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Daily Briefing

August 25, 2026

The 10 stories that mattered most on August 25, 2026, as ranked at the end of that day. Story pages stay online permanently.

  1. 01

    Darline Graham wins Republican primary runoff in South Carolina

    Darline Graham, sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, won the Republican primary runoff in South Carolina for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, according to U.S. media projections, in a triumph for U.S. President Donald Trump.

    Politics · United States · 9 publications

  2. 02

    Dolly Parton, one of country music's most singular performers, has died at age 80

    The artist was a star performer in country music and went on to become one of the genre's most recognizable and universally adored ambassadors to broader popular culture.

    Culture · International · 8 publications

  3. 03

    Nothing changes yet with the Supreme Court's order on mail voting. But it could open door to 'chaos'

    Rather than saying that President Donald Trump's order is legal, the high court said Monday it was too early for Democratic-run states to challenge it in June, when they convinced a federal judge in Boston to freeze the order for November's election.

    Politics · United States · 2 publications

  4. 04

    SpaceX to build $100 billion rocket launch facility in southern Louisiana

    SpaceX unveiled plans on Tuesday for a $100 billion rocket launch complex in southern Louisiana, its largest yet, aimed at supporting Starship and AI satellite missions. The 125,000-acre Starbase Louisiana site on Pecan Island could eventually handle thousands of Starship launches annually, the company said.

    Science · United States · 4 publications

  5. 05

    Trump threatens to rename Lake Ontario 'Lake America' as trade feud heats up

    In an early morning tweet Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America," following a breakdown in trade negotiations and a comment Monday from Ontario Premier Doug Ford inviting the president to "kiss my ass."

    Politics · United States · 4 publications

  6. 06

    CIA director John Ratcliffe meets with Russian officials in Moscow, reports say

    John Ratcliffe, director of the Central Intelligence Agency in the U.S., travelled to Moscow on Tuesday for meetings with Russian officials, U.S. media outlets reported, citing unnamed sources.

    World · United States · 4 publications

  7. 07

    SEC joins Big Ten in banning pros from returning to college, including basketball players

    The Southeastern Conference has passed a rule banning players who have been drafted by NFL, NBA or WNBA teams or listed on rosters in those leagues

    Sports · International · 3 publications

  8. 08

    News Wrap: 2 unvaccinated people die from measles in Pennsylvania

    In our news wrap Tuesday, two unvaccinated people in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, have died from measles, the Trump administration is threatening to demolish the Kennedy Center if its plans to renovate the arts center are not allowed to proceed and a federal judge rejected a bid by Ghislaine Maxwell to throw out her 2021 conviction on sex-trafficking charges.

    Health · United States · 6 publications

  9. 09

    Vikings WR Jeshaun Jones gets a 3-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy

    Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jeshaun Jones was issued a three-game suspension by the NFL for violating the league’s substances of abuse policy

    Sports · United States · 2 publications

  10. 10

    Trump-backed candidate wins primary for Oklahoma governor

    Former state Sen. Mike Mazzei’s victory is a relief for the president after several of his chosen candidates fell in other states.

    Politics · United States · 2 publications

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