Headlines for August 20, 2026

U.S. National Debt Tops $40 Trillion as Trump’s Tariffs and Wars Drive Deficit Spending, Trump Announces “Most Crushing Economic Operation Ever” Against Iran and Its Partners, Israeli Strikes Kill 10 More Palestinians in Gaza, Israel’s Military Admits to Attacks That Killed 5-Year-Old Hind Rajab, Her Family and Paramedics, Israel Advances Construction of New Homes in Massive Illegal Settlement, U.K. Jury Refuses to Convict Palestine Action Members Who Sabotaged Israeli Arms Factory, Former DOJ Attorney Files Complaint Against Antisemitism Task Force, Russian Assault on Kyiv Overnight Kills at Least 13 People, Ukraine’s Former Defense Minister Calls for Presidential Elections in Challenge to Zelensky, Former Fauci Adviser Pleads Guilty to Concealing Documents Related to COVID-19 Pandemic, New mRNA Treatment Shows Promising Signs of Preventing Skin Cancer, Trump Nominates Anti-Abortion Activist to Lead FDA, Minnesota Sues Texas Gov. Abbott to Force Extradition of ICE Agent on Felony Assault Charges, Trump Leads Press Corps on Bizarre 40-Minute Tour of the White House, Touting Plans for New Helipad, CPJ Calls on the Mexican Government to Protect Media Workers