Trump-backed Byron Donalds wins Republican primary in race to succeed Florida governor DeSantis

• Tensions remain high across the Middle East as the conflict between Iran, the United States, and their respective regional allies remains unresolved. • Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran has not yet made a decision regarding the resumption of formal negotiations with Washington.

• Tensions are escalating in the Middle East as Iran threatens a new offensive following the expiration of its Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S., while the U.N. warns of an "alarming" surge in violence due to increased Israeli attacks on Lebanon. • Diplomatic efforts continue as Jared Kushner and Benjamin Netanyahu discuss a U.S.-backed 15-point plan for Gaza, though internal Israeli friction persists with Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir demanding a "kill quota."

• UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported an alarming intensification of violence in southern Lebanon over the weekend of August 16-17, 2026. • The surge in hostilities has resulted in significant civilian casualties on the Lebanese side, according to humanitarian and peacekeeping officials.

• Global oil markets are shifting their expectations to account for a potentially prolonged crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, rather than a brief geopolitical shock. • Analysts are evaluating whether persistent disruptions in this critical shipping lane could sustain elevated oil prices through 2027.

• Following a January 2026 attack on Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro, Donald Trump has announced plans for military intervention in Mexico. • The report, authored by Prof Michel Chossudovsky on August 18, 2026, alleges a connection between Trump's policies and drug cartel activities.

• The author argues that the policy of isolating the Taliban has failed, resulting in severe humanitarian crises and increased security risks. • A proposed "pragmatic engagement" framework suggests opening diplomatic channels to address urgent stability and human rights issues without granting formal recognition.

Effects of global heating in NT worsened by ‘dangerous and fire-promoting buffel grass’, expert saysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFire authorities have warned large parts of the Northern Territory are facing heightened fire danger throughout spring, with above average fuel loads leaving much of the territory vulnerable.Low soil moisture has also led to elevated fire risk for parts of New South Wales, including some areas that were badly burned during the black summer fires, and south-east Queensland as an El Niño system continues to strengthen in the country’s south-east. Continue reading...

Nixon bested Alexander Vindman to win Democratic nomination and now faces Republican Ashley Moody in NovemberIn an upset for the Democratic establishment, progressive Angie Nixon won the party’s US Senate primary in Florida, beating former army intelligence officer Alexander Vindman.Nixon, a state representative and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, had significantly less funding going into the primary – with $975,000 to Vindman’s $16.3m at the end of July, according to Florida Politics. Continue reading...

Victorian court of appeal to consider whether triple murder and attempted murder guilty verdicts should be quashedGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWelcome to our live coverage of Erin Patterson’s appeals.It’s been more than a year since a Victorian jury found Patterson guilty of murdering three of her estranged husband’s elderly relatives and attempting to murder a fourth. Continue reading...

Democratic senator intensifies White House feud after remarks about ‘Natalie’ drew ire of president and alliesDemocratic senator Jon Ossoff called Donald Trump a “draft-dodging, crook president” while defending senator Mark Kelly as a hero during a Tuesday campaign appearance in Georgia, escalating his public feud with the US president.“I don’t think anything illustrates the times more aptly than that the draft-dodging, crook president, who has plunged our nation recklessly into a war he knows not how to end or to win, tried to imprison this man, who embodies American heroism,” Ossoff said while appearing alongside Kelly and his wife, the former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Continue reading...

Police report shows Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were at Greenville, South Carolina, residenceHayden Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were at the South Carolina apartment where the actor died over the weekend, according to a police report released on Tuesday.A Greenville police officer who responded to the residence on Sunday afternoon was met by the brothers and then observed paramedics performing CPR on an unresponsive woman, the report states. Continue reading...