⚡ Today in History

On August 4, 1790, President George Washington signed the law creating the Revenue Cutter Service, the forerunner of today's U.S. Coast Guard. In 1944, Nazi police raided an Amsterdam attic and arrested 15-year-old Anne Frank and seven others in hiding. Today, rescue crews are still searching the waters off Java, Indonesia, for dozens of people missing since Sunday's ferry fire.

Top News

Trump Gives Iran a "Last Chance" to Sign a Deal 5 MONTHS AT WAR

Facing pressure from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, President Trump called off a planned airstrike on Iran and revived nuclear talks Monday. Trump said the war, which he launched Feb. 28, 2026 to stop Iran's nuclear program, could end in two phases: reopening the Strait of Hormuz, then dismantling Iran's nuclear program. Iranian officials denied direct talks were happening, saying they were negotiating shipping access only with Oman. Oil prices fell more than 5% on the news, and stocks rallied.

Wildfires Destroy 700 Homes in Spokane 65,000 EVACUATED

Three wildfires merged into the Spokane Complex Fire over the weekend, tearing through Washington's second-largest city faster than crews could respond. The blazes destroyed roughly 700 structures and forced about 65,000 people to evacuate neighborhoods across Spokane, a city of 230,000 in eastern Washington. Mayor Lisa Brown called it the worst natural disaster the region has faced, and Gov. Bob Ferguson has asked Washington for federal emergency aid.

41 Missing After Ferry Fire Off Java

The ferry Mutiara Sentosa 2 caught fire Sunday morning while sailing from Surabaya to Makassar, two major port cities in Indonesia. Passengers jumped overboard and swam for hours before nearby boats pulled them from the water off Madura Island, near Java. Rescuers have recovered 225 survivors and five bodies, and Indonesia's search and rescue agency says 41 people remain unaccounted for.

Senate Panel Votes Today on Trump's Attorney General Pick

Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis had blocked a vote on Todd Blanche's nomination for weeks, demanding changes to the Justice Department's $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund. After the department sent both senators a new written proposal, Cornyn and Tillis agreed to back Blanche, clearing the way for the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote Tuesday at 9 a.m. Blanche has served as acting attorney general since April 2026.

Israel and Lebanon Restart Talks in Rome

Delegations from Israel and Lebanon met at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy, on Tuesday for a new round of negotiations. Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group at the center of the dispute, said the talks bring nothing but shame on Lebanon. The meeting came as Israeli settlers reportedly set fire to homes and vehicles near Nablus in the occupied West Bank, and funerals continued in Gaza City for a family recovered from the rubble of a 2023 strike.

World

Russia Strikes Ukrainian Ships in Black Sea

Russian forces targeted Ukrainian cargo ships in the Black Sea on Monday, escalating a war that has disrupted global shipping lanes for more than two years. Officials also reported fatalities from a separate drone attack near Moscow. The strikes came as fighting continued in eastern Ukraine with no ceasefire in sight.

Israeli Settlers Torch Homes Near Nablus

Israeli settlers set fire to homes and vehicles in the villages of Talfit and Jalud, south of Nablus in the northern West Bank, early Tuesday. The attack followed a dispute within the Israeli military over whether to expand operations in the occupied West Bank. Israeli Army Radio reported the disagreement is between the defense minister and the military's Central Command.

Iran Denies Direct Talks With U.S.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tuesday that Iran would keep defending its borders but does not want to widen the five-month war with the United States. Tehran continues to deny holding direct negotiations with Washington, even as President Trump insists talks are underway. Iranian officials say they are only discussing shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz with Oman.

Turkey and Iraq Extend Oil Pipeline Deal

Turkey and Iraq extended their oil pipeline agreement by one year on Monday, securing an export route that bypasses the contested Strait of Hormuz. Kazakhstan also resumed crude shipments through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium after briefly halting them. Both moves aim to keep oil flowing while tankers near Hormuz remain at risk of drone attacks.

Russian Court Sentences Ukrainian to 24 Years

A Russian military court sentenced 30-year-old Ukrainian citizen Yan Haupt to 24 years in prison Monday over alleged plans to attack rail lines in Krasnodar, southern Russia. Rights groups called the case a politically motivated prosecution of a Ukrainian by Russian authorities. Haupt is among several Ukrainians Russia has convicted on similar charges since the war began.

Politics

Committee Vote Could Clear Blanche for Full Senate $1.8B FUND

Sens. Cornyn and Tillis reached an agreement with the Justice Department over its anti-weaponization fund, clearing the last hurdle before Tuesday's committee vote on Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general. Blanche, President Trump's former personal lawyer, has served as acting attorney general since April 2026. A favorable vote sends his nomination to the full Senate for a final confirmation vote.

GOP Senator Presses for Payouts to "Targeted" Trump Allies

Sen. James Lankford said Monday he hopes people allegedly targeted by the Biden administration can still seek compensation through the Judgment Fund, a standing pool of Treasury money for legal claims against the government. Democrats have criticized a related Justice Department fund as a taxpayer-financed benefit for Trump supporters. The dispute over that fund had stalled Blanche's confirmation for weeks.

Gulf Allies Pushed Trump to Pause Iran Strikes

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar asked President Trump over the weekend to call off a planned attack on Iran and give negotiations one more chance. Trump said Monday he agreed to the request but warned Iran it was receiving every last chance before further military action. The president's own timeline puts the war, which he says began Feb. 28, 2026, at just over five months old.

Confirmation Fight Tests Trump's Grip on Senate

The delay over Blanche's nomination exposed a rare rift between President Trump and Senate Republicans, who hold a narrow majority ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Cornyn and Tillis had threatened to withhold their votes until the Justice Department addressed their concerns about the anti-weaponization fund. The standoff had put the nomination in serious jeopardy just before the Senate's August recess.

Trump Calls Iranian Leaders "Duplicitous" on Social Media

President Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday that Iranian leaders ask for talks, then publicly deny holding them, singling out comments that Tehran is negotiating only with Oman. The post came hours after Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that talks with Iran were happening in real time. Iran's government has consistently denied direct negotiations with Washington since the war began.

Markets

Dow Closes at Record High 53,178

Wall Street rallied Monday after President Trump called off planned airstrikes on Iran and reopened peace talks, easing fears of a wider war. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 693 points, or 1.32%, to close at a record 53,178. Boeing and Microsoft led the gains, climbing 7.93% and 4.90%.

S&P 500, Nasdaq Near Record Highs

The S&P 500 rose 1.48% to 7,600.50, closing in on the all-time high it set in June. The Nasdaq Composite gained 2.13% to 25,913.90 as investors bought back into technology and software stocks. Trading followed a volatile July in which the S&P 500 posted its first monthly loss in 12 years.

Oil Prices Sink on Iran Diplomacy Hopes -5.69%

Brent crude fell 5.69% Monday to $82.92 a barrel after climbing more than 20% in July on fears of a wider Iran war. West Texas Intermediate, the main U.S. oil benchmark, dropped a similar amount to under $80. Traders are unwinding the war premium built into oil prices as President Trump pursues renewed talks with Tehran.

Amazon Stock Jumps on Blowout Earnings

Amazon reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.88 per share Friday, beating Wall Street estimates of $1.83. Quarterly sales reached $200.6 billion, and Amazon Web Services' AI computing business topped a $25 billion annualized revenue run rate. Amazon shares surged 15.3% on the results, lifting the broader technology sector.

OPEC+ Approves Another Output Increase

OPEC+ members approved another modest increase in oil production Sunday, completing the restoration of supply cuts first introduced in 2023. The move gives the group room to raise output further once the Iran conflict ends. Producers made the decision even as war-related supply risks continue to threaten tankers near the Strait of Hormuz.

Entertainment

Ariana Grande Explains Upcoming Break From Spotlight SEPT 1

Ariana Grande told fans Monday night at Chicago's United Center that her decision to step back from public life was made long ago, not a reaction to recent headlines. The singer's hiatus begins after her Eternal Sunshine Tour concludes Sept. 1, 2026. Grande said she wanted to address the plans directly rather than let rumors spread.

UFC Fighter Allan Nascimento Dies at 34

UFC announced Monday that flyweight fighter Allan Nascimento, known for his skill in Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, died in his sleep of an apparent heart attack. Nascimento was 34. The organization has not released further details on his death.

JoJo Siwa Discusses Sexuality Before Current Relationship

JoJo Siwa addressed public speculation about her sexuality this week, saying she once identified as a lesbian before her current relationship with Chris Hughes. The former Dance Moms star has been open about her personal life since starting her music career. Siwa and Hughes have been dating publicly since earlier this year.

Rihanna Celebrates Son's Birthday at Barbados Carnival

Rihanna attended the Carnival festival in her home country of Barbados this week, wearing a traditional ensemble for the celebration. The singer also marked her son Riot Rose Mayers' third birthday with partner A$AP Rocky during the trip. Carnival draws visitors from across the Caribbean and beyond each summer.

Meghan Markle Turns 45

Meghan Markle marked her 45th birthday this week by sharing photos of husband Prince Harry and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The Duchess of Sussex is known for sharing glimpses of her family life on social media. Markle and Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and now live in California.