Strategic and International Studies released an analysis this week finding that advanced weapons used during the ongoing US military engagement with Iran have significantly drawn down American stockpiles. The report concludes that while the United States retains enough munitions to handle foreseeable scenarios in the Iran conflict, the depleted inventories have created what the analysis describes as a window of vulnerability for a potential conflict in the Western Pacific. The report was provided to the Associated Press ahead of publication. Defense analysts have raised concerns about the pace of munitions consumption in modern high-intensity conflicts, a pattern also observed during US support for allies in other recent wars. The findings are likely to increase pressure on Congress and the Pentagon to accelerate domestic weapons production capacity. Replenishing the specific categories of advanced munitions consumed is expected to require several years.

PBS NewsHour

Court Orders Customs Chief to Appear Over Delays in Tariff Refunds

A federal trade court ordered the head of US Customs and Border Protection to appear at a hearing to address compliance with a requirement to refund tariffs that were found to have been illegally imposed. The order signals judicial concern about the pace of repayment of approximately $166 billion in overcharged tariffs. A federal trade court this week ordered the head of US Customs and Border Protection to appear at a hearing related to the government's obligations to refund tariffs that courts have found were illegally imposed. The court's demand for the customs chief to appear in person was described as unusual and reflects new concern among judges about the Trump administration's progress in repaying the full amount owed, which has been estimated at approximately $166 billion. The tariffs in question were among those challenged in court proceedings over the past year, with courts finding that certain levies exceeded the administration's legal authority. The refund process has moved more slowly than courts have expected, prompting this escalated judicial response. Importers who paid the challenged tariffs are among those awaiting repayment.

The New York Times

Federal Reserve Chair Says Interest Rate Cut Possible as Soon as September

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stated that a reduction in the benchmark interest rate is possible as soon as September, citing the labor market as not currently a significant source of inflation pressure. The remarks represent a shift in the Fed's public posture toward potential easing. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said this week that a cut to the federal funds rate could come as soon as September, depending on how economic conditions develop. Powell described the labor market as not currently a meaningful driver of inflation, a characterization that suggests the Fed sees less reason to maintain restrictive rates to cool wage-driven price increases. The statement marks a notable shift in tone from earlier in the year, when persistent inflation kept the possibility of rate cuts more distant. A September cut would directly affect borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, and business lending, with broad implications for consumers and the broader economy. The Fed has held rates at elevated levels for an extended period in an effort to bring inflation toward its two-percent target. Markets have been closely watching Fed communications for signals about the timing of any change in policy.

Survey Finds Food Insecurity Now More Widespread Than During Pandemic

A new survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that food insecurity affects more American families today than at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. The data reflect ongoing financial strain tied to elevated prices for groceries and other essentials. According to a survey published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, food insecurity in the United States is now more widespread than it was during the coronavirus pandemic. The findings indicate that more families are reporting difficulty affording food on a consistent basis, a situation that researchers link to sustained increases in grocery prices over the past several years. Food prices rose sharply during and after the pandemic period and have not returned to pre-2020 levels for most categories, leaving lower- and middle-income households with reduced purchasing power for basic needs. The Federal Reserve Bank's survey captures self-reported financial distress and represents one of the more direct measures of economic hardship at the household level. The data come as federal policymakers are debating potential changes to nutrition assistance programs, adding policy weight to the survey's findings.

NPR News

New Administration Rule Requires Green Card Applicants to Apply from Home Countries

The Trump administration announced a new rule requiring people seeking permanent US residency to apply from their home countries rather than from within the United States. Immigration attorneys say the change creates significant complications for many applicants already living in the US. The Trump administration announced last week that it will require individuals seeking lawful permanent residency — commonly known as a green card — to apply from their country of origin rather than from within the United States, where many applicants currently reside. The policy change represents a significant procedural shift that immigration attorneys say will affect a large number of people who came to the US legally on temporary visas and have been working toward permanent status. For many applicants, returning to their home country to complete the process carries legal risk, as leaving the US can trigger bars on reentry under existing immigration law. Immigration lawyers have reported a surge in inquiries from concerned clients since the rule was announced. The full scope of who would be affected and what exceptions might apply has not yet been fully clarified by the administration.

PBS NewsHour

Justice Department Sues UCLA Alleging University Failed to Protect Jewish Students During Protests

The US Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against UCLA alleging that the university allowed conditions hostile to Jewish students to persist during anti-Israel protests and encampments on campus. The lawsuit centers on civil rights obligations under federal law. The Justice Department filed suit against the University of California, Los Angeles this week, alleging that the institution failed to protect Jewish students from a hostile environment during months of anti-Israel protests and encampments on its campus. The lawsuit alleges that UCLA permitted conditions that excluded Jewish students from parts of campus and did not take adequate steps to address reported incidents of harassment and intimidation. Federal civil rights law prohibits universities that receive federal funding from allowing discriminatory conditions based on shared ancestry or ethnic identity. UCLA has not yet publicly responded in detail to the specific allegations in the complaint. The lawsuit is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration's Justice Department to apply federal civil rights law to campus protest activity related to the conflict in Gaza.

Fox News Politics

Vermont Becomes First US State to Ban Herbicide Paraquat Amid Parkinson's Disease Concerns

Vermont enacted the first US state-level ban on paraquat, a widely used agricultural herbicide, following research linking the chemical to a substantially elevated risk of Parkinson's disease. The move adds pressure for a broader federal prohibition. Vermont has become the first state in the United States to ban the herbicide paraquat, a widely used weed-killing chemical that has been the subject of scientific research linking it to increased risk of Parkinson's disease. State lawmakers cited multiple studies suggesting paraquat substantially raises the likelihood of developing the incurable neurological condition when passing the ban. Paraquat has been prohibited in the European Union and several other countries for years, but remains in use in the United States under federal regulation. Environmental and public health advocates have been pushing for a nationwide ban, and Vermont's action is expected to increase that pressure at the federal level. Agricultural interests have opposed restrictions, arguing the chemical is an important tool for managing weeds in large-scale farming operations. The ban applies within Vermont and does not affect federal registration of the pesticide.

Guardian Environment

Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo Approaches Record Death Toll as Conflict Hinders Response

More than 220 people have died in an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with humanitarian organizations warning it could become the deadliest on record. The World Health Organization says active conflict in the region is severely limiting containment efforts. An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed more than 220 people, and there is no clear indication that the spread is slowing, according to humanitarian organizations monitoring the situation. At least one major aid group has warned the outbreak is at risk of becoming the deadliest on record. The World Health Organization's director-general described the situation as a collision between a disease outbreak and an active armed conflict, with fighting in the region preventing health workers from reaching affected communities, tracing contacts, and administering available vaccines. The DRC has been the site of multiple Ebola outbreaks over the decades, and previous responses have relied heavily on access to remote populations — access that conflict now restricts. The outbreak's trajectory is being closely watched by global health officials given its scale and the compounding difficulty of operating in a war zone. The US government has been monitoring the situation, including discussions about where American citizens potentially exposed to the virus would be treated.

NASA Selects Blue Origin for First of Three Planned Uncrewed Lunar Missions

NASA announced it has selected Blue Origin, the space company founded by Jeff Bezos, to carry out the first of three planned uncrewed lunar landing missions. The landings are intended to support preparations for the construction of a permanent moon base. NASA announced this week that it has selected Blue Origin to conduct the first of three planned uncrewed missions to the surface of the Moon. The missions are part of a broader agency effort to prepare for the construction of a permanent lunar base, a project with an estimated cost of approximately $20 billion. Two additional uncrewed landings are planned for later this year as part of the same preparatory program. Blue Origin, founded by Amazon's Jeff Bezos, has been competing with other commercial space companies for NASA contracts and has previously been selected for the Human Landing System program to carry astronauts to the lunar surface. The announcement represents a significant contract for Blue Origin as it works to establish itself as a major provider of launch and space infrastructure services. The uncrewed missions will gather data and demonstrate landing capabilities ahead of eventual crewed operations.

The Guardian

Critical Security Vulnerability Found in Open-Source Package Used by Millions of AI Systems

Security researchers identified a critical vulnerability called 'BadHost' in Starlette, an open-source software package that records approximately 325 million downloads per week. The flaw could expose a large number of AI agent systems to compromise. A critical security vulnerability has been discovered in Starlette, an open-source software package that is widely used as a foundation for building AI agent systems and web applications. The flaw, named 'BadHost' by researchers, affects a package that records approximately 325 million weekly downloads, making it one of the most broadly used components in the modern software ecosystem. Security researchers warn that the vulnerability could allow malicious actors to compromise AI-powered systems built on top of Starlette. The discovery highlights the compounding risk that arises when a single foundational software component is embedded across a vast number of applications — a single vulnerability can simultaneously affect an enormous number of downstream systems. Developers using Starlette have been advised to review security guidance and apply any available patches. The scale of potential exposure makes this among the more significant software security disclosures of the year.

Ars Technica