Target apologizes for ‘offensive’ Halloween costume after backlash

• Iran has issued warnings of a "harsh response" following expectations that the United States will impose new economic sanctions. • The Iranian government indicated that the consequences of these anticipated measures could extend to its neighboring countries.

• Turkey’s Justice Minister Akin Gurlek has issued a formal request regarding the detention of activists in international waters. • The legal action stems from an armed intervention targeting civilians who were attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

• Peter Koenig and Prof Michel Chossudovsky released a video on August 23, 2026, titled "The War Economy To the Detriment of Humanity." • The presentation argues that rising global defense spending is causing financial instability and the collapse of welfare states.

• On August 23, 2026, the Iranian parliament advanced legislative plans to implement service fees for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. • This development occurs amidst an ongoing broader conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, alongside continued Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.

• Iran's president has defended a memorandum of understanding with the U.S., claiming it represents the most effective path to resolve a stalled conflict. • In contrast, Iran's new security chief adopted a defiant tone on Sunday, warning neighboring nations against participating in new U.S. sanctions.

About 40% of £10bn from Affordable Homes Programme will now go on types of housing such as sheltered and shared ownershipAndy Burnham has backtracked on his proposal to rip up the government’s housing plans and boost social home building.Ministers laid out plans on Monday to spend an initial £10bn from the 10-year Affordable Homes Programme on a mix of subsidised housing types in England, in line with the Starmer government’s policy. Continue reading...

Justices’ ruling comes after lower courts had blocked president’s election order ahead of November midtermsDonald Trump’s administration can proceed with a nationwide crackdown on mail-in voting, the US supreme court has ruled, approving its emergency appeal.It remains unclear, however, how his administration can implement the decision in time for the midterm elections in November, and the ruling leaves room for legal challenges. Continue reading...

In Trump administration’s plan, California, Arizona and Nevada face about a 20% cut to water supply over two yearsNevada filed a federal lawsuit on Monday challenging the Trump administration’s new plan for the imperiled Colorado River, launching what could become the first of many court battles over the waterway that supplies 40 million people, dozens of tribes and 5.5m acres of farm land across the American west.The federal plan, issued Friday, cut roughly 20% from the water supplied to lower basin states – Nevada, Arizona and California – over the next two years, with a potential for harsher cutbacks in the future, based on conditions. Continue reading...

Commuters warned journey may take an extra 45 minutes as ‘limited’ buses replace north short trains. Follow today’s news liveGet 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 begin with a classic “commuter chaos” update: there are widespread train cancellations in Sydney this morning due to problems with overhead wiring at a major hub. Continue reading...

US Southern Command has struck another vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing two accused of trafficking drugsAfter a pause of more than two months, the US military announced Monday that it once again carried out a strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two people accused of trafficking drugs.It brings the overall death toll to 223 people killed in 67 strikes during the nearly year-long US campaign of bombing alleged drug boats off Latin America’s Caribbean coast and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. US Southern Command says the campaign has resulted in the destruction of 64 speedboats, three “low-profile” ships and a semisubmersible craft. Continue reading...

A day after suggesting other projects were more important to Victorians, Carroll has committed to pushing ahead on train lineGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Victorian premier, Ben Carroll, has made an about-face, committing to pushing ahead with the first stage of the Suburban Rail Loop while promising to reduce its total cost by about 6%.Carroll will on Tuesday announce changes to the scope of the first stage of the project, known as SRL East – a 26km stretch of tunnels between Cheltenham and Box Hill – estimated to save $1bn. Continue reading...