🇺🇸Week of August 31

The United States and Iran have escalated their six-month-old war with a wave of attacks on shipping and military targets. US forces struck five Iranian oil tankers, while Iran attacked ten ships and a US base in Jordan, according to reports from Al Jazeera and Kurdistan24. The attacks mark the biggest wave of strikes on shipping since the war began, Reuters reported.123

Attributed claim: Iran claimed it struck a US base in Jordan, and Iranian missiles were intercepted over Jordan as the two sides traded strikes, pushing the conflict toward renewed open hostilities, as reported by Kurdistan24 and a DW News post on Facebook. The US denied claims that Iran struck two American vessels in retaliation for earlier strikes, according to CNBC.345

The escalation has driven crude oil prices to $100 a barrel, according to Al Jazeera. Iran has signaled readiness to escalate the war with the US amid rising economic pressure, The New York Times reported, and has set out demands to end the war, as Firstpost noted.678

The tanker attacks signal a dangerous new phase in the war, CNN reported. The US strikes on Iranian tankers and Iran's attacks on ships and the Jordan base represent a significant intensification of hostilities, with potential consequences for regional stability and global oil supplies.91

The United States launched 'large and powerful' strikes on Iran, and Iran retaliated by firing on its Gulf neighbors, including US bases in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The strikes come after a monthlong lull in direct exchanges, with the latest fighting centered on control of the Strait of Hormuz.1234

Iran's retaliation defied a warning from President Donald Trump that it could be hit 'much harder.' The US strikes were ordered near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments.24

The Institute for the Study of War provided an update on the conflict, indicating ongoing military developments. The Guardian reported that the US intensified attacks on Iran as Tehran hit back at Gulf states, reflecting the escalating nature of the confrontation.56

The United States has banned imports of some Canadian products, including motorcycles, dairy, and alcohol, as the North American trade war intensifies. The bans were announced after negotiations broke down, and additional tariffs are expected on items such as mattresses, motorboats, and golf carts.1234

Canadian Prime Minister Carney is doubling down on a pivot away from the United States, according to The New York Times. Analysts at The Washington Post suggest Canada could hurt Trump in the midterms with an 'elbows up' approach.56

The trade war is affecting markets, with Bombardier's stock dropping as the conflict intensifies. The Wall Street Journal reports that Trump signed orders to ban some Canadian products from the U.S. market.78

The Trump administration has proposed sweeping changes to the U.S. census that would reshape how political power is allocated, potentially excluding millions of immigrants from the count. The proposal, reported by multiple outlets, would alter who counts as living in America and what information is collected, with significant implications for voting maps and congressional representation.12345

The changes, described as a dramatic overhaul of the 2030 census, would drop a large swath of immigrants from the census count. This could lead to the exclusion of millions of people from the population totals used to apportion seats in Congress and draw electoral districts, according to Reuters and The Washington Post.32

The New Republic characterized the plan as one that would 'reshape all of Congress,' while Talking Points Memo published a draft rule indicating the changes seek to alter how political power is allocated. The proposal follows a court defeat for the administration, as noted in earlier coverage.46

Gloria Steinem, a leading figure in the American feminist movement and co-founder of Ms. Magazine, has died at the age of 92. Outlets across the political spectrum, including CNN, Fox News, and The Washington Post, reported her death on September 3, 2026.123

Steinem was widely described as an icon of American feminism and a potent voice for women's rights. Her work as a writer and activist helped shape the modern women's movement, and she was known for her role in founding Ms. Magazine, a landmark publication in feminist media.451