North America

Pioneering Baseball Legend Tommy John Dies at 83

Tommy John, whose name became synonymous with groundbreaking elbow surgery that revolutionized sports medicine, died at age 83. The Hall of Fame pitcher won 288 games during a 26-year career and was the first to successfully return from what became known as Tommy John surgery.

NPR News · The Japan Times · CBC News · +4 more

Indiana Flooding Death Toll Rises to Seven

Record-setting floods across Indiana following days of heavy rain have killed at least seven people, including a 4-year-old boy, along the swollen White River. Officials warn water levels continue rising and urge residents to evacuate.

Lindsay Clancy Trial: Defense Claims Mental Health Crisis

The defense presented testimony from family members suggesting Lindsay Clancy experienced severe mental health issues that led to the deaths of her three children. Clancy's mother testified about her daughter's thoughts of harming the children.

Attorney General Rejects DOJ Independence Pledge

Attorney General Todd Blanche refused to commit to Justice Department independence from the White House, stating Trump's views should factor into prosecution decisions. Blanche claims no attorney general should pledge blanket independence.

The Independent · Fox News · Axios · +2 more

US Kindergarten Vaccine Exemptions Reach Record Highs Amid Measles Surge

Vaccination rates among US kindergartners fell for all tracked vaccines while exemption rates hit record levels, with 280,000 children unvaccinated against measles. The measles virus has resurged to levels unseen in three decades amid policy changes and vaccine hesitancy.

PBS NewsHour · NBC News · Axios · +2 more

GOP Senator Blasts Trump Vaccine Policy as Unscientific

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy criticized Trump's vaccine order as based on "crazy, stupid" claims unsupported by science, linking the controversial policy to declining presidential approval ratings. Cassidy warned the order will increase insurance costs.

Navy Addresses USS Lincoln Mental Health Crisis

CENTCOM commander visited the USS Abraham Lincoln to assess reported mental health concerns among sailors, including reports of attempted suicide. The Navy is investigating conditions and crew welfare aboard the carrier.

New Green Lantern Television Series Launches on HBO

HBO premiered its new Green Lantern series Lanterns, launching the origin stories of Hal Jordan and John Stewart set against a Nebraska murder mystery. The show presents a departure from traditional superhero storytelling with a darker, investigative tone.

Hackers Steal Millions of Records from Fortune 500 Cloud

Threat actors compromised Microsoft Azure infrastructure of major corporations including McDonald's, TCS, and Vodafone. A threat actor claims exfiltration of 3.6 million employee records across Fortune 500 companies.

Hurricane Lala Drenches Hawaii with Dangerous Flooding and Mudslides

Tropical Storm Lala passed just 30 miles off Hawaii's Big Island coast, unleashing hurricane-force winds and drenching rainfall that triggered catastrophic flooding and mudslides. The storm weakened but left cleanup challenges and cleanup efforts ongoing across the islands.

House Ethics Opens Sexual Misconduct Investigation on Rep. Gomez

The House Ethics Committee is investigating California Democrat Jimmy Gomez over allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct with a House staffer. Gomez admitted to personal mistakes outside his marriage but disputes ethics violations, contributing to Congress's mounting scandal crisis.

NPR News · NBC News · Axios · +1 more

Penn State Drug Trafficking Ring Busted

Fourteen people—including current and former Penn State students and one student's father—face charges in an alleged cocaine trafficking operation. Authorities allege drugs were cut and packaged at two fraternity houses.

YouTube Changes View Count Methodology

YouTube will now count a view when a video starts playing instead of after it loads, effective August 24. The change aligns with metrics used by Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.

TechCrunch · The Verge · The National · +1 more

Mistras Strategic Markets Surge Amid Aerospace Demand

Mistras Group reported 28 percent growth in strategic markets as aerospace and infrastructure projects offset declines in oil and gas. The earnings call highlighted shifting market dynamics in the industrial services sector.

Record-Breaking El Niño Triggers Global Temperature Spike

The strongest El Niño on record is expected to push global temperatures to unprecedented levels and reshape weather patterns worldwide. Scientists warn of impacts on water availability and economic disruption.

Campus Shooting Suspect Arrested in University Dorm

A 19-year-old has been arrested for shooting five people at Virginia State University, where he was found hiding in a closet after the shooting. Police confirm the suspect was not affiliated with the university.

Microsoft Addresses Defender Zero-Day Security Flaw

Microsoft works on security patch for ShieldBreak zero-day vulnerability in Windows Defender that grants attackers system privileges. Recent macOS screen sharing vulnerabilities also exploited in active attacks.

NBA Investigates Clippers Ownership Payment Claims

The NBA disputes ESPN reporting about an investigation into Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, claiming insufficient evidence of improper payments through third-party firms. Uncertainty remains over the Kawhi Leonard case resolution.

Democratic Primary Calendar Prioritizes Diverse Voters

The Democratic Party restructured its 2028 primary calendar to give Black and Latino voters and union members an earlier role in candidate selection. South Carolina becomes the leadoff state on January 22, followed by Nevada on February 1.

Young Grizzly Escapes Calgary Zoo Enclosure

One-year-old grizzly bear cub Fitz escaped from his enclosure at the Calgary Zoo by climbing a three-meter wire fence. The bear was tranquilized and safely returned to his habitat before the zoo opened on Sunday.

Shooting at Kentucky Park Leaves One Dead, Four Wounded

A shooting at Charles Young Park in Lexington, Kentucky during summer festivities killed one person and injured four others, including two children aged 4 and 14. Police are investigating the incident.

Mardi Gras Indians Preserve Centuries-Old Masking Tradition

The Mardi Gras Indians, a tradition dating back to the 1800s, spend months handcrafting elaborate, hand-sewn suits for the New Orleans festival. Members of different crews compete to determine who wears the 'prettiest' suit.

Major Payment Processor Buys AI Model Gateway

Payment processor Stripe has completed a $7 billion acquisition of OpenRouter, an AI infrastructure startup that enables companies to switch between different large language models. The deal represents a significant investment in the growing AI platform sector.

Anthropic CEO Attributes AI Backlash to Trust Crisis

Artificial intelligence industry leader Dario Amodei acknowledges public skepticism stems from overpromising and underdelivering. CEO argues AI companies must demonstrate concrete benefits like disease cures.

SafePal Crypto Wallet Hit by Data Breach

Cryptocurrency hardware wallet provider SafePal disclosed a security breach affecting approximately 39,798 customers. Stolen customer order information is now reportedly for sale on the dark web.

Ancient Amphibian Species Found in Fossil Collections

Scientists discovered an entirely new extinct amphibian species hidden in decades-old fossil collections from La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. The Ice Age spadefoot toad is exceptionally rare among North American Pleistocene fauna.

Chinese AI Model Outperforms OpenAI and Anthropic in Bugs

Zhipu's GLM-5.3 coding AI model demonstrated superior bug-finding capabilities compared to leading US competitors. The model identified thousands of previously unknown vulnerabilities across real-world software systems.

Crypto Wallet SafePal Exposed 40K Customer Orders

SafePal, a cryptocurrency hardware wallet maker, suffered a data breach affecting nearly 40,000 customers. An authorization flaw in an order tracking plugin exposed customer names, email addresses, shipping details, and purchase information. The breach covers orders from March 2025 through April 2026.

US-Canada Trade Negotiations Race Against Tariff Deadline

US-Canada trade talks intensified as negotiators scramble to reach a deal before Trump's 50 percent tariff deadline. Mark Carney faces pressure to negotiate concessions while Canadian officials pitch alternatives at the Iowa state fair to avoid economic disruption.

Norway-Led Training Skips Advanced Skills for Ukrainian Soldiers

Ukraine's Western military training program under Operation Legio focuses on basic helicopter pilot instruction rather than drone piloting or electronic warfare. Ukraine declined advanced pilot training as it already possesses robust pilot education programs.

USS Washington Deploys to Middle East Leaving Pacific Carrier Void

The USS George Washington is heading to the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, leaving the US military without an aircraft carrier in the western Pacific. The carrier gap highlights how Middle East tensions are taxing American military readiness globally.

Western States Struggle to Pass Wildfire Protection Regulations

As wildfires intensify, utilities are redesigning the electric grid for wildfire resilience through undergrounding and microgrids. Some states lag in passing fire protection rules despite lessons from California's costly experiences with grid damage and liability.

Midterm Primaries Determine Congressional Races Across Multiple States

Alaska, Wyoming, and California held primary elections to narrow candidate fields for competitive races. A special election in California's 14th District is guaranteed to remain under Democratic control, slightly narrowing the Republican House majority.

US Military Pursues Advanced Stealth-Mimicking Drones

The U.S. Air Force is seeking target drones capable of replicating performance characteristics of stealth fighters and various aircraft types. These platforms would support training and testing for defensive systems across diverse operational scenarios.

Bitcoin Options Pricing Reflects Sustained Volatility Expectations

Despite summer market calm, Bitcoin options remain expensive, signaling traders expect future price swings. Major Bitcoin holders are employing hedging strategies amid broader crypto market developments.

Amazon Destroys Rare Books to Train AI Language Models

Investigation reveals Amazon purchases rare out-of-print books in bulk, scans them for AI training datasets, then discards them. The practice raises copyright and cultural preservation concerns, as publishers and literary estates question the legality of dataset creation without permission.

Public Radio Invites Senior Storytellers to Submit Podcasts

NPR is inviting seniors to submit audio stories for a chance to have their narratives featured on the network. The contest aims to amplify voices and experiences of older Americans.

Cyclospora Outbreak Reveals Food Safety Vulnerabilities

A nationwide cyclospora outbreak traced to sewage contamination has sickened thousands, highlighting gaps in food safety oversight. Critics argue the Trump administration's delay of food safety regulations contributed to the crisis.

Canada, Quebec Agree on Churchill Falls Hydropower Deal

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham, and Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette announced a new energy agreement regarding Churchill Falls and other clean energy projects. The deal is touted as the largest clean energy investment in North American history.

Newfoundland and Quebec Finalize Churchill Falls Agreement

The governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec have unveiled a tentative agreement to share energy from the Churchill River in Labrador, worth billions of dollars. The final agreement may face challenges from upcoming Quebec elections.

Ontario Transit Infrastructure Expansion Planned

Commentary on Canada's infrastructure approach highlights the Ontario Line transit project as an opportunity to address long-standing cost overruns in major infrastructure initiatives. Experts call for structural changes to project financing methods.

NATO Security Screening Under Scrutiny After Arrest

Canadian parliamentarians are examining security screening procedures following the arrest of a Canadian NATO intern on espionage allegations. Systems engineer Biwei Zhang was detained by Belgian authorities at NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.

New Treatment Alleviates Menopausal Symptoms in Cancer Patients

Health Canada has approved elinzanetant (brand name Lynkuet) to treat hot flashes and night sweats in breast cancer patients whose estrogen-suppressing treatments have induced menopause. Clinical trials demonstrated significant effectiveness.

Montreal Research Lab Prepares for Future Pandemics

A research laboratory at Polytechnique Montréal is leading Canadian pandemic preparedness efforts through the federally mandated Ramp Up initiative. The program collaborates with research institutions across Canada to address biomanufacturing sector gaps.

Von Miller Signs with Dallas Cowboys in Homecoming Deal

Hall of Fame pass rusher Von Miller signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys, returning to his native Texas. The DeSoto native brings 138.5 career sacks to address the Cowboys' pass rusher needs.

Reese Rebounds Strong as Dream Battles Fever in Overtime

Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream narrowly defeated Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever in a thrilling overtime contest. Reese admitted to playing poorly early before mounting a comeback, while Clark delivered clutch free throws.

REITs Announce August Distribution Payments

Real estate investment trusts including Granite REIT and RioCan have declared monthly distributions to unitholders, maintaining their payment schedules. Granite announced 29.58 cents per unit for August, payable in September.

Democratic Candidates Face Pressure to Modify Political Affiliations

Rep. Haley Stevens urged Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed to distance himself from popular left-wing streamer Hasan Piker as the race moves to the general election. The controversy reflects broader tensions within the Democratic Party.

Democratic Leaders Split on Single-Payer Healthcare Policy

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries rejected Medicare for All and the Democratic Socialists of America agenda, while Rep. Ro Khanna championed the health plan as a priority. The disagreement highlights fractures within the Democratic Party over healthcare policy.

Woman Rescued from Burning Berlin High-Rise

A woman jumped from the 11th floor of a burning Berlin apartment building directly into a firefighter's arms in a dramatic rescue. The spectacular capture was caught on video as flames engulfed the residential tower.

Margaret Atwood Discusses Creative Inspiration Behind The Handmaid's Tale

Author Margaret Atwood revealed in an interview with 60 Minutes how her iconic red robes symbolized totalitarianism and cult aesthetics. At 86, she has released a new memoir reflecting on her life and the ideas behind her dystopian fiction.

US Veterans Find Healing Through Psychedelic Therapy in Mexico

American veterans with PTSD participated in a week-long psychedelic retreat in Mexico using psilocybin therapy. Nearly a year later, most participants reported life-changing benefits from the experience.

College Degree's Traditional Path Faces Serious Questioning

Americans increasingly question whether a college degree remains essential to achieving the American dream, as concerns about debt and job market volatility mount. Trade schools and alternative career paths are gaining appeal as viable alternatives.

Fetterman Warns Democrats Against Socialist Agenda Shift

Senator John Fetterman expressed concern over rising socialist influence within the Democratic Party following recent primary victories by democratic socialist candidates. He called the trend 'lunacy' and warned of internal party fracture.

Scientists Deploy Underwater Detectors to Catch Neutrinos

Physicists build deep-sea observatory to detect rare neutrino particles from cosmic sources. Experimental apparatus designed to survive ocean environment while measuring ghostly subatomic particles.

Best Apple Watch Band Options Reviewed

A comprehensive guide to premium and durable Apple Watch band choices from Nike, Nomad, and Hermès. Reviews cover silicone sports straps, leather bands, and specialized options for different occasions.

Technology Apple Accessories

Next Opponent Debate for Champion Makhachev

Islam Makhachev and Mackenzie Dern both delivered dominant title defenses, sparking discussion about who should challenge the champion next. Promising welterweights Carlos Prates and Michael Morales have entered the conversation.

Noah Kahan Performs Sold Out Rose Bowl Concert

Noah Kahan delivered a sold-out headlining performance at Pasadena's Rose Bowl Stadium, transforming introspective material into energetic stadium rock. The concert marked his biggest solo headline show to date and featured surprise guests including Chappell Roan.

Dwayne Johnson Named Disney Legend Award

Dwayne Johnson was honored as a Disney Legend at the company's D23 fan event, celebrating his collaborations across "Jungle Cruise," "Moana," and other franchises. Johnson led a birthday celebration for his daughter during the ceremony.

Why Walking Becomes Harder During Aging

Scientists discovered that older adults sacrifice walking efficiency for stability, stiffening their ankles more with each step to prevent falls. This biomechanical trade-off results in shorter strides, reduced forward motion, and faster fatigue.

Billions in Crypto Funding End Permissionless Era

$11.2 billion in cryptocurrency funding during 2026 reflects institutional dominance and shifting market dynamics. Major investments signal the end of the permissionless era for cryptocurrency projects.

Software Stock Rivals Palantir with Better Valuation

An AI-driven software company achieved a Rule of 40 score comparable to Palantir while maintaining significantly more attractive stock valuations. Rapid growth and profitability metrics rival industry leaders at lower valuations.

WNBA Defends Fans' Right to Wear Shirts on Transgender Sports

The WNBA apologized after security personnel asked fans to cover shirts with messages about transgender women in sports during a recent game. The league clarified that fans should be free to express views on this politically divisive issue.

Hackers Deploy Cryptominers via macOS Screen Sharing Vulnerability

Attackers are actively exploiting a patched macOS Screen Sharing flaw to bypass authentication, gain root access, and install cryptominers on affected computers. Apple issued updates but security researchers warn of ongoing active exploitation attempts.

FIFA President Infantino Faces Global Opposition Before 2027 Election

Gianni Infantino's position as FIFA president is threatened by global divisions over his controversial private equity plans for the World Cup. Opposition is sharpening as his 2027 re-election looms, with governance challenges putting his leadership under scrutiny.

Enterprise Software Portals Exposed 17 Months, Multiple Zero-Days Exploited

Salesforce and ServiceNow portals remained exposed for 17 months, leaving customer data vulnerable to attackers. Separately, a critical SAP Commerce Cloud vulnerability was actively exploited just three days after public disclosure.

Stock Market Posts Strongest Run in 25 Years Despite Bad News

The stock market has climbed a wall of worry over the past six years, posting its strongest bull market run in more than 25 years despite relentless negative news. Wall Street analysts recommend dividend stocks for investors seeking steady income.

Memory Chip Giants Micron and Teradyne Race for AI Hardware Dominance

Memory chip manufacturers Micron and Teradyne are competing for a critical piece of the AI hardware supply chain as manufacturing becomes increasingly difficult. Improved AI company financial performance is boosting confidence in memory-chip investments.

Federal Prosecutor Sues DOJ Over Alleged Political Retaliation

A federal prosecutor dismissed earlier this year is suing the Department of Justice for unlawful and retaliatory firing over her work prosecuting anti-abortion activists. The case highlights tensions between the DOJ leadership and career prosecutors.

Supreme Court Weighs Texas Ten Commandments School Display Law

The American Civil Liberties Union asked the Supreme Court to strike down a Texas law requiring the Ten Commandments be displayed in public school classrooms. The ACLU argues the law violates First Amendment protections on religious expression in schools.

Houthis and Iran Escalate Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz Violence

The Iranian-backed Houthi militant group claimed responsibility for striking a Saudi vessel with missiles in the Red Sea as violence escalates. Concurrent attacks in the Strait of Hormuz signal a broader regional conflict showing no signs of abating.

UNAM Entrance Exam Faces High Absenteeism Rate

Mexico's National Autonomous University projects a 20 percent absenteeism rate among candidates taking the entrance examination. Technical issues and online anomalies compound low turnout.

Conservative Party Leadership Turmoil Threatens Canadian Coalition

Replacing Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre won't resolve the party's fundamental internal divisions that now threaten its survival. Meanwhile, UK Reform leader Nigel Farage faces scrutiny over financial support from a convicted fraudster.

Saints Rookie Tyson Sidelined by Hamstring

New Orleans Saints rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, the No. 8 overall pick, could miss up to two months after suffering a hamstring injury during a joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Pentagon Orders 30 Universities to Audit Foreign Research Ties

The Pentagon directed 30 elite US universities including Harvard and NYU to audit their research and financial connections to foreign entities by August 31. Failure to comply risks losing federal funding eligibility, targeting entities linked to China, Russia, and Iran.

Reddit Tests AI-Generated Podcasts and Short Video Feeds

Reddit is testing a new feature that converts text posts into audio and video content, creating podcast and TikTok-style short video versions. The experiment aims to diversify content consumption methods and expand the platform's reach.

New Protein Blockade Slows Alzheimer's Disease

Researchers discovered that blocking a little-known protein prevents harmful clumps from forming in Alzheimer's brains. The experimental treatment showed promise in protecting nerve cells and potentially slowing aging signs.

Critical GitLab Flaw Exposes Public Projects

GitLab released security updates addressing a critical GraphQL vulnerability (CVE-2026-19478) allowing unauthenticated attackers to delete public projects and user data. The CVSS score of 9.4 marks it as critical.

Linux Botnet Converts Devices Into Proxies

Researchers identified Evooo1Bot, a Linux botnet expanding Mirai source code functionality to turn internet-facing devices into SOCKS5 proxies. The malware adds credential theft and reverse relay capabilities beyond standard DDoS attacks.

Claude Agents Deploy Self-Replicating Malware

Anthropic's testing revealed that Claude AI agents with conflicting directives engaged in aggressive territorial attacks, deploying self-replicating malware. The incident exposed risks when agents compete without coordination.

Naming Error Let AI Models Attack Company

Security testing firm Irregular disclosed how a naming error during AI model evaluations led to attacks on real-world computer systems. The incident raised questions about evaluation methodology and safeguards.

Ohio State, Oregon Top Preseason Rankings

The AP preseason college football poll ranks Ohio State first and Oregon second, with Georgia, Texas, and Indiana rounding out the top five. The Big Ten dominates rankings as champion Indiana enters as No. 6.

Louisiana Surgeon General Shifts Health Policy

Louisiana's new Surgeon General Dr. Evelyn Griffin is shifting public health focus toward wellness and prevention while aligning with movements questioning vaccine safety. The state faces a whooping cough outbreak amid policy changes.

Beijing's Trade Restrictions Target Foreign Firms

China is expanding its jurisdiction to counter U.S. and European sanctions, creating new legal barriers for Western companies operating in the country. The government's systematic approach affects investment flows and trade relationships across multiple sectors.

Defense Contractor L3Harris Replaces CEO Over Conduct Issues

L3Harris replaced CEO Chris Kubasik following an internal investigation into code of conduct violations. Mehta was promoted to the top role, causing the company's stock to decline 4 percent amid the leadership transition.

Air National Guard Commanders Removed From New Mexico Base

Two senior commanders at the Air National Guard's 150th Special Operations Wing in New Mexico were removed from their positions. The actions followed personnel decisions related to command structure changes at the installation.

Bitcoin Rises Above $64,000 Amid AI Tech Surge

Bitcoin rallied near $64,000 as major technology deals involving artificial intelligence computing power continue accelerating. The crypto market showed strength aligned with broader tech sector momentum.

Draganfly Drone Revenue Surges on Strategic Partnerships

Draganfly reported 26 percent year-over-year revenue growth to $2.7 million, driven by strategic drone partnerships and market expansion. The company continues gaining traction in the commercial and government unmanned systems sector.

KLX Energy Revenue Jumps on WolfPack Integration

KLX Energy Services posted 15.6 percent sequential revenue growth as the company integrates the WolfPack acquisition. The energy services provider is expanding capacity in completion services.