Tanker attacks in Strait of Hormuz escalate as Kushner pushes Gaza peace plan amid Netanyahu's rejection
Two ADNOC tankers were damaged by Iranian drones in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, marking the second attack in a week and deepening a maritime crisis tied to stalled US-Iran negotiations over strait control and sanctions. Simultaneously, Jared Kushner is touring the Middle East to advance a Trump-backed Gaza framework after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected the 15-point plan last week, leaving regional diplomacy fractured on multiple fronts.
Ukraine launches one of its largest-ever drone strikes on Russia, killing at least six civilians as Kyiv deploys British long-range drones for first time
Ukraine conducted a massive overnight drone attack on Russia, with Moscow claiming it shot down over 800 drones in what authorities say is the largest Ukrainian aerial assault since the start of the year, killing at least six civilians. The strike marked the first confirmed use of British-manufactured drones by Ukrainian forces, including Nyan jet-powered UAVs and longer-range systems capable of striking targets up to 950 km away.
EU formally charges Meta with violating Digital Services Act over addictive design features, faces up to $12 billion fine
The European Commission published preliminary findings Friday that Meta violated the EU's Digital Services Act by designing Facebook and Instagram with addictive features like infinite scroll, autoplay, and hyper-personalized algorithms that the regulator says harm physical well-being, particularly for minors and vulnerable adults. Meta can respond before a final decision in coming months, with potential penalties reaching up to 6% of its global annual turnover—approximately $12 billion based on 2025 revenue.
Major retailers begin earnings week as July jobs shock and weak sales raise consumer spending concerns
Top U.S. retailers including Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Lowe's report earnings this week against a backdrop of July retail sales falling 0.6% and nonfarm payroll employment dropping 23,000. The earnings reports will signal whether consumers are holding up amid high inflation, weak job growth, and elevated borrowing costs.
Celtics trade Jaylen Brown to 76ers for Paul George and four draft picks after failed negotiations with Warriors, Jazz, and others
The Boston Celtics completed a blockbuster trade sending star forward Jaylen Brown to rival Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for veteran Paul George and four future draft picks. The deal came after Boston's failed pursuit of multiple teams during the offseason, including the Warriors (who declined a request for four first-round picks) and the Jazz, following the Celtics' shocking first-round playoff loss to the seventh-seeded 76ers.
EU AI Act enforcement begins with new chatbot disclosure and deepfake labeling requirements
The European Union's AI Act transparency rules became legally enforceable across all 27 member states on August 2, 2026, requiring AI systems to disclose when users are interacting with machines and mandating labels on AI-generated content including deepfakes. The rules apply globally to any company serving EU users, with non-compliance penalties up to €15 million or 3% of global annual turnover.
Fed releases July FOMC minutes Tuesday as internal divide over rate policy deepens
The Federal Reserve will release minutes from its July 28–29 FOMC meeting on Tuesday, August 19, revealing internal disagreement over monetary policy direction. The minutes come amid a historic three-dissenter vote for a rate hike and softer labor market data that has shifted the debate toward potential rate cuts in September.
Scientists discover animals have been digesting nature's bioplastics for hundreds of millions of years
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute found that over 66 animal species across nine phyla possess enzymes capable of breaking down PHAs, microbial bioplastics that nature invented long before humans. The discovery, triggered by studying a gutless marine worm, overturns the scientific consensus that only microorganisms could degrade these naturally occurring plastics.