Balm — Saturday, August 8, 2026 AM

Conservative Abelardo de la Espriella Inaugurated as Colombia's President

Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as Colombia's new president on Friday in Cali, replacing the outgoing leftist government with a conservative administration that has pledged close ties with the United States. Abelardo de la Espriella was inaugurated as Colombia's president on Friday in a ceremony held in Cali rather than the traditional capital Bogotá — a deliberate departure that signaled his hard-line approach to the armed groups that control parts of the country. De la Espriella, a conservative political outsider, won a close election in June, ending several years of leftist government under Gustavo Petro. His election is part of a broader rightward shift across several Latin American nations. De la Espriella has maintained a close relationship with the Trump administration, and his inauguration is expected to reset U.S.-Colombia relations, which had grown strained during the Petro years. He inherits significant challenges, including widespread violence from guerrilla and criminal organizations, a fragmented legislature, and a reported financing gap of approximately $34 billion. His approach to illegal armed groups is expected to differ sharply from his predecessor's negotiation-focused strategy. Colombia is a major U.S. partner in counternarcotics efforts, and the political shift in Bogotá has implications for drug policy cooperation and regional security arrangements in South America.

At Least 100 People Died in Ceuta Border Crossing; Spain Introduces Border Controls With Italy

At least 100 people died and approximately 78,000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco in a recent border surge. Spain subsequently imposed border controls against Italy, which had introduced its own controls in response to the influx. A large-scale crossing of migrants from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta resulted in the deaths of at least 100 people, according to Ceuta's regional president, who relayed the figure to the European Parliament. Approximately 78,000 people entered Ceuta during the event, creating a significant humanitarian and political situation in the small territory, which borders Morocco on the northern African coast. Thousands of migrants remain in the enclave after the crossing. The scale of the event prompted Italy to introduce its own border controls, citing the potential movement of migrants onward from Spain into other European Union countries. Spain then imposed reciprocal border controls against Italy in response, marking an escalation in intra-EU tensions over migration management. Reports from Ceuta describe migrants without adequate shelter, tents, or blankets, raising concerns about conditions on the ground. The crossing and its aftermath have reignited debate within Europe about shared responsibility for migration and the management of external EU borders, an issue that has divided member states for years.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan Sign Mutual Defense Pact; Strait of Hormuz Remains Closed

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed a defense agreement pledging that an attack on any one of them constitutes an attack on all three. Separately, negotiations over reopening the Strait of Hormuz have not yet produced a deal. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan formalized a new defense partnership this week, with Pakistan characterizing the agreement in terms similar to NATO's Article 5 collective defense clause — meaning the three nations consider an attack on one to be an attack on all. The pact represents a significant new security alignment in a region where conflict involving Iran and its proxies has reshaped relationships among major powers. The agreement was reached while negotiations over a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, brokered with Omani involvement, remained unresolved. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, and its continued closure — stemming from the ongoing conflict involving Iran — has contributed to elevated energy prices with direct economic effects for American consumers. Yemen's conflict between the internationally recognized government and Iran-backed Houthi forces has escalated alongside the broader regional instability. The new trilateral defense agreement signals that regional states are positioning themselves in anticipation of further conflict or as leverage in negotiations, adding complexity to U.S. diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.

PBS NewsHour

Former U.S. Marine Held in Russia Reported to Be in Critical Condition

Robert Gilman, a former U.S. Marine detained in Russia for more than four years, has been unresponsive and fed through a tube for 46 days, according to family members and advocacy groups. Russia has reportedly denied his mother permission to visit. Advocacy organizations and family members of Robert Gilman, a former U.S. Marine who has been held in Russian detention for more than four years, say he is gravely ill and at risk of death. According to those organizations, Gilman has been in an unresponsive state for 46 days and has been receiving nutrition through a feeding tube. Russia has reportedly barred his mother from visiting him in detention. The charges against Gilman have been disputed by his family and advocates. His case is among several involving American citizens held in Russia under circumstances that U.S. officials and advocacy groups have questioned. The U.S. government has at various points sought the release of Americans detained in Russia, though negotiations over prisoner exchanges and consular access have been complex. Gilman's reported deteriorating health has prompted renewed calls from his advocates for emergency diplomatic action to secure either his release or adequate medical care.

Greenland Government Issues Warning After Trump-Connected Oil Firm Begins Drilling Preparations Without Approval

Greenland's government issued a formal warning after an American oil company with reported ties to President Trump brought drilling equipment ashore in preparation for exploratory wells, despite not having received regulatory approval from local authorities. The government of Greenland issued what it described as a strong warning after an American oil company connected to Donald Trump began moving equipment ashore to prepare for exploratory drilling, without having obtained permission from Greenlandic authorities. The company, identified in reports as Greenland Energy, brought drilling materials to a remote part of the island in recent days. Greenland's government said no approval for drilling has been granted and that the activity is unauthorized. The development comes as President Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in the United States acquiring Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, and has made that a stated foreign policy priority. The overlap between U.S. government territorial ambitions and the activities of a connected private energy company has drawn scrutiny from Greenlandic officials and international observers. Denmark and Greenland have both rejected Trump's acquisition proposals. The unauthorized drilling preparations add a new dimension to what has been an ongoing geopolitical dispute over the Arctic territory.

Russian Missile Strikes Near Kyiv Kill Three, Including a Child; Drone Attacks Target Ukrainian Medical Workers

Russian missile strikes near Kyiv killed three people, including a child. Separate drone attacks have increasingly targeted Ukrainian emergency medical workers, according to Ukrainian responders, as President Zelensky warned of dwindling missile interceptor supplies. Russian missile attacks near Kyiv killed three people, including a child, in the latest round of overnight strikes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a warning about Ukraine's diminishing supply of missile interceptors, raising concerns about the country's capacity to defend against continued aerial bombardment. Separately, Ukrainian emergency medical workers described an escalating pattern of Russian drone attacks targeting ambulances and hospitals. Responders said they have been forced to flee active scenes to avoid becoming casualties themselves. The targeting of medical infrastructure, if confirmed, would represent a potential violation of international humanitarian law. The simultaneous depletion of Ukrainian air defense capabilities and attacks on emergency responders highlights the compounding pressures on Ukraine's ability to sustain civilian protection. The United States and European allies have been the primary suppliers of air defense systems and ammunition to Ukraine, and the question of resupply remains an ongoing point of negotiation among Western governments.

Senate Confirms Todd Blanche as U.S. Attorney General in 50-49 Vote

The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche, President Trump's former personal attorney, as U.S. Attorney General by a 50-49 margin, with Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana casting the deciding vote. The U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as Attorney General early Saturday morning in a 50-49 vote, making Trump's former personal lawyer the head of the nation's federal law enforcement apparatus. The confirmation had been in doubt for much of Friday, when it appeared Blanche lacked the votes to be confirmed. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana emerged as the deciding vote after extended negotiations, tipping the balance in Blanche's favor. Two other Republican senators had opposed the nomination, making Cassidy's support essential. Blanche previously represented Trump in several federal criminal proceedings before being selected for the cabinet post. Senate Democrats, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, argued that placing a former personal defense attorney at the head of the Justice Department undermines institutional independence, though those objections did not prevail. Democrats had no procedural mechanism to block the confirmation beyond persuading Republican colleagues to defect. Blanche's confirmation fills the Attorney General position, one of the most consequential roles in the executive branch, with oversight of the FBI, federal prosecutors, and the administration of federal law.

White House Renews Push to Remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook

The White House sent Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook a letter stating it is considering her removal, resuming an effort the Supreme Court previously blocked. The administration's stated basis involves unproven allegations of mortgage fraud. The Trump administration has renewed its effort to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, sending her a letter this week indicating the White House is considering her removal. The move comes after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling upholding the central bank's independence and blocking an earlier attempt to oust Cook. The administration's stated basis for removal involves allegations of mortgage fraud that have not been proven. Cook has not publicly responded to the letter. The Federal Reserve's independence from the executive branch is a foundational principle of U.S. monetary policy, designed to insulate interest rate decisions from political pressure. The Supreme Court ruling earlier this year affirmed that the president does not have broad authority to remove Federal Reserve governors at will. Legal scholars are watching to determine whether the White House's renewed push represents a substantively different legal theory or a continuation of the prior effort. Any further attempt to remove Cook would likely face immediate legal challenge. The dispute carries significance for financial markets and the Fed's credibility, as investors rely on the central bank's perceived independence when assessing monetary policy decisions.

Senate Delays Vote on SAVE America Budget Reconciliation Bill After Trump Intervention

Senate Republicans left Washington without voting on the SAVE America Act after President Trump intervened, citing concerns the bill lacked sufficient support to pass. Senate Republicans departed Washington for a recess without voting on the SAVE America Act, the GOP's budget reconciliation package, after President Trump stepped in to delay the vote. Trump's intervention came amid concerns that the bill would fail if brought to the floor, with a number of Republican senators either opposed or undecided. Budget reconciliation is a legislative process that allows certain fiscal legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority rather than the 60 votes typically required to overcome procedural hurdles. The SAVE America Act is the vehicle through which Republicans have sought to advance major spending, tax, and policy priorities. The delay adds uncertainty to the timeline for passing the legislation and leaves open questions about which provisions can survive the internal Republican debate. Senate leadership will need to resolve disagreements among members before attempting another vote. The bill's fate has broader implications for government funding levels, tax policy, and a range of domestic program cuts Republicans have proposed.

U.S. Government to Pay German Energy Firm $1.22 Billion to Relinquish Offshore Wind Leases

The Trump administration reached a $1.22 billion agreement with German energy company RWE to surrender its U.S. offshore wind leases, the fifth such buyout deal the administration has made with wind energy developers. The Trump administration has agreed to pay German energy company RWE $1.22 billion in exchange for RWE relinquishing its offshore wind leases in U.S. waters. The deal is the fifth agreement the administration has reached with energy companies to exit offshore wind projects, as part of a broader policy of winding down offshore wind development. Under the agreement, the funds RWE receives are expected to be redirected toward fossil fuel investments rather than renewable energy. The administration has framed these buyouts as part of its energy policy priorities. Critics of the deals argue that taxpayer money is being used to dismantle renewable energy infrastructure that took years and significant investment to develop. Offshore wind projects in the United States have faced a hostile regulatory and legal environment under the current administration, with multiple projects stalled or canceled. Separately, a federal judge this week ordered the Pentagon to lift a freeze on military reviews of wind farm projects that had halted dozens of onshore wind developments since April.

Private Prison Companies Report $1.4 Billion in Revenue as Immigration Detentions Rise

Private prison operators GEO Group and CoreCivic reported $1.4 billion in combined revenue, driven by increased immigration detention. CoreCivic also received $1.6 billion in net proceeds from selling four facilities to the Department of Homeland Security. Private prison and detention companies reported substantial financial results, with the sector generating $1.4 billion in revenue as the volume of immigration detentions under the current administration has increased. That figure does not include $1.6 billion in net proceeds that CoreCivic received from the sale of four of its facilities directly to the Department of Homeland Security, a transaction that represents a significant expansion of federally-owned detention infrastructure. GEO Group is the other major private operator referenced in the reporting. The revenue figures reflect a significant expansion of the immigration detention system under current enforcement priorities. Immigration detentions have increased substantially as the administration has pursued broader enforcement operations. The financial performance of private detention companies and their contractual relationship with federal agencies has drawn scrutiny from oversight advocates, who raise questions about incentive structures when private companies profit from increased detention volumes.

NPR News

U.S. Economy Lost 23,000 Jobs in July as Revised Figures Show Further Weakness

The U.S. economy shed 23,000 jobs in July, reversing expectations for modest growth. Prior months were also revised down by a combined 103,000 jobs, though the unemployment rate held at 4.1%. The U.S. labor market contracted in July, with employers shedding 23,000 jobs — a result that surprised economists who had forecast modest gains. The report also included downward revisions to May and June, subtracting a combined 103,000 jobs from those months' previously reported figures, painting a weaker picture of recent employment trends than earlier data had suggested. The unemployment rate, however, ticked down slightly to 4.1% from 4.2%, a movement attributed to fewer people actively seeking work rather than a rise in hiring. The July result is the first net job loss reported in recent months and marks a notable shift in labor market conditions. Economists and Federal Reserve officials are likely to weigh the report carefully, as it arrives amid ongoing debate over the path of interest rates. Weaker-than-expected employment data can increase pressure on the Fed to cut rates, though the central bank's decision-making is currently complicated by political pressures on its leadership. The jobs report will also factor into broader assessments of how trade policy and other economic conditions are affecting business hiring decisions.

The Guardian

FDA Approves Moderna's mRNA Influenza Vaccine

The FDA approved Moderna's mRNA-based flu vaccine after initially declining to review the application, then reversing course following public pressure. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Moderna's mRNA influenza vaccine, clearing a new option for flu prevention that uses the same messenger RNA technology platform as Moderna's COVID-19 vaccines. The approval came after an unusual sequence of events: the FDA initially declined to review the application, then reversed that decision following a public response to the initial refusal. The approval adds a second mRNA vaccine type to the U.S. market alongside existing flu shots made through traditional methods. mRNA vaccines can in theory be updated more quickly in response to shifts in circulating flu strains, which proponents argue could improve vaccine effectiveness in years when the traditional manufacturing process does not closely match the dominant strains. Moderna's flu vaccine will enter a market where annual vaccination is already widely recommended by public health authorities. The FDA's initial reluctance to review the application had drawn attention given the broader regulatory environment around vaccine approvals.

The New York Times

Federal Funding Ban on Drug Testing Strips Raises Concerns Among Addiction Groups

The Trump administration has barred the use of federal grants to distribute drug testing strips to people who use drugs, limiting a widely-used tool for detecting dangerous adulterants such as fentanyl in street drugs. Federal health officials have directed that grants from the government cannot be used to distribute drug testing strips to people who use drugs, according to addiction and public health organizations responding to the policy change. Testing strips allow drug users to check whether substances they intend to consume contain fentanyl or other dangerous adulterants, and have been promoted by public health researchers as a low-cost tool for reducing overdose deaths. Organizations that previously used federal funds to provide strips as part of harm reduction programs say the restriction significantly limits their ability to continue those efforts. Harm reduction advocates warn the change could lead to an increase in overdose deaths, particularly in communities where fentanyl contamination of street drugs is widespread. Fentanyl-related overdoses have been a leading driver of drug mortality in the United States for several years. The policy reflects the current administration's approach to drug funding, which has generally de-emphasized harm reduction strategies in favor of abstinence and law enforcement approaches.

NPR News

New Mexico Court Orders Meta to Pay $567 Million Over Children's Mental Health Harms

A New Mexico court ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a remediation fund for adverse mental health impacts linked to its platforms. The ruling follows a $375 million jury fine issued earlier in the same case. A New Mexico judge ordered Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to pay $567 million into a fund aimed at addressing mental health harms to children caused by its platforms. The ruling represents the second phase of a landmark trial that Meta lost in March, when a jury found the company had misled users about platform safety and ordered a separate $375 million penalty. Combined, the two judgments from this single case total more than $940 million. The $567 million ordered in the latest ruling is designated for remediation efforts rather than punitive damages. Meta has not yet indicated publicly whether it will appeal. The New Mexico case is one of several significant legal actions against major social media companies over harms to minors, and its outcome is being monitored by other states pursuing similar claims. Meta's platforms have faced extended scrutiny from lawmakers, regulators, and researchers over their effects on adolescent mental health, including links to anxiety, depression, and disordered eating among young users.