Today's Headlines: Facing Quagmire in Iran, Trump Turns to a Familiar Face: North Korea’s Kim Jong-un
Nation’s Largest Reservoirs Are Drying Up, Threatening Life in the Southwest
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The New York Times
Today's Headlines
August 18, 2026, 4:30 a.m. Eastern time

Top News

Facing Quagmire in Iran, Trump Turns to a Familiar Face: North Korea’s Kim Jong-un

Seven years ago, President Trump failed to disarm North Korea and walked away. Could the same thing happen with Iran?

Nation’s Largest Reservoirs Are Drying Up, Threatening Life in the Southwest

Levels in Lakes Mead and Powell have not been so low since 1957, underscoring a water crisis that plagues seven states that rely on the Colorado River.

It’s Crunchtime Again for Canada to Avoid New U.S. Tariffs

Canada is seeking a deal to dodge further economic pain at the hands of the Trump administration on midnight Tuesday. But at what cost?

World

Kushner Meets Netanyahu in Effort to Break Logjam Over Gaza

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has refused to pull back the country’s military until Hamas fully disarms. But the Trump administration is under pressure to show progress.

How Satellite Advances Are Changing the Game for Ukraine

Ukrainian drone teams have a powerful new tool: near real-time information on troop movements and locations.

Zambia Says President Won Re-election After Tumultuous Campaign

With a second term, Hakainde Hichilema must navigate relations with the Trump administration, which has sought greater access to the copper-rich nation’s natural resources.

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U.S.

Islamophobia’s Rise in Texas: ‘I Won’t Rest Until Every Muslim Is Gone’

Muslim communities have been growing for decades, particularly around Dallas. Now, conservatives want to roll up the welcome mat.

What We Know About Damages From Hurricane Lala in Hawaii

The storm narrowly missed land, but its outer bands left the Big Island with power outages, road closures and flooded homes.

Family Presses for Information About Fatal ICE Shooting in Maine

The Department of Homeland Security said there would be an investigation. But so far little has been disclosed about the killing last month.

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Politics

Democratic Socialists Look for Upsets in Hostile Territory: Florida

Three primaries for the House and the Senate on Tuesday pose a fresh test for the left, this time in a conservative-leaning state where socialism is often seen as a dirty word.

Hegseth Campaigns for Vulnerable House Republican in Iowa

The appearance for Representative Zach Nunn was another departure from previous norms for the defense secretary, whose predecessors kept a greater distance from politics.

House Panel Investigates Charges a Democrat Had Sexual Contact With Aide

Representative Jimmy Gomez of California acknowledged “personal mistakes” outside his marriage but denied breaking rules that bar relationships with a direct subordinate.

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Business

‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ Lenders Pitch Loans for Needs Like Electricity and Rent

The rapid growth of pay-later loans raises questions about whether their popularity is driven by consumer preference or desperation.

India’s College Boom Is Leaving Graduates in Debt and Without Jobs

Families are betting their savings on private universities as a path to a better life. A shortage of well-paying work is turning that wager into frustration.

Paramount Asks States to Shoulder Costs of Delaying Warner Bros. Deal

Paramount’s $111 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery has been postponed until the conclusion of a trial, a delay the studio says could cost it millions of dollars.

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Technology

Sick of A.I. Slop? So Are Tech Giants.

Spotify, LinkedIn and others are trying to dig out of a digital sewage heap full of low-quality content made with artificial intelligence.

Nvidia to Back Ohio Data Center With as Much as $105 Billion

The data center, one of the world’s largest, could cost as much as $500 billion and will be leased by OpenAI.

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New York

Mangione’s State Trial Is Delayed as His Lawyers Seek Dismissal

The delay comes after Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday to stalking that led to the death of Brian Thompson, a health care executive.

Mamdani Officials Will Skip Council Hearing on Second-Home Tax

The administration plans to submit written testimony instead of attending, city officials said. A lawsuit over the rollout of the tax is pending.

Mamdani Gave These Parents a Night Off. This Is How They Spent It.

New York City provided four hours of free babysitting to hundreds of families. Parents used the time to reconnect with each other and to tackle chores uninterrupted.

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Arts

Emergency Responders Found Hayden Panettiere in Cardiac Arrest

After the authorities responded to a 911 call in Greenville, S.C., an initial police investigation found no evidence of “foul play or suspicious circumstances.”

Where to Stream Hayden Panettiere’s Best Performances

The actress was a staple of two popular network TV dramas and had memorable early-career roles in film.

Elizabeth Smart Wants Us to See the Magnitude of Resilience

Her abduction as a child became a national story. In a new true crime podcast, Smart speaks to survivors of violent crimes about what they endured and