//DISPATCH
Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 7:57 EDT
MARKETS
| S&P FUTURES | 7,768.25 | +0.27% | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOW FUTURES | 53,987.00 | +0.20% | |
| NASDAQ FUTURES | 29,821.50 | +0.66% | |
| CRWD | 221.90 | -1.45% | |
| AMZN | 272.27 | -2.09% | |
| SPCX | 133.29 | -3.93% |
Crowley defeats Hong in Wisconsin primary, limiting progressive hopes
David Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, narrowly defeated democratic socialist Francesca Hong in Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor. The New York Times framed the result as evidence that progressive candidates may struggle to extend their appeal beyond urban centers, while The Wall Street Journal called it a setback for the party’s far-left wing. Crowley will face Republican Representative Tom Tiffany in November.
U.S.// 2 STORIES
A reported Iranian threat prompted Trump to switch planes after the Turkey summit, putting presidential security procedures under scrutiny, while his vaccine order drew pediatricians’ warnings that it could confuse families as measles cases rise.
Trump secretly switched planes after Turkey summit amid reported Iran threat
Trump confirmed he followed Secret Service and military advice to leave Air Force One and board a separate military aircraft after the NATO summit in Turkey. The BBC reported that US officials detected a credible Iranian threat, while The New York Times focused on how the original plane continued with officials and journalists aboard as a decoy. The episode has raised questions about presidential security procedures and whether those left uninformed faced added risk.
Trump vaccine order draws criticism from pediatricians
The Economist reports that doctors criticized President Donald Trump’s executive order urging changes to childhood vaccine schedules, warning it could create confusion and weaken confidence as measles cases rise. Pediatricians said the MMR vaccine is safe, found no link between vaccines and autism, and opposed separating its components.
WORLD// 8 STORIES
Zhu Rongji, architect of China’s market reforms, dies at 97
Zhu Rongji, China’s premier from 1998 to 2003, died in Beijing on Aug. 12 after an illness, according to state media. The Wall Street Journal emphasizes his push toward Western market principles and China’s 2001 entry into the WTO, while The Washington Post highlights his overhaul of state-owned enterprises and banking, which fueled growth but cost millions of jobs. His death marks the passing of a key figure in an era of pragmatic economic leadership.
Colombia’s new government faces strain as earthquake death toll tops 180
Rescue teams are searching collapsed buildings in Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdo after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake killed at least 181 people and injured nearly 2,600, according to officials cited by BBC and the Associated Press. BBC reported that local figures could put the toll above 240, while AP said civilian databases estimated nearly 4,000 people missing, far above the official count of 195. The disaster is testing President Abelardo de la Espriella’s new government as international aid and emergency teams arrive.
Houthi attack on cargo ship kills six in Red Sea
Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked the Tanzania-flagged Tihamah in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, killing four crew members and two Yemeni rescue personnel, according to CNBC and corroborating wire reports. The incident marks the first reported fatalities in Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping in more than a year. CNBC also reported that US forces disabled a separate container ship in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly tried to breach a US blockade of Iranian ports.
Europe is warming fastest as heatwaves, fires and floods intensify
The Guardian reports that Europe is warming about twice as fast as other continents, with temperatures now roughly 2.5C above preindustrial levels. Researchers cite shifting weather patterns, Arctic proximity, declining snow cover and cleaner air as contributing factors, while heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, storms and floods increasingly threaten lives, infrastructure and economies. The report says rapid emissions cuts and stronger protections are needed as climate impacts continue to worsen.
North Korean missile tests raise regional tensions as Ukraine links deepen
AP reports North Korea conducted its second ballistic missile test in less than a week, days before annual US-South Korean military drills, with the missile landing outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. Seoul and Washington describe the exercises as defensive, while Pyongyang considers them invasion rehearsals. Separate reports from The Guardian and AP highlight North Korean missile involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine, adding pressure to regional deterrence calculations.
Vance urged Ukraine to halt strikes on tankers over oil market concerns
The Financial Times reported that US Vice President JD Vance asked Ukraine to stop strikes on tankers using a Russian port. Wire corroboration said Ukraine had agreed to halt attacks on oil tankers using Novorossiysk amid US concerns about effects on oil markets.
Russian-designed drones found near Romania’s Neptun Deep gas project
Ars Technica reports that Romanian army divers destroyed two Russian-designed Gerbera drones found floating near the Neptun Deep offshore gas project in the Black Sea. The drones’ payloads and reason for being there remain unclear, but the incident highlights security concerns around infrastructure expected to begin production in 2027 and support regional gas supplies.
Syrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia
A Damascus court sentenced Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher and six other former officials to death in absentia for murder, torture and crimes against humanity. The verdicts establish an accountability framework but are largely symbolic because the Assad brothers fled to Russia after the regime’s 2024 collapse. Human rights groups welcomed the convictions’ significance while warning that rushed proceedings and inadequate defense protections raised serious fair-trial concerns.
BUSINESS// 2 STORIES
CoreWeave surges on doubled revenue and strong AI cloud demand
CoreWeave shares rose 18% in premarket trading after second-quarter revenue more than doubled to $2.6 billion, driven by demand for AI computing capacity. CNBC reported that the company forecast third-quarter revenue of $3.4 billion to $3.6 billion, although operating expenses also doubled and CoreWeave remained unprofitable. Citi analysts described the results as one of the company’s cleaner quarters, while The Business Times reported that the rally helped lift Asian technology stocks.
Intel expands stock offering to $20 billion amid AI infrastructure push
Intel has increased its planned common-stock offering from $15 billion to $20 billion, pricing 210.5 million shares at $95 each, with proceeds earmarked for general corporate purposes. The Register reports that Intel cited areas including physical AI, advanced packaging and external wafers, while analysts differed over whether the funds will support Foundry expansion, fabrication equipment or broader balance-sheet needs. The offering highlights the capital demands of AI infrastructure but leaves Intel’s spending plans and execution priorities unclear.
TECH// 2 STORIES
Gemini reaches 1 billion monthly users as AI adoption expands
Ars Technica reports that Google’s Gemini has reached 1 billion monthly active users, making it the company’s fastest-growing product to hit that mark. The figure covers people using the Gemini app or web interface, while Google’s broader integration across Android and other services may support adoption; more than 100 million users are on iOS.
Google Pixel 11 event to unveil new devices and AI features
Google is scheduled to unveil the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro Fold and Pixel Watch 5 at a New York event on August 12. Engadget says the company has teased new AI features and devices ahead of the event, with coverage scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. ET.