El-Sayed pushes to keep affordability message focus amid scrutiny from both sides

• On Monday, August 24, 2026, the United States announced a new series of sanctions targeting Iran amid escalating tensions. • The measures are part of a broader strategic effort involving the US and Israel to curb Iranian activities and influence in the region.

• Iran has condemned upcoming U.S. sanctions as the Trump administration prepares for a major escalation termed "Economic D-Day." • In the Middle East, Israel continues attacks on Gaza resulting in child casualties, while U.S.-brokered talks between Syria and Israel occur amid ongoing strikes.

• China has formally criticized new U.S. sanctions against Iran, with foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian warning that the measures will intensify tensions and create "spillover risks." • In response to the sanctions, Iran has declared it is "fully prepared" to retaliate and counter the U.S. actions.

• Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan have established the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement 2026, creating a new collective-defence framework among the three nations. • The pact focuses on enhancing defence diplomacy, maritime security, and collective security measures to stabilize West Asian geopolitics.

• Prof Michel Chossudovsky and Drago Bosnic released a video on August 24, 2026, discussing a Medical Professionals Report submitted to the U.S. Congress regarding President Trump. • The report claims that the President presents a "clear and present danger" to both the United States and the global community.

Lawyer Baltasar Garzón, representing Cox, said case against his client is ‘very strange’ as US requests extraditionFBI agents raided the Ibiza, Spain, vacation rental of 41-year-old James “Fergie” Chambers, a US citizen and wealthy donor to leftwing and humanitarian projects worldwide, in the days following his arrest last month, the Guardian has learned.Baltasar Garzón, a human rights lawyer representing Chambers, revealed the details in an exclusive interview. Chambers is wanted for extradition by the Trump administration for alleged financial support of Hamas, as well as other charges. Continue reading...

US president’s lawyers in court filing say Washington arts complex must undergo repairs or risk demolitionThe John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts could be demolished if repairs are not carried out, Donald Trump’s administration warned in a court filing on Monday.Lawyers for the US president said the national arts complex in Washington DC must undergo a $250m renovation or risk facing the wrecking ball. Continue reading...

Woman and her son, who was allegedly punched, were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries on Tuesday. Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGood morning, and happy Wednesday. It’s Nick Visser here to get the morning news off to a start, with a bit of melancholy as we remember the unmatched Dolly Parton. Let’s get to it. Continue reading...

Cristy Maryori Villafranca-Trejo, deported to Honduras, is latest military spouse to face removal amid Trump 2.0The wife of an active-duty US soldier was deported on Monday to her native Honduras, according to her family and the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS).Cristy Maryori Villafranca-Trejo is at least the seventh spouse or parent of an active-duty US soldier to be deported under the immigration crackdown during Donald Trump’s second presidency. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Nearly 100 Labour MPs support commission on changing the system used for Westminster electionWhy do some Labour MPs want electoral reform and will it happen?Andy Burnham will face an immediate test of his backing for electoral reform in his first week in parliament as prime minister, with almost 100 Labour MPs supporting a bid for a new national commission.Burnham, a longtime advocate of electoral reform, will be asked to support the new commission into ditching first past the post in his first 100 days as prime minister. Continue reading...

Lily Tomlin, Jamie Lee Curtis, Bernie Sanders and Kacey Musgraves are among those remembering the queen of country after she died aged 80Alexis Petridis on Dolly Parton’s peerless career which turned country music cliches inside outDolly Parton – a life in picturesCountry music legend Dolly Parton dies aged 80 – latest updatesTributes have poured in for Dolly Parton, a country singer and actor, after her death aged 80.News of her death was shared by her nephew on social media. “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus,” he said. Continue reading...