⚡ Today in History

On August 14, 1945, Japan announced its unconditional surrender, ending World War II. Ten years earlier, on the same date in 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. Today, the United States remains locked in a military and economic standoff with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, now stretching past five months.

Top News

Colombia earthquake toll climbs to 265 265 DEAD

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026, centered near San Jose del Palmar, about 150 miles west of Bogota. President Abelardo de la Espriella, sworn in days before the quake, said Wednesday the death toll had reached at least 265, with more than 3,700 injured and over 4,100 people still reported missing. Aid from regional partners is now arriving in Cali and Pereira as rescue crews keep searching the rubble.

Trump says U.S. Navy has "total control" of Hormuz 5+ MONTHS

More than five months into the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that carries much of the world's seaborne crude, President Trump wrote on Truth Social this week that the U.S. has "total control" and said, "I think we will keep it." Iran disputes the claim and says it still decides who sails through the strait. Shipping traffic through the passage remains far below pre-war levels.

ICE moves ahead on $20 million shock-glove contract

Facing pressure from the Trump administration to make about 2,000 arrests a day, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is finalizing a contract worth up to $20 million for gloves that deliver an electric shock on contact. The Department of Homeland Security notice, published this week, says the devices, called G.L.O.V.E., are meant to help officers gain compliance during arrests. Civil rights groups, including the ACLU, say the tool risks worsening an agency already facing complaints of excessive force.

S&P 500 closes above 7,800 for the first time

A cooler-than-expected July inflation reading eased worries the Federal Reserve would raise rates again, sending stocks to a record close Thursday. The S&P 500 gained 0.65% to finish at 7,798.99, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.81% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 69.72 points. Futures were mixed early Friday as traders looked ahead to next week's retail earnings.

Passenger nearly sucked out of Ryanair jet, probe finds

A fan blade snapped inside the right engine of a Ryanair flight climbing out of Thessaloniki, Greece, on July 10, 2026, sending debris through the fuselage and shattering a cabin window, U.S. investigators said Thursday. A 61-year-old passenger was partially pulled into the opening before others held onto him and hauled him back inside. The plane, carrying 149 passengers, returned safely to Thessaloniki; the man suffered neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns.

World

Iran demands payment over Gulf oil spills DECADES OF DAMAGE

A thick oil slick washed up this week on a beach near Iran's Qeshm Island, close to the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Wednesday that any country benefiting from shipping through the strait carries a legal and moral duty to help clean up decades of pollution in the Persian Gulf. The claim adds a new front to talks over reopening the waterway to normal traffic.

Russian strike kills one in Kramatorsk, Ukraine hits back at port

A Russian strike on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk killed one person and injured 17 on Friday, part of the ongoing war that began with Russia's 2022 invasion. Ukraine responded with a strike on a Russian port used to ship oil and grain. Neither side has signaled a near-term path to a ceasefire.

Uber and Pony AI to add 2,000 robotaxis in Europe

Building on a commercial robotaxi service already running in Zagreb, Croatia, Uber and Chinese autonomous-driving company Pony.ai announced Thursday they will deploy more than 2,000 driverless cars across four additional European cities. The companies did not name the cities or give a launch date, saying details would come in phases. Uber will also explore bringing the service to the Middle East.

Poland forces Starlink to reverse roaming price hike

Polish regulators pushed back this week after Elon Musk's satellite internet provider, Starlink, raised roaming charges for users in the country. Starlink has since reversed the increase. The reversal follows growing scrutiny across Europe of satellite and telecom pricing as more households rely on Starlink for internet access.

BP returns to Venezuela as energy opening accelerates

Following the fall of longtime leader Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela is opening its oil sector back up to foreign investment. BP is returning to the country as part of that shift, joining other international energy firms looking to restart projects that were frozen for years under U.S. sanctions and Maduro-era restrictions.

Politics

Canada tariff deadline hits Aug. 19 50% TARIFF

The White House says its planned 50% tariff on Canadian cars, dairy and alcohol, set to begin August 19, 2026, responds to what it calls discriminatory Canadian treatment of U.S. goods. Canada's chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, has warned counterparts that the tariff could put ongoing USMCA talks at risk. Both sides met again this week in Washington without a breakthrough.

Huckabee calls West Bank siege "an act of terror"

In the West Bank village of Qusra, Israeli settlers besieged three Palestinian homes for five days starting August 9, 2026, cutting off power to one belonging to a Palestinian American family. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, a longtime supporter of Jewish settlements, condemned the siege Thursday and said Israeli forces intervened at U.S. request. The White House had sought clarification from Israel over why the siege was allowed to continue for so long.

HHS report claims $50 million in fraudulent gender-care billing

The Department of Health and Human Services released a report Wednesday alleging that more than 225 hospitals nationwide misused billing codes between 2015 and 2025 to get Medicaid and private insurers to pay for gender-related care for minors. Vice President JD Vance, who chairs the administration's fraud task force, referred the hospitals to the Justice Department. Transgender health advocates dispute the report's findings, saying decades of research support such care as safe for young patients.

Trump revives push for permanent daylight saving time

President Trump used Truth Social this week to renew his call to stop changing the clocks twice a year, writing that lawmakers should "leave it as it is now, and never change again." The Senate could take up a House-passed bill on the issue once members return from their August recess. Trump has framed the change as an issue that could unite lawmakers across the political spectrum.

White House may leave press secretary post open past midterms

Karoline Leavitt departed the White House press secretary role on August 12, 2026, and the administration has signaled it may not name a permanent replacement until after November's midterm elections. The delay comes as both parties gear up campaign messaging ahead of the vote, with control of Congress on the line.

Markets

Cool inflation data lifts stocks to record close 3.4% CPI

The Labor Department's July inflation report, released Wednesday, showed consumer prices rose 3.4% from a year earlier, slowing for a second straight month. The soft reading cut the odds of a September Fed rate hike to about 40%, down from near 50% the day before. The Chicago Board Options Exchange's VIX, Wall Street's fear gauge, sits near 14.6, well below its long-term average.

Brent crude holds near $87 as Hormuz talks drag on

Brent crude traded near $87 a barrel Friday as the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz continued without resolution. The International Energy Agency cut its global oil demand forecast this week, and OPEC lowered its 2026 demand growth outlook for a fourth straight month, both citing the drag from prolonged conflict and elevated prices.

Gold holds near 10-week high above $4,400

Gold traded near $4,365 an ounce Friday, holding close to a 10-week high reached this week. The metal has drawn support from softer inflation data reducing the case for a Fed rate hike, along with the pullback in oil prices as investors weigh the odds of a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Retail earnings, Nvidia results loom next week

With no major reports due Friday, traders are turning to next week's calendar, which includes results from Target and Walmart, followed by Nvidia's closely watched earnings the week after. The reports will offer a fresh read on both consumer spending and demand for artificial intelligence chips.

Entertainment

Netflix in talks for a "KPop Demon Hunters" world tour

Following its Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song wins at the 2026 Oscars, "KPop Demon Hunters" is now the subject of concert talks between Netflix and live promoters. According to Bloomberg, the discussions center on arena shows built around the film's soundtrack, with performances targeted for 2027 ahead of a planned sequel.

Disney sets release dates for two sequels

Disney announced theatrical release dates this week for "Lilo & Stitch 2" and "The Incredibles 3," continuing the studio's push to revive established franchises. Both films follow a string of live-action and animated sequels the company has leaned on for box office returns over the past several years.

Spotify starts labeling AI-generated tracks

Spotify announced it will now flag songs made with artificial intelligence and remove them from its automated recommendations. The move follows years of complaints from musicians and labels that AI-generated tracks were crowding human artists out of playlists and search results.

Elvis Week draws crowds to Graceland

Elvis Week began August 8, 2026, at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, and runs through August 16, marking the anniversary of Elvis Presley's 1977 death. The annual gathering draws fans from around the world for candlelight vigils, concerts and tours of the singer's former home.

Taylor Swift steps out solo in London

Taylor Swift was seen out on her own in London this week, about a month after her wedding, sporting a shorter haircut that quickly drew attention online. The singer has kept a lower public profile since the ceremony.