⚡ Today in History

On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment took effect, giving American women the constitutional right to vote. In 1970, tens of thousands marched down New York's Fifth Avenue on the amendment's 50th anniversary to demand equal pay and rights. Today? The Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump administration to build state-by-state voter eligibility lists ahead of November's midterms.

Top News

Dolly Parton dies at 80 after brief cancer battle 6 DECADES

Dolly Parton died Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee, after a brief battle with cancer. The country music icon, known for hits like "9 to 5" and "Jolene," was 80. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in a video posted to social media, saying she passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones. Parton spent six decades in the music industry and used her fortune to fund literacy programs and cancer vaccine research.

Canada slaps new tariffs on $20 billion in US goods $20B

Trade talks between Washington and Ottawa collapsed last week. President Donald Trump responded by imposing 50% tariffs on many Canadian goods over the weekend. Canada retaliated Tuesday with tariffs of 15% to 50% on nearly $20 billion worth of American products, set to take effect Sept. 8. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also announced new support programs for businesses hurt by the trade war.

Treasury launches "economic D-Day" sanctions campaign against Iran

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled a sweeping new round of sanctions Monday aimed at cutting off Iran's remaining financial links to the world. The plan, dubbed "Operation Economic Outcast," targets Iran's shipping, oil, crypto, gold and aviation revenue streams. Bessent said the goal is to sever every economic pipeline the regime uses "until Tehran stands alone."

National debt tops $40 trillion, adding pressure on budgets

Decades of deficit spending, driven partly by lost tariff revenue and rising interest costs, pushed the US national debt past $40 trillion this month. The Treasury Department confirmed the milestone arrived months earlier than economists had forecast. Split among every American, the debt now works out to about $117,000 per person.

Bitcoin tops $80,000 as gold hits three-month high

A weaker dollar and falling Treasury yields drove investors toward alternative assets Tuesday. Bitcoin climbed above $80,000 for the first time since May, touching $81,237 before easing back. Gold reached $4,696 an ounce, its highest level since May 14, as the rally in both assets continued.

Wildfire forces 40,000 from homes near Reno, Nevada

The Hawk Fire broke out this month in Nevada and has grown to more than 15,000 acres, pushing toward the edge of Reno. Evacuation orders forced nearly 40,000 residents from their homes as crews worked to contain the flames. Officials have not yet said when residents will be allowed to return.

World

Iran's economy craters as inflation hits historic highs 87.9%

Months of US sanctions and a naval blockade have battered Iran's economy since the war with Israel began. Iran's own statistics agency reported consumer prices rose 87.9% in July compared with a year earlier, with food prices up more than 128%. The International Monetary Fund now expects Iran's economy to shrink 5.4% this year, reversing an earlier growth forecast.

UAE suspends all trade with Iran, tightening isolation

The United Arab Emirates has long been one of Iran's largest trading partners and its biggest source of imports. Citing pressure from Washington's new sanctions campaign, the UAE announced last week it was suspending all trade with Tehran. The move deepens Iran's isolation as the Trump administration pushes allies to cut economic ties.

Russian drone strikes hit Ukraine-Moldova border again

Russia has repeatedly targeted crossings along Ukraine's western border in recent weeks. A Russian drone struck a border crossing between Ukraine and Moldova on Tuesday. The strike was the third such attack in the area in two weeks, according to the Kyiv Independent.

Chinese court rules AI-driven layoff unlawful

Workers across China have grown increasingly anxious about artificial intelligence replacing their jobs, echoing fears in the United States. A court in Guangzhou ruled this summer that a graphics designer's dismissal after being replaced by AI was unlawful. Similar rulings in several other Chinese cities are being hailed as early wins for workers' rights.

Pakistan, Oman push diplomacy to reopen Hormuz shipping

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, met separately with Pakistani and Omani officials this week to discuss easing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi said the three countries discussed a phased plan for reopening a transit corridor through the strait, along with joint mine-clearing efforts. The talks come as Washington and Tehran remain locked in a months-long standoff over Iran's nuclear program.

Politics

Darline Graham wins South Carolina Senate runoff 52%

Senator Darline Graham was appointed to fill her brother Lindsey Graham's Senate seat after his death in July. Graham defeated Rep. Ralph Norman in Tuesday's Republican runoff, winning about 52% of the vote after President Trump campaigned heavily on her behalf. Graham will face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in November for the remainder of the term.

Supreme Court allows mail-in ballot limits to proceed

President Trump signed an executive order earlier this year seeking greater federal control over mail-in voting ahead of the midterms. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on Tuesday to let the Department of Homeland Security compile state-by-state voter eligibility lists while lower court challenges continue. The ruling is not a final decision on the order's legality, and its practical effect on November's elections remains uncertain.

DHS surveillance at churches, unions detailed in filings

Court filings made public this week describe undercover surveillance operations the Department of Homeland Security has run at community meetings, churches, libraries and union halls. The documents surfaced as part of ongoing legal challenges to the administration's election and immigration policies. Civil liberties groups say the operations raise concerns about monitoring lawful political activity.

Trump, Vance to headline GOP midterm convention in Dallas

Republicans are trying to energize voters ahead of a difficult midterm map, with an unpopular war abroad and high prices at home. President Trump and Vice President JD Vance will appear both nights of a new midterm convention in Dallas next month. The event will showcase competitive House and Senate candidates each evening from 6 to 7 p.m.

Trump's approval rating slides to a new low 35%

President Trump's support has held steady among his base even as his broader numbers slide heading into the midterms. A Reuters poll this month put his overall approval at 35%, with disapproval near 57%, according to the RealClearPolitics average. Republican strategists say his personal turnout appeal remains central to the party's midterm strategy despite the numbers.

Markets

Wall Street rallies for a third straight session 7,677

A rebound in semiconductor stocks and falling Treasury yields lifted US markets Tuesday. The S&P 500 closed at 7,677.28, up 0.32%, while the Nasdaq Composite gained about 0.6% on strength in chipmakers. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 160 points to notch its third straight winning session.

Oil prices tumble as Iran tensions ease

Washington's newest round of Iran sanctions landed softer than traders had expected, and Pakistani mediation in Tehran added to hopes for de-escalation. Brent crude fell to about $87 a barrel Tuesday, down more than 7% since Friday. WTI crude slid to $82.36 over the same stretch, extending a two-session decline.

Nvidia earnings due today after snapping losing streak

Nvidia shares fell for seven straight sessions before rebounding this week on renewed investor optimism. The chipmaker is scheduled to report quarterly results Wednesday, with traders watching closely for signals on AI spending. A strong report could ease broader worries about the pace of artificial intelligence investment.

Fed Chair Warsh's first Jackson Hole speech looms

Investors have grown frustrated with Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's guarded communication style since he took over the central bank this year. Warsh is scheduled to deliver his first Jackson Hole keynote Friday in Wyoming, with traders hoping for clarity on interest rates and inflation. Bond yields have climbed in recent weeks partly on uncertainty over his approach.

Intuit cuts growth outlook, TurboTax guidance disappoints

Intuit reported quarterly results Monday alongside a weaker outlook for the year ahead. The company now expects fiscal 2027 revenue growth of 9% to 10%, down from 14% in fiscal 2026, with TurboTax guided to grow just 2% to 3%. Shares of the software maker fell in after-hours trading following the announcement.

Entertainment

Tributes pour in for Dolly Parton AGE 80

News of Dolly Parton's death spread quickly across the music industry Tuesday. Reba McEntire, Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris and Carol Burnett were among the stars who shared tributes to the country legend online. Musgraves wrote that "the world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden."

White House lowers flags for Dolly Parton

Country music stars are not the only ones honoring Dolly Parton this week. President Trump ordered flags at the White House lowered to half-staff in her memory. Parton's funeral will be small and private, held for immediate family only, according to an official announcement.

Disney sets dates for "Lilo & Stitch 2," "Incredibles 3"

Disney is looking to build on recent box office momentum with two new sequels. The studio announced theatrical release windows this week for both "Lilo & Stitch 2" and "The Incredibles 3." Both are follow-ups to hits that drove strong ticket sales in recent years.

Netflix in talks for "KPop Demon Hunters" world tour

"KPop Demon Hunters" won Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the 2026 Oscars earlier this year. Netflix is now negotiating with concert promoters to take the animated hit on a live world tour, according to Bloomberg. Organizers are aiming to stage shows in arenas worldwide in 2027, ahead of a planned sequel.

Martin McDonagh's new thriller debuts first trailer

Director Martin McDonagh unveiled the first trailer for his new film, "Wild Horse Nine," this week. The movie follows two CIA agents, played by John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell, in the days before Chile's 1973 coup. No release date has been announced.