Sunday, August 16, 2026, 17:56 EDT
MARKETS
| S&P 500 CLOSE | 7,785.76 | -0.17% | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOW CLOSE | 53,732.41 | -0.20% | |
| NASDAQ CLOSE | 26,729.16 | -0.28% | |
| CRWD | 216.95 | -3.80% | |
| AMZN | 262.65 | -0.94% | |
| SPCX | 140.00 | -0.91% |
$464 million Homeland Security aircraft fleet sits largely unused
The New York Times reports that Homeland Security used a no-bid contract to buy 10 used aircraft for deportation flights, but the fleet has largely sat idle, with officials citing maintenance and staffing constraints. The purchase included three luxury jets, one of which was leased to the FBI, while several Boeing 737s were parked in Louisiana. Democratic senators are seeking a full accounting, as the agency faces scrutiny over its use of urgency exemptions and the cost-effectiveness of the acquisition.
New today
Stories that broke since the week’s earlier editions.
Indiana flooding kills at least five as rescues and recovery efforts continue
AP reported at least five deaths from severe storms and flooding, while NPR reported six fatalities across multiple Indiana counties. More than 11 inches of rain fell in some areas, pushing rivers to record levels and prompting boat rescues of 95 people and 45 pets in Indianapolis. Floodwaters were receding in some communities, but additional storms threatened renewed flooding, while more than 128,000 people remained without power and federal emergency assistance was approved.
Stripe agrees to acquire AI gateway OpenRouter for more than $7 billion
Bloomberg reports that Stripe has finalized an agreement to acquire OpenRouter for more than $7 billion, though the final price could change; TechCrunch describes the deal as reported and notes Stripe declined to comment on rumors. OpenRouter provides access to more than 400 AI models, helping developers compare providers, manage costs and avoid lock-in. The acquisition would deepen Stripe’s position in AI infrastructure just months after OpenRouter raised $113 million at a reported $1.3 billion valuation.
Four Antonello da Messina works stolen from Sicilian museum
Thieves stole four works attributed to Renaissance painter Antonello da Messina from a museum in Messina, Sicily, during Assumption Day celebrations. The stolen pieces include three panels from the 1473 San Gregorio Polyptych and a double-sided painting, while two other polyptych panels were abandoned during the escape. AP reported that alarms were working and guards were on site, highlighting the challenge of protecting cultural treasures even during a major holiday. Reuters said a local culture official suspected the theft may have been commissioned, while experts noted the works would be difficult to sell openly.
Tommy John, whose surgery transformed baseball, dies at 83
Tommy John, the four-time All-Star pitcher who became the first player to return from ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, died at 83 after a 26-year career. The Washington Post reported that he died at his Florida home from bladder cancer, while NPR said he had been in hospice care. The procedure later known as Tommy John surgery has helped thousands of professional and amateur athletes continue their careers, though John also criticized its growing use among young players.
Indonesia earthquake death toll reaches 53 as rescuers search inaccessible areas
Rescue teams recovered six more bodies after Saturday’s magnitude 7.7 earthquake on Flores, raising the death toll to 53 and leaving 135 people injured. About 5,000 people are sheltering after more than 900 homes were destroyed, while landslides, power outages and communication disruptions hamper efforts to reach isolated villages. Authorities have recorded at least 995 aftershocks, though only 46 were felt by residents.
U.S.// 6 STORIES
Mangione pleads guilty federally in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing
Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges and admitted shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan in December 2024. The Washington Post reports that Mangione’s state murder case remains scheduled, though his plea could trigger a double-jeopardy challenge and possible dismissal. His lawyers cited longstanding pain and grievances with the health insurance system, while Thompson’s family called the plea an important step toward justice.
Senate confirms Todd Blanche as attorney general over Democratic opposition
The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general after all Democrats and Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins voted against him. Wire reports Democrats cited his record at the Justice Department, including the handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, his abortion views and his past role as Donald Trump’s personal lawyer; House Democrats called for him to testify. Axios separately notes Blanche is among Trump’s former personal lawyers to receive a senior legal role, in a report focused on Will Scharf’s appointment as White House counsel.
Trump orders Navy to plan steam replacement for future carrier
President Trump directed the US Navy to develop plans replacing the electromagnetic catapults and weapons elevators planned for the future USS Doris Miller with steam and hydraulic systems. The Register reports that the move reverses a key modernization effort after reliability problems with the Ford-class technology, while the memorandum also proposes a fifth naval shipyard and limited foreign participation in shipbuilding. The order specifically names CVN-81, leaving its application to later carriers unclear.
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.
US missile stocks face strain as conflicts outpace production
The New York Times reports that US supplies of key defensive and offensive missiles are under growing pressure after repeated use across several conflicts. Patriot and THAAD interceptor production cannot quickly replace expended weapons, while efforts to reinforce the Middle East have reduced readiness in Europe and Asia. The shortages could constrain future military response options and increase risks involving Russia and China.
Trump vaccine order deepens backlash over childhood immunization policy
Donald Trump’s executive order would separate the measles, mumps and rubella shots, reduce vaccines recommended for all children and encourage separate visits, according to The Economist. Doctors’ groups called the changes dangerous, while the article noted there is no evidence vaccines cause autism or that delaying shots is beneficial. The order may have limited immediate effect because states generally set school vaccination rules, but declining measles vaccination coverage is increasing concern among public-health officials.
WORLD// 8 STORIES
Earthquakes in Colombia and Indonesia, a typhoon in China, and deadly strikes from Ukraine to the Red Sea made this a week of cascading shocks, while Gaza and Lebanon showed how fragile ceasefires remain.
Ukraine targets Russia’s Black Sea naval hub amid overnight drone strikes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the overnight operation struck air defenses, piers and other infrastructure at Russia’s naval base in Novorossiysk, according to AP. Russian officials reported hundreds of intercepted drones, damage to buildings and industrial sites, and three deaths in the Krasnodar region; Reuters separately reported five people killed while defusing an explosive device in Sevastopol after a drone attack. AP also reported damage to two grain terminals at Novorossiysk, underscoring the port’s importance to Russian military and commercial logistics.
Colombia earthquake toll rises as rescuers race to find survivors
At least 265 people died and nearly 500 were officially reported missing after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, though civilian databases listed more than 4,100 missing. Rescue teams searched rubble in Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdó as shelters filled and authorities assessed damage across remote, impoverished areas. The disaster has tested President Abelardo de la Espriella’s new government, while the US, Mexico and other regional partners supplied aid and rescue support.
Indonesia earthquake death toll reaches 53 as landslides hamper rescue efforts
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Indonesia’s Flores region killed at least 53 people and injured 135, according to reporting carried by the Economist, while thousands were displaced. Rescuers are searching damaged buildings and areas cut off by landslides, with power and communications outages complicating efforts. The BBC reported an earlier toll of 51 and said a tsunami warning was lifted after no significant sea-level rise was detected.
Netanyahu rejects Trump's Gaza disarmament plan, straining cease-fire negotiations
Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel does not accept the US-backed 15-point Gaza plan, which includes a Hamas commitment to surrender its weapons. The Guardian reports that Israeli officials had previously discussed implementation details, including a possible military withdrawal from pilot areas, highlighting tensions between Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners and Donald Trump. The rejection weakens diplomatic leverage and leaves Gaza's territorial and security arrangements uncertain.
Israeli strikes kill 11 in southern Lebanon, raising tensions after ceasefire
At least 11 people, including three children, were killed in Israeli strikes on homes in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities and reports cited by the BBC and Guardian. The IDF said it targeted a Hezbollah commander after an attack that wounded Israeli soldiers, while Lebanese officials and Hezbollah said civilians were deliberately targeted. The Guardian described the strikes as the deadliest since the June ceasefire, and Hezbollah warned they would draw a response.
Typhoon Dolphin prompts mass evacuations across eastern China
More than 1 million people were evacuated across eastern China as Typhoon Dolphin made landfall, bringing heavy rain, flooding and transportation disruptions. Nearly 1,000 flights were canceled in Shanghai, while authorities warned of torrential rain, landslides and further flooding through Wednesday. The storm’s impact on Shanghai and surrounding economic centers highlights the region’s vulnerability to severe weather.
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.
Zhu Rongji, architect of China’s market transformation, dies at 97
Former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji died in Beijing at 97, according to state media, after a career reshaping the country’s economy. The Washington Post highlighted his role in reforming state-owned enterprises, curbing inflation and negotiating China’s entry into the World Trade Organization. His death marks the end of an era for China’s market-oriented economic transformation and global integration.
BUSINESS// 6 STORIES
The week’s money kept flowing toward AI infrastructure, from Nvidia’s stakes to CoreWeave’s surging but unprofitable business, while Anthropic’s preliminary revenue soared. Meanwhile, easing inflation offered limited relief as July retail sales fell sharply, and Berkshire resumed buying equities.
Anthropic’s preliminary second-quarter revenue topped $11.5 billion
CNBC, citing Bloomberg News and documents viewed by the outlet, reported that Anthropic’s preliminary second-quarter revenue exceeded $11.5 billion, up from $787 million a year earlier and $4.73 billion in the first quarter. The documents also indicated positive adjusted operating income, though the figures could change. CNBC emphasized the growth as Anthropic considers a potential IPO and competes with OpenAI for corporate customers.
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.
US inflation eased to 3.4% in July as grocery prices fell
Consumer prices rose 3.4% from a year earlier in July, with falling gasoline and grocery costs offsetting increases in rent and airfares, NPR reports. Grocery prices fell about 0.1% during the month but remained 2.7% higher than a year earlier. AP reporting emphasizes that average wages are still not keeping pace with elevated prices, limiting households’ purchasing power despite cooler inflation.
US retail sales fall sharply in July as temporary spending boosts fade
US retail sales fell 0.6% in July, the first decline in nine months and the largest drop since May 2025, after June’s revised 0.2% gain. AP reported that fading tax-refund support and weaker online and auto sales drove the decline, while Reuters likewise highlighted the unexpected drop. Economists warned the data could signal slowing consumer momentum, though gains at restaurants, clothing stores and home-goods retailers suggest it is too early to conclude that spending is retreating broadly.
Nvidia discloses major SpaceX and Intel stakes amid AI infrastructure push
Bloomberg reported that Nvidia disclosed a nearly $21 billion stake in SpaceX and a $30 billion holding in Intel as of June 30. Reuters, citing The Information, separately reported that Nvidia is discussing investing up to $3 billion in SoftBank subsidiary SB Energy, which is developing an Ohio data center project for OpenAI. The reports highlight Nvidia’s expanding financial ties across aerospace, semiconductors and AI data infrastructure.
Berkshire elevates Alphabet as third-largest stock holding
Berkshire Hathaway increased its Alphabet stake by 83% in the second quarter, holding about 106 million shares worth $37.9 billion at the end of June. The conglomerate also expanded its positions in Delta Air Lines and homebuilders Lennar and D.R. Horton, while completing its acquisition of Taylor Morrison. Berkshire made nearly $20 billion in net equity purchases after 14 consecutive quarters of net sales, reducing its cash holdings to $365.5 billion.
TECH// 4 STORIES
AI had a banner week for reach and a less reassuring one for governance: Gemini hit 1 billion monthly users, Alibaba’s Qwen passed 3 billion downloads, while OpenAI disbanded a preparedness team and SpaceX absorbed Cursor.
OpenAI safety-team shakeup deepens as preparedness team is disbanded
Earlier this week, OpenAI’s chief revenue officer Denise Dresser, Brad Lightcap and other senior executives were reported to be leaving as the company prepared for a potential IPO. The Verge now reports, citing the Financial Times, that OpenAI disbanded its preparedness team at the end of last month. Responsibility for areas including biosecurity and cybersecurity has reportedly moved to existing teams, while team head Dylan Scandinaro will focus on recursive self-improving AI. The development broadens the story from executive turnover to further restructuring of OpenAI’s safety organization.
Alibaba’s Qwen models surpass 3 billion downloads
Alibaba said its Qwen family of open-weight AI models exceeded 3 billion global downloads over six months, surpassing models from Meta and Google. Bloomberg, citing Hugging Face data, reported that Qwen had open-sourced more than 460 models and generated over 300,000 derivatives, highlighting the growing reach of Chinese AI products among developers. Alibaba is distributing Qwen through its cloud platform to enterprise customers in regions including Southeast Asia and Africa.
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.
SpaceX completes acquisition of AI coding startup Cursor
SpaceX has officially completed its acquisition of AI coding startup Cursor, according to TechCrunch, following an April deal and a subsequent decision to proceed. Cursor said becoming part of SpaceX will provide access to its computing infrastructure and GPU fleet. The acquisition expands SpaceX’s push into software and AI development.