Balm Sources — Wednesday, July 29, 2026 PM

1

U.S. and Iran Resume Exchanges After Iran Attacks American Forces; Saudis Join Strikes on Iraq Militias

The Guardian — “Donald Trump again threatens to hit Iran ‘very hard’ – live”
NPR News — “U.S. and Iran resume attacks. And, Fauci to face Senate questions on COVID pandemic”
NPR News — “Iran resumes missile attacks as U.S. and Saudis strike Tehran-backed militias in Iraq”

2

U.S.-Saudi Airstrikes in Iraq Broaden Regional Conflict as Multiple Fronts Open

The Guardian — “US-Saudi strikes in Iraq push region into ‘uncharted territory’, analysts warn”
The New York Times — “Iran War Live Updates: More Countries Pulled Into Conflict With Spate of Attacks”

3

Ukraine Strikes Two Major Russian Oil Refineries Following Zelenskyy-Trump Meeting

PBS NewsHour — “Ukraine says it hits 2 major Russian oil refineries hours after Zelenskyy's meeting with Trump”

4

Fed Holds Rates Steady in Divided Vote as Treasury Yields Reach Two-Decade High

The Guardian — “Fed holds interest rates steady despite Trump’s renewed calls to lower them”
The New York Times — “Government Borrowing Cost Hits Two-Decade High After Fed Rate Decision”
The New York Times — “What to know about the Fed’s decision.”
The New York Times — “4 Takeaways From the Federal Reserve Meeting”
The New York Times — “Investors Are Bracing for Uncertain Fed Announcement”
Federal Reserve — “Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement”

5

BMW Plans to Cut Up to 8,000 Jobs in Germany Under Pressure from Chinese Competitors

The Guardian — “BMW to cut ‘as many as 8,000 jobs’ under pressure from Chinese rivals”

6

Fauci Invokes Fifth Amendment Nearly 100 Times at Senate Hearing; Contempt Vote Possible

The New York Times — “Fauci Invokes Fifth Amendment Nearly 100 Times in Bitter Senate Hearing”

7

Trump Administration to End Federal Subsidies for Medicare Part D Drug Premiums

8

Trump Asks Supreme Court to Hear Appeal of $83.3 Million Defamation Verdict

SCOTUSblog — “Trump asks Supreme Court to hear appeal of $83.3 million defamation verdict against him”
SCOTUSblog — “Trump urges SCOTUS to overturn $83.3 million defamation verdict”

9

Todd Blanche's Attorney General Nomination Faces Delay as Republican Senator Demands Assurances on IRS Settlement

The Guardian — “Todd Blanche’s US attorney general prospects in question as vote looms”
PBS NewsHour — “Blanche nomination at risk of delay as Sen. Cornyn seeks assurances on Trump-IRS settlement”

10

Cyclospora Outbreak Grows; FDA Says Food Supply Is Safe While Investigators Seek Source

The New York Times — “F.D.A. Official Says Food Supply Is Safe as Cyclosporiasis Cases Climb”
PBS NewsHour — “Can you eat lettuce safely during the cyclospora outbreak? Advice from an infectious disease expert”

11

Meta's Quarterly Profit Falls 14% as AI Investment Costs Outpace Revenue Growth

The Guardian — “Meta misses earnings forecasts after Zuckerberg media push to promote AI”
The New York Times — “Meta’s Profit Falls 14% as A.I. Spending Continues”

12

Microsoft Profit Rises 31.6% as AI Revenue Growth Accelerates

The New York Times — “Microsoft Increases Spending on A.I. as Profit Jumps 31.6%”

13

U.S. Bans Imports of Foreign-Made Humanoid Robots, Citing National Security; China Responds

PBS NewsHour — “U.S. bans foreign-made humanoid robots, targeting China over national security”

14

6.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Kumamoto, Japan; Rescue Operations Underway for Trapped Survivors

The New York Times — “Japan ‘Races Against Time’ to Reach People Trapped After Large Quake”

15

Oregon Wildfires Exceed One Million Acres Burned in What Officials Describe as Potentially the Worst Season on Record

16

Global Report Finds Antisemitic Violence at Deadliest Level Since 1994, with 20 Killed in 2025

Fox News World — “Antisemitic violence reaches deadliest level since 1994, new global report finds”