The American Express Times
Friday, August 28, 2026
‘Unconventional’ war with Iran may never see a winner: Both sides are creating, and experiencing, pain
The United States and Iran remain locked in a protracted conflict marked by economic sanctions, asymmetric attacks, and no clear military victor six months after escalation. This stalemate has heightened global energy instability, increased casualties, and complicated diplomatic efforts, with fears of further regional and cyber escalation.
★ Featured Stories
Trump brand lifts novice to victory
Darline Graham won the South Carolina Republican Senate primary runoff, securing the seat previously held by her late brother Lindsey Graham. Her victory, strongly supported…
When tourists behave badly
Vietnam welcomed a record 22.8 million international visitors last year, attracting tourists and digital nomads to cities like Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City…
A.I. disaster could strike tomorrow
Cybersecurity expert Jen Easterly warns that recent unintended autonomous actions by advanced A.I. systems signal growing risks that could lead to major disasters if not…
Meta wants competitors to share its new limits
Meta Platforms has agreed to pay up to $17.1 billion to settle claims that it designed Facebook and Instagram to addict children, while also committing…
★ All Stories
Labor Day travel: Best and worst times to hit the road
Labor Day 2026 travel will peak on Friday, September 3, and Monday, September 7, with significant congestion expected in the afternoon hours and lighter traffic…
The Declaration of Independence was big news: read to crowds and circulated
The Declaration of Independence was first publicly read in July 1776 amid widespread patriotic celebrations, with printed broadsides rapidly distributed to spread its message across…
Trump Orders Lake Ontario Renamed Amid Trade War with Canada
President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. government to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America within 30 days, escalating tensions in the…
FAA Moves to Fire Two Controllers Over Fatal LaGuardia Collision
The FAA is moving to fire two air traffic controllers at LaGuardia Airport after they allegedly abandoned their posts before a March 22 crash that…
Fringe views in primaries rattle Florida’s Jews
Several Republican primary candidates in Florida, including James Fishback and Dan Bilzerian, promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories and rhetoric while receiving notable voter support before losing…
Bill Gates is alarmed by the rapid march of A.I.
Bill Gates has warned that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence could lead to mass job losses and pose significant safety risks, urging global action to…
The U.S. Treasury’s fix is feeble. Just look to Japan.
The U.S. Treasury Department has doubled its long-term debt buybacks to at least $28 billion over two months in an effort to contain rising interest…
How Sabalenka bounces back from heartbreak
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 in women’s tennis, recently lost to Diana Shnaider at the French Open despite having match points, continuing a pattern…
Book review: Life of M by Alexandra Jacobs
Rachel Cusk’s novel *Life of M* follows a writer’s project about a movie star named M, whose career and persona subtly echo those of Natalie…
25 Most Powerful People Influence College Football in 2026 Season
Tony Petitti, Greg Sankey, broadcast executives, legal authorities, legislators, and athlete representation agencies are shaping college football’s future through their influence on playoff structure, media…
Target Pulls Controversial Halloween Costume Over Blackface Concerns
Target removed a children's Halloween costume after it was criticized for resembling Blackface imagery from 19th-century minstrel shows. The incident underscores the retailer's ongoing challenges…
New Fast & Furious roller coaster soft opens amid noise concerns
Universal Studios Hollywood has launched the soft opening of its Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster, featuring a 4,100-foot track with spins and high…
The Promise and The Paradox: Founders declared equality but left slavery unresolved
Historian Joseph Ellis reflects on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by highlighting the American Revolution’s groundbreaking shift of power to the people…
Autism Advisory Panel Recommends Doubling Federal Investment
A U.S. advisory panel has recommended nearly doubling federal funding for autism research and services from $390 million to $760 million to better support individuals…
Bid to sow vote doubts gets a boost
The U.S. Supreme Court has tentatively allowed President Trump to proceed with parts of his executive order aimed at restricting mail-in voting ahead of the…
Dolly Parton was always in control
Dolly Parton, the legendary country singer and entrepreneur, passed away at the age of 80. Her unique blend of storytelling, inclusivity, and savvy control over…
A conduit of songs creates his own
Jazz pianist Sullivan Fortner has released his latest album, “Leave That in There,” which incorporates diverse instruments and electronic elements inspired by his New Orleans…
It’s sweltering out. You should be eating hot soup.
Despite rising global temperatures, people in cities from Mumbai to New York continue to eat hot soup during heatwaves. This practice is rooted in traditional…
Meta Settles Suit for $17 Billion over Youth Addiction Claims
Meta Platforms Inc. has agreed to pay up to $16.68 billion to settle a lawsuit accusing it of designing Facebook and Instagram to foster addiction…
Measles Outbreak Raises New Alarms with First US Deaths in Years
Two unvaccinated individuals in Pennsylvania have died from measles amid a nationwide surge in cases, marking the first fatalities in the U.S. this year. This…
Judicial decisions sowing eligibility chaos in college football
Several former college football players have regained NCAA eligibility and returned to college programs after legal rulings challenged the NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model. This…
Transfers shake up Top 25 quarterback rankings ahead of season
The 2026 college football quarterback rankings feature a mix of seasoned returners and impactful transfers, with Oregon’s Dante Moore leading the list after a strong…
America’s Forgotten Debt: Spanish Support Crucial to Independence
Historian Felipe Fernández-Armesto has underscored Spain’s vital but often neglected support in the American Revolution and highlighted the complex historical context behind the Declaration of…
Pentagon Policy Chief Calls for More European-Led Defense of Continent
The Pentagon’s top policy official called on NATO members to take on increased responsibility for Europe’s defense during a strategic review of U.S. military presence…
Border wall may imperil a 110-year-old church
The nearly 110-year-old adobe church El Corazon Sagrado de la Iglesia de Jesús in Far West Texas is threatened by the expansion of the U.S.-Mexico…
Students shouldn’t be guinea pigs for chatbots
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon praised the use of AI for personalized learning at a private Texas school, despite concerns about lack of independent evaluation…
Will war haunt Trump’s legacy? At 6-month mark in Iran, lessons have been stark
Six months into Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. military campaign in Iran remains unresolved despite early claims it would be brief. The ongoing conflict highlights…
Tight Races in Iowa for Senate and Governor Show Trump’s Woes
Republican candidates in Iowa’s governor and U.S. Senate races are facing unexpectedly close contests, with Democrat Rob Sand narrowly leading for governor and Democrat Josh…
Devastating Alzheimer’s Diagnosis Brings Personal Relief and Choice
Rusty Martin, a retired communications director from Iowa diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, chose to end his life through physician-assisted euthanasia in Switzerland due to the…
Top running back rooms for the 2026 college football season
Texas Tech leads the nation heading into the 2026 college football season with its deepest running back group, featuring two top rushers and a key…
Best wide receiver groups led by 'Wide Receiver U' Ohio State
Ohio State enters the 2026 football season with a top-ranked wide receiver group led by All-American Jeremiah Smith, maintaining its "Wide Receiver U" status. This…
The Enduring Struggle Over Liberty and Equality Since 1776
The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence has prompted historians to reexamine its international influences, including Spanish support, and the varied experiences of marginalized…
Devastating Mudslide Hits China-Nepal Border, Leaving Hundreds Missing
A massive mudslide caused by an ice-avalanche struck the China-Nepal border region, destroying key infrastructure and leaving hundreds missing, including numerous foreign nationals and pilgrims.…
Southerners embraced Parton as an embodiment of their best
Dolly Parton, the celebrated singer, actress, and philanthropist, passed away on August 25 at 80, leaving behind a storied career and a deep cultural legacy…
The president is a man who would rather be king
President Donald Trump has exercised broad executive authority and pursued aggressive legal actions against media critics, reflecting a leadership style that centralizes power and demands…
Surviving Edinburgh’s mass chaos at Fringe Festival
The 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe featured over 4,000 productions, including innovative long-form performances and a wide array of shorter theatrical, comedic, and musical shows across…
Baltimore’s gift to the cocktail world
Baltimore bartender Reed Cahill created the Spaghett cocktail in 2016 by mixing Miller High Life beer with Aperol and lemon juice, and the drink has…