Louisiana supreme court justice wins rare $300,000 defamation trial against newspaper

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Maxwell sought to vacate Epstein-related conviction, alleging hidden trial evidence and juror’s abuse historySign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailA federal judge has rejected Ghislaine Maxwell’s legal effort to throw out her 2021 conviction on sex-trafficking charges and 20-year prison sentence, calling her claims “demonstrably meritless, and generally based on speculation, distortions, and/or outright falsehoods”.In a 67-page decision filed on Tuesday, US district judge Paul Engelmayer for New York’s southern district denied the former British socialite’s petition for relief, finding that Maxwell had failed to make a substantial showing that her constitutional rights were denied when she was convicted for her role in crimes linked to late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Continue reading...

Oliver Blume faces workforce at German HQ as carmaker struggles against Chinese competition and US tariffsThe chief executive of Volkswagen has faced boos and whistles of protest at the company’s headquarters after telling thousands of workers that a comprehensive reorganisation, which could include job losses and factory closures, is vital for its future.As Oliver Blume urged more than 10,000 workers on Tuesday to “pull together”, saying drastic restructuring measures at the struggling manufacturer were essential, they held up banners and shouted slogans, including: “Our jobs are not your balance sheet adjustments”. Continue reading...

Regulations will require new sites to avoid pushing up power prices by building renewable energy plants and minimising water useGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPlanned datacentres around Australia may avoid strict new rules being proposed by Anthony Albanese if they can secure approvals in the coming months, amid growing calls growing for a moratorium.The prime minister is aiming to come to an agreement with national cabinet on federal regulations for datacentres at a meeting on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Footage shows senator on stage at the Church and State conference responding to question about party’s director James AshbyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne Nation’s Malcolm Roberts told a conference earlier this year that he was in “two minds” about whether gay people should have equal rights.In footage from June’s Church and State conference, released on Sunday, the senator can be seen responding to a question about James Ashby, the party’s director, who is gay. Continue reading...

Anthony Seldon’s book alleges Badenoch asked fellow Tory ministers ‘if anyone was interested in changing the captain’Kemi Badenoch plotted with fellow Conservative cabinet ministers to remove Rishi Sunak as prime minister months before the general election, it has been claimed.Anthony Seldon, who has written political biographies of every prime minister since John Major, has alleged in a new book that Badenoch, who was business secretary at the time, phoned several other cabinet ministers to ask “if anyone was interested in changing the captain”. Continue reading...

Multicultural Business Coalition sues New York City mayor, alleging plan for city-run stores will harm smaller grocersA New York City business group sued mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday over his plan to create five municipally owned grocery stores.The Multicultural Business Coalition, which says it represents hundreds of small supermarkets, filed two lawsuits in New York county supreme court on Monday, arguing that the plan violates the civil rights of smaller, immigrant- and minority-owned businesses. The group argues that smaller stores would be unable to match the discounts offered by the city grocery stores and “therefore, will be put out of business,” according to the lawsuits. Continue reading...

Philip Jerome, 49, repeatedly tried to contact the actor in the hope they would begin a relationship, court hearsA fan obsessed with Billie Piper has been jailed for 12 months after breaching a stalking prevention order.Philip Jerome, 49, had a sexual interest in the singer and actor and repeatedly tried to get in touch with her in the hope they would end up in a relationship, a court in Hampshire was told. Continue reading...