Far-right Republican accused of stiffing student debate champion of $8,000

• Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are escalating, with indicators suggesting a potential for serious confrontation by 2027. • China continues to provide diplomatic and economic support to Iran, though it shows little intention of becoming a direct military participant in the conflict.

• Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araghchi and other negotiators are reportedly open to making limited compromises with the United States. • On August 2, 2026, Artesh Spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia claimed Iran "fully exploited" a memorandum of understanding and ceasefire to import equipment and repair military systems.

• The Khmer Rouge maintained its seat at the United Nations despite committing genocide, illustrating how Cold War geopolitics often superseded humanitarian concerns. • Great powers prioritized strategic conflict and diplomatic maneuvering over international law, effectively using the Cambodian atrocity as a pawn in a larger geopolitical game.

• Thousands of migrants recently attempted to enter Europe by swimming and using makeshift flotation devices to cross the short distance into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta. • The crisis has produced harrowing images of people braving rough seas, highlighting the desperation of those attempting to migrate from Morocco into the European Union.

Trump ‘disappointed’ with US attorney amid reports he’s considering removing her from her postTrump’s reflecting pool saga: a timelineDonald Trump accused US attorney Jeanine Pirro of having “folded like an umbrella” amid reports that he was considering removing her from her post.Trump criticized Pirro on Monday after she dropped vandalism charges against a former Olympian accused of damaging the recently renovated Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. Trump nominated Pirro to serve as interim US attorney for the District of Columbia last year, and the Senate later confirmed her in August. Continue reading...

Celebrated writer, poet and novelist for young adults drew upon his sexuality and life on US southern border Benjamin Alire Sáenz, an award-winning fiction writer and poet who drew upon his sexuality and his life on the southern border, has died at age 71. He was the first Latino to win the PEN/Faulkner prize.Sáenz, who produced a story collection that won the PEN/Faulkner prize and a young adult novel that received acclaim from readers and reviewers and condemnation from censors, died on 28 July in El Paso, Texas, after a lengthy illness, according to a spokesperson for Simon & Schuster. Continue reading...

Andy Burnham will also delay release of thousands of prisoners across England and Wales a month, until OctoberRapists, child sexual abusers and groomers will be excluded from early release plans to ease critical prison overcrowding in a major intervention by Andy Burnham.The prime minister said on Tuesday that he will delay the planned early release of thousands of prisoners across England and Wales by a month until October. Continue reading...

Twenty-five states ask the US Court of International Trade to halt tariffs, calling them unlawful A coalition of 25 US states sued the Trump administration on Monday over new tariffs pegged at 10% to 12.5% on goods from 60 trading partners, calling them a pretext for replacing import taxes struck down by the supreme court in February.The states are asking the US Court of International Trade to halt the tariffs, declare them unlawful and order refunds of duties that have already been paid. Continue reading...

Republican congressman was investigated for untoward and inappropriate advances toward two female staffersThe US House of Representatives ethics committee on Monday recommended that Chuck Edwards, a Republican congressman, face censure after determining he “fostered a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment” by giving gifts and lavishing attention on two young female staffers.The bipartisan panel began investigating the second-term North Carolina congressman earlier this year, after receiving complaints about his conduct. In their report, they determined Edwards broke House rules by singling out the two unidentified aides for special treatment that made them uncomfortable and harmed relations with other employees. Continue reading...

Democrats say agreement – which clears way for Blanche’s confirmation – makes promises president can easily reverseA compromise between Todd Blanche and two Republican senators that potentially cleared the way for Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general is weak, Democrats and several experts said, as it makes promises Donald Trump can easily reverse.Blanche, the acting attorney general, posted two documents on Sunday evening showing he was withdrawing an 18 May order allowing for the creation of a $1.8bn weaponization fund and clarifying that broad tax immunity the justice department granted to Trump only applied retroactively to the president, his sons, and businesses. Continue reading...

Two men were arrested on Monday evening and one was charged over an alleged replica pistol. Follow today’s news live.Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGood morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it will be Nick Visser with the main action.We start with charges that have been laid overnight after a security scare and major police action at Sydney’s popular Moore Park entertainment precinct. More on that soon Continue reading...