Morning briefing · 08/19/26
What deserves your attention, across the worlds you care about.
International, national, and local news
The most important things to know today.
The Guardian reports, citing a tracker, that the Trump administration has removed or changed nearly 400 federal datasets, with health data most affected and examples ranging from law-enforcement misconduct records to youth violence surveys and air-quality readings. The stakes are public access to evidence for health, education, policing, and pollution.
Mykhailo Fedorov, a popular young leader who was fired last month, said Russia should not be allowed to dictate when Ukrainians can choose their next government.
It comes after Trump announced plans to curtail joint military exercises with South Korea, citing a "very good" relationship with North Korea's Kim Jong Un.
"I'd ask you to confirm a simple statement: the Department of Defense will not send Federal troops to the polls or to seize election materials of any kind," Slotkin wrote to Hegseth and to Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in letters Tuesday.
NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer speaks with Nina Krushcheva, professor of international affairs at the New School, about the current geopolitical climate in Russia.
The conflict affirms the Islamic Republic’s longtime belief that the U.S. seeks nothing short of its overthrow.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump asked the U.S. Supreme Court Thursday to intervene in a lower court decision that halts his $400 million White House ballroom construction unless he receives authorization from Congress. The administration requested the justices grant an immediate stay to a 2-1 federal appeals court decision that sided with historic preservationists who argued Trump […]
Why chosen: Save this when you have attention for analysis or reported context on Congressional approval not needed for White.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) — The New Mexico National Guard is assisting fire crews assigned to fight the Frijoles Fire burning in the Española Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest. Guard members have been tasked with providing MedEvac support and waiting on standby, should any firefighter be injured fighting the flames.
The federal government wants to allow roads in more than 44 million acres of national forests, which includes New Mexico's Carson, Cibola, Coronado, Gila, Lincoln, and Santa Fe national forests.
Los Alamos Daily Post has published a new report on LAPS Welcomes Students Back To School For 2026-27 Year.
Section
Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Northern New Mexico, and state issues.
Courtesy photo UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO NEWS RELEASE Mike Holtzclaw, chancellor of The University of New Mexico campus in Los Alamos, will not seek reappointment, concluding service in the top leadership role on June 30, 2027. Barbara Rodriguez, UNM provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, said that Holtzclaw will […]
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) — Another long weekend is right around the corner. Labor Day weekend is slated for Friday, Sept.
During a visit to Hobbs on Tuesday, United States Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that New Mexico, already the nation’s second highest oil-producing state, still has even more to offer as President Donald Trump seeks to boost domestic energy production.
A pipeline intended to transport natural gas to the Project Jupiter data center under construction in southern New Mexico won’t come online until early next year at the soonest, according to new federal regulatory filings.
Why chosen: Track Proposed gas pipeline for Project Jupiter for concrete effects on federal, climate; the abstract should be enough unless it changes a local decision, risk, or commitment.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) — Another business in Nob Hill is closing its doors. Formerly called Tia B's La Waffleria, the restaurant was known for [...]
Section
DOE, NNSA, LANL, peer laboratories, nonproliferation, nuclear energy, and international security.
Blockades, nuclear breakout, and avoiding the L.
The United States and Iran are poised to blow past a deadline they had set themselves to broker terms on peace and Iran’s nuclear program.
Why chosen: This is included for professional importance: it bears on nuclear diplomacy, safeguards, or regional security.
Lee Jae Myung reiterates desire for full command back in Seoul’s hands after Donald Trump cuts joint exercises, citing warm ties with Kim Jong-un ‘Inane, haphazard decision’ by Trump to gut South Korea alliance South Korea’s president has renewed his push to regain independent control of the military from the US in the event of war and urged faster progress in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines after Donald…
The Guardian travelled 100 miles along the EU’s longest river, where some residents are struggling to secure drinking water For centuries, the rock was seen as a warning. And, much as the rock was said to warn, Hungary is now facing an unprecedented energy crisis that has forced the country to shut down all but one of its Danube-cooled nuclear reactors for the first time in 44 years.
breakingthenews.net has published a new report on Syria FM: Nuclear material found in Syria to stay here - Breaking The News - Breakingthenews.net.
Section
AI for scientific organizations, research, governance, and responsible use.
All the days news as it unfolded Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Chalmers calls gambling amendments ‘very substantial changes’ Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the opt-out register on gambling advertising will be revenue neutral, because the gambling industry will have to cover the costs. And they will make it much easier for people to opt out of this advertising.
War on the Rocks has published a new report on AI and the Risks of Tearing Down an Old System.
Why chosen: Read for the AI judgment question: what AI and the Risks of Tearing suggests about governance, adoption, security, or trust.
War on the Rocks has published a new report on Contested Logistics and the “Last Unmanned Mile”.
The artificial intelligence start-up announced a chatbot mode that will automatically limit some conversations to better protect young users.
But behind every AI track is a complicated question: Who should get paid?
Section
Management, organizational effectiveness, and public-sector leadership.
A dubious post that spread on X became the basis of false claims that Iran’s leadership had declared it a nuclear power.
In addition to pay, striking hospital workers say patient violence is an issue. Hospital workers are seven times more likely to be injured at work due to violent acts than the general working population.
UK has refused resettlement application despite ‘years of loyal service’ that have resulted in ‘constant fear’ of reprisals A man has received threats from the Taliban after his work for the Afghan police was revealed by a Ministry of Defence leak and the UK refused his application for resettlement.
Searchers dig through collapsed buildings and debris after 7.7 magnitude quake killed at least 53 people Rescue crews dug through collapsed buildings and landslide debris in eastern Indonesia on Sunday as they searched for bodies and possible survivors a day after a powerful earthquake killed at least 53 people, injured more than 100 and displaced thousands.
Chris Kubasik, L3Harris’ CEO since June 2021, has left the company following a code of conduct investigation.
Section
Episcopal and Anglican life, theology, vocation, and faith-shaped leadership.
Clergy often clean out the "stuff" which a church acquires, but there is often a story behind these things.
Why chosen: Read if it says something concrete about Episcopal, Anglican, public witness, or institutional strain.
Bishop Pastor Elias Garcia Cardenas of Colombia was at Cali to support relief efforts and encourage first responders.
In their Supreme Court brief, the families' attorneys argue that the law violates basic First Amendment principles governing the separation of church and state.
Publishers Weekly has published a new report on Christian Theology Meets Pop Culture in New IVP Series.
The Dispatch has published a new report on Born Jewish, Became a Christian, and Living in the Tension.
Section
Running, Olympic lifting, strength, recovery, sleep, and sports medicine.
Abbie Donnelly of Great Britain overcame a close call on race morning to finish third in 2:27:33.
Why chosen: Open if it offers a concrete decision about running: something to try, avoid, recover from, or monitor.
How to add fast descents to your training and why it’s so beneficial to durability.
Operator granted UK track access for as many as 20 daily return trains to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from 2030 Business live – latest updates Virgin Trains has been granted track access by the rail regulator to enable it to run services between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from 2030, in a key step towards breaking Eurostar’s monopoly on the cross-Channel passenger route.
Klaire Rhodes was attacked by a brown bear in state park but spray helped her escape with ‘relatively minor injuries’ An Alaska marathon athlete used a repellant spray to fend off an attacking bear that officials say injured her while she ran on a popular trail recently – an encounter that she has since described as “a nightmare come to life”.
Section
Books, essays, science fiction, fantasy, comics, games, film, and interesting ideas.
A woman who secured the criminal file of her grandmother, a collaborator, offered to share it with a Jewish family that had been betrayed. Then she balked and a new dispute ensued.
Why chosen: Save this for criticism, reading ideas, or a useful cultural question about books.
Locus Magazine has published a new report on Editorial Changes at Nightmare and Lightspeed.
Locus Magazine has published a new report on Book Theft at Lloyd Currey Booksellers.
The narrators of these five great sci-fi and fantasy books are not the usual suspects!
Reactor has published a new report on We Have the Titles, Covers, and Descriptions for the Next Two ACOTAR Books!.
Section
Regular columns and curiosities that should not compete with major news.
A reader writes: I work in a small office. We have a support staff of a dozen or so — mostly analysts, whose work I oversee, plus our receptionist and admin assistant, Sarah.
Ask a Manager has published a new report on rude people at events make me angry, can I live with an employee while I’m interning, and more.
Soap box derbies send motorless cars down a steep incline. At one event, contestants make their cars look like cartoon characters, subway cars, food, and giant animals (among other outlandish shapes).
Section
One essay or analysis selected as today's best sustained thought.
The classic BCP catechism is not militant against other Christian traditions, yet it still reflects a certain vantage point on what it means to follow Jesus.
Why chosen: Read if it says something concrete about Episcopal, Anglican, public witness, or institutional strain.
Section
Long reads, essays, and deep briefings.
Locus Magazine has published a new report on New Book Releases: Aug 18, 2026.
The impact of AI on software development has been both profound and ever-evolving. The next transformation will come from collaborative swarms of AI agents capable of discovering solutions independently.
War on the Rocks has published a new report on A Life in Army Special Operations, from Desert Storm to the Next War.
Educators are worried that many students can no longer write essays without A.I. And it’s costing more than just grammar skills.
War on the Rocks has published a new report on How Feasible Is a European Nuclear Deterrent Without Washington?.
Why chosen: This is included for professional importance: it affects war, nuclear.