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Iran Denies Trump’s Claim That Talks Are Scheduled
Iran said it has no current plans to receive or send a delegation after President Donald Trump said negotiations would begin Monday. Trump had called off planned strikes to focus on talks, while Israeli forces were reported to have used phosphorus shells in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s state-run news agency.
National News
Washington Wildfires Force 60,000 Evacuations
Wildfires in and around Spokane, Washington, have forced about 60,000 people to evacuate and destroyed at least 600 homes, businesses and other structures, authorities said. Fires across the state have burned about 390 square miles, and some remain uncontained.
Idaho Restaurant Shooting Suspect Acted Alone, Police Say
Authorities identified the suspected shooter as 24-year-old Chad Williams and said he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Three people were killed in the attack at an In-N-Out restaurant in Twin Falls. Police credited an off-duty state trooper and an armed bystander with helping slow the shooting.
The New York Times - The Guardian
Politics
Acting Attorney General Rescinds Trump-Backed $1.8 Billion Fund
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche formally terminated a proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” intended to compensate Trump’s political allies. The move follows negotiations with two Republican senators who had blocked Blanche’s confirmation to become attorney general.
The Guardian - The New York Times
Michigan Senate Primary Tests Democrats’ Progressive Wing
A closely watched Michigan Senate nomination contest is expected to show whether the Democratic Party’s left wing can win in the heartland. The race is also being framed as a test of the party’s broader direction.
California Democrats Endorse Proposed Billionaire Tax
The California Democratic Party endorsed Proposition 40, a proposed 5% tax on billionaires that would fund health care. The endorsement came despite opposition from Gov. Gavin Newsom and labor leaders.
Los Angeles Times - The Wall Street Journal
Business & Finance
AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Discuss Potential $400 Billion Merger
AstraZeneca is reportedly in talks to acquire Bristol Myers Squibb in a transaction that could create a pharmaceutical group valued at nearly $400 billion. Bristol Myers, headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, is known for its cancer treatments.
U.S. and Japan Intervene to Support the Yen
The United States and Japan confirmed a rare joint intervention to prop up the yen after it approached a four-decade low against the dollar. The yen strengthened to 155 per dollar, its highest level since early May. Both governments said they would not hesitate to intervene again.
Reuters - The Wall Street Journal
Oil Prices Fall as Trump Pivots Toward Iran Talks
Brent crude fell about 5% to $83.50 a barrel by midmorning after Trump canceled planned strikes on Iran and said peace talks would resume. U.S. West Texas Intermediate dropped more than $5 to $79.47 a barrel, while European stock markets rallied.
The Guardian - The Wall Street Journal
World News
At Least 13 Killed in Israeli Strikes on Gaza
At least 13 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza City, Khan Younis and Deir el-Balah, according to the report. Israel said it was targeting military operatives. The strikes came after Hamas agreed to a disarmament deal, according to the article.
Aung San Suu Kyi Appears in First Confirmed Outside Contact in 2½ Years
Photos released by Myanmar’s military government show detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi meeting with an International Committee of the Red Cross official. The images were described as the first confirmed outside contact with her in about two and a half years, and she appeared healthy.
Firefighting Helicopter Collision Kills Two in Greece
Two crew members, one Danish and one Greek national, died when firefighting helicopters collided while battling a wildfire northwest of Athens. A British pilot and another Greek crew member survived.
Arts & Culture
Ariana Grande to Step Back From Public Life
Ariana Grande plans to step back from public-facing work after her world tour ends next month, citing “endless, ongoing public scrutiny.” She is also withdrawing from a planned 2027 London production of Sunday in the Park With George.
New Spider-Man Film Posts Second-Biggest Global Opening Weekend
Spider-Man: Brand New Day was on pace for an $875 million global opening weekend, according to The New York Times. The strong performance gives Disney a boost ahead of the planned Avengers: Doomsday film.
Phil Collins Describes Life-Threatening Alcoholism
Phil Collins told The Sunday Times that he suffered from serious alcoholism and ill health after Genesis’s final tour in 2021. He said his drinking resumed after he stopped taking Antabuse, a drug he had used during an earlier period of alcoholism.
Tech & Society
DeepSeek Model Reportedly Costs Less to Run Than Other Major AI Models
A research firm said DeepSeek’s new artificial-intelligence model is by far the cheapest to run among well-known models. The feed did not provide additional technical details.
Veterinarians Begin Treating Honeybees
Veterinarians are increasingly working with honeybees, which are vital agricultural pollinators and face growing threats. The emerging field includes efforts to address bee diseases, pesticides and the use of antibiotics.
Tech Companies Turn Branded Merchandise Into Fashion
Technology workers have long worn company-branded gear, but newer artificial-intelligence companies are taking a more elaborate approach to merchandise. Firms including Anthropic, OpenAI, Palantir and Y Combinator are associated with the trend.
Sports
Michael Thorbjornsen Wins First PGA Tour Title
Michael Thorbjornsen won his first PGA Tour title at the Rocket Classic. The 2025 rookie is widely regarded as one of the rising stars of U.S. golf.
Tadej Pogačar Will Ride the Vuelta a España
Tadej Pogačar will return to the Vuelta a España for the first time since 2019. The five-time Tour de France winner’s participation was confirmed by UAE Team Emirates; the race begins Aug. 22.
Dodgers Swept by Red Sox After 8-4 Loss
The Los Angeles Dodgers lost 8-4 to the Boston Red Sox, completing a series sweep. Another difficult outing by pitcher Emmet Sheehan combined with inconsistent offense.
| MON | 💧 | TUE | WED | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 🌧️ 75/82 | 93% | ☁️ 64/81 | ☁️ 68/82 |
| Los Angeles | ☁️ 65/90 | 0% | ☁️ 65/87 | 🌤️ 69/90 |
| San Francisco | ☀️ 54/81 | 2% | 🌤️ 53/73 | ⛅ 59/77 |
| Chicago | ☁️ 62/72 | 0% | ☁️ 63/81 | 🌦️ 69/84 |
| Houston | ☁️ 79/97 | 4% | ☁️ 77/96 | 🌤️ 81/102 |
| Dallas | ☀️ 73/99 | 0% | ☀️ 75/101 | ☀️ 86/107 |
| Phoenix | ☀️ 91/113 | 1% | 🌦️ 78/114 | 🌦️ 93/109 |
| Philadelphia | ⛈️ 75/84 | 71% | ☁️ 65/84 | ☁️ 70/88 |
| San Antonio | ☁️ 75/99 | 3% | ☁️ 76/99 | 🌤️ 77/101 |
| San Diego | 🌫️ 68/81 | 0% | 🌫️ 67/80 | ☁️ 70/79 |
| San Jose | ☀️ 58/92 | 0% | ☀️ 57/92 | ☀️ 65/99 |
| Austin | ☀️ 74/101 | 0% | 🌤️ 76/101 | 🌤️ 79/104 |
| Jacksonville | 🌧️ 75/85 | 52% | 🌦️ 74/87 | 🌦️ 78/98 |
| Fort Worth | ☀️ 73/100 | 0% | ⛅ 76/101 | ☀️ 83/107 |
| Columbus | ☁️ 65/83 | 34% | ☀️ 59/87 | 🌦️ 70/89 |
| Charlotte | 🌧️ 70/83 | 66% | 🌦️ 71/83 | 🌦️ 69/90 |
| Indianapolis | ☁️ 65/80 | 13% | ☀️ 62/85 | ☀️ 65/87 |
| Seattle | ⛅ 52/74 | 10% | ☀️ 58/81 | ☀️ 56/85 |
| Denver | ☁️ 69/103 | 4% | ☁️ 61/100 | ☁️ 68/94 |
| Boston | 🌧️ 73/82 | 76% | 🌦️ 61/83 | ☁️ 66/82 |
| Nashville | 🌦️ 70/86 | 23% | ⛅ 68/89 | ☁️ 71/92 |
| Detroit | ☁️ 60/83 | 1% | ☀️ 60/85 | ☀️ 65/89 |
| Portland | ☀️ 55/80 | 0% | ☀️ 61/89 | ☁️ 64/95 |
| Las Vegas | ☀️ 88/115 | 0% | ☀️ 82/115 | ☀️ 93/113 |
| Miami | 🌧️ 74/87 | 30% | 🌦️ 77/86 | ⛈️ 74/89 |
| Atlanta | ☁️ 69/88 | 14% | 🌦️ 70/86 | 🌦️ 72/89 |
| Minneapolis | ☁️ 65/87 | 1% | 🌧️ 63/86 | ☁️ 62/88 |
| Kansas City | ⛅ 66/90 | 0% | ☁️ 67/97 | 🌦️ 69/97 |
| New Orleans | ☁️ 74/93 | 3% | ☁️ 76/96 | ☁️ 79/97 |
| Honolulu | 🌦️ 72/86 | 35% | 🌦️ 72/86 | 🌦️ 73/85 |
| Anchorage | ☁️ 60/66 | 25% | 🌦️ 55/62 | ☁️ 55/66 |