• Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced Tehran's readiness to establish joint security arrangements with neighboring countries.
• The announcement comes as the conflict with the United States reached the six-month mark on Friday.
• Pezeshkian emphasized that these diplomatic outreach efforts are based on Iran's "experience of war" rather than a position of weakness.
• Iran has vowed to resist U.S. sanctions as the conflict involving the United States and Israel passes the six-month mark.
• Despite U.S. blockades of Iranian ports and significant disruptions to ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, neither side shows signs of backing down.
• China continues to access Iranian crude oil via Central Asian highways and railways, mitigating the impact of the maritime blockade.
• On August 28, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to Norway following the passing of King Harald V.
• PM Modi specifically highlighted the "warmth" of the late monarch, reflecting on the positive relationship between the two leaders.
• This diplomatic gesture underscores the importance of India's bilateral ties and mutual respect with Norway.
• Federal Reserve official Kevin Warsh is preparing to speak at the influential Jackson Hole conference amid rising concerns over inflation.
• The event is critical for financial markets as Fed governors typically use the platform to signal future shifts in monetary policy.
• Deutsche Bank economists suggest Warsh's address may focus on "big-picture" topics, including the Fed's internal taskforces or the economic implications of AI.
• Massive flash floods in central Nepal have resulted in numerous deaths and left over 750 people missing, including 133 Indian nationals.
• Indian authorities report that at least 290 Indian citizens currently remain "uncontactable" following the deluge.
• Both Nepal and China have issued warnings regarding fresh flood risks, indicating that the region remains under significant threat.
• Asian markets traded quietly on Thursday, August 27, 2026, as investors awaited a Friday speech by Warsh at Jackson Hole.
• The Bank of Korea raised its policy rate to 3.00% from 2.75%, marking the second consecutive rate hike for the institution.
• Nvidia reported strong Q2 fiscal 2027 results, with CFO Colette Kress projecting fiscal 2028 revenue growth of approximately 70%, significantly exceeding the 44% analyst forecast.
• Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium this Friday morning.
• Financial markets are closely monitoring the speech for specific assurances regarding inflation control, the Fed's balance sheet, and ongoing Treasury market turmoil.
• The event is critical as investors seek clarity on the central bank's strategy to stabilize the economy and manage volatility in government securities.
• CIA Director John Ratcliffe reportedly warned Russia against attacking NATO member countries during a recent diplomatic visit to Moscow.
• The Kremlin has dismissed these reports as "scare stories," while the Pentagon policy chief prepares for an upcoming meeting with the NATO secretary general.
• Separately, House Judiciary Committee Democrats have requested records from Omeed Malik and Christopher Buskirk regarding their firm's investments and government communications.
Kremlin dismisses US media reports after meeting as ‘scare stories’, as Pentagon policy chief prepares to meet Nato secretary generalHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.A trip by the CIA director to Moscow this week was to warn Russia against any attack on Nato member states, US media reported, after Donald Trump attempted to downplay the visit.Two dozen mainly Democratic‑led states filed a fresh lawsuit to block Donald Trump’s executive order restricting mail voting in this year’s midterm elections.Lawyers for Lisa Cook wrote to the White House on Wednesday, rejecting a new attempt to force the Federal Reserve governor to resign for allegedly listing two properties as her primary residence on mortgage applications. The letter goes on to detail the numerous other individuals who have made the same mistake on mortgage forms, starting with Trump.The chief spokesperson for the US Secret Service and two other communications staffers are under investigation for “potential misconduct” and have been suspended, according to the agency and media reports.A geography professor alleges in a lawsuit filed this week in federal court in Manhattan that he was fired from his tenured position at the US Military Academy at West Point “because he taught that humans influenced climate change”.The US army announced on Wednesday that it has awarded to $2.2bn to five contractors “to own, construct and operate nuclear microreactors on military installations” in five states. Continue reading...
• Six months into the conflict between the US and Iran, reports indicate that Donald Trump's original strategic goals remain unfinished.
• Iranian Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf has criticized those avoiding negotiations with the enemy, warning that labeling diplomatic achievements as "betrayal" is a form of comfort-seeking.
• Ghalibaf emphasized that loyalty to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei requires maintaining national unity and avoiding political polarization to prevent adversaries from creating internal divisions.
At least 160 people have died, while officials believe 340 foreign nationals from India, the US, UK, Australia, Malaysia and Ukraine among those missing. Follow the latest newsFlash floods on Nepal-Tibet border leave scores dead and hundreds missingTell us: have you been affected by the flash floods?Authorities in Nepal and Tibet have said they fear the death toll from catastrophic flooding could be much higher than 160 people already killed, as search and rescue efforts to locate the hundreds missing continue.A huge wall of mud and rock collapsed into a river on the Himalayan border of Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday, triggering the flash flood which washed away houses, roads and border crossings.Rescue teams are rushing on Thursday to find hundreds of people missing after the flood and landslides killed at least 160 people. Many of the missing were foreign tourists, officials said.Nepali police said they had recovered 157 bodies after “devastating floods”, with officers working to move families in flood-risk areas to safety. Chinese state media reported “major casualties” from a mudslide at a Tibet border hub, reporting three dead and another 265 missing. The overall death toll appears likely to rise.Tibet government officials mobilised nearly 800 emergency workers and 150 vehicles as well as sniffer dogs and speed boats to help the rescue efforts, China’s official Xinhua news agency said.At least 403 tourists – 341 of them foreigners – were unaccounted for several hours after the disaster struck on Wednesday morning, according to Nepal’s tourism ministry. The missing foreigners included 142 Indians, 33 from the UK, 47 from the US, 34 from Australia and 24 from Canada as well as others from South Korea, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Portugal and South Africa, the tourism board said. Nine South Koreans were missing, the country’s foreign ministry said.At least 28 Nepal police officials were missing, a police spokesperson said.Entire villages and markets were “wiped out”, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said. It was dispatching emergency supplies including blankets, first aid kits, stretchers and body bags.United Nations chief António Guterres said UN teams and partners were mobilising supplies and personnel in Nepal to support affected communities.Surveillance video from the Chinese side of the border showed a raging wall of mud and debris crashing over a building several storeys high, engulfing it as dozens of people flee for their lives below. The surge sweeps away buses and cars.Experts warned that a lingering blockage upstream on the Nepal-China border river could produce a second flood.The cause of the flooding was not immediately clear. Nepalese foreign minister Shishir Khanal said an earthquake likely triggered a landslide, which in turn blocked a river, sending water gushing downstream. Nepal’s disaster authority said satellite data indicated a “snow-rock landslide” on the Nepal-China border may have caused the flood. Scientists say climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the region.Chinese leader Xi Jinping said “the most urgent task is doing everything possible to search for and rescue the missing people”, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.The US Geological Survey first reported a magnitude-4.4 earthquake early on Wednesday, about 66km (41 miles) north of Kathmandu, near the border. It later updated to call the shaking a 5.2-magnitude landslide. Continue reading...
• Canada announced on August 25, 2026, that it will impose retaliatory tariffs on $20 billion worth of U.S. goods.
• The decision follows a significant deterioration in diplomatic relations between U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
• This escalation marks a critical turning point in trade tensions between the two North American neighbors, potentially disrupting cross-border supply chains.
• Canada has announced 50% retaliatory tariffs on hundreds of U.S. goods following a trade escalation with the United States.
• The decision follows public criticism from President Trump, who described Canada as the "most difficult" nation he currently deals with.
• This move marks a significant intensification of the trade war, threatening economic stability and bilateral relations between the two North American neighbors.
• President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 50% tariff on Canadian vehicles, trucks, steel, and auto parts starting January 1, 2027.
• This escalation in the trade war targets key industrial exports from Canada, potentially disrupting North American supply chains and automotive trade.
• Separately, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is facing internal party backlash following a reported meeting with the president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
• Sunny Deol's film "Batwara 1947" has officially crossed the ₹50 crore mark in worldwide box office collections as of August 23, 2026.
• The milestone was achieved on the movie's 10th day of release, demonstrating steady performance in the global market.
• This achievement highlights the commercial viability of the film and Sunny Deol's continued draw for audiences.
• Iran has announced that vessels from "authorised" countries passing through the Strait of Hormuz will now be required to pay transit fees to Tehran for services provided.
• The move targets ships utilizing the strategically critical waterway, though the specific list of authorized nations and the fee structure have not been detailed.
• This development increases geopolitical tension in a region already volatile due to ongoing friction between the US and Iran, potentially impacting global shipping costs.
• Iran's president has declared a victory in its conflict with the U.S., while Vice President JD Vance emphasized that economic pressure remains the most effective tool for the United States.
• Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi recently briefed Egypt's foreign minister on regional developments and efforts to return to diplomatic tracks, including negotiations via Oman.
• Discussions focused on de-escalation and the potential implementation of a memorandum of understanding signed between the U.S. and Iran on June 18.
• Iran's president declared victory on Friday, claiming the world has approved the country's success following a conflict launched by the U.S. and Israel on Feb. 28.
• Official Shahram stated that Iran increased weapons production and relocated key military assets and facilities to protect them during the hostilities.
• The Iranian defense industry reportedly shifted from reverse-engineering foreign technology to developing its own domestic weapon systems.
• North Korea has reportedly deployed a 400-strong drone unit to support Russia in the ongoing war against Ukraine.
• The deployment, reported on August 21, 2026, marks a significant escalation in military cooperation between Vladimir Putin and Pyongyang.
• This move matters as it introduces specialized foreign technical capabilities to the Russian front, potentially altering the tactical landscape of drone warfare.
• JD Vance stated that the U.S. is entering a "new phase" of economic pressure against Iran, while Iran dismissed Donald Trump's threat of an "economic D-Day" as a repetition of failed policies.
• In a separate diplomatic development, Canada and six European nations condemned a contentious Israeli settlement project located near Jerusalem.
• The international community warns that this specific settlement expansion could effectively split the occupied West Bank in two, further destabilizing the region.
• Iran's foreign minister stated that Tehran is not interested in a temporary ceasefire, insisting instead on a comprehensive deal to fully end the war.
• This stance follows comments from Donald Trump, who downplayed hopes for a deal by noting that there is currently no dialogue occurring.
• Meanwhile, Canada's secretary of state for international development, Randeep Sarai, visited Lebanon to announce new humanitarian aid for the crisis-hit nation.
• Iran and the United States are engaged in an evolving military and political standoff centered on the control and accessibility of the Strait of Hormuz.
• Tehran has explicitly linked the full reopening of the strategic maritime corridor to the United States lifting sanctions and altering its broader approach toward Iran.
• This escalation highlights a growing regional conflict, with Iranian officials emphasizing "global resistance" and regional unity to counter Washington's influence.
• 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.
• Despite the diplomatic stalemate, Qatar and Pakistan are actively facilitating communication by exchanging messages with the Iranian government.
Dozens of non-profit groups urge Labor not to limit work rights for temporary migrants. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastJoyce says One Nation are ‘not homophobes’, but won’t be seen at Mardi GrasOne Nation leader Barnaby Joyce says his party are not homophobes, but will absolutely not attend a Mardi Gras event.Everybody’s trying to make us as a pack of homophobes, which we’re not. It’s just ridiculous. And we’re not racist, we’re not homophobes, but we always get these tropes thrown at us …You can absolutely bet I would not go to the Mardi Gras. But that’s my business, and we just want you to live your own life.This is not the Australia we want to be and it is not the answer to the growing challenges facing our community. Continue reading...
• Sunny Deol's film "Batwara 1947" experienced a sharp increase in box office collections on its second day of release, August 15, 2026.
• The movie is currently performing strongly and is aiming to reach a significant revenue milestone of ₹30 crore.
• This surge in earnings highlights the film's initial commercial success and strong audience draw during its opening weekend.
• On August 16, 2026, Moscow's chief economist warned that Russia may be unable to secure a victory in its prolonged war of attrition against Ukraine.
• The warning highlights critical economic or strategic vulnerabilities that could undermine Russia's long-term ability to sustain military operations.
• This assessment is significant as it suggests a potential shift in the internal economic outlook of the Kremlin regarding the conflict's sustainability.
• MSCI has updated its Standard Index, adding Laurus Labs, Lenskart, Adani Energy Solutions, and Groww, while removing Astral, SBI Cards, and Balkrishna Industries.
• Thyrocare Technologies announced that its promoter released a pledge on 1.75 crore shares (approximately 11% of equity) on August 11, signaling improved balance-sheet strength.
• Market sentiment remains positive as US corporate earnings have exceeded expectations, bolstering confidence in the broader global market outlook.
In France, 80 departments have been placed on an orange heat warningWell, that was quick.Straight off the back of the solar eclipse last night, we’re heading into a solar inferno as extreme heat returns today, with temperatures above 40C in parts of Spain and up to 38C in London and Paris. Continue reading...
Parts of country face fifth heatwave of the summer with highs of 38C forecast this week Parts of the UK will face the fifth heatwave of the summer this week with temperatures forecast to reach highs of 38C, prompting the Met Office to issue an amber weather warning for extreme heat.The record-shattering heatwave has caused wildfires and drought in many parts of the country, with this summer on course to be the UK’s hottest since records began, according to the Met Office. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said firefighters have responded to 966 wildfires across England and Wales this year, including 185 in the first 10 days of August alone. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) general secretary, Steve Wright, told Times Radio the country faces a national emergency “right now”, with wildfires seen “all across” the UK. Continue reading...
• Oil prices have climbed following Iran's signal that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed despite a potential management agreement with Oman.
• Iran stated that reopening the vital waterway is contingent upon the United States meeting a specific list of conditions.
• The situation is critical as the Strait of Hormuz is a primary global transit point for oil, and continued closure threatens global energy stability.