U.S.-Canada Trade War, TikTok Settlement & Robot Olympics - Monday, August 24, 2026

**Erica Mandy** (0:00)
Today is Monday, August 24th. We'll tell you about the US gearing up for both a trade war and new economic battles in a physical war, how both could impact everyday Americans. Also, where a new wildfire has forced tens of thousands of people out of their home and what may have sparked it. Plus another break in at an NFL star's home, one of the largest settlements over children's privacy and highlights from the so-called Robot Olympics. Those stories and even more news to know next.
Welcome to The NewsWorthy, all the day's news in less than 15 minutes. I'm Erica Mandy. Thanks so much for being here. Let's do this.
It seems the US and longtime ally Canada are falling deeper into a trade war. Talks between the close economic partners fell apart at the 11th hour. And with that, the US imposed 50 percent tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. The list is pretty wide ranging. We're talking everything from wine and honey, to furniture, clothing, cement, and even hockey sticks and tongue depressors. And Canada is fighting back. Starting next month, Canada is set to impose dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs targeting American goods like steel, aluminum, cars, electronics, and appliances. Before this past weekend, the two sides had actually seemed to be making progress. But trade talks apparently collapsed and both sides are blaming each other. Canada rejected what it called last-minute changes to the proposed agreement from the US. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the Trump administration's demands were unfair and would undermine Canada's economic interests. The Trump administration, though, says Canada walked away from a deal that would have been better than what's been offered to any other trading partner.
Either way, this isn't just about the two countries putting tariffs on each other. It could also mean higher prices and more uncertainty for people and businesses on both sides of the border. Stay tuned.
The US is preparing to hit Iran with what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is calling the toughest sanctions in history. Bessent says the goal is to economically isolate Iran to the point that its government collapses. The full details are expected to come out today, but Iran is already pushing back. Iran's foreign minister called the threat a sign of US desperation and said new sanctions will fail, and Iran's new top security official is warning neighboring countries not to help the US. He says if they join the economic pressure campaign, Iran could target their interests and even more oil shipping routes, besides just the straight-a-four moves. And if that happens, oil and gas could once again become more expensive worldwide. The big question now is whether more economic pressure will push Iran toward a deal or whether it could trigger even more escalation. And there are still diplomatic efforts underway with Egypt trying to revive U.S.-Iran negotiations and Pakistan's army chief expected to visit Iran today. To be continued.
Two Phoenix police officers have now been fired and arrested over a violent traffic stop. It apparently happened earlier this month when the officers pulled over a couple at around 1130 at night. Investigators say the officers punched the man, handcuffed the woman, and used a taser on both of them. The couple also says one of the officers pulled a gun and threatened to shoot them.
The man eventually got away and drove off without his girlfriend, but his car broke down in Tempe where he told other police his story of what happened. At first, a Tempe officer thought the couple had been attacked by people impersonating police because what he described was so far outside what he expected from actual officers. But eventually, police figured out who was really behind it. The woman says after the man escaped, the suspects removed her handcuffs warning, quote, We know where you live now. She walked home. The two officers accused of this crime did not activate their body cameras and they didn't report the traffic stop as required. And the police chief says there's even more egregious behavior that's been uncovered. They're now facing charges including aggravated assault, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, threatening and intimidating and tampering with evidence. One big question hanging over all of this is, why did they stop the couple in the first place? The couple says they were never told. And authorities say they haven't determined a motive, but they don't believe the officers knew the victims. So the investigation is not over. Phoenix police also say they're also looking to whether anyone else was involved and whether there could be broader systemic concerns inside the department.
Nearly 90,000 people have been told to evacuate around Reno, Nevada, as a fast moving wildfire closes in on neighborhoods. The Hawk fire has exploded since it started Saturday, growing to more than 23 square miles yesterday. The fire has been moving so quickly because of strong shifting winds, low humidity and dry brush. So it's really been burning out of control, even jumping over fire trucks. At least six people have been hurt, including three first responders, and several homes have been destroyed. Two hospitals have had to evacuate patients, and authorities are preparing to evacuate a county jail if necessary. The evacuation zone has also reached the edge of the University of Nevada, Reno, where students just moved into their housing over the weekend. Investigators say the fire was human caused, but they're still investigating exactly how it started and whether or not it was on purpose. For now, the investigation continues.