Aug. 16-22, 2026
NEWS DIGEST
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NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL
US, Canada in new economic war: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Saturday that Canada would impose tariffs starting September 8 on imports of U.S. steel, electronics and other products in retaliation for President Donald Trump's 50% tariffs that took effect at midnight. After days of intense negotiations, the two countries did not reach a trade deal late Friday, worsening a delicate relationship between the longtime trade partners and allies and complicating the future of the continental free trade pact known as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. REUTERS
Supreme Court allows Trump's ballroom construction to continue for now: The Supreme Court ruled Friday that President Trump can — for now — move forward with construction of his ballroom on the site of the former East Wing of the White House without needing approval from Congress. The new ballroom is estimated to cost taxpayers at least $300 million, despite the president saying repeatedly that taxpayers would not foot the bill. NPR
Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes leaders amid Hegseth pressure campaign: In a blow to press freedoms within the US military, the Pentagon has forced out several top staffers at Stars and Stripes, the military publication with a long record of editorial independence. CNN
The Trump Administration’s $1.7 Billion National Guard Deployments Fail To Reduce Urban Crimes: New Center for American Progress analysis finds no evidence that National Guard deployments have reduced violent crime. Moreover, if these deployments are extended and continue through the end of 2026, they could cost American taxpayers more than $1.7 billion.
Trump orders Pentagon to cut back military exercises with South Korea: U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday instructed the Pentagon to "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with long-term Asian ally South Korea, citing the cost of the drills and Seoul's refusal to take part in actions against Iran. REUTERS
US consumer inflation mild in July, economy still not out of the woods: U.S. consumer prices barely increased in July as the cost of gasoline declined for a second straight month, while underlying inflation was benign, further reducing the odds of an interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve next month. The small rebound in the monthly Consumer Price Index reported by the Labor Department on Wednesday, in line with economists' expectations, also reflected marginal gains in the prices of food and apparel, as well as decreases in the costs of hotels and motel rooms and prescription medication. REUTERS
US Postal Service issues rules to tighten mail-in voting if court gives OK: The U.S. Postal Service published a final rule late on Friday to tighten requirements for mail-in voting ahead of the November congressional elections, despite a court order blocking the changes from taking effect. USPS said it was issuing its 95-page rule so it could take effect immediately if a court lifted its injunction and be in place for the upcoming election. Under the rule, USPS would not deliver ballots in states that do not comply with the rule's new standards. REUTERS
DESI NEWS
India overstay gets grandma detained by ICE; was in US for 27 years, now denied meds: An Indian-origin woman and special-needs teacher, who has lived in the US for 27 years, was detained by ICE months after an immigration judge terminated her deportation case. Venkata Vasamsetty, a Green Card holder, traveled to India to care for her ailing parents, but her return was delayed after she contracted Covid-19. INDIA TODAY
IMMIGRATION
New Public Charge Rules Have Chilling Effect On Immigrants & Their Children: The Trump Administration has revived Public Charge, dramatically expanding its scope. The rule could deny green cards to immigrants who use or are expected to use certain public benefits, including Medicaid, housing assistance, and food stamps. The rule, set to take effect September 18, gives immigration officials broad authority to decide whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge. This policy shift has had a chilling effect, creating fear and confusion even before it takes effect. Some immigrant families have stopped using important food, medical, and other essential safety-net programs like Medicaid, CHIP, and SNAP, for fear of invoking the Public Charge Rule and placing their immigration status at risk of deportation or future legal repercussions.. INDIA CURRENTS
Federal judge vacates Trump policy that suspended processing of immigration visas from 75 countries: A federal judge in New York has vacated a Trump administration policy that suspended the processing of visas from 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and Somalia, whose nationals the Trump administration deemed likely to require public assistance in the United States. PBS
CORRUPTION ALERT
Trump crypto firm backs venture using AI from restricted Chinese companies: President Donald Trump-backed World Liberty Financial is collaborating with a Hong Kong-based venture offering artificial-intelligence models developed by Chinese companies the U.S. administration has flagged for national security concerns. REUTERS
SCIENCE, HEALTH, AND SAFETY
NSF set to issue lowest number of new grants in four decades: The US National Science Foundation (NSF) will award about 30% fewer new research grants this fiscal year than in the last one, Nature has learned. The steep drop continues a pattern that began last year, after US President Donald Trump took office, leaving the NSF with the fewest new grants awarded in more than four decades.
Blueberries, guacamole, granola. See list of recent food recalls: Products including various jalapeños, guacamole, salsas and dips have been recalled across dozens of states in connection to an ongoing salmonella outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention connected the outbreak to jalapeños grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors. USA TODAY
Depleted strategic oil reserve nears level that raises concerns about damage to caverns, operations: The caverns that hold the U.S. strategic oil reserve could get damaged by the rapid release of stockpiles in response to the Iran war, experts warned this week as inventories hit a four-decade low. Damage to the caverns would make it more difficult to respond to future energy emergencies. CNBC
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