Today's Headlines: Republicans Let Trump Keep Unparalleled Benefit: I.R.S. Immunity
An Emerging Deal Could Cement Iran’s Control of Strait of Hormuz
View in browser
The New York Times
Today's Headlines
August 4, 2026, 4:30 a.m. Eastern time

Top News

Republicans Let Trump Keep Unparalleled Benefit: I.R.S. Immunity

The rebellion against Todd Blanche’s nomination to be attorney general, now seemingly contained, at no point fundamentally questioned President Trump’s new protections from the I.R.S.

An Emerging Deal Could Cement Iran’s Control of Strait of Hormuz

The deal would address President Trump’s most urgent political problem by allowing ships to move again. But it would give Iran strategic leverage it did not have before the war.

A Currency Trader at Heart, Bessent Bets on Japan’s Yen

Coordinated intervention allowed Japan to support its currency without selling off its U.S. debt holdings.

World

TikToks, Podcasts and Promises: Britain’s New P.M.’s Whirlwind Start

Andy Burnham’s social media push appears to be resonating with some voters. But he faces big decisions about how to pay for his promises.

Pakistan’s Kashmir Problem

A wave of protests is posing the most significant challenge in years to Islamabad’s authority in the region.

New Zealand Has Ended Greyhound Racing. Now It Has to Manage the Aftermath.

As the country holds its final greyhound race, the government has committed to finding homes for dogs and supporting people whose livelihoods depended on racing.

See more world news

U.S.

‘A War Zone’: Spokane Wildfires Leave a Devastating Trail of Destruction

Despite the scale of the damage, there have been no reported fatalities in the fires that started over the weekend. Late on Monday, officials arrested a man suspected of setting one of the fires.

Brown’s President Will Resign After a Tenure That Included Trump Deal

The president, Christina H. Paxson, led the campus for over a decade, but in recent years faced protests, political pressure and a shooting that killed two students.

Introducing The Local: Twin Cities

Sign up to be among the first to receive our newsletter for readers in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

See more U.S. news

Politics

Pirro Meets With Trump at the White House After He Said She ‘Choked’ in Reflecting Pool Case

President Trump said Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., “folded like an umbrella.” For now, her job appeared to be safe, according to two people familiar with the meeting.

Spotlight on Fauci Said to Boost Book Sales for Kennedy and His Publisher

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his son, and Senator Rand Paul have all written books criticizing Dr. Anthony S. Fauci. All were published by a company led by a close Kennedy adviser.

Trump and Graham Dominate Senate Race: 5 Takeaways from South Carolina Debate.

The legacy of Lindsey Graham loomed over the field to replace him in a debate Monday. All eyes were on his sister, Darline, who was endorsed by President Trump.

See more political news

Business

The Iran War’s Forgotten Captives: Sailors Trapped in the Persian Gulf

Thousands of civilian workers remain stranded on ships at risk of attack by Iran. On one vessel, sailors have been held by the Iranian navy for more than three months.

JPMorgan Finds Itself in Another Global Soccer Fiasco

After promising to learn from its role in a failed “Super League” that fueled fan anger, the Wall Street bank is involved in FIFA’s latest meltdown.

Education Dept. to Wipe Out Student Loans of 170,000 More Defrauded Borrowers

The sprawling case, centered on students defrauded by for-profit schools, has now become the largest class-action settlement in American history.

See more business news

Technology

SpaceX’s Bumpy Ride on the Stock Market May Get Bumpier

On Thursday, employees and other insiders at Elon Musk’s rocket company will be released from their first stock “lockup” and can start selling some of their shares.

If You Can’t Beat A.I., Outdress It, Tech Firms and Their Swag Say

Over the years, tech workers have proudly worn nerdy company-branded gear. But this generation of hot companies is getting fancy with its merch.

See more technology news

New York

Immigrant Held at Delaney Detention Center Has Died, Officials Say

The mayor of Newark identified the dead man as Edwin Lopez-Cornejo. The New Jersey center has been the focus of intense scrutiny for its treatment of detainees.

N.Y. Law Barring ICE Agents From Wearing Masks Is Blocked by Judge

While the ruling dealt a blow to New York’s efforts to rein in ICE, a ban on formal cooperation with local police officers will move forward.

Gen Z Can’t Afford a First Date

From $130 dinners to expensive cocktails and even exorbitant movie tickets, a crushing economy in New York City is creating a fresh barrier to love.

See more New York news

Arts

Questions Mount Over a Star Scholar’s Life and Career

A knife-wielding masked man. A pig’s head outside his parents’ door. Running 30 marathons in 35 days. The Cambridge professor Jason Arday, accused of plagiarism, says he’s been through it all. Not everyone believes him.

Zendaya, Tom Holland and Gen Z’s Movie Triumph

The couple helped draw young audiences to “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and “The Odyssey” on a historic Hollywood weekend.

See more arts news

Books