Up First briefing: Iran war; Ebola; California tank; Pope Leo on AI

May 25, 2026 8:31 AM ET

By Brittney Melton

Today's top stories

Trump says U.S. and Iran nearing a peace deal

President Trump, along with senior officials from his administration, is tempering enthusiasm regarding an anticipated agreement aimed at concluding the conflict in Iran. While Iran has yet to officially respond to the proposed accord, local news agencies indicate that lingering disagreements over specific issues may jeopardize the potential agreement. Following discussions with leaders from various Gulf nations and Israel on Saturday, Trump reported that the U.S. and Iran have "largely negotiated" a memorandum of understanding to facilitate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. However, he later stated on social media that the U.S. would not hastily finalize an agreement.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei mentioned that should a deal materialize, discussions pertaining to nuclear issues with the U.S. would initiate over the subsequent 60 days. Senior official Hossein Nooshabadi added that this 60-day timeline would commence following a 30-day preliminary agreement concerning the Strait.

Key points from NPR reporting:

• According to NPR’s Mara Liasson, Iran is firmly rejecting discussions related to its nuclear program. Republican critics of the proposed deal, especially those who supported military action against Iran, have voiced significant concerns. Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina has urged Trump to maintain a firm stance in negotiating a favorable deal with Iran, highlighting that a successfully reached agreement could benefit Republicans in future elections.
• The U.S. has emphasized that as part of any agreement, Iran must permit the passage of ships through the Strait. In turn, Iran has its own set of demands, including the unfreezing of its funds held in overseas banks and a cessation of Israel's military operations in Lebanon against Iran-backed Hezbollah. With approximately 2 million pilgrims currently engaged in the hajj in Saudi Arabia, the urgency to avert further conflict is heightened.

Ebola outbreak spreads in Democratic Republic of Congo

Recent reports from the Congolese government indicate that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has led to over 200 fatalities, with health workers recording more than 900 suspected cases. The virus is proliferating swiftly across eastern Congo, an area exceeding the size of Florida. Efforts to manage the outbreak are obstructed by ongoing hostilities among armed groups and governmental forces. The World Health Organization has raised concerns that the likelihood of the virus spreading rapidly throughout the country is considered very high. This outbreak is associated with a rare strain of Ebola for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.

The chaos and inadequate infrastructure present in eastern Congo are exacerbating the outbreak during a time of extreme violence, characterized by multiple national armies engaging in conflict. The most significant confrontations involve the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. Aid organizations are grappling with widespread skepticism regarding healthcare, entrenched historical issues, and misinformation, alongside a critical shortage of personal protective equipment and medical supplies. Additionally, reductions in U.S. aid have intensified the crisis.

California chemical tank emergency

Emergency response teams in Garden Grove, California, are currently managing an urgent situation, with around 50,000 residents under evacuation orders due to a potential hazard at the GKN Aerospace manufacturing facility. On Saturday, firefighters identified a possible crack in one of the tanks at the site. Craig Covey, Chief of the Orange County Fire Division, suggested that a crack might lead to a better outcome, allowing for a gradual chemical leak rather than a catastrophic explosion.

The tank in question holds approximately 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a hazardous and flammable substance utilized in the production of resins and plastics. The situation escalated on Thursday when temperatures within the tank began to exceed safe limits. Authorities have executed evacuations to safeguard residents against the threat of a major explosion and the toxic fumes that could emanate from it.

Pope Leo XIV addresses rise of artificial intelligence

In his inaugural encyclical, titled "Magnificent Humanity," Pope Leo XIV has addressed the escalating presence of artificial intelligence, directing his message to the global community of 1.4 billion Catholics. The encyclical advocates for active Catholic involvement in shaping the ethical parameters surrounding AI, rather than relegating it to the discretion of affluent technology elites.

Pope Leo expresses concern over the trends emerging from Silicon Valley, which propose a fusion of humanity and machinery. He perceives AI as ushering in a new Industrial Revolution, asserting that the Catholic Church has a pivotal role in guiding society toward a more compassionate and humane future. The pope identifies the exploitation of personal data and information as a contemporary form of colonialism, classifying it as "one of the most urgent moral challenges of our time." He contends that it is imperative for governments and international bodies to impose legal frameworks regulating the usage of AI. While some sectors in the AI industry resist regulatory oversight, there are others in Silicon Valley that are earnestly seeking insights from religious traditions as they navigate emerging technological landscapes.

Church and State series

This week, NPR is launching a new series titled "Church and State," which examines the increasing intertwining of religion and governance. Recent survey findings reveal that many Americans perceive a rising religious influence on the U.S. government, with the majority of respondents expressing unease regarding this trend.

NPR's religion correspondent, Jason DeRose, notes that this initiative emerged in response to actions taken by the Trump administration that warranted deeper investigation, particularly a recent report by the Department of Justice detailing anti-Christian bias and a prayer service hosted by the administration on the National Mall, during which cabinet members prayed in front of an imposing cross.

Byron Allen brings 'Comics Unleashed' to CBS

On Friday, media mogul Byron Allen introduced his show "Comics Unleashed" into CBS’s time slot previously occupied by "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." While Allen has commended Colbert, he emphasized that his program will steer clear of the political satire characteristic of Colbert’s format, opting instead for a departure from traditional late-night television styles. Colbert’s show was canceled despite its prior high ratings, a move many deemed politically motivated due to Colbert's consistent critiques of Trump and his policies. CBS has maintained that the cancellation was "purely a financial decision." Allen insists that neither CBS nor its parent company, Paramount, imposed any restrictions on his show.

3 things to know before you go

1. Romanian director Cristian Mungiu secured the top prize at the 79th Cannes Film Festival on Saturday for his culturally relevant drama "Fjord."
2. Felix Rosenqvist triumphed over David Malukas to achieve victory in the 110th Indianapolis 500, winning by a margin of just 0.0233 seconds—the closest finish in the race’s history.
3. Shein, the ultrafast-fashion powerhouse, is acquiring Everlane, a brand that once attracted millennial shoppers with promises of "ethical factories" and "radical transparency" in its clothing production and pricing.