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⚡ Today in History On August 19, 1988, a cease-fire ended the eight-year war between Iran and Iraq. Today? Iran's confrontations with its neighbors show no sign of ending, as the United Arab Emirates accuses Tehran of firing missiles toward its coast. |
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Top News |
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UAE accuses Iran of firing missiles toward its coast 2 MISSILES Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated since a truce expired Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Defense said Tuesday its air defenses detected two ballistic missiles fired from Iran toward its territory, with both falling into the sea near Dubai. Iran's Foreign Ministry called the claim baseless. The UAE has since suspended all trade and financial transactions with Iran until further notice. |
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Trump won't extend Iran truce as war nears half a year 6 MONTHS A memorandum of understanding signed in June gave Washington and Tehran 60 days to negotiate a lasting peace deal. President Trump told reporters Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, that he would not seek to extend the expiring agreement. His refusal leaves the six-month-old conflict, and the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, without a clear path forward. |
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Meta goes on trial over claims it hooked kids on Instagram A coalition of 29 state attorneys general sued Meta in 2023, alleging the company designed Facebook and Instagram to keep children scrolling. Opening arguments began Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in federal court in Oakland, California, where lawyers for California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are presenting the case to an eight-person advisory jury. The states are seeking penalties that could reach $200 billion. |
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ABC sues the FCC over its broadcast licenses Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr ordered an early review of ABC's broadcast licenses earlier this year, after President Trump criticized late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. ABC and parent company Disney filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the FCC on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in federal court in Washington. The network calls the license review an "existential threat" to its business. |
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Wall Street falls as bond yields hit a 19-year high Rising government borrowing and inflation worries have pushed Treasury yields higher through August 2026. The 30-year Treasury yield climbed to its highest point in nearly two decades on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, pressuring stocks. The S&P 500 fell 0.44%, the Dow slipped 0.21% and the Nasdaq dropped 1.02% for the session. |
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Drone strikes office of Iraqi Kurdistan's prime minister Regional tensions tied to the Iran war have spilled into neighboring Iraq. A drone struck the office of Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the attack in a social media post. No group has claimed responsibility. |
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World |
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Oil nears $90 a barrel as Hormuz standoff drags on $90/BBL The Strait of Hormuz, a passage that carries about a fifth of the world's oil supply, has been disrupted since Iran closed it when fighting began in February 2026. Brent crude, the international benchmark, topped $90 a barrel this week after President Trump said he doesn't see the war ending soon. Energy analysts warn prices could retest $100 if the hostilities continue. |
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UAE cuts off all trade with Iran Following Tuesday's missile allegations, the United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Foreign Affairs said early Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, that it had suspended all trade, commerce and financial transactions with Iran until further notice. The UAE cited regional escalations it said undermine peace and security. Iran had not responded to the trade freeze as of Wednesday morning. |
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India's ruling party scrambles to win back young voters Youth-led protests over education policy and high unemployment shook India's political establishment last month, sparked partly by an official comparing unemployed youth to insects. The Bharatiya Janata Party is now revamping its outreach to Gen Z voters, even as police continue arresting protest organizers on public order charges, according to NPR reporting Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. |
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Asian chipmakers slide as bond yields climb Investors have piled into semiconductor stocks for much of 2026 on demand tied to artificial intelligence. Asian chip shares dropped Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, as elevated global bond yields and lingering Middle East tensions pushed investors to pull back from the trade. Treasury markets stabilized afterward, following recent losses, according to Bloomberg. |
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Qatar says region awaits Oman-Iran deal on Hormuz Qatar has mediated between Washington and Tehran throughout the six-month war. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, that mediators are waiting for Oman and Iran to reach a bilateral agreement on shipping routes before broader US-Iran talks can resume. Iran's Revolutionary Guard has denied that any back-channel talks are underway. |
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Politics |
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Liberia agrees to take 1,200 deportees from the US 1,200 The Trump administration has struck a series of deals sending migrants to countries that aren't their own as part of its immigration crackdown. Liberia's government said Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, that it will accept up to 1,200 third-country deportees over the next year, with the first group of 20 arriving Thursday. Liberian officials say the deportees may seek asylum there or leave the country if they choose. |
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Trump calls the Strait of Hormuz 'new US territory' President Trump has pushed to claim sovereignty over the waterway since a rally in New Jersey on Aug. 14, 2026. He posted a map on Truth Social Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, labeling the Strait of Hormuz as "New US Territory" while reiterating that a naval blockade remains in force. Iran's government responded that the strait "cannot be seized by tweet." |
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Iran denies back-channel talks with the US Trump envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner said Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, that the US and Iran were having "very positive and active conversations." Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps denied any such talks were taking place. President Trump later told reporters that no negotiations were scheduled with Tehran. |
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Trump threatens to strike Oman over Hormuz access Oman has served as a mediator bordering the Strait of Hormuz throughout the war. President Trump said this week he would consider striking the country if it interferes with US efforts in the strait, according to Bloomberg reporting Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. Former Pentagon adviser Jasmine el-Gamal called the threat "not credible in any sense." |
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Election deniers run in primaries across several states Candidates who challenged the 2020 election results are seeking office again this cycle. Several 2020 election deniers continued their campaigns for state and federal seats in primaries this week, according to PBS NewsHour reporting Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. The races are being watched as a test of how deeply election-fraud claims remain embedded in Republican politics. |
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Markets |
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Nasdaq drops as Treasury yields hit decades-high levels -1.02% Rising government debt and inflation worries have driven bond yields higher through August 2026. The Nasdaq Composite fell 1.02% Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, while the S&P 500 slid 0.44% and the Dow eased 0.21%. The 30-year Treasury yield reached its highest point in nearly two decades during the session. |
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Wolfspeed slides ahead of Wednesday earnings report The semiconductor maker has struggled with negative profit margins throughout 2026. Wolfspeed shares fell 7.6% on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, as investors grew cautious ahead of the company's Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, earnings report. The stock has been volatile amid a broader pullback from AI-linked chip names this week. |
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L3Harris ousts CEO over conduct violations The defense contractor removed Chief Executive Chris Kubasik on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, after the company said it discovered conduct inconsistent with its values. Sam Mehta has replaced Kubasik as chief executive and president. L3Harris shares fell more than 4.5% in regular trading following the announcement. |
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Home Depot rises on earnings beat despite tariff pressure The home improvement retailer topped Wall Street's profit estimates for the latest quarter. Home Depot shares gained about 1% Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, even as the company pointed to continued cost pressure from tariffs. The results came as investors braced for a wave of retail earnings this week. |
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Bio-Rad shares tumble on investor selloff The medical diagnostics maker had posted a sharp run-up in its stock price earlier this year. Bio-Rad Laboratories shares fell 32.4% this week amid institutional selling and broader macroeconomic pressure, according to TheStreet. Analysts pointed to a technical correction following the stock's earlier gains. |
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Entertainment |
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Madonna leads 2026 MTV Video Music Award nominations 11 NODS Madonna earned 11 nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, announced Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, marking her strongest showing since 1998. Taylor Swift follows with nine nods and could become the most-awarded artist in VMA history with a single win. The ceremony airs live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 27, 2026, the show's first return to the city since 2017. |
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'Nashville' star Hayden Panettiere dies at 36 Actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her role on the TV series "Nashville," died Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, at age 36. Former castmate Connie Britton shared a tribute this week describing her heartbreak. Panettiere's cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. |
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Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel tease new 'Frozen 3' villain Disney's animated franchise has grossed billions since its 2013 debut. Stars Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel revealed details on a new villain for the upcoming "Frozen 3" this week, according to Entertainment Tonight. The film continues the story of sisters Elsa and Anna. |
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Five movies cross $1 billion at the 2026 box office Hollywood's box office has rebounded strongly this year. Five films released in 2026 have each grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, according to CBS News. The milestone marks one of the strongest years for theatrical releases in recent memory. |
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Eagles extend farewell tour residency at the Sphere The Eagles' "Greatest Hits" compilation remains the bestselling album in US history. The band has extended its farewell tour residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas, according to CBS News. Co-founder Don Henley reflected on the group's five-decade relationship with fans in a recent interview. |
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