Tuesday, August 18, 2026
The US-Iran ceasefire memorandum of understanding expired Monday, with Trump rejecting any extension and declaring Iran should "put up the white flag of surrender." The US now claims operational control of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply flows.
Anthropic has hit $65 billion in annualized revenue, adding $18 billion in just two months — a pace that makes it one of the fastest-growing companies in history. The Claude-maker's numbers cement AI foundation models as a full-blown industry, not a research bet.
Trump has announced the US will "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea, crediting his personal rapport with Kim Jong Un for stability on the peninsula. Seoul has pushed back sharply, and the move blindsided US military commanders who rely on those drills to maintain readiness.
CDC data shows US vaccination rates have declined for another consecutive year as non-medical exemptions continue to rise. The agency quietly posted the figures online without publishing its usual full report, a pattern that has drawn criticism from public health officials.
Hakainde Hichilema has secured a second term as Zambia's president, taking roughly 60 percent of the vote against his main challenger's 38 percent. The result consolidates his hold on one of southern Africa's key copper-producing nations amid ongoing economic restructuring.
