🌎 Going Nuclear

US sends nuclear deal proposal to Iran after secret experiments leak

Officials have urged Tehran to consider the proposal. The US has proposed a new nuclear deal to Iran after a leaked UN report showed Iran's enriched uranium stockpile is significantly above levels for civilian purposes and nearing weapons-grade readiness.

The proposal

The proposal to Iran was reportedly delivered through Oman, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that Oman’s top diplomat, Badr Albusaidi, relayed “elements” of the deal during his recent trip to Tehran.

As of writing, Iran has not officially commented on the proposal, however, early reports say the nation is drafting a “negative response” that could be interpreted as a rejection.

The report leak

The deal was quickly sent by US officials after a UN watchdog report was leaked over the weekend, showing Iran has been conducting nuclear activities in secret:

• The confidential report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) found Iran carried out undisclosed nuclear work at three locations in Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, and Turquzabad.

• These sites are tied to a previously unknown nuclear program that appears to have been active through the early 2000s.

None of the nuclear materials used at the locations were reported to international watchdogs (see explanation), which has alarmed Western nations; however, other evidence in the report is even more dire.

The nuclear stockpile

The highly concerning report from the IAEA also indicated Iran has amassed over 400 kilograms, or 8,800 pounds, of uranium enriched to 60% purity. That means the nation is extremely close to having a nuclear stockpile:

• If enriched to 90% purity (a process that takes less than two weeks) Iran would have enough uranium to make 10 nuclear bombs.

• The IAEA said Iran has made the equivalent of one nuclear weapon per month for the last three months.

Tehran is treading in hot water: Due to the severity of the findings, the US, UK, France, and Germany may push the IAEA to formally declare Iran in violation of nuclear agreements, and Israel vowed to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities if they reject the US proposal.

The housing market is looking up for buyers

It only took a decade. Buying a house has never been more expensive, but sellers now outnumber buyers by the widest margin since 2013, signaling a buyer's market that could lead to price declines.

Record surplus

In April, the US housing market reached an unprecedented state, with nearly 500,000 more sellers than buyers—a 34% surplus—prompting Redfin to predict a 1% drop in home prices by the end of the year.

• That’s the most significant gap on record since the real estate company began recording data over a decade ago.

• Condos are seeing the largest mismatch, with 83% more sellers than buyers, far above the 28% surplus in the single-family home market.

More good news for buyers: In April, the inventory of newly built but unsold single-family homes rose to 117,000, the highest level in nearly 15 years. Meanwhile, many homeowners who delayed selling to preserve low mortgage rates are finally listing their homes.

The best and worst places to buy? Among major US cities, Miami leads as the strongest buyer's market, with almost 300% more sellers than buyers, while Newark remains a seller's market (47.1% fewer sellers), and St. Louis is the most balanced.

There’s a catch…

While the historic surplus may be a good sign for wannabe homeowners, it's still going to cost an arm and a leg to get that dream home that was just listed:

• The national median home price rose 1.6% year-over-year to $431,931.

• Additionally, 30-year fixed mortgage rates continued to hover near 7%.

Does the surplus mean you get a discount? I wouldn’t get too hasty. While an excess of sellers has shifted negotiating power toward buyers, opening the door for price reductions, Redfin noted that many homeowners may wait out the market rather than sell at a discount.

Meta may develop high-tech XR headsets for US military

We’re one step closer to stormtroopers. Meta has partnered with defense technology firm Anduril Industries to develop an advanced extended reality (XR) system for the US Army, marking the tech giant’s entry into the defense industry.

A different direction

The partnership represents a significant shift for Meta, moving beyond social media platforms (like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp) and into military contracting, a space it has largely avoided until now.

It also marks the reunion of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Palmer Luckey, the founder of Anduril, who sold his VR startup Oculus to the company in 2014:

• Luckey was once Meta’s head of virtual reality before being fired in 2017 for a political donation.

• As part of the renewed partnership, Luckey now has access to all of Meta’s VR hardware, including current and legacy models. “I finally got all my toys back,” he told WSJ.

Their team-up isn’t just business… the XR system project, which combines Meta’s cutting-edge AI with Anduril’s military hardware, reflects the growing relationship between Big Tech and the defense industry.

What is this XR headset?

The extended reality system, named EagleEye, is designed to amplify soldiers’ situational awareness, enhancing their hearing and sight to detect hidden threats. However, Meta’s AI interface adds a whole other layer:

• Besides giving soldiers a sixth sense, EagleEye will allow them to control and coordinate with autonomous weapons.

• The AI-powered system can also detect far-off drones and obscured enemies.

Looking forward: Meta and Anduril have placed a joint $100 million bid on an Army contract for VR devices, meaning they still have to compete with other companies, such as Microsoft, for the contract.

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3,000-year-old Mayan city uncovered in Guatemala

It would look great paired with a Costco-sized parking lot. A team of archaeologists recently unearthed an ancient Mayan city hidden in northern Guatemala, featuring pyramids, ceremonial monuments, and an intricate canal system.

Ceremonial hub

Archaeologists believe the nearly 3,000-year-old city, named “Los Abuelos,” or “the grandparents,” functioned as a major ceremonial center from 400 to 900 CE, underscoring its role in ancient Mesoamerican civilization.

The Guatemalan Ministry of Culture noted that the site is “sculpted with unique iconography from the region,” across its six square miles of land:

• The city’s name originates from the two human-like sculptures that archaeologists think are an “ancestral couple.”

• Adjacent to the city, scientists also found a 108-foot-high pyramid adorned with Preclassic murals and a unique canal system.

Why is this important? Researchers believe that Los Abuelos, along with the nearby sites of Petnal and Cambraya, form a broader “urban triangle” that challenges previous understandings of ceremonial importance and political organization in early Mayan society.

Study finds being active can reduce your risk of death from cancer

Turns out hitting the treadmill can do more than boost heart health. A new study has shown that aerobic exercise can cut colon cancer deaths and recurrence rates by about a third, marking the first evidence of a direct cause-and-effect link between exercise and improved cancer outcomes.

Surpassing expectations

The first-of-its-kind study had researchers monitor 889 patients with colon cancer across five countries who had completed chemotherapy. Half of the patients were put on a healthy lifestyle regimen, while the other half were given a personal coach to meet with every three weeks.

• Over three years, participants followed a structured fitness plan that included walking, biking, kayaking, skiing, swimming, or running.

• The goal was to get in at least three walks per week, each lasting 45 to 60 minutes.

The results? People who stuck with the coached exercise program for three years saw big benefits—cancer came back 28% less often, and their risk of dying dropped by 37%, compared to those who had standard fitness and diet advice.

Looking forward: The results are already sparking new conversations in the medical community about integrating exercise into cancer care. With strong benefits and relatively low cost, experts are pushing for broader access through insurance coverage and institutional backing.

FAST FACTS
Catch up on this week’s weird news

Super Sight: Researchers developed contact lenses embedded with nanoparticles that convert infrared light into visible color, enabling users to see in the dark—even with their eyes closed—and potentially aiding colorblind individuals.

Fire Force: Over 17,000 residents have evacuated Manitoba as fast-moving wildfires, fueled by hot and dry conditions, spread across Canada, prompting air quality alerts across the Midwest.

Disease Discovery: New research uncovers that leprosy existed in the Americas centuries before Europeans arrived, challenging long-held beliefs about the disease's origins.

Space Study: In a groundbreaking study, Vanderbilt scientists have detected gravitational waves from massive black hole mergers, shedding light on black hole formation and the early universe.

Tax-Free Team: For the sixth year in a row, a team from a state without income tax has been represented in the Stanley Cup Final, prompting questions about whether low taxes give teams a recruiting edge.