Today's Headlines: In Trump’s Washington, Ballooning National Debt Stirs Little Action
‘They All Died, and I Lived’: Survivors of Nepal Flood Left in Stunned Disbelief
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The New York Times
Today's Headlines
August 28, 2026, 4:30 a.m. Eastern time

Top News

In Trump’s Washington, Ballooning National Debt Stirs Little Action

The relative indifference to the news that the U.S. government now owes $40 trillion demonstrates how drastically the politics of deficit spending has changed.

‘They All Died, and I Lived’: Survivors of Nepal Flood Left in Stunned Disbelief

A visit near the border with Tibet laid bare the effects of a swollen river’s furious speed. Miles of devastation were left behind in a flash flood that killed more than 300.

Trump Administration’s Blacklisting of Anthropic Was Illegal, Judge Rules

The government retaliated against the A.I. start-up “for constitutionally protected expressive activities,” a federal judge in California wrote.

World

C.I.A. Chief Delivered Bleak Assessment of Russia’s War in Secretive Moscow Visit

John Ratcliffe’s meeting this week with a Russian intelligence chief was aimed at pushing the Kremlin to pursue a peace deal with Ukraine.

See the Scale of Destruction of Nepal Flooding

Satellite images show widespread destruction along more than 50 miles of Himalayan valleys where a torrent of mud swept away villages on Wednesday.

Yielding on French Could Restart Trade Talks, Canadian Officials Say

Canada’s minister in charge of trade with the U.S. was responding to comments by Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative. But that was before any mention of Lake Ontario.

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U.S.

Trump Orders the Government to Rename Lake Ontario to Lake America

The president also reiterated his criticism that Canada “treats us very badly.” Trade talks between the nations collapsed last week.

‘I Need to Go to the Hospital,’ Delta Pilot Tells Air Traffic Control

A Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to Boston safely diverted to Detroit after the captain of a Boeing 757 became ill.

Climber Stranded for Hours on 6-Inch Rock Ledge Before Rescue

Racing against the darkness, rescuers in California on Saturday saved a man who had become stranded on a ledge perched atop a soaring peak on the Sierra Nevada.

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Politics

Progressives Condemn Pick of Pro-Israel Democrat Atop House Panel

Outrage over making Representative Jared Moskowitz, who is vocally pro-Israel, the top Democrat on a Middle East policy subcommittee reflected the party’s rift over Israel.

Judge Once Again Bars Postal Service From Restricting Mail-In Vote

After reviewing the agency’s final plan to comply with President Trump’s demands, a federal judge barred the Postal Service from imposing new restrictions on mail-in voting.

Los Angeles Mayor, Stung in Debate, Eases Street Vending Crackdown

Mayor Karen Bass said food vendors discourage restaurant patrons, mentioning them alongside homeless encampments. Her opponent, Nithya Raman, said vendors should be brought into the system.

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Business

How a Trendy Canadian Retailer Is Grappling With Trump’s Tariffs

Ssense’s comeback efforts include moving a core part of its business to the United States so American customers can avoid hefty tariffs.

Americans of All Incomes Head to Dollar Stores to Stay Frugal

Dollar General and Dollar Tree each reported gains in sales and store traffic on Thursday as higher gas prices forced shoppers to pare back.

California Lawmakers Pass Plug-In Solar Bill

Legislatures in nearly a dozen states have voted to legalize use of the technology, which can help homeowners reduce their rising electricity costs.

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Technology

Mark Zuckerberg Wants to Make Sure His Competitors Share His Pain

Meta, the social media giant, agreed to change the way children interact with its apps. That could be trouble if its competitors don’t abide by the same rules.

Some Scientists Have ‘Magic Hands’ in the Lab. This A.I. Is Learning Why.

Even the most adept researchers may not know exactly what they do to get successful results. An A.I. model is trying to figure it out by watching every move.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Hamptons Dinner for A.I. C.E.O. Is Postponed

The actress and wellness entrepreneur did not deny her plans to host an intimate gathering for Sam Altman. But it will have to wait.

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New York

Funding Delays Threaten Rollout of Mamdani’s 2-K Program

Many early childhood centers, the backbone of New York City’s universal child care system, have not received money from the city for this school year, some day care operators said.

F.A.A. Moves to Fire 2 Air Controllers at LaGuardia After Deadly Crash

The two controllers are among a dozen that the Federal Aviation Administration has taken steps to fire as part of an inquiry into timecard fraud, according to people familiar with the matter.

Trump Plans to Mark 9/11 at the Pentagon, Not Ground Zero

President Trump originally intended to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 with remarks at ground zero, but the memorial’s organizers do not allow speeches. Mr. Trump changed his plans.

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Arts

Judge Says Trump’s Name Should Stay Off Kennedy Center for Now

After the court forced the removal of the president’s name from the building’s title, the center devised a plan to add an inscription honoring President Trump.