Key Takeaways
- Walmart (WMT) has officially ended its decade-long holdout against NFC technology, announcing that Tap to Pay with Google Pay will begin rolling out to select U.S. stores on August 24, 2026.
- A devastating Russian "double-tap" drone strike on a shopping mall in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, has killed at least 14 people and injured over 120, drawing a vow of retaliation from President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
- Iran and Iraq have reportedly signed a "comprehensive" security pact via state media, aimed at border stabilization and disarming militias as regional tensions with the U.S. persist.
- President Donald Trump is scheduled to award the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the Artemis II crew on August 28 at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Walmart Surrenders in "Tap to Pay" War
Retail giant Walmart (WMT) announced on Friday that it will finally support contactless NFC payments, including Google Pay (GOOGL), at its checkout terminals. The rollout is scheduled to begin this Monday, August 24, at select locations, with a nationwide expansion to all U.S. stores and Sam’s Club warehouses expected by the end of 2026.
This move marks a significant strategic shift for the world's largest retailer, which had previously forced customers to use its proprietary, QR-code-based Walmart Pay app. The company also confirmed that contactless support will extend to its fuel stations by mid-2027, allowing customers to use smartwatches, phones, and contactless cards for all transactions.
Fatal Drone Attack on Ukrainian Shopping Centre
In a major escalation of aerial warfare, Russian drones targeted a crowded shopping mall in Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The attack utilized a "double-tap" tactic, where a second strike hit the location roughly 30 minutes after the first to target emergency responders.
President Zelenskiy condemned the act as "absolutely cynical and despicable," confirming that 22 children were among the injured. He stated that Ukraine "will definitely respond" to the strike, which occurred as the war approaches its 4.5-year mark and follows a series of heavy ballistic missile attacks on the capital, Kyiv.
Iran and Iraq Formalize Security Alliance
Tehran and Baghdad have signed a comprehensive security pact, according to Iranian state television. The agreement focuses on securing the 1,450-kilometer border and addresses the presence of armed groups that have long been a source of friction between the two nations and the United States.
The pact comes at a critical time as Iraq faces a September 30 deadline to disarm Iran-backed militias, a condition previously discussed with the Trump administration. Iranian officials characterized the deal as a move toward regional "economic resilience" in the face of what they termed "unjust" financial sanctions from the U.S. Treasury.
Trump to Honor Artemis II Moon Crew
NASA (NASA) announced that President Donald Trump will present the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission on August 28, 2026. The ceremony will take place at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, recognizing the crew's historic 10-day journey around the Moon completed in April.
The crew—consisting of NASA's Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and the CSA's Jeremy Hansen—were the first humans to travel beyond the Moon in over 50 years. This award is the highest honor for astronauts; only 30 individuals have received it since its inception in 1969.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.