Balm — Tuesday, July 28, 2026 PM

US Diplomats Walk Out of UN Security Council Meeting After France Criticizes American Human Rights Record

US diplomats walked out of a UN Security Council meeting on Monday after France criticized the United States' human rights record under the Trump administration. A US envoy vowed continued walkouts during future French statements at the UN. US diplomats staged a walkout during a UN Security Council meeting on Monday after a French representative criticized the human rights record of the United States under the current administration. The walkout occurred during a session focused on the Ukraine-Russia war. A US envoy subsequently described France's remarks as condescending and accused the country of disingenuous grandstanding, and vowed that American diplomats would continue to walk out during French statements at the UN. The dispute arose in part from a recent episode in which the United States joined Russia and North Korea in voting against extending the term of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights — a vote that drew attention internationally. The US had cited what it described as forced labor concerns as part of its justification. The public confrontation between two longtime NATO allies at the Security Council marks a notable escalation in diplomatic tensions between Washington and Paris and reflects broader strains in US relationships with European partners over the direction of American domestic and foreign policy under the current administration.

Trump and Zelensky Meet in Washington as Ukraine Signals Negotiating Leverage Over Russia

President Trump met with Ukrainian President Zelensky in Washington this week. Separately, a senior Ukrainian negotiator told NPR that Kyiv believes it currently holds the advantage in potential peace talks with Russia. President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington this week, with the two leaders meeting on the sidelines of the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, who had been a consistent advocate for US military support for Ukraine. Reporting indicated that the relationship between Trump and Zelensky has shown signs of improvement compared with earlier in the administration. Separately, one of Ukraine's top negotiators told NPR that Kyiv believes it currently holds the upper hand in any potential negotiations with Russia, citing battlefield conditions and international pressure as sources of leverage. Zelensky also attended the Graham funeral alongside Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who was separately meeting with Trump in Washington. The meetings occur at a significant diplomatic moment, with active US-brokered efforts to move toward a ceasefire or peace framework for the war in Ukraine continuing in the background.

The New York Times

Iran Is Weighing Whether to Resume Nuclear Talks With the United States

Analysts say Iran's leadership believes it can outlast US pressure and sees little urgency to return to nuclear negotiations, in part because of its leverage over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's leadership is in no hurry to return to nuclear negotiations with the United States, according to analysts cited in reporting from the New York Times. Iranian officials are reportedly betting that they can endure sustained economic and military pressure longer than the Trump administration can maintain its current posture. A key factor in Iran's calculation is its ability to threaten or restrict traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which a significant share of global oil exports pass. The current period reflects a reprieve in direct military confrontations following earlier escalation between the two countries, but no formal talks are underway. The standoff has implications for American consumers, as ongoing tensions in the region have contributed to elevated US gasoline prices. Iran still holds American citizens in detention, a factor that has complicated diplomatic engagement.

The New York Times

AI Hardware Stocks Fall as China Claims Chip-Making Advance; Apple Reaches $5 Trillion Valuation

Semiconductor and AI-related stocks fell sharply after reports that China can now manufacture DUV lithography machines, while Apple reached a $5 trillion market valuation as investors moved into non-chip tech. A broad sell-off in AI and semiconductor stocks accelerated on Tuesday following reports that China has developed the capability to manufacture deep ultraviolet, or DUV, lithography machines — equipment critical to producing advanced chips. The news raised concerns that Chinese manufacturers could reduce their dependence on Western chipmaking suppliers. South Korea's stock market fell to its three-month low, with significant losses recorded by major chipmakers including SK Hynix and Samsung. The sell-off reflected a broader investor concern: that AI companies have been borrowing heavily to fund data center expansion, and that new competitive pressure from China could compress the returns on that spending. As investors moved away from semiconductor and AI infrastructure stocks, Apple became only the second company in history to reach a market capitalization of $5 trillion. Apple's shares hit a session high of $342.89, giving it a valuation of approximately $5.04 trillion. Apple's gains were widely attributed to investors repositioning into companies perceived as less exposed to AI hardware competition and chipmaking supply chain risks. The divergence between Apple's performance and the broader tech sector underscored how the AI investment thesis is being reassessed, particularly as China's manufacturing capabilities continue to advance.

Canadians Spent $3.3 Billion Less on US Travel in 2025 Compared to the Prior Year

New government data shows Canadian spending on US travel dropped by $3.3 billion in 2025 compared to 2024. Canadians redirected travel spending to other destinations rather than reducing overall travel. Canadian spending on travel to the United States fell by $3.3 billion in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to new government data. The decline coincided with the return of the Trump administration and a period of heightened diplomatic tension between the two countries, including US tariff measures and public statements by administration officials about Canada. The data indicates that Canadians did not reduce their overall travel spending but instead redirected it to other destinations, suggesting the drop reflects a deliberate choice rather than broader economic constraint. The decline has material consequences for the American tourism and hospitality industries, which have historically relied heavily on Canadian visitors given the volume of cross-border travel between the two countries.

The Guardian

Consumer Confidence in the US Economy Declines Again as Gas Prices Rise Amid Iran Tensions

American confidence in the US economy has fallen again, driven in part by higher gasoline prices linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran. The trend may pose political risks for Republicans heading into midterm elections. Consumer confidence in the US economy has declined for a second consecutive period, according to data reported by PBS NewsHour. Americans remain broadly negative about economic conditions following several years of elevated inflation, and the trend has been compounded by rising gasoline prices tied to ongoing tensions with Iran. The Strait of Hormuz, through which a substantial share of global oil supply passes, remains a point of potential disruption, and energy markets have reflected that uncertainty. The continued slide in consumer sentiment is viewed by analysts as a potential political liability for President Trump and Republican candidates ahead of midterm elections, as economic confidence historically tracks closely with incumbent party performance.

PBS NewsHour

Wealth Gap Between Renters and Homeowners Reaches Record High as Housing Costs Rise

Record high housing prices have widened the wealth gap between renters and homeowners to its largest level on record, with ownership delivering significant financial gains while many Americans are priced out of buying entirely. The wealth gap between Americans who own their homes and those who rent has reached its widest point on record, according to reporting from NPR. Sustained increases in home values have delivered substantial financial gains to existing homeowners, while elevated prices and mortgage rates have made homeownership increasingly inaccessible to many first-time buyers and lower-income households. The divide compounds over time because homeownership serves as the primary wealth-building mechanism for most American families, and those locked out of the market miss the compounding appreciation that current owners continue to enjoy. The dynamic reflects broader affordability pressures in the US housing market that have persisted even as inflation in other categories has moderated.

NPR News

6.8-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Kumamoto, Japan; People Trapped in Collapsed Shopping Mall

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday, injuring at least 100 people and leaving an undetermined number trapped inside a partially collapsed shopping mall. Power outages and road damage were reported across the region. A major earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck Kumamoto prefecture on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu on Tuesday afternoon local time. At least 100 people were injured, and emergency workers were racing to locate and free people trapped inside a shopping mall that sustained severe structural damage. Deaths were feared among those trapped. The earthquake also knocked out power to thousands of homes, damaged roads, and triggered fires requiring active suppression. The mall in question had recently undergone a major reconstruction following its destruction in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, and had only recently reopened. Up to 30 employees were reported unaccounted for at the site. Kumamoto is no stranger to seismic events — the region sits in a volcanically active zone and was the epicenter of a devastating 2016 earthquake sequence that reached a magnitude of 7.0 and killed 277 people. Authorities issued tsunami advisories following Tuesday's quake, which were later reviewed as emergency response operations continued. The event has direct resonance for Americans given the significant US military presence in southern Japan and the broader significance of Japan as a close security and economic partner.

Wildfires Burn Record Acreage in France and Spain as New Heatwave Approaches

Wildfires in southwestern France and Spain have burned more than 300,000 combined acres, forcing hundreds of thousands of evacuations. Firefighters are working to contain blazes before temperatures are forecast to rise above 104°F beginning Wednesday. Wildfires burning simultaneously in southwestern France and Spain have reached a scale that officials and firefighters describe as unprecedented for the region. In France, fires in the Gironde department near Bordeaux have burned more than 104,000 acres, making it the worst recorded wildfire in the country's history. In Spain, nearly 200,000 acres have burned across multiple fires, including blazes within a short distance of Madrid. Nearly 4,000 people were evacuated from tourist sites, campsites, and holiday villages along France's Atlantic coast on Tuesday. Hundreds of thousands more have been displaced across both countries. French authorities noted that the fires came within proximity of defense and energy infrastructure, including missile manufacturing facilities and nuclear research sites, though no damage to those sites was confirmed in current reporting. Spanish firefighters said the intensity of the blazes was forcing a change in tactics, shifting from active fire suppression toward prioritizing evacuations and protecting structures. Officials in both countries described the coming days as critical, with a fresh heatwave expected to push temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius — approximately 104 degrees Fahrenheit — starting Wednesday, which would significantly complicate containment efforts. Climate scientists and some officials in both countries drew a direct connection between the fires' scale and long-term climate trends, though that link was politically contested in Spain, where debate over climate change's role in the fires broke out among political parties. The fires are being monitored internationally given their scale and the proximity to critical infrastructure.

FDA Says Food Supply Is Safe as Cyclosporiasis Cases Continue to Rise

The FDA's acting deputy commissioner for food said the agency is taking action on rising cyclosporiasis cases but acknowledged that identifying the root source of the outbreaks remains difficult. The Food and Drug Administration's acting deputy commissioner for food stated Tuesday that the US food supply is safe, even as cases of cyclosporiasis — a parasitic intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite — continue to climb. The official acknowledged that tracing the root cause of foodborne illness outbreaks is inherently difficult and said the agency is taking active steps to investigate the cases. Separately, social media platforms have been flooded with speculation linking the outbreak to specific produce companies, though health officials and media observers cautioned that many of those claims are unverified. The New York State health commissioner also visited the Syracuse area to discuss the outbreak alongside vaccine and WIC program topics. Cyclosporiasis typically causes prolonged diarrhea and gastrointestinal illness and is often linked to contaminated fresh produce.

The New York Times

Nationwide Levothyroxine Recall Covers Seven Dosage Strengths Due to Subpotent Tablets

A nationwide recall of levothyroxine tablets covers seven dosage strengths found to be subpotent. Underdosing of the thyroid medication can cause symptoms that build gradually over weeks. A nationwide recall of levothyroxine sodium tablets has been issued covering seven different dosage strengths. The affected tablets were found to be subpotent, meaning they contain less active medication than labeled. Levothyroxine is a widely prescribed synthetic thyroid hormone used to treat hypothyroidism, and consistent dosing is important for managing the condition effectively. Because the body adjusts slowly to changes in thyroid hormone levels, patients taking subpotent tablets may not experience noticeable symptoms for several weeks, making the recall particularly important to act on promptly. Patients who use levothyroxine should check whether their prescription falls within the recalled lot numbers and consult their pharmacist or physician. The brand name levothyroxine products and specific manufacturers involved are identified in the full recall notice.

Medical Daily

Anthropic AI Model Identifies New Vulnerabilities in Cryptographic Algorithms

Anthropic's Claude Mythos Preview model discovered previously unknown attack methods against weakened versions of cryptographic algorithms used to protect financial transactions and private communications. An AI model developed by Anthropic, called Claude Mythos Preview, identified new attack methods against weakened versions of cryptographic algorithms during testing. The algorithms in question are related to the AES standard, which underpins a wide range of encryption used to protect online financial transactions, private communications, and other sensitive data. The testing involved deliberately weakened versions of the algorithms rather than their full implementations, which is a standard approach in cryptographic security research. The finding is significant because it demonstrates AI systems' potential to accelerate the discovery of security vulnerabilities in foundational encryption standards, raising questions about the long-term security of current cryptographic infrastructure as AI capabilities advance. Researchers and security professionals are expected to study the results to assess practical implications.

The New York Times

OpenAI in Advanced Talks on $500 Billion Data Center Project Backed by Nvidia

OpenAI is close to finalizing a $500 billion data center project with Nvidia providing approximately $250 billion in financial backing, which would rank among the largest infrastructure investments of the AI era. OpenAI is in advanced negotiations to secure a $500 billion data center project, with chip manufacturer Nvidia in talks to provide approximately $250 billion in financial backing for the initiative. If completed, the project would be among the largest infrastructure investments associated with the current wave of AI development. The scale of the proposed commitment reflects the enormous computing demands of large AI models and the race among leading AI companies to secure dedicated hardware infrastructure. The news comes amid a broader market conversation about whether AI companies are taking on excessive debt and capital commitments to fund data center expansion, a concern that has contributed to recent volatility in AI and semiconductor stocks.

The New York Times

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Allow New Mail-In Voting Restrictions to Take Effect

The Trump administration has filed a request with the Supreme Court to allow new restrictions on mail-in voting to go into effect while legal challenges proceed. The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to permit newly enacted restrictions on mail-in voting to take effect while litigation challenging those restrictions continues in lower courts. The specific restrictions at issue were not detailed in the available source material. The request follows a pattern of the administration seeking emergency relief from the Supreme Court to implement contested policies while they are being litigated. Mail-in voting has been a recurring subject of political and legal dispute since the 2020 election, and any Supreme Court action on the administration's request would carry significant implications for how future elections are conducted, including the upcoming midterm elections.

SCOTUSblog