USA TODAY NEWS — Friday, May 29, 2026 Full Edition | All Major Stories
TOP STORY: U.S. and Iran Close In on 60-Day Truce as Strikes Continue
The United States and Iran are on the edge of a significant diplomatic breakthrough, with both sides reaching a memorandum of understanding toward a 60-day ceasefire — though President Trump has not yet formally approved it. The situation remains volatile on the ground.
The U.S. and Iran are closing in on a deal to extend the ceasefire, even as military exchanges continue. The U.S. military carried out new strikes in Iran, targeting a site that posed a threat to U.S. forces and commercial traffic. Iran hit back swiftly. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its attack on a U.S. air base came in response to U.S. attacks near Bandar Abbas Airport in southern Iran, and Kuwait's military activated its air defenses after drone and missile activity in the region. YouTube + 2
On the diplomatic front, President Trump said a peace deal with Iran that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz is "largely negotiated" and will be announced shortly, with the agreement including a memorandum of understanding as a first phase before broader talks within 30 to 60 days. CNBC
However, Trump drew a hard line on concessions. Trump told PBS News that Iran would not get sanctions relief if it gives up its stock of highly enriched uranium, saying: "No, no, not at all. Not sanctions relief, no." CNN
The Strait of Hormuz remains the central issue in negotiations. Until the U.S.–Israeli war against Iran, the Strait of Hormuz was open and about 25% of the world's seaborne oil trade and 20% of the world's liquefied natural gas passed through it. Neither side has removed their blockades, and the U.S. President has opposed Iranian attempts to charge tolls for vessels to use the strait. WikipediaHouse of Commons Library
Key points on the Iran situation:
- U.S. strikes on Iranian targets continued even as ceasefire talks progressed
- Iran retaliated against a U.S. air base in the Persian Gulf region
- Kuwait activated air defenses amid the exchange of fire
- A 60-day truce MoU has been drafted but awaits Trump's approval
- Sanctions relief remains off the table for the U.S.
- The Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint for global energy — is the core bargaining chip
TRUMP WALTER REED REPORTS — President's Health Under the Microscope
This is the story dominating Washington this week. President Trump on Tuesday underwent a "6 month physical" at Walter Reed National Military Hospital, posting on social media: "Just finished my 6 month physical at Walter Reed Military Medical Center. Everything checked out PERFECTLY." The White House declined to comment on whether the president would continue to undergo physical examinations at six-month intervals rather than annually. CBS News
The 79-year-old president spent more than three hours at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for what the White House described as preventive medical and dental checkups. It was Trump's fourth publicly disclosed medical exam since he returned to office for a second term, and it comes as he tries to project strength ahead of midterm elections. PBS
Trump's visit marked his third trip to Walter Reed since returning to office. The White House said he received his "annual dental and medical assessment." Rolling Stone
The visit is raising eyebrows because it marks Trump's third publicly known trip to Walter Reed in just over a year, with the 79-year-old commander-in-chief facing increasing scrutiny over his health heading into his 80th birthday next month — even after recent public speculation tied to bruising on his hands, swollen ankles, and moments critics claimed made him appear sluggish during appearances. Trump himself previously blamed the bruising on taking too much aspirin. TMZ
Medical professionals have weighed in with concern. One doctor noted that aspirin use "definitely does cause bruising," and also flagged that the swelling in Trump's legs — explained by the White House as chronic venous insufficiency — is reason for further investigation and testing, though chronic venous insufficiency in itself is not that dangerous. NPR
A White House spokesperson said in a statement: "President Trump is the sharpest and most accessible president in American history who is working nonstop to solve problems and deliver on his promises, and he remains in excellent health." ABC News
Key points on Trump's Walter Reed visit:
- Trump's third visit to Walter Reed in just 13 months
- Spent over three hours at the facility on May 26
- Described it as a "6-month physical" — a shift from the standard annual exam
- Public speculation has grown around hand bruising, ankle swelling, and stamina concerns
- His physician previously declared him "fully fit" and in "excellent health"
- 80th birthday is approaching next month, adding to public scrutiny
- White House declined to confirm whether six-month checkups are now the new standard
IMMIGRATION — Major New Rules Take Effect Today
Today, May 29, 2026, is a landmark date for U.S. immigration policy. Several immigration policy changes tied to H.R. 1 — referred to as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" — are scheduled to take effect today. The new rules will affect families across the country, including asylum-seekers and Temporary Protected Status holders who are already trying to follow complex legal requirements. Welcome.US
Beginning today, the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will implement new fees and enforcement rules for people with pending asylum applications. Applicants with pending asylum cases will face a recurring annual fee of $102 for every year their case remains unresolved. Welcome.US
On the ground, conditions at immigration detention facilities are drawing national attention. In Newark, New Jersey, hundreds of detainees at the ICE jail known as Delaney Hall are continuing their hunger and labor strike, demanding proper food, ventilation, and medical care. Federal immigration officers sprayed chemicals and charged at outside demonstrators. Congressional members entered the facility via court order, with Rep. Espaillat confirming: "There is a hunger strike, and repercussions and retaliations have been launched against the people in the hunger strike." Democracy Now!
Key points on immigration:
- New asylum application fees and enforcement rules active from today
- "One Big Beautiful Bill" immigration provisions now in force
- Delaney Hall hunger strike ongoing, confirmed by members of Congress
- At least 10 immigrants in ICE custody have died by suicide since enforcement intensified
- DOJ deploying new tactics in immigration courts to speed up deportations
ECONOMY — Half of American Households Struggling
A new report shows that nearly half of U.S. households did not earn enough to cover their necessities in 2024. The finding comes at a time when inflation has been pushed higher by the Strait of Hormuz crisis, which has disrupted global energy markets and raised fuel costs across America. NPR
The economic picture is further complicated by an ongoing legislative standoff. Congress recently resolved a months-long standoff over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which had been tied up in broader disagreements over immigration enforcement. Welcome.US
Key points on the economy:
- Nearly 50% of U.S. households below the basic necessities income line in 2024
- Inflation at multi-year highs, driven in part by the Strait of Hormuz energy crisis
- Supreme Court struck down Trump's sweeping tariffs 6–3 earlier this year
- DHS funding dispute in Congress only recently resolved
CRIME — Former CIA Officer Charged with Stealing Tens of Millions in Gold
Authorities allege that David J. Rush, a former senior CIA officer, took home tens of millions of dollars worth of gold bars from his job at the CIA and fabricated key parts of his education and military history. The trove of gold and cash went missing from his CIA storage space — but was found in his Virginia home. NPR
Key points:
- Former senior CIA officer accused of massive theft of government gold
- Allegedly fabricated his military history and academic credentials
- Gold and cash recovered from his personal Virginia residence
- Case being prosecuted in Alexandria federal court
MEDIA — CBS Drops "60 Minutes" Journalist; FIFA Under Probe
CBS has declined to renew the contract of "60 Minutes" journalist Sharyn Alfonsi. The move comes six months after the news division's editor-in-chief abruptly pulled Alfonsi's report about the Trump administration's use of the notorious Salvadoran prison CECOT to torture and detain immigrants. Alfonsi protested, saying CBS killed her segment for "political" reasons, calling it "corporate censorship." Democracy Now!
On the sports side, FIFA is facing a joint probe from attorneys general in New Jersey and New York over its handling of 2026 World Cup ticket sales, which saw prices soar to levels that drew widespread public outrage. NPR
TODAY IN NUMBERS
- 79 — Trump's age at his Walter Reed visit this week
- 3 — Number of Walter Reed visits in Trump's 13 months back in office
- 60 — Days proposed in the U.S.–Iran ceasefire MoU
- ~50% — Share of U.S. households that could not cover basic necessities in 2024
- $102 — New annual asylum fee per pending case under the "One Big Beautiful Bill"
- $tens of millions — Value of gold allegedly stolen by former CIA officer David Rush
Compiled May 29, 2026 | Sources: NPR, CBS News, ABC News, CNN, PBS NewsHour, Al Jazeera, Democracy Now!, Welcome.us