Using High-Energy Laser, US Shoots Down Drones Near Mexico Border
The US Army is deploying a directed-energy laser system near the Mexico border. The system can detect, track, and destroy drones using a concentrated beam of light.
Morning, internet.
Edition 15 · Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Here's what happened.
What to Know About the Grand Canyon Flooding
Two bodies were found after a flash flood swept through a remote section of Grand Canyon National Park. At least one person remained unaccounted for.
AI wealth is creating a 'mansion shortage' and upending San Francisco's housing market
Spiking prices and rental bidding wars are reshaping San Francisco’s housing market. The changes are raising fears of further displacement in a city already affected by earlier tech booms and a housing shortage.
Teen girl charged with murder over recording of San Diego mosque attack
Prosecutors charged a 17-year-old from North Carolina with murder in connection with the 18 May San Diego mosque attack. They also say she published a manifesto from the two teenage shooters.
Can a billion dollar plan stop Tijuana River sewage pollution at the border?
Tijuana River pollution has caused asthma, stomach illness and other ailments for decades. Officials are now considering a billion-dollar plan to address the problem.
Data from 911 calls at ICE detention centers must be released under bill going to Gov. Newsom
The California Legislature passed a bill requiring disclosure of information about emergency calls at immigrant detention centers. A Democratic lawmaker introduced it after reading CalMatters reporting.
US and Iran trade strikes for first time in weeks
The United States and Iran exchanged strikes for the first time in several weeks. The attack on Iran’s Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, described as the first known U.S. strike since late July, killed two people and injured two others.
Israel says senior Hamas member seized as strikes kill three during Gaza raid
The Israeli military carried out strikes after Israeli special forces and Israel-backed Palestinian militiamen were discovered during a raid. Reports say the strikes killed three people, while Israel said a senior Hamas member was seized.
Nonstop Russian Drones Make for Dangerous New Phase of War in Kyiv
Nearly constant Russian air raids have left Kyiv residents exhausted and on edge. The attacks represent a shift from years of largely overnight strikes, according to the source summary.
Global finance ministers gather in North Carolina for G-20 summit
Finance ministers from around the world are meeting in North Carolina for the G20 summit, hosted by the United States. Russia’s top economic official attended in person, drawing attention to the gathering.
John Ternus Replaces Tim Cook as Apple CEO
John Ternus is replacing Tim Cook as Apple’s chief executive, while Cook will remain as executive chair. The leadership change comes alongside broader technology and management changes at the company.
FTC and 22 States Sue Amazon Over Advertising Practices
The Federal Trade Commission and 22 states allege that Amazon forced more than a million advertisers to pay more than they should have. Amazon denies the claims. A separate BBC report says the company argued that the FTC misunderstands its advertising market.
Summer 2026 was UK's hottest on record, Met Office says
Met Office figures show that summer 2026 broke the previous UK temperature record, set in 2025. The agency described the season as marked by unprecedented persistent heat.
Ice Island Survives Run-In With Joe Island
A substantial iceberg calved from Petermann Glacier in northwest Greenland during summer 2026. It then drifted into Nares Strait and collided with an island.
Gene-Editing Technology Offers New Ways to Create the Dogs of Our Dreams
Technologies such as CRISPR are creating new possibilities for changing dog breeding. The development also raises questions about past mistakes in how dogs have been bred.
NASA Welcomes Türkiye as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory
Türkiye signed the Artemis Accords during a ceremony hosted by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. The agreement brings Türkiye into an international coalition focused on peaceful and transparent space exploration, making it the 71st signatory.
NPR's 2-year search for the truth about deaths from heat
An investigation by NPR and Boston University finds that heat kills thousands of Americans each year. It says official figures radically undercount deaths linked to heat.
C.D.C. Director Challenges Pennsylvania’s Report of Two Measles Deaths
The CDC director has challenged Pennsylvania’s report of two measles deaths. The dispute is unusual for a public health agency and reflects broader tensions between the Trump administration and states over health issues.
A NY hospital tried to close its birthing center. This city united to fight back
Residents and politicians in Troy, New York, opposed an attempt to close the county's last birthing center. The effort brought Democrats and Republicans together against a national Catholic health system, and the center remained open.
Global Oil Price Rises to $90 a Barrel After U.S. and Iran Trade Attacks
Oil prices rose to $90 a barrel after the first U.S.-Iran attacks in a month jolted energy markets. The average U.S. gasoline price remained 37 percent higher than before the war began.
AI could cause global economic downturn, Andrew Bailey warns G20
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey warned the G20 that artificial intelligence could contribute to a global economic downturn. He highlighted AI-related volatility linked to energy shocks from the U.S.-Iran war.
Ikea cuts prices as customers struggle with rising cost of living
Ikea is cutting prices as the rising cost of living reduces people's ability to buy new furniture. The Swedish retailer has also seen its revenue decline.
Whistleblower claims USPS plan for Trump's mail voting order could 'derail' midterms
A whistleblower says the U.S. Postal Service is rushing out an online system for President Trump’s effort to restrict mail voting. The whistleblower warns the system could “derail” the midterm election if courts allow the effort to proceed.
Supreme Court Allows Trump’s White House Ballroom Construction
The Supreme Court allowed construction of President Trump’s 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom to continue. Lower-court rulings had blocked the project after finding that the administration should have first sought approval from Congress.
Trump Renews Push for Federal Film Tax Credit
Proponents of a federal film tax-credit program say it could bring Hollywood jobs back from overseas. They point to cheap labor and large incentives abroad as reasons production has moved away from the U.S.
IRS Audit Revenue Has Plummeted Under Trump, Watchdog Finds
The IRS lost roughly a quarter of its employees since President Trump took office, according to a watchdog. The staffing decline has hampered the agency’s ability to conduct audits and reduced audit revenue.
'It can outthink me': How a major manufacturer came to embrace AI
GE Appliances is relying heavily on artificial intelligence on its factory floor. The company is using AI to improve manufacturing quality and efficiency.
California ban on workplace AI emotion surveillance heads to Newsom’s desk
A California bill targeting workplace AI emotion surveillance is headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. If passed, it would also prohibit collecting an employee’s “neural data.”
US firms plan to increase employee base salary budgets by an average 3.3% in 2027
U.S. companies plan to raise employee base-salary budgets by an average of 3.3% in 2027. A majority of companies also expect incentive payouts to fall below target levels.
Bit Reactor furloughed "many of its workers" in the weeks before Star Wars Zero Company's launch
Star Wars Zero Company developer Bit Reactor furloughed “many of its workers” before the game’s release. The move followed the cancellation or shutdown of the project’s launch period, according to the supplied headline and summary.
Messi announces retirement from Argentina's national team
Lionel Messi has announced that he is retiring from Argentina's national team. The decision ends his international career with Argentina, while separate coverage says he will continue playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
A loss that feels different - Djokovic's future more uncertain than ever
Novak Djokovic's latest attempt to win a historic 25th major title has ended in tears in New York. The defeat has raised new questions about the future of the most decorated men's player of the Open era.
Alcaraz cruises to US Open second round after four months out
Defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz returned from a four-month injury lay-off and advanced to the second round. He defeated Russia's Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
GTA 6 Gets Even More New Screenshots as Rockstar Locks in for November Launch
Rockstar has published additional Grand Theft Auto 6 screenshots, ending what the report describes as a drought of news. The game remains slated for a November launch.
After Being Ditched by Xbox, Double Fine Says It'll Make Brütal Legend 2 If Its Amnesia Fortnight 2026 Kickstarter Raises an Impossible-Sounding $100 Million
Double Fine has launched its new game-development Kickstarter project after cutting ties with Xbox. The studio says it will make Brütal Legend 2 if the campaign raises $100 million.
Gamescom 2026 attendance rose 6% to 368,000 visitors
Gamescom 2026 attracted 368,000 visitors from 131 countries, a 6% increase over the previous year. The attendance figure indicates continued strong interest in the major games event.
They live by a shrine to a saint. Why are their homes being demolished?
The neighborhood is a pilgrimage site centered on a shrine to the Sufi saint known as Bari Imam. Hundreds of working-poor residents’ homes were demolished over the past year, and residents fear additional destruction.
A makeover for college: No gym, no meal plan and two years of work
A new Vermont college model emphasizes hands-on learning while removing amenities such as gyms and meal plans that add to costs. Other newly created institutions are also rethinking how college is structured.
Paperwork, lines, hours on hold: There's a 'Time Tax' on Americans who need help most
People applying for government benefits face significant administrative burdens, including paperwork, lines and long waits on hold. The experience can waste time and erode trust in government.
Duane Davis Is Convicted of Orchestrating Tupac Shakur’s Murder
Duane Keith Davis, 63, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the 1996 drive-by shooting of rapper Tupac Shakur. The conviction followed an interview tour in which Davis discussed his role in the killing.
Metropolitan Museum of Art cancels John Galliano exhibit and Met Gala theme
The Metropolitan Museum of Art will no longer hold a career retrospective honoring fashion designer John Galliano. He also will not be celebrated at this year’s Met Gala.
'A real privilege' - Casualty star to lead drama's 40th anniversary special
The BBC medical drama “Casualty” will mark its 40th anniversary in September. The milestone will be celebrated with a two-part story led by one of the show’s stars.
Ex-gang boss guilty of orchestrating 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur
Duane “Keffe D” Davis was convicted over the drive-by shooting of Tupac Shakur. The killing remained a major popular-culture mystery for 30 years, with no arrests until 2023.