Leaderboard

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at renaming Lake Ontario as “Lake America”, adding a further flashpoint to a deepening trade dispute with Canada. The decision follows the breakdown of US-Canada trade talks late last week. The US then imposed new 50% tariffs on C$28bn ($20bn) worth of Canadian goods, while Canada said it will respond with “dollar for dollar” counter-tariffs next month. Trump had previously warned on social media that he would seek to change the name of the lake, one of the five Great Lakes shared by the two countries. On Thursday, he said the order was “official, effective immediately” and that his administration had completed the paperwork needed to carry out the change. US Department To Update Geographic Name RecordsIn the order, Trump directed the US Department of the Interior to update the Geographic Names Information Service, the official repository of domestic geographic names in the United States, to reflect the new name. He argued that the lake’s renaming was not intended as a direct message to Canada, but said the country had “been ripping us off for a long time on trade”. Speaking as he signed the order in the Oval Office, Trump said he had been considering the change “for a long time” and drew a comparison with other US geographic name changes, saying there was a “gulf” and a “lake”, before suggesting that the Atlantic or Pacific could also be renamed. There is no single internationally recognised body that sets official names for international waters. The order therefore concerns how the US officially recognises a place within its own geographic records, rather than creating a global naming authority to compel other states. Canada Says Lake Ontario Will RemainCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the name Lake Ontario can be traced back more than 400 years. In a post on Thursday, he pointed to its use before the formation of the Canadian Confederation and the US Declaration of Independence. Carney wrote that Canada recognises the lake as Lake Ontario “today and forever”, adding that the United States was “changing” in areas including trade relations, foreign policy and national monuments. Canada’s response also included reference to long-standing naming origins across the Great Lakes region. Names of four lakes — Ontario, Huron, Michigan and Erie — come from indigenous words, while Lake Superior was named after an anglicised French term. Lake Ontario, the smallest of the Great Lakes, borders the Canadian province of Ontario and the US state of New York. Earlier this week, Canadian Industry Minister Melanie Joly rejected the notion that Canada would adopt the US change, saying: “We’ll always call it Lake Ontario.” Officials have also previously argued that one country’s decisions do not oblige others to follow. Past US Name Changes And Mexico DisputeTrump’s latest executive order follows a similar move during his first term beginning in 2025. At that time, he signed an order changing the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Mexico rejected the change, saying a single country cannot rename a shared body of international water. That renaming dispute also affected how the gulf is shown on maps. In the earlier case, Google Maps displayed “Gulf of America” for users in the US, while users in Mexico saw “Gulf of Mexico”. For other countries, the listing included both names in a combined format. The Lake Ontario order comes amid US-Canada relations deteriorating to new lows, with both sides trading insults during the dispute over tariffs and trade conditions over the past week. On Friday night, talks collapsed at the last moment, with both sides accusing the other of pushing for last-minute changes to a tentative deal. There was, however, a sign on Thursday that there could be room for renewed negotiation. Canadian US trade minister Dominic LeBlanc said in a post on X that the US had withdrawn some demands around labelling requirements in French, and that measures to promote French language and Canadian culture would not be subject to future US trade actions. He said Canada looked forward to further clarifications that could enable a mutually beneficial agreement reflecting Canadian sovereignty. Join the discussion? 28 August 2026

The US administration has been ordered to stop construction on a $400m (£297m) ballroom at the White House, after a federal appeals court upheld a legal injunction that said the work cannot proceed without authorisation from Congress. The ruling, delivered on Friday by a three-judge panel in a 2-1 decision, marks another setback for President Donald Trump’s bid to reshape parts of the presidential residence. The court also gave the administration a 14-day window to ask the Supreme Court to review the decision. Injunction Bars Above-Ground WorkThe case was brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation after the administration removed the East Wing last year to start the project. The appeals court maintained a preliminary injunction won by the group, which blocked above-ground construction while allowing other work to continue. In its majority opinion, the panel said the question of whether a large ballroom should be built is one for Congress, not for the executive branch to determine through “self-help”. The judges added that Congress had not granted the president broad, unrestricted power to redesign and reconstruct the White House to suit a specific administration. The court said the presidential residence and its executive accommodation are intended for use by successive presidents and for the public. The opinion stated that each president is a “temporary tenant” of the White House rather than its owner. It also concluded that the executive does not have constitutionally assigned authority over the property in the way the administration planned. Construction Authority and TimingThe administration sought to overturn earlier rulings after a federal judge twice prevented above-ground activity on the ballroom, while permitting underground work to continue. On Friday, the appeals court confirmed that blocking order, while pausing its own implementation for 14 days so the government could pursue a Supreme Court appeal. The BBC said it contacted the White House and the Department of Justice for comment. Trump, who has repeatedly promoted the ballroom project since unveiling plans, reacted strongly on social media, calling the court decision “horrendous” and claiming it was politically motivated. He said the dissenting judge described the order as a “blatant abuse of discretion”. Trump Cites Security and Plans AppealTrump also argued that the military and the Secret Service regarded the ruling as a national security threat, and said the decision should be overturned by the Supreme Court in full. He repeated that the ballroom would be delivered on an accelerated timetable and within budget. Trump said it would be funded by a coalition of private donors as a gift to the American people, while also arguing that the project is needed for “grand parties” and state visits. At the same time, Republicans have sought to draw on part of a $1bn (£740m) pot of taxpayer money for Secret Service security upgrades. A budget watchdog had dismissed that plan in May. Government lawyers have said the project includes a security complex below ground and additional measures intended to protect the White House from threats such as drones, ballistic missiles, biohazards and other hazards. Trump said the construction would involve bomb shelters, hospital and medical facilities and “top secret” military infrastructure. Graphic courtesy of BBC The preservation group argued that the move to “disturb” the White House was not justified and that having a ballroom was not a national security emergency. It said there was no basis to proceed with work that would alter the historic property. The appeals court majority said its decision did not assess whether the proposed ballroom is desirable, or whether it could be built eventually. Instead, it said the administration may not proceed during the ongoing litigation unless it secures authorisation from Congress. After the ruling, Brent Leggs, president and chief executive of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said no above-ground construction could take place “unless and until” Congress acts, calling the White House an irreplaceable monument. Join the discussion? 8 August 2026

British right-wing commentator Milo Yiannopoulos has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to entries in the agency’s records. The 41-year-old former Breitbart News editor and former employee of rapper Kanye West is listed in an ICE inmate registry search as being held in Louisiana, the records indicate. ICE and Yiannopoulos have not responded to requests for comment from the BBC, and the circumstances of the detention were unclear. His name and British nationality appear in a search of detainees across the United States. Where Yiannopoulos Is ListedYiannopoulos, who has been living in the United States, appears under the agency’s records with British origins. The reference to his detention comes from an online search of the ICE inmate registry, which shows his location in Louisiana. No additional details about the reasons for detention were given in the records, and neither ICE nor Yiannopoulos has provided an explanation. Trump Campaign Booster, Later Break From MovementYiannopoulos grew up in Kent in southern England before moving to the US. He was an early supporter of Donald Trump during the 2016 election campaign and took part in an event called Gays for Trump during the Republican National Convention that year. After moving away from parts of Trump’s political movement, Yiannopoulos continued to support the Republican president’s agenda. Last year, he posted on X calling for “Total legal immunity for ICE agents when they’re on duty”. In March this year, he wrote on X that Trump “has lost his way, bought off by foreign interests”. Criticism Over Comments And Self-Described IdentityYiannopoulos has repeatedly attracted controversy for his remarks about transgender people, Muslims, Black Lives Matter, feminists and gay people, despite identifying as gay. He now describes himself as an “ex-gay”. His writing has included provocative column titles such as “Birth Control Makes Women Unattractive and Crazy” and “Would You Rather Your Child Had Feminism or Cancer?” He has also presented himself as a provocateur, calling himself the “most fabulous supervillain on the internet”. Critics have described him as promoting hate speech. CPAC Uninvited After Footage, Then ResignationIn 2017, Yiannopoulos was uninvited from speaking at CPAC, a US conservative conference that also hosted Trump, after footage emerged in which he appeared to condone paedophilia. Yiannopoulos later apologised and resigned from Breitbart. He denied the allegations, saying he had been speaking about his own experiences as a child. He has also been regularly linked with the alt-right, a loose movement known for opposing political correctness and feminism and associated by critics and analysts with neo-Nazis and white supremacists. Yiannopoulos has said he does not see himself as part of the alt-right, although he has described it as “energising and exciting”. Join the discussion? 29 August 2026

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has moved ahead of California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in early prediction-market odds for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, according to data on Polymarket. As of Wednesday, Ocasio-Cortez had an 18% chance of winning the Democratic nomination on Polymarket. Newsom was listed at 17%, leaving Ocasio-Cortez narrowly in front. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) ranked third in the same market at about 16%, the data showed. The figures represent odds being offered and traded by participants as the race begins to take shape, rather than any official nomination process. Focus after announcement on egg freezingOcasio-Cortez’s position in the market came as she drew heightened attention this week following her decision to freeze her eggs. She has also posted updates about the process on her social media accounts, which, according to the report, drew mixed reactions. That publicity has led to increased visibility for her among voters and observers, but it has not changed the underlying point that the prediction-market odds are based on traders’ expectations. Different markets show different favouritesWhile Ocasio-Cortez held the lead on Polymarket, traders on Kalshi still ranked Newsom as the favourite. The two platforms are tracking sentiment in separate sets of trades, and the early odds therefore do not match across the markets. The split underscores that prediction markets can vary depending on who is trading, the pricing mechanisms used, and how quickly new information is reflected in each platform’s odds. The early numbers, regardless of which candidate leads on a given site, are not formal polling and should not be treated as a direct guide to who is more likely to ultimately seek the nomination. Prediction-market prices can change as campaigns, fundraising and public statements evolve over time. Join the discussion? 13 August 2026

President Trump said on Wednesday evening that the United States would launch what he called the “most crushing economic operation” against Iran, as negotiations continue aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route that has been largely shut since early March. In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the move as economic warfare and isolation on an “unprecedented” scale. He said the US would impose “tremendous economic consequences” on any country that provides Iran with a lifeline. Trump also warned that a range of channels used to support Tehran must stop, naming oil smuggling, swap arrangements, cash transfers, exchange houses, ship registries and front companies. He added that “all of our Allies” should stand with the US to isolate and defeat what he termed the Iran threat. US Pledges Economic Pressure And IsolationThe announcement builds on warnings from within the administration. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last week that the US would seek to increase economic pressure on Tehran in order to reopen the strait. On Thursday, Bessent told Newsmax’s Rob Schmitt Tonight that Trump had ordered the Treasury Department to apply maximum pressure on the Iranian regime. He said it would involve economic isolation alongside the continuation of the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, aimed at preventing goods entering or leaving Iranian ports. Trump has previously indicated he intends to intensify sanctions and maintain enforcement of a US naval blockade in the Arabian Sea, which he said would prevent vessels from departing Iranian ports. Talks Continue On Reopening The StraitTrump’s comments come while talks are under way to reopen the strait. Shipping activity has picked up slightly but remains limited compared with pre-war levels. Ship-tracking firm Kpler reported that there were 12 successful crossings on Monday and 10 on Tuesday. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime passages for oil. Since early March, the route has been effectively closed, though some traffic continues to pass through. Regional Shifts Follow Missile StrikeTrump’s announcement followed a statement from the United Arab Emirates on Thursday that it would cut off trade with Iran after Tehran’s forces fired two missiles at the UAE. The US president has also criticised Oman earlier this week, warning Muscat that it would face retaliation if it “gets in the way” of efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump threatened to bomb Oman and framed his remarks around the ongoing negotiations. US Territory Bid For The StraitTrump also said last week that he would declare the strait a US territory. In his latest remarks, he signalled the goal again but did not set out how the US would achieve it, given that the waterway is under shared jurisdiction between Oman and Iran. Join the discussion? 20 August 2026

Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party has put Zohran Mamdani, the New York City mayor, on a campaign billboard in central Tel Aviv, drawing comparisons with leaders of Iran and Hezbollah. The poster shows Mamdani alongside Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and Naim Qassem, described as Hezbollah’s chief. Beneath the images, a message says: “They want Netanyahu to lose … Don’t let them win,” alongside Likud’s logo. Campaign Spur After Knesset DissolutionNetanyahu has stepped up his election campaigning as Israel prepares to vote in October after the Knesset, parliament, was dissolved in July. The elections will be the first since the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023. The billboard is the latest move in a growing dispute between Netanyahu and Mamdani, who has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s war in Gaza since launching his mayoral campaign. Dispute Over Gaza Comments And Arrest CallThe verbal fight between the two intensified last month after Mamdani accused Netanyahu of being a “war criminal” and said he “belonged in The Hague”. Mamdani also urged US authorities to ensure the International Criminal Court warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest is carried out if he attends the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September. Netanyahu responded by accusing Mamdani of “fomenting hate” and of encouraging divisions between different religious communities in New York. He also said he was concerned that progressive Democrats aligned with Mamdani could put at risk the once-bipartisan level of political support for Israel in the United States. Recent polling in the US cited in the report indicates that Mamdani is more popular among American Jews than Netanyahu. UK Remarks And Ongoing Gaza TalksThe latest attack on Mamdani comes after Netanyahu described the UK as “the Islamic republic of Britain” during a podcast interview earlier this week. In the same conversation, he also referred to Britain as the “first Islamic republic to get a nuclear weapon”. Netanyahu posted the billboard image on his social media accounts on Sunday and shared a video featuring Mamdani’s remarks about him being a war criminal. The feud is unfolding as US-Israeli talks on a Gaza ceasefire agreement are said to be stalling. Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and an envoy, met Netanyahu on Monday for about three hours, but no breakthrough was reported. Israel, the report says, is refusing to withdraw troops from the strip unless Hamas agrees to disarm first. Mamdani has not publicly responded to being included in Netanyahu’s election campaign materials. Join the discussion? 18 August 2026

Donald Trump said he plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz a United States territory “pretty soon”, pointing to American control of the waterway through naval action as disruptions continue to unsettle global oil and gas markets. The US president made the comments on Friday during a visit to a police academy in Garden City, New York. He linked his proposal to the continuing impact on shipping through the strait, a key route for oil, natural gas and other commodities, amid the war in the Middle East and elevated energy prices. Control Tied To U.S. Naval ActionTrump said US forces have the ability to manage access to the strait, adding that vessels would not pass unless Washington allowed it. He did not provide further detail about how the declaration would be carried out. His remarks came as the conflict continues and as Iran seeks to preserve influence over the strait. Tehran views the waterway as a major bargaining tool in negotiations with Washington, particularly with the US midterm elections scheduled for November. Iran War And Nuclear ConcernIn the same exchange, Trump said the United States could not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. He also said the US had used its military more than he would have preferred in pursuing its objectives. Trump repeated his assessment that Washington is making major progress against Iran, claiming that critics and parts of the media are not acknowledging the scale of what he described as US success. He said Iran’s leadership was no longer in a position to negotiate, describing the situation as a problem. His comments echoed a broader theme of his campaign messaging, in which he has argued that the stance taken by the United States is bearing fruit despite uncertainty around developments in the region. Tehran’s Position And Regional DependenceTrump’s statement also followed a social media post on Wednesday in which he said the US had “total” control of the Strait of Hormuz and would keep it. According to reported Iranian positions, the strait would remain closed until Washington accepted Tehran’s demands. Those demands include war reparations, the lifting of a US naval blockade and the withdrawal of US forces from locations around Iran. The Strait of Hormuz is heavily used for energy imports by multiple countries. Korea, among others, has said it hopes for the full reopening of the route as its supply depends on shipments passing through the narrow passage. Join the discussion? 15 August 2026

President Donald Trump’s approval rating fell again this week, according to a new survey, extending a downward trend in support for the president as the Iran war continues and voters raise concerns about affordability ahead of November’s midterm elections. Political debate has focused on the administration’s conduct of foreign policy and the prices faced by households. The Economist/YouGov poll, published on Monday, found 33% of respondents approved of how Trump has handled his job as president. Sixty-two per cent said they disapproved. Partisan split remains starkApproval was divided largely on party lines. Seventy-nine per cent of Republican respondents said they approved, while 4% of Democrats gave the same rating. The result follows reporting by The Economist’s polling tracker in June that Trump had become the most unpopular president ever in its model, with a net approval rating of negative 25 percentage points. The tracker draws on data from YouGov surveys. Earlier polls show weak supportYouGov’s latest numbers continue a broader slide. A Reuters/Ipsos survey published last week put approval at 35%. A Quinnipiac University poll released at the end of July showed approval slipping to 32%. Together, the figures suggest Trump’s ratings remain below majority support in recent polling across multiple firms, with the gap between approval and disapproval widening in the new YouGov survey. The latest survey underlined the same pattern. Midterm stakes for RepublicansTrump’s weakening job approval comes as Republicans try to lift backing for GOP candidates ahead of the midterms, with a goal of maintaining control of both chambers of Congress. The approval figures come as Republicans seek to defend their positions in the House and Senate. GOP strategists have warned that dissatisfaction with the president’s performance could hurt the party in November. They point in particular to divisions among voters over his handling of the Iran conflict and affordability. What voters say on specific issuesIn addition to overall approval, the YouGov survey asked about Trump’s handling of individual issues. Around 40% of respondents supported his approach to immigration, while 30% said they had confidence in his ability to deal wisely with an international crisis. On age, 53% of respondents said Trump was too old for the role. That view was shared by 85% of Democrats and 17% of Republicans. The Economist/YouGov survey interviewed 1,589 people between 7 and 10 August. The margin of error was about 3.2 percentage points. White House rejects the criticismA White House spokesperson, Davis Ingle, defended Trump’s record in a statement shared with The Hill on Wednesday. Ingle said no other president in history had achieved more for hardworking Americans, and argued that Trump is creating jobs, bringing down inflation and improving housing affordability. He also said progress at home and abroad is already under way, describing the administration’s work as part of a longer agenda. Ingle said the president’s agenda is taking effect. Join the discussion? 13 August 2026

President Donald Trump has sharply criticised Jeanine Pirro after federal prosecutors dropped a high-profile vandalism case involving Washington DC's Reflecting Pool, accusing the US attorney of backing down. Speaking publicly, Trump said Pirro had "folded like an umbrella" by abandoning the case, despite what he described as clear evidence that vandals were responsible for significant damage. Charges DismissedThe charges against a former Olympian accused of vandalising the landmark were dismissed by federal prosecutors. A court filing submitted by Pirro, the US Attorney for Washington DC, stated that contractors were responsible for rushing the paint installation process, suggesting their actions contributed to the problems at the site. Trump Rejects ExplanationTrump acknowledged there "may have been some contractor difficulty" but rejected the explanation that it was the primary cause of the damage. He insisted the Reflecting Pool had suffered "major damage" because of vandalism and criticised the decision to end the prosecution. Dispute Over CauseThe case has drawn attention because of the differing views between prosecutors and the president over what caused the damage and whether criminal charges should have proceeded. Join the discussion? 4 August 2026

President Donald Trump said on Monday that it was too early to discuss whether Pete Hegseth, the US Defence secretary, would run for president in 2028. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump responded to fresh discussion about Hegseth’s possible candidacy by saying it would be premature to talk about it now. He added that he believed Hegseth had been focused on his role and on the military. Trump Says It’s Too Early for 2028Trump told reporters that the matter should not be considered at this stage. He said the immediate priority was the next election cycle, adding that the country needed to get through the midterms first. He also indicated that, in his view, many people were contemplating a range of political possibilities, without being publicly visible. Trump said he believed Hegseth’s attention remained on the armed forces and on looking after service members. NBC Report and Hegseth’s DenialThe comments came after NBC News reported over the weekend that Hegseth was considering the possibility of running for president in 2028. Hegseth later rejected the report. In a post on the social media platform X, he said the claim was “100% false”. He said that he had told NBC the report was incorrect, and that the outlet had relied on anonymous “sources”. Hegseth also wrote that his only job was to “Make @DeptofWar Great Again”, before ending the post with “Carry on Patriots, and enjoy your Friday night”. Other Potential 2028 ContendersTrump’s remarks were made as a number of his allies have been mentioned in connection with potential 2028 campaigns. Those names include Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump has also previously addressed questions about other figures. Last week, he was asked about the possibility of Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas who once ran against him for the presidency but later became an ally, pursuing a 2028 bid. In that exchange, Trump praised Cruz, saying he might choose to run and describing him as a talented figure. Join the discussion? 1 September 2026

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Friday that the war between the United States and Iran should end, adding that the international community had accepted Tehran’s “victory” in the conflict. Speaking ahead of new US economic sanctions expected next week, Pezeshkian made the remarks in comments reported by Iranian state media. The Iranian President said the world had “approved our victory”, while stating that the United States was “hated”, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. Pezeshkian Calls for War to EndPezeshkian argued that the dispute should conclude because, in his view, Iran’s position had been endorsed internationally. The comments were framed as pressure for an end to hostilities between Tehran and Washington. Trump Signals More Economic PressureThe remarks come after US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that his administration would launch what he called the “most crushing economic operation ever” against Iran. The announcement was made while negotiations continue over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic shipping passage that carries around a fifth of the world’s oil consumption during peacetime. Trump said the operation would involve stopping a range of financial and shipping-related activities linked to Iran. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote that “oil smuggling, swap lines, cash transfers, exchange houses, ship registries, front companies” should stop, addressing unspecified recipients of the message. He also described the effort as an “ECONOMIC D-DAY” and said he needed allies to stand with the United States to isolate and defeat what he described as the “Iran threat”. Strait Of Hormuz Under StrainThe strait has been effectively closed as a result of Iranian counterstrikes and a US naval blockade, according to the article. Iran and Oman share joint jurisdiction over the waterway, but Trump has threatened to change its status and make it US territory during the ongoing talks. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to set out details of the new economic sanctions on Monday. Speaking to CNBC on Thursday, Bessent said the strategy would combine the existing blockade with sanctions, describing it as a “one-two punch”. He said the administration would impose what he characterised as the toughest sanctions in history and that the approach would “work” in Iran. Iran Rejects Sanctions PlansIranian officials rejected the US measures and criticised the timing and stated rationale. Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that the anticipated penalties were intended to distract from domestic US concerns about the cost of living. On social media, he referred to the US plan as a “so-called ‘Economic D-Day’” and said it was a diversion from what he described as America’s own crisis, including unprecedented debt and rising interest costs. Araghchi said continuing with “failed policies” would lead to further defeat and to “enmity of Iranians”. He also said the US approach amounted to “economic terrorism” that threatened the global economy and sovereignty worldwide. Join the discussion? 23 August 2026

The BBC has asked a US court to issue subpoenas to Donald Trump’s family members, seeking documents and testimony as it fights the former president’s $10bn (£7.4bn) defamation claim. In court filings, the broadcaster’s legal team said it attempted in May to serve subpoenas on Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr and his daughter Ivanka Trump, as well as their spouses, including Jared Kushner. The BBC is trying to obtain evidence it says could be relevant to Trump’s case over a Panorama segment. Panorama Edit Spurs defamation ClaimTrump is suing the BBC over a Panorama episode that rearranged two separate sections of a speech he delivered before the 2021 Capitol riots. The BBC previously apologised for the editing error and said it gave “the mistaken impression” that Trump had directly called for violent action. It has denied that the mistake amounted to defamation. The latest application argues that Trump’s family members “have personal knowledge” of his intentions when he revised and delivered the speech. The BBC’s filing says their evidence and documents could therefore be relevant to Trump’s defamation allegations. Family Members Were Present, BBC SaysThe filing draws on evidence previously gathered by a US congressional committee. It states that Donald Trump Jr and Ivanka Trump were present when their father modified and delivered the speech. It adds that Kushner drafted a proposed statement that would have condemned the use of violence. The filing argues that testimony from the family could help establish what Trump intended in his public remarks. The BBC is also asking the court to authorise service of the subpoenas by email and by certified mail. It said previous attempts to serve papers in person were unsuccessful. Attempts To Serve Subpoenas BlockedAccording to the filing, a representative for the BBC attempted to deliver a subpoena for Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner at their home in Florida, but was refused entry at a police checkpoint. The representative was later told by the Secret Service that the agency could not accept the subpoenas. In New York, the filing says a representative tried to serve a subpoena for Donald Trump Jr at Trump Tower but was told by a concierge that the person who usually takes such documents may have been at lunch. A further attempt two days later resulted in a response that the “legal department” was not available on that day, the BBC said. Trump’s legal team has been approached for comment. A BBC press office declined to comment. Wider Case Timeline And Financial RecordsTrump filed the lawsuit in Florida last December, naming the BBC, BBC Studios Productions and BBC Studios Distribution. His complaint accuses the BBC of “intentionally, maliciously, and deceptively doctoring” the speech. The BBC has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit. It argues that Panorama does not satisfy the legal test for defamation and that the programme was not made available on its US platforms. In a recent filing, Trump’s lawyers admitted they had no evidence that the documentary was available in the US on BBC’s BritBox subscription service, or on BBC.com, BBC Select, or through US broadcasters, after initially making those claims. Trump has also agreed to drop the involvement of BBC Studios from the action following the BBC’s argument that the company had “no role” in creating or producing the documentary. Earlier this month, the judge granted Trump’s request for a delay in him handing over financial documents requested by the broadcaster. The BBC said it is seeking some of Trump’s records in connection with his argument that the documentary damaged his business interests. Trump’s legal team said disclosure would cause him “irreparable harm”. A trial date of February 2027 has been set if the case proceeds. BBC News is editorially independent from the wider corporation. Join the discussion? 15 August 2026

US President Donald Trump has said it would be a “terrible mistake” to remove Fifa president Gianni Infantino, adding his support after football’s regional governing bodies publicly criticised the under-pressure leader. Trump’s intervention came after Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) released an open letter accusing Infantino of breaching trust “through deception” over an aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal. The plan was intended to restructure the management of major Fifa commercial activity and match ticketing rights. Under the FFE concept, a new company would have been created to oversee commercial and ticketing rights for all Fifa competitions, including the men’s World Cups. The proposal also involved selling 21% of that new company to a private investment firm as part of the plan. Trump said his backing signalled opposition to calls for change at the top of Fifa, with Infantino facing pressure since the FFE details emerged on 28 July. He wrote on social media: “Fifa would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing president Gianni Infantino.” “Fifa would be making a terrible mistake” for any move to replace him, Trump continued, describing Infantino as “fantastic” and arguing that the Swiss official had overseen the “most successful World Cup, by four times” compared with prior tournaments. Trump added: “If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again.” Heading into the new cycle for the sport, the 2026 World Cup held this summer was co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Spain won the tournament, beating Argentina in the final. Regional bodies accuse Infantino of deceptionUefa, Concacaf and the AFC said in their letter that they believed Infantino had acted in a way that broke trust through deception, linking their concerns directly to the stalled FFE initiative. The FFE proposal has since become the focus of wider debate about Fifa governance and the way future commercial arrangements should be handled, with regional bodies calling into question the approach attributed to Infantino. Trump’s comments marked his first public defence of Infantino since the FFE plans came to light earlier this month. What the Fifa Forward Enterprise plan involvedTrump also previously addressed the FFE proposals for the first time on 31 July, saying he had not spoken to Infantino about the plans. Thrive Eternal was expected to lead the investor group associated with the FFE proposal. Thrive is an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, who is the brother of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law. The FFE plan would have placed the new company at the centre of rights management across Fifa events, including future World Cups. The intended 21% sale to a private investment company formed part of the commercial model described during the proposal’s early stages. Relationship with InfantinoInfantino and Trump have maintained a close relationship. Infantino awarded Trump the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize in December 2025. The current controversy places Infantino under scrutiny following the regional organisations’ open letter and the publicity surrounding the aborted FFE plan. Trump’s latest statement, delivered in the days after the FFE revelations, sought to push back against the idea of replacing him. Join the discussion? 11 August 2026

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has responded to US President Donald Trump’s move to rename Lake Ontario by installing a large sign along Canada’s shoreline stating: “Lake Ontario. Now and Always.” Ford unveiled the sign while criticising Trump’s decision, saying the lake had long been known as Lake Ontario and would continue to be called that regardless of US actions. He said Trump’s renaming was driven by dissatisfaction with Ontario and Canada “standing up for ourselves”. The dispute follows an executive order Trump signed on Thursday, which seeks to change the lake’s name in the United States to “Lake America”. The president also shared a series of AI-generated videos on social media, including footage depicting a lake sign being overturned and replaced with one reading “Welcome to Lake America”. Trade Row Spurs Fresh Name DisputeThe latest exchange of remarks came after trade talks between the two countries collapsed. The US introduced new 50% tariffs on $20bn (C$28bn) worth of Canadian goods. Canada is set to respond with “dollar for dollar” counter-tariffs next month, aimed at matching the US measures. Trump said his decree took effect immediately when he signed the order and posted content online to reinforce the new name. Canadian officials have dismissed the renaming effort, arguing that other countries are not obliged to adopt changes made unilaterally by the US. Ford Frames Renaming As Insult To CanadaStanding in front of the newly installed sign, Ford said the message was intended to ensure Trump, or others, “forget[s]”, adding that the lake is “Lake Ontario, now and forever”. The row mirrors earlier comments by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who had said “things must be called by their name”, and that the lake is called Lake Ontario “today and forever”. Ford’s remarks also referenced the executive order’s effect on how the US recognises geographic features. Under the order, the US Department of the Interior has 30 days to update the name through the Geographic Names Information Service, which serves as the official repository of domestic geographic names in the US. Great Lakes Origins Cited As Ontario And New York BorderLake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes and lies on the border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the US state of New York. The names of four Great Lakes—Ontario, Huron, Michigan and Erie—are derived from Indigenous words, while Lake Superior is named after an anglicised French term. Trump’s executive order is not the first time his administration has attempted to rename a shared body of water. When Trump entered the White House in 2025, he signed an order changing the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Mexico rejected the change, saying a single country cannot rename an international water body shared by multiple nations. That earlier move also led to a legal dispute involving Mexico and Google after the company used “Gulf of America” in its maps service. As a result, Google Maps users in the United States see “Gulf of America”, while users in Mexico see “Gulf of Mexico”. In other countries, the name appears as “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)”. Join the discussion? 30 August 2026

President Donald Trump has been signalling for weeks that congressional Republicans could face blame of their own if the party suffers major losses in the 2026 midterm elections ANALYSIS Trump has long disliked losing elections, repeatedly trying to explain setbacks by pointing to unsubstantiated claims of mass voter fraud. Ahead of November, he has instead turned his focus inward, suggesting that Republicans would be responsible if they fail to meet expectations at the ballot box. Resharing And Threat Of “Frustration”On Wednesday, Trump drew attention by re-sharing a month-old post by a loyal supporter, Matt Van Swol, who warned that Republicans were “sleepwalking toward a midterm reckoning they don’t see coming”. In the original post, Van Swol argued that Republicans in Congress had not delivered legislative progress to support Trump’s agenda, and said that if lawmakers did not begin producing “tangible results”, voters’ frustration would have consequences. Trump later posted additional material listing what he said were his own achievements. He also shared an image declaring “mission accomplished” in the Iran war, underscoring the contrast he was drawing between his record and what he suggested the party has not done enough to secure. Leavitt Response And False ClaimsAsked on Thursday whether Trump was distancing himself from congressional Republicans, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “The president is wholeheartedly committed to helping Republicans across the board retain the majority.” But Trump had set out the case more directly earlier in the month, including in an interview with Punchbowl News in which he claimed—falsely—that voters were angry at other Republicans rather than him. He said: “The question is, will (people) vote? Because a lot of them are very angry at Republicans, to be honest with you,” adding: “They’re angry at Republicans, but they’re not angry at me.” The article also references polling figures from CNN Poll of Polls, saying 63% of Americans disapprove of Trump and that fewer than 1 in 5 strongly approve of him in most quality polls. Trump’s broader messaging has also suggested voters would reward him personally while withholding support from other Republican figures, setting up the possibility of a sharper intraparty fight if the GOP does poorly. Push On Elections Bill And FilibusterEarlier in the summer, Trump urged Senate Republicans to abandon the filibuster and pass his elections bill, the “Save America Act”, repeatedly framing the issue as a test for the party’s electoral prospects. At Mount Rushmore on July 3, he said Republicans could only “lose the midterms” if they failed to pass the legislation, adding that refusing to do so could be “foolish, stupid, and unwise”. Later in July, he warned that if Republicans did not “get it done”, it would be “a very bad thing for the party”. On July 29, Trump said that if there was not “unanimous GOP support”, voters should look at the Republicans who withheld it. He also targeted Senate Majority Leader John Thune in posts that implied disappointment with efforts to remove the filibuster, including a message stating: “Remember, stupidity always brings LOSING & DEATH!” Trump has also encouraged voters to “pretend” he is on the ballot and vote accordingly, while seeking to keep the midterms focused on him through a Trump-branded midterm convention next month. The Atlantic reported that the convention and related advertising plans featured Trump prominently in super PAC materials, according to the article. Midterm Strategy And Potential FalloutThe warning from Trump’s approach is that the political coalition that supports him may be less reliable when he is not personally on the ballot. With his approval ratings described as low, Republicans have acknowledged they face limited space to win over swing voters, with CNN reporting that sources pointed instead to mobilising MAGA supporters. If Republicans were to lose one or both chambers of Congress, the narrative would likely turn quickly to how much damage Trump’s role has done to the party and to whether he is a weakened lame-duck president with two years remaining. In that scenario, he would be expected to respond to any suggestion his leadership is responsible for the results. If, however, Trump chooses to lay the blame primarily on congressional Republicans, the GOP could face a difficult internal struggle shortly after an election defeat, just as it looks for a new direction beyond the Trump era. Join the discussion? 28 August 2026

President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Oman, a US ally, if it “gets in the way” of American negotiations with Iran, according to Fox News. The United States and Oman have been holding separate discussions with Tehran about reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global oil and liquefied natural gas. The strait has been largely closed for nearly six months amid conflict between the US and Iran. Threat Made During a Phone InterviewFox News reported that Trump made the threat during a phone interview. A Fox correspondent said the US president also used an expletive during the call when responding to questions about Oman’s role. In the same period, Iranian officials said they were close to finalising a deal with Oman for shipping to pass through the strait. At the same time, the future of US-Iran talks remained uncertain as a 60-day Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Washington and Tehran is due to expire. Trump was asked by BBC News in the Oval Office on Monday whether he was seeking an extension to the MoU. He replied: “No.” Strait Of Hormuz Reopening Talks ContinueThe Strait of Hormuz borders Iran and Oman and carries about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas under normal conditions. Iranian actions that followed earlier attacks between the two sides have largely halted transit, with reopening described by both Washington and Tehran as a central issue. Oman has described itself as neutral in the conflict, while it has also suffered strikes from Iran. The sultanate is nevertheless seeking to mediate between Iran and others in efforts to restart shipping through the waterway. Earlier in the week, the Iranian foreign ministry said it had reached an understanding with Oman on a transit route. Esmaeil Baghaei, a foreign ministry spokesman, told reporters that both sides would finalise details before issuing a joint statement. Oman has previously described its talks with Iran as positive. For Washington, Reuters reported earlier, citing an Iranian official, that Tehran was seeking fees from vessels transiting the strait, at between 5% and 7% of cargo prices. Separately, earlier this month, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said a full reopening would depend on Iran receiving compensation from the US for what Tehran described as violations of the MoU. IRGC Backchannel Claim DeniedFox reported that Trump also said he had a direct backchannel with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which plays a major military, economic and political role in Iran. An IRGC spokesman denied the claim. The spokesman told semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim that there were no talks between IRGC officials and Americans. He said Trump’s allegation was a product of “fantasies” driven by defeat and desperation, according to the report. MoU Expires As Trump Says He’s Not RushedThe MoU between the US and Iran, signed on 18 June, was intended to bring about a ceasefire and at least partially reopen the Strait of Hormuz. It broke down soon after, when both sides resumed strikes. On 8 July, Trump said the ceasefire was over and criticised Iran’s leadership after further exchanges of fire. As the MoU approached formal expiry on Monday, he posted on his Truth Social platform that the “number one goal” was to ensure Iran could not obtain a nuclear weapon. During the Fox interview, Trump also suggested he was not planning an immediate push for an end to the conflict, saying of Iranian leaders: “They’re good poker players, but they’re dying,” and adding that he had “no time schedule” and was “not in a hurry”. Join the discussion? 18 August 2026

Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to redesign a new US aircraft carrier so it can launch fighter jets using steam catapults rather than electromagnetic systems, a move he has advocated since at least 2017. Trump signed a national security memorandum on Thursday directing the defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, and the acting secretary of the navy, Hung Cao, to prepare what he called a plan to replace key systems on the USS Doris Miller, a Ford-class carrier. Memorandum sets a 60-day planning deadlineThe memorandum gives the Pentagon leaders 60 days to develop “a plan on the required measures” to swap out the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and the Advanced Weapons Elevators for “steam and hydraulic systems” for the construction of the USS Doris Miller. The carrier is already two years behind schedule, according to the information in the report. Trump has pushed the change for yearsTrump has repeatedly criticised the electromagnetic launch system used on the latest US aircraft carriers, arguing that steam is preferable and that digital systems are too complicated. His decision follows years of public remarks in which he described complaints about “digital” catapults and said he believed they were unnecessarily complex. In 2017, he told Time magazine that he questioned what he described as a “digital catapult system” and said it sounded complicated. He said in the interview that he was told the Navy intended to stay with the digital approach, and he argued that steam would be better, adding that the digital option was more expensive. Picture courtesy of The Hill A review of Trump’s public comments by the Guardian shows he retold the same anecdote, with variations, every year from 2017 onward. In 2018, he brought up the issue during a phone call connected to the USS Ronald Reagan while it was docked in Hong Kong. In 2019, he recounted the exchange with a “catapulter” to Republican donors at a fundraiser. In 2020, he incorporated it into campaign speeches during the pandemic. He again referenced it in 2021 at CPAC, in 2022 in a campaign speech in Texas, and in 2023 on the campaign trail in Iowa. He also repeated it shortly before the 2024 election at an event where he spoke to Tucker Carlson. After returning to office in 2025, Trump raised steam catapults during the swearing-in of Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence and again in remarks to the crew of the USS George Washington, a carrier based in Japan. Navy and industry warn of cost and integration risksThe Wall Street Journal, which first reported the order, said senior US Navy and industry leaders have resisted the move, citing the “enormous expense” involved in removing the complex system that was built into the design of the latest carriers. General Atomics, the company that builds the electromagnetic aircraft launch system for the Ford-class ships, said the decision to revert to steam “warrants careful reconsideration”. The company told the Journal that its work on the new ship is nearly 50% complete and that changing course at this stage would create “significant cost, schedule, and integration risks”. US senator criticises Trump’s interventionSenator Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat and former astronaut, reacted sharply to the news, writing on social media that he would not suggest engineering changes for a warship, and adding that he believed Trump should “stick to what he knows best – ballrooms, bankruptcy, and bullshit”. The order comes amid separate reporting on an intensifying mental health crisis onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, where about 5,000 sailors and marines are said to be enduring a record-breaking deployment tied to the war with Iran. Join the discussion? 14 August 2026

The White House said dozens of countries have helped China avoid US tariff charges by routing exports through nations with lower duties, potentially costing the US tens of billions of dollars. In a report released on Thursday, the administration said more than 40 countries had played a role in what it described as efforts to sidestep US import costs. It named Canada, India, Mexico, Japan and South Korea among those it said had supported China’s ability to “evade” tariffs by shifting goods through third jurisdictions. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said the practice had harmed the US economy, adding that it cost “American jobs and billions in revenue”. White House describes “transshipping” networksThe report focuses on a process known as transshipping, in which cargo is transferred through another country while en route to its final destination. The White House said US and private sector estimates show between $30bn (£22.2bn) and roughly $300bn in goods has been moved from countries with higher tariff rates to those with lower ones. It accused China of taking advantage of the approach by using third countries as stopovers and by repackaging goods to conceal their real origin. In its account, the US administration portrayed the method as being carried out through what it called a global network. It also said it had deployed artificial intelligence (AI) tools to identify and target transshipment efforts. China rejects tariff measures targeting firmsA spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington said in response to BBC questions that “trade wars have no winners” and that China opposes the US tariff measures, including the use of state power aimed at Chinese companies. The spokesperson added that “any unilateral actions or agreements concerning transshipped goods must not target or harm the interests of third parties.” The BBC said it had contacted US embassies of Canada, India, Mexico, Japan and South Korea, along with other trading partners listed in the report, seeking comment. Ahead of Trump-Xi meetingThe report comes after a series of sanctions and countermeasures between Washington and Beijing. It is due to add to tensions as President Donald Trump prepares to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Washington in September. Although most US tariffs were paused following talks in May 2025, both sides have continued to exchange restrictions. The White House cited US limits on humanoid robots shipped to the country, and said China has tightened curbs on drone exports. In April 2025, Trump unveiled sweeping levies covering dozens of US trading partners, saying tariffs would help boost American jobs and economic performance. Those measures were later struck down by the US Supreme Court, but Trump has introduced new tariffs using other legal routes to maintain what he has repeatedly called a core policy. Join the discussion? 14 August 2026

Families and members of Congress have raised alarms about what they describe as a deepening mental health crisis aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, with reports saying sailors tried to jump overboard during a record-breaking deployment linked to the conflict involving Iran. Two specialist military publications, Navy Times and Stars and Stripes, reported multiple incidents in which crew members attempted to jump into the sea. The allegations come as the aircraft carrier’s crew has spent the ninth month at sea and has accumulated 250 consecutive days without making landfall, a modern record for an aircraft carrier. Families question leadership at town hallStars and Stripes said military families voiced their concerns directly to senior Navy figures at an emotional community meeting in San Diego last Thursday. The publication said about 200 family members attended a town hall that included Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao and other senior officials. Several relatives described distress about the conditions their loved ones face. Stars and Stripes reported that one spouse said her husband had texted her that he was worried about not waking up the next day. Another attendee told Cao that, in her view, the service had broken trust between families and command, the paper reported. Reports cite failed suicide attempts onboardNavy Times reported details of thwarted suicide attempts during the current deployment. The outlet said a spouse of one sailor described how the man tried to jump overboard after further extensions to time at sea left him exhausted. Another family member described a separate incident in which a sailor stopped a shipmate from attempting to jump, grabbing him and pulling him back on deck. Congressional figures in California and Colorado also criticised conditions aboard the warship. Mike Levin, a Democratic representative, posted comments on X describing what he said were worsening daily conditions, including inadequate sanitation and extremely limited provisions. Jason Crow, another Democrat, said the pressure on service members and their families on the Lincoln was building steadily. Warship redirected as fighting with Iran continuesThe Lincoln left San Diego on 21 November and was originally expected to operate in the Pacific. The ship was then redirected to the Middle East after the start of the US-Israel war involving Iran, according to the reports. MS Now said the 5,000-plus crew has had only two days on land since departure: in Guam in December and in Oman in July. The deployment was originally due to end in May but has been extended more than once as the wider conflict continued. In April, public criticism grew after photos emerged showing what campaigners and lawmakers described as poor-quality and rationed food, along with reports of water shortages, mould in showers and broken laundry equipment. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed the accounts as “more fake news”, Levin later said he responded to the comment, arguing that service members still deserved basic amenities such as clean water, functioning toilets and adequate meals. Navy response says no increase identifiedThe Guardian contacted the US Navy for comment on reports of attempts to jump overboard. After the article was published, a Navy official said the service recognised that extended deployments place significant strain on service members and their families and that it valued their “resilience and sacrifices”. The official said that, based on information available to the command, there had been no identified increase in reported suicidal ideation or suicide attempts aboard the ship. The Navy also said religious, medical and mental health professionals were available as part of a “comprehensive support network”, including onboard deployment-resilience counsellors and chaplains. The official said the war had disrupted some traditional supply routes, but added that reports from the ship confirm continuous access to clean water, functional air conditioning and “healthy meal options”. Mental health strain on active-duty sailorsMental health challenges for active-duty US sailors have been widely reported. A study published last year examined stress factors specific to deployed sailors and found that common concerns included loud noises, lack of rest and inadequate mental and physical healthcare. The researchers reported that almost half of deployed sailors surveyed said they were not receiving adequate help to cope with stress at sea, and concluded that improved access to care on ships was urgently needed given rates of military suicide, including within the Navy. Join the discussion? 13 August 2026

Donald Trump made a covert change to his aircraft as he left a Nato summit in Turkey last month after US officials detected a credible Iranian threat, US media reported. According to the Washington Post, the US president boarded Air Force One in view of television cameras before being transferred out of sight onto an elevated airport catering truck. He was then taken to a separate military aircraft without journalists and some White House staff on board knowing he had left. The White House has not confirmed the account. Officials told CBS News, a US partner of the BBC, that the United States had identified a credible threat from Iran to fire a missile at the president’s plane. Nato Summit Departure in AnkaraTrump had told the summit in Ankara that he was Iran’s “number one target”. The reported manoeuvre occurred as US forces continued their heightened posture towards Tehran. It came a day after the US renewed strikes on Iran following a breakdown in negotiations between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the war. Trump arrived in Turkey aboard a newer Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar. After the summit, he said he would depart on the older Air Force One “for old time’s sake”. Footage from 8 July showed him boarding the presidential jet at Ankara airport. However, the Washington Post said that after he entered the aircraft, he was taken by catering truck to a smaller C-32A military plane on the opposite side of the runway. The C-32A is a modified Boeing 757 commonly used by the vice president. C-32A Change and Staff NoticesThe Washington Post reported that Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, boarded the C-32A separately using external stairs, a move intended to make the flight appear routine. Journalists and some White House staff who were on Air Force One were reportedly told to close their window shades. They were unaware the president had been removed from the flight. Trump then travelled onward to the UK, according to the reports, before returning to the US. He was seen leaving Air Force One after it landed at RAF Mildenhall. It was not clear, the Washington Post said, how he moved from the C-32A back to the legacy Air Force One before continuing his journey. The president later transferred again to the new Qatari-donated Air Force One to fly back to Washington. Statements on Security and Possible UpgradesDuring the return flight, Trump spoke to reporters on board and referred to threats posed by Iran without mentioning the earlier aircraft switch, according to accounts of the exchange. When asked why reporters had been told to lower their window shades on the plane during the Ankara departure, Trump said: “Because you’re probably on a dangerous flight because of the sleazebags we have to deal with.” He added that he had a “threat all the time” and that he is “number one” on Iran’s “list”. He also said: “But if I go, you go, right? … Perhaps someday you want to change professions.” White House communications director Steven Cheung said he did not directly confirm or deny the reports, but told CBS News that the new Air Force One is a “state-of-the-art aircraft” with security measures designed to protect the president and his staff. CBS News previously reported that US intelligence had warned of a specific threat of an attack on Trump or his aircraft. The New York Times had earlier described security concerns about the Qatari-gifted jet and said the Secret Service urged Trump to switch planes when leaving the Nato summit. The Times reported that several of its journalists were later summoned to testify under oath, and that the Justice Department told the BBC it was investigating illegal leaks. The US has also spent months retrofitting the $400m Boeing 747-8 to prepare it for presidential use. CBS News reported that older Air Force One aircraft have laser systems intended to blind incoming missiles, while it is unclear what defences are fitted to the Qatari-donated jet. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the new Air Force One is safe, and that it would receive additional upgrades in the autumn taking about a month. Join the discussion? 11 August 2026

A US judge in New Mexico has ordered Meta to pay a further $567m (£421m) over what he said was the company’s failure to warn the public about dangers its social media platforms posed to children, in what the court described as the largest child-safety penalty yet imposed on the firm. Judge Bryan Biedscheid said Meta must establish a fund to reduce future harms. The order on Thursday adds to a prior ruling of $375m, bringing the total fine in the case to $942m. In his decision, Biedscheid said Meta’s business model amounted to a “public nuisance” comparable with pollution affecting the general public. He drew an analogy between the company and a factory, with advertising and content as its product and with the resulting “psychological harm and sexual exploitation of children” described as the pollution that must be addressed. Judge Orders New FundThe court’s latest ruling is the second phase of a trial brought by New Mexico in 2023. State attorneys argued that Meta should be held responsible for how its platforms endangered children and exposed them to sexually explicit material and contact with sexual predators. In the first phase, Meta was found to have repeatedly violated New Mexico’s Unfair Practices Act. The court said Meta’s recommendation algorithms “essentially steered” young users towards harmful content and contacts. In the second phase, Biedscheid concluded the harms reached the level of a public nuisance. He compared the effects of the platforms to the way “noxious pollution produced by the factory can harm the common public right to reasonably clean air”, adding that the harm spreads beyond the platforms and affects the wider internet and, potentially, real-world conditions. The judge said the impacts create a “common, societal burden” on affected children and families, as well as schools, hospitals and law enforcement. Meta said it plans to appeal. A company spokesman said the firm disagreed with the ruling and that it worked to keep users safe, while arguing that it had been transparent about the challenges of identifying and removing harmful content and bad actors. Meta said it remained confident about its record of protecting teens online. Measures To Curb HarmsThe judge ordered Meta to fund efforts to mitigate harms already caused and to support prevention and awareness. The court said the vast majority of the money, $420m, would be used for treatment of harms through “appropriate clinical or other behavioral health programmes and professionals”. Another portion of the fund is intended to support training aimed at awareness and prevention, including for teachers and health professionals. The ruling also required Meta to implement operational changes, including: Ensuring that no account for users under 18 is recommended to adults and that adults cannot message underage users Banning underage users from sending or receiving nudity Applying a “1-strike policy” to adult users who engage in child sexual exploitation Removing “like” counts for users under 18 Blocking push notifications for such users daily between 10:00pm and 7:00am, and during typical school hours between 8:00am and 3:00pm, except on weekends Imposing a mandatory usage limit of 90 cumulative hours per month across Instagram and Facebook, equivalent to about three hours a day Appeal And Wider Legal ChallengesMeta’s case adds to a growing number of US lawsuits. The New Mexico action was described as the first time a state had successfully sued Meta over child safety issues. The company is also facing other litigation, including a landmark decision earlier this year in Los Angeles in which a court found Meta could be held liable for building addictive platforms. Bruce Daisley, a former European vice president of Twitter (now X), said the New Mexico fine, while large, was “a drop in the ocean” for Meta. In its latest financial results, Meta reported revenue of $61bn from April to June, up 28% year on year. The New Mexico ruling comes as the UK and EU press platforms to take similar steps to protect children online, with recent focus on repair mechanisms that prevent children from being easily viewed or contacted. At the same time, some countries are considering broader bans on children using social media, including plans in the UK to block under-16s and introduce opt-out curfews for older teens at night. A major additional trial involving Meta is due to begin next week in California. Nearly three dozen state attorneys general are suing the company, alleging violations of child privacy laws. Join the discussion? 7 August 2026

Donald Trump said he has cancelled planned strikes on Iran, saying the move depends on a deal being agreed “rapidly” with the country. In a post on Truth Social, the US president said he had been asked by Iran and other Middle East states to “hold off” on any attack. He said the “perimeters” of a deal had already been worked out, adding that it would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending Iran’s nuclear threat. The comments followed US media reports that Washington may have been preparing new, intense strikes on Iran over the weekend. US Warns Americans Across The Middle EastEarlier on Saturday, Tehran accused the United States of escalating tensions. It said any regional state that cooperates with Washington would be “engulfed by the flames of war”. Meanwhile, the US government urged Americans in the region to remain alert and be ready to leave “should there be escalation”. A security alert issued on Saturday said Americans should exercise caution, maintain heightened vigilance, and be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures and possible travel disruption. Reports Of New Strike PlanningMultiple sources had told CBS News, the BBC’s US media partner, that the US and Israel were planning what would be among the harshest bombing campaigns to date against energy infrastructure targets in Iran. CBS reported that the plan was discussed during Trump’s cabinet meeting on Friday. In his Truth Social post, Trump said the United States was “locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran”, at “levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II”. He added that cancelling the attack would be “for the future benefit of the world” and that it would also support “the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran”. Iran has not yet responded to Trump’s announcement. Trump’s comments also came amid reports of concern from regional partners. Axios said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke to Trump on Saturday and “expressed concern” about the prospect of strikes, while Reuters also reported the call. Background: Escalation After Ceasefire BreakdownDuring the Friday cabinet meeting, CBS News reported that Trump was heard saying while reporters were still in the room: “We’ll be hitting them [Iranians] very hard. At some point, they’re going to say, ‘We just can’t take it anymore.’” Washington and Tehran have traded escalating strikes and counter-strikes since a ceasefire in April aimed at pausing the war fell apart in June. Earlier this week, the US said it completed a “heavy wave” of strikes against Iran in retaliation for an attempted ballistic missile attack on American forces in the region. The US has blockaded Iranian ports and bombed Iranian sites. Iran has fired missiles and drones at US assets in countries across the Middle East and targeted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipments. The US and Israel began launching strikes against Iran on 28 February. The campaign and ensuing fighting have driven significant fluctuations in oil prices. Join the discussion? 2 August 2026

President Donald Trump pushed back on a New York Times report saying he will not attend a ceremony in New York City marking the anniversary of the 11 September 2001 attacks, after organisers rejected his request to speak at the event. The Times said on Friday that Trump’s team had conveyed the president’s interest in taking part to the ceremony’s organisers over recent weeks. It cited three unnamed sources familiar with the discussions. The National September 11 Memorial and Museum has prohibited speeches by politicians at the ceremony since 2012, a policy that has been in place for more than a decade. Pentagon Plan and New York RepresentationThe New York Times reported that Trump is now expected to attend a memorial service at the Pentagon on this year’s anniversary. It also said that Vice President J D Vance would represent the White House at the New York event. Trump’s response to the report was posted on Truth Social. He criticised the Times’ account and said he had been to New York “many times over the years” and that “no one ever speaks”, describing the event as a “solemn ceremony”. He also wrote that he “would love not to speak”, adding: “because I’m speaking all the time.” Trump Targets New York Times ReporterAlongside his comments about the ceremony, Trump attacked one of the journalists who worked on the story. He derided Maggie Haberman as a “Fake Reporter” and said she was “an unattractive person both inside and out” in a post on Friday. Trump also claimed Haberman had been “falsely writing about me for years” and said she was a “stalker”. In the same post, he added that she should be forced to turn over money he said she had earned through reporting he described as “fake”. The post included no evidence or documentation to support those claims. The report referenced officials and procedures around the memorial event, rather than addressing the personal criticism directly. Previous Legal Action Linked to Air Force OneTrump has frequently criticised coverage from The New York Times. Last month, his Justice Department subpoenaed four Times journalists after they reported on potential security risks linked to a new Air Force One aircraft that Trump described as having been gifted by Qatar. The department later withdrew the subpoenas. The Hill said it had contacted The New York Times for comment. Join the discussion? 29 August 2026

President Donald Trump’s approval rating in his second term has fallen to a new low, according to a Reuters/Ipsos survey. The poll found his approval at 33 percent. That is down 14 points from the start of his second term, when it stood at 47 percent, and down four points from about a month ago, when it was measured at 37 percent. Disapproval WidensAt the same time, Trump’s disapproval rating rose to 65 percent in the survey. It was up 24 points from the beginning of his second term, when it was recorded at 41 percent, and up four points from last month, when it was at 61 percent. Midterms Put Pressure on RepublicansThe new figures come as Republicans face a tough political run-up to the midterm elections. The poll is set against a backdrop of public dissatisfaction about the war in Iran, which is nearing its six-month mark, and heightened economic concerns reported in other recent polling. A separate polling average compiled by Decision Desk HQ showed Trump’s approval rating at 38.7 percent on Tuesday morning, while his disapproval rating was at 57.9 percent. Endorsements Claim Versus Election LossesOn Sunday, Trump promoted his endorsements as “stronger than ever”, despite losses for some candidates backed by him in recent primaries. Posting on Truth Social, he said: “My Endorsements are stronger than ever — Not to mention the fact that good people are getting elected that never had the chance.” He added that 254 candidates he supported won their races this election season. However, recent weeks have also seen defeats for candidates backed by Trump in congressional contests in Florida, Tennessee and Michigan. Poll Timing and MethodThe Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted from August 21 to 24 and included 1,215 respondents. The margin of error was 3 percentage points. Join the discussion? 27 August 2026

Dolly Parton has been honoured by the British royal household, with the Coldstream Guards performing one of her best-known songs outside Buckingham Palace. The military band played Parton's hit "9 to 5" during the traditional Changing the Guard ceremony at the London palace, paying tribute to the country music star following her death on Aug. 25 at the age of 80. Parton died after a brief battle with cancer. She was widely known for her music and her work supporting children through charitable initiatives. The performance took place at Buckingham Palace, the central headquarters of the British monarchy in London. Royal family remembers PartonKing Charles III and Queen Camilla were not at the palace for the performance as the royal family was taking its summer break. However, the royal family's official social media accounts shared footage of the Coldstream Guards playing "9 to 5" and published a message remembering Parton. The tribute highlighted the impact she had beyond her music, including through the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a programme that provides free books to children. RELATED Dolly Parton, Country Music Legend, Dies Aged 80 "Remembering the late, great Dolly, who brought joy, comfort and inspiration to so many," the royal family's post said, referring to the millions of children who received free books through the programme. The message ended with a tribute to Parton: "We will always ❤️ you." Parton's lasting legacyParton, known as the Queen of Country, became one of the most recognisable figures in country music during a career spanning decades. "9 to 5" was among her most famous songs. Released in 1980, it became closely associated with the film of the same name, in which Parton also starred. Her charitable work through the Imagination Library became another major part of her public legacy, providing books to children and families. The Coldstream Guards' performance offered a distinctive British tribute to a musician whose influence extended well beyond the country music world. Join the discussion? 27 August 2026

A federal judge on Friday struck down a Trump administration policy that paused immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, ruling that refusals based solely on the directive must be reconsidered under the normal immigration law. U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas said the policy, announced by the State Department in January, was unlawful and went beyond the statutory powers of the secretary. Her order requires consular officers to review affected cases without relying on the nationality-based suspension. Policy Set Out In JanuaryThe State Department’s January directive instructed U.S. embassies and consulates to halt immigrant visa adjudications for applicants from 75 countries while the department reassessed its vetting procedures under existing immigration rules. In announcing the pause, the department said it was intended to prevent the entry of foreign nationals whom it described as likely to take welfare and public benefits. The policy effectively barred immigrant visa issuance based on the applicant’s nationality, rather than on the individual facts of a case or eligibility determinations made through the usual legal framework. Judge Finds It Exceeds AuthorityVargas said the policy conflicts with federal immigration law, which gives consular officers “exclusive authority and discretion” to decide whether an applicant is eligible for an immigrant visa. “The Policy, which categorically prohibits the issuance of immigrant visas based upon the nationality of the applicant, represents a direct abrogation of this statutory scheme,” Vargas wrote. The judge said the directive was issued in excess of the statutory authority available to Secretary Rubio and that it contradicted the law governing immigrant visa adjudications. In addition to invalidating the suspension, the ruling vacates visa denials that were issued solely because the policy was in place, meaning applicants in those categories must receive new decisions based on the standard legal process rather than the blanket nationality-based pause. Impact on Families and Next StepsThe lawsuit was filed by the Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc., according to the report. Anna Gallagher, the group’s executive director, said the suspension separated spouses, parents and children who were only seeking to follow the regular immigration procedures. She said the decision affirms family reunification and the rule of law. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from ABC News. The report also said the department has not indicated whether it will appeal the ruling. When the policy was first announced, a State Department spokesman said the department was ending what he described as abuse of the U.S. immigration system by those seeking to extract wealth from Americans. He also said the department would rely on its longstanding authority to determine whether potential immigrants would become a “public charge” and “exploit” American public generosity. Vargas’s order reinstates a case-by-case approach by directing that affected applications be reconsidered by consular officers under the existing immigration law, rather than being denied based on the nationality-based suspension. Join the discussion? 23 August 2026

New York City’s plans to charge a pied-à-terre tax on some second homes were met with sharp criticism at a council oversight hearing, after the administration published a list of nearly one million properties and owners’ personal details. The tax plan, backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, would impose an annual charge on second homes in the city worth more than $5m (£3.7m), or on condos and co-ops worth more than $1m. The names and addresses were released at the end of July as part of the process to identify potential payers, with the city later issuing tax notices to 17,000 people. Officials faced questions at City Hall on Tuesday about how the rollout was carried out, and whether publishing the information created security and fairness concerns. Published List Sparks QuestionsCity council member Gale Brewer said she and other members supported the pied-à-terre tax but said there were “challenges” in implementing it. Brewer pointed to issues raised by how the list was compiled and communicated. Kamillah Hanks argued the approach unfairly singled out homeowners and could put them at risk. Speaking during the meeting, Hanks described the published information as “a hit list of the haves and the have-nots” and said it amounted to a “scarlet letter”. Hanks also said the administration was implying that owning a home was something people should be ashamed of. New York City’s Department of Finance said the addresses and personal information it posted were already available to the public, as data the administration is legally required to provide each year. Celebrities Included, Notices Sent to 17,000The list included nearly one million properties, featuring addresses for celebrities and some of the city’s wealthiest residents, including hedge fund manager Ken Griffin and his $239m penthouse, director Woody Allen, former Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, and actress Cynthia Nixon. While the list covered a broad set of properties, the city sent tax notices to 17,000 people. In testimony at the hearing, some speakers who supported the tax accused wealthy residents of using the oversight meeting to complain about rising taxes. Dave Backer, a professor of school finance, said, “I think the wealthy homeowners here doth protest too much.” Beverly Solo, a New York City resident for 44 years who wore a “Tax The Rich” shirt, argued the measure could raise money for city services. She said it seemed “reasonable and fair” to ask people who use luxury homes for pleasure and do not pay full-time income taxes in New York to contribute to city wellbeing, but added that the rollout had been “a mess”. Lawsuit Filed Over Unpublished InformationA group of New York City homeowners has sued over the rollout, seeking an order forcing the administration to remove the list of nearly one million properties and owners’ names. Mamdani’s administration has defended the tax as a fair way to generate $500m in annual revenue in a city marked by wide socioeconomic inequality. The surcharge has also received backing from Governor Kathy Hochul, who had previously been hesitant to increase taxes. Representatives for Mamdani’s administration did not attend the hearing, which angered some attendees. A spokesperson for Mamdani said the administration asked for the session to be delayed while the legal challenge was addressed, but the council declined, and officials could not testify while the case was before the courts. Safety and Investment ConcernsJason Haber, who runs the American Real Estate Association, told the BBC that publishing names and addresses could endanger residents by enabling scams and fraud. He said a foreign actor could download the list and send emails posing as the city to request tax payments. Haber also said he had seen some buyers pause searches for expensive properties in New York since the tax announcement. He argued that any drop in tax revenue from fewer purchases would likely cancel out the benefits of the pied-à-terre tax. Morris Pearl, a former managing director at BlackRock and a chair of Patriotic Millionaires, said the suggestion that the tax would deter investment was “absurd”. He said people with wealth can choose where to live and that someone owning a residence worth more than $5m that is not their primary home has the means to pay more than most New Yorkers. Pearl also said launching the tax alongside a public list may not have been the most diplomatic approach, adding that the mayor sometimes “unnecessarily antagonises people”, while stating he supported the policy itself. Across the world, some cities and countries have tried similar charges on secondary homes, including France, Vancouver and San Francisco, where measures have faced varying levels of opposition and legal challenges. Join the discussion? 22 August 2026

A court in Bali has sentenced a Swiss tourist to one year in prison for insulting a sacred Hindu observance, after he posted messages online during the island’s Day of Silence. Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, 26, was convicted on Thursday by the Denpasar District Court of violating Indonesia’s new criminal code. The court found that he posted social media content about Nyepi, known locally as the Day of Silence, when people are expected to stay at home and remain quiet while meditating. Bali’s Day of SilenceNyepi usually takes place in March. On the day, Bali’s beaches and streets are empty, with only special patrols operating to help ensure the observance is followed. The restrictions also include shutting the airport and switching off the internet. The rules apply to everyone on the island, regardless of religion or nationality. Posts Defied the ShutdownThe court said Zgraggen continued with his behaviour even after staff at the villa where he was staying informed him of the rules. Prosecutors said the tourist posted messages to social media saying he had ignored the restrictions that bar residents and visitors from leaving their homes or accommodation except in emergencies. In Instagram posts and accompanying video clips shared online, Zgraggen showed himself smiling at the camera and described walking to a beach during the observance. In one video, he referred to the tradition as “crazy” and used an expletive. Condemnation and ArrestThe posts were widely shared on social media and drew condemnation from Balinese residents, who said the content was disrespectful. Authorities tracked Zgraggen down after public complaints and arrested him at a villa in Legian, a tourist area near Kuta Beach. Court Findings and DefenceAt the hearing, which began in June, the Swiss tourist told the court he had not intended to insult the Hindu holiday or the Balinese people. He said he made the posts while hungry and frustrated that he could not obtain food during the shutdown, and he added that he had not fully understood the scope of the restrictions. In his defence plea, Zgraggen said he regretted what he did and apologised. The judge said Zgraggen’s actions offended Balinese people, harmed their faith and provoked public anger, and that he needed to be held accountable. Officials have previously detained foreign and domestic tourists for leaving their accommodation during Nyepi, but such cases have often been resolved without prosecution. Join the discussion? 21 August 2026

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are planning to relocate to the UK later this month, the BBC understands, ending their period living in the US. Prince Harry and Meghan are expected to move to a private, non-royal home outside London, according to reports first published by the Daily Telegraph and the Sun. Their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, are due to begin at a British school in September. King Charles was informed about the planned move on Sunday. However, there are no plans for Harry or Meghan to return to official roles as working members of the Royal Family. Family informedThe King was not aware of the move before last weekend, but is said to welcome the chance to spend more time with the Sussexes and their children privately. Prince William and Princess Catherine have also been told about the plans. The couple and their children visited Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove in Gloucestershire in July. The planned relocation was not discussed during that meeting, which Buckingham Palace described as a "private family occasion". The visit was significant because it was the first time Charles had seen his grandchildren in person for more than four years. Harry and Meghan have not travelled to the UK together since 2022, when they attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. No return to royal dutiesThe Sussexes left the UK and stepped back from royal duties in early 2020 before moving to California. Relations between Harry, Meghan and other members of the Royal Family have been strained since then, although the July meeting was seen as an important development in Harry's relationship with his father. Despite their planned return, Harry and Meghan will continue to have no official royal role and will remain private individuals. Security concernsSecurity arrangements have been a longstanding source of tension for Harry, particularly when visiting the UK. The couple's July meeting with Charles was reportedly reconsidered after Harry's request for police protection was rejected. Last year, Harry lost a legal challenge against the decision to reduce the level of security provided to him and his family in the UK after he ceased to be a working royal and moved to the US. Harry has previously said concerns over the safety of his wife and children have made him reluctant to bring them to Britain. Join the discussion? 20 August 2026

The Home Office has published new behavioural guidance for asylum seekers in England and Wales, setting out how laws and social customs in the UK may differ from those in their countries of origin. The nine-page booklet has been uploaded online and covers issues including respect in public, sex and consent, and gender equality. It also explains that asylum seekers may face consequences if they break UK law, including effects on their asylum claim and support while their case is considered. Guidance Warns of Legal ConsequencesThe document states that the impact of breaching UK rules can range from police involvement to the loss of asylum support, and that it could also “affect” an applicant’s asylum claim. A Home Office spokesman said the department expects people coming to the UK to follow UK laws, adding that failure to do so can lead to “consequences”, including the refusal of an asylum claim and removal from the country. The booklet was published as latest Home Office statistics show that 93,525 people applied for asylum in the UK between April 2025 and March 2026, down by 12% compared with the previous year. The Home Office said removals of failed asylum seekers have reached their highest level since 2010 under the current government. Gender, Sex and Consent Sections IncludedA section on gender explains that women in the UK have equal rights with men and do not need permission from a husband, father, brother or any other man to work, study, travel or make decisions. The booklet’s section on sex and consent states that both people must agree to sexual activity or any sexual contact. It adds that consent cannot be given if someone is asleep, drunk, or unable to respond. Respect in Public and Support DetailsAnother section, titled Respect in Public, says it is not acceptable to whistle or make kissing noises at people in the street. It also warns against making sexual comments to someone, even if the person making the comment believes it is a compliment. The guidance also includes contact details for organisations providing support for victims and people seeking help with the issues raised in the document. Opposition Criticises, Labour Declines CommentThe Conservatives said asylum seekers who break UK law should be deported. Reform UK said the publication showed the government “knows that they are a menace”. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the approach should focus on deportations rather than trying to train asylum seekers to behave differently. In remarks cited from earlier comments, he argued that communities were not integrating properly, leaving what he described as “backwards” standards to persist. Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf posted a two-minute video on social media describing the booklet as “a disgrace”. He said the government had published what he characterised as a guide for illegal migrants on what he said people should not do, including committing sexual offences and other violent behaviour. A Labour spokesperson declined to comment. The Liberal Democrats and the Green Party were contacted for comment. Separate government figures cited by the Home Office show nearly 70,000 illegal migrants and foreign criminals have been returned or deported since Labour came to power in July 2024. The BBC reported that nearly 10,000 foreign criminals, including murderers and rapists, have been removed since the last election, a 36% increase compared with the previous 21 months. Join the discussion? 20 August 2026

The United States has sanctioned the president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and a senior prosecutor linked to investigations into crimes alleged during Israel’s war in Gaza, the State Department said. The designations were announced by Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state. In a statement, he accused the ICC, based in The Hague, of being corrupt and driven by politics, saying it had misused its powers and gone beyond its mandate. Rubio Names ICC President and ProsecutorRubio said the US would sanction Tomoko Akane of Japan, the ICC president, and Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal, an ICC senior trial lawyer. He said they had “directly engaged” in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute officials from a country that has not consented to ICC jurisdiction. The State Department last month unveiled what it described as a campaign to counter the ICC’s impact on US sovereignty, arguing that the court posed a threat to the US and its officials. In that earlier statement, the department said the aim was to reduce the ICC’s ability to function, including by preventing it from targeting American servicemen or officials, or otherwise undermining US sovereignty. Call for Withdrawal and Response From TrumpRubio urged the 125 countries that are members of the ICC to withdraw from the court. Donald Trump, the US president, has said his administration is targeting the ICC because of what it views as the risk to Israel. The US has sanctioned ICC personnel before. It previously designated Karim Khan, an ICC prosecutor who had pursued arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and for Yoav Gallant, Israel’s former defence minister, in relation to alleged war crimes during the Gaza war. In an executive order in 2025, Trump said the court had carried out actions he described as illegitimate and baseless, targeting the United States and its ally Israel. Rubio did not specify the precise steps taken by Akane and Seye, beyond saying they were involved in ICC efforts to investigate and pursue proceedings against officials. Reported Gaza-Linked ICC Work and Wider SanctionsIsraeli media have reported that Seye is also involved in overseeing an ICC investigation into claims relating to Israeli funding for illegal settlements and the provision of weapons to settlers in the West Bank. Separately, Israeli officials warned local media in May that the ICC could seek a further set of arrest warrants. They said the court may request warrants for five ministers and senior military officials tied to violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The US has designated at least 11 ICC officials through sanctions linked to other cases as well, including investigations that also cover alleged actions by US soldiers in Afghanistan. Neither the United States nor Israel is a member of the ICC, and both do not recognise its jurisdiction. Legal Challenge by Rights GroupsFour human rights organisations sued Trump last week, arguing that the administration’s move targets the ICC. The groups said the sanctions prevent victims of alleged war crimes from seeking justice. Join the discussion? 19 August 2026

President Trump has renewed his push to claim the Strait of Hormuz for the United States, posting a revised map of the waterway that labels it “new US territory”. On Tuesday, Trump shared the image on his Truth Social account and then made further claims in subsequent posts. He said the strait had been cleared of Iranian mines and that no additional talks with the Islamic Republic were planned. The latest move follows warnings from Iran and growing uncertainty over shipping routes through the strait, a key passage for oil and other trade between the Gulf and the open sea. Map Posted On Truth SocialTrump posted the revised map shortly after previously raising the idea of a permanent US presence in the strait during an election campaign event on Long Island on Friday. Truth Social / realDonaldTrump In his later comments, the president linked his claim to the expectation that the conflict with Iran would eventually end, reiterating that he intended to declare the Hormuz Strait a US territory after what he described as the defeat of Iran. Separately, Trump’s posts also suggested that the security situation around the waterway had changed, saying that mines in the area had been cleared. Long Island Remarks And Nuclear WarningAt the Long Island event, Trump told supporters that once the campaign against Iran was finished, he would declare the Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States. He also argued that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was worth paying extra for fuel, saying it would mean motorists would pay “a tiny little bit more for your gasoline”. He added that he would not apologise for his approach, saying he had “done the right thing”. Since then, he has repeatedly floated the idea of declaring the strait US territory following the war with Iran, which is in its sixth month. Ceasefire Collapse And Route Through OmanEarlier, an initial ceasefire arrangement collapsed last month after Iran renewed attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The renewed strikes came after ships used a route approved by the United States along the coast of Oman. The breakdown has left the situation around the strait tense, with Trump continuing to underline US plans and Iran responding with sharp criticism of his assertions. Iran Response And Shipping DisruptionIran has said Trump’s claim amounts to “delusions”. In a statement, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the strait would only be opened and closed under Iran’s command, adding that Iran would keep enforcing what he described as a blockade unless the US accepted defeat and stopped indulging in those claims. The uncertainty has contributed to reduced traffic through the waterway, with fewer than a dozen ships transiting per day and only six crossing on Monday. Markets have also reacted to the latest developments. Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose to $91 a barrel on Tuesday after the US ruled out extending the ceasefire deal. Join the discussion? 19 August 2026

President Donald Trump contradicted Vice President JD Vance on Monday, after Vance had argued that keeping oil and gas affordable for Americans was the administration’s top priority amid the war involving Iran. In a post on social media on Monday morning, Trump said the “number one Goal is, and always will be” preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The message differed from Vance’s remarks made on Fox News last Thursday, when he outlined a different order of priorities for the administration. Vance: Keep Oil And Gas CheapOn the programme, Vance said that “goal No. 1” was “keep oil and gas cheap for Americans all over our country”. He then added that “goal No. 2” was to ensure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon, saying he was confident both aims were being met. The vice president’s focus on fuel prices diverged from Trump’s stated mission of stopping Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Trump has also previously dismissed the idea that the domestic US economy should influence decisions tied to Iran. Trump Rejects Economic Trade-OffIn May, when asked how much pressure on Americans’ finances was motivating him to pursue a deal, Trump said the issue did not factor into his thinking. He said his focus was solely that Iran could not have a nuclear weapon, adding that he did not take account of Americans’ financial situation when considering action related to Iran. Some Republicans have acknowledged that gas prices are high. Trump, however, said he would not apologise for the cost faced by drivers. Speaking at the New York police academy last Friday, Trump told the audience he would not apologise for gas prices. He said Iran is the “No. 1 state sponsor of terror in the world” and that the US does not want it to obtain nuclear weapons. He added that paying somewhat more for fuel was acceptable. White House: Both Goals MatterAfter Vance’s comments aboard Air Force One on Friday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration regarded both aims as equally important to Trump. She said the administration wanted to keep gas prices low and had taken steps to support market stability, while also ensuring Iran never obtained a nuclear weapon. Leavitt said the nuclear objective was the president’s priority in relation to the ongoing conflict, and that he intended to pursue it “one way or another”. Trump’s post arrived shortly after Fox News host Lawrence Jones reacted to Vance’s remarks on Monday morning and called for clearer alignment on the US objectives. About eight minutes later, Trump published his message. Roughly an hour into the broadcast, Jones said it appeared the president had clarified what “priority No. 1” was for the United States. Strait Of Hormuz In The SpotlightThe status of the Strait of Hormuz has become a central focus of the conflict, contributing volatility to global energy markets even as the fighting between Iran and the other side has fluctuated. Trump has argued that the cost of not intervening would exceed the higher gas prices Americans are facing. GasBuddy put the average price of a gallon of regular at $4.02, up seven cents from the previous week and more than a dollar per gallon since the start of the war. Join the discussion? 18 August 2026

US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Jared Kushner met Hamas officials in Egypt to discuss the next steps in the US-backed plan for peace in Gaza, according to a Palestinian source. A Palestinian official told the BBC that Kushner met a delegation led by Hamas’s new leader Khalil al-Hayya on Sunday in Egypt. Talks in EgyptTrump’s son-in-law travelled to Egypt as part of efforts to advance the proposal backed by the US administration. The discussions were held with a Hamas delegation led by al-Hayya, and included envoys from Trump’s Board of Peace. Reports said the meeting also involved Nickolai Mladenov and former UK prime minister Tony Blair, alongside representatives from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, which have played roles in mediation around the conflict. No official statement has been issued describing the talks. Media reports said the focus included practical steps to decommission Hamas weapons. They also referred to issues including the withdrawal of Israeli forces and humanitarian measures. Kushner’s meeting with Hayya was described as the first of this level since a ceasefire agreement for the Gaza Strip was reached last year. Disarmament And Wider Plan DisputedTrump’s Board of Peace said last month it had agreed with what it described as the “complete disarmament” of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. Israel has not accepted the plan. Last week, it rejected a 15-point proposal that also calls for Israeli troops to withdraw and for Gaza to be rebuilt under a new civilian Palestinian administration. Eight Muslim countries issued a statement on Sunday condemning Israel’s rejection. Trump chairs the Board of Peace, an international organisation that was originally intended to help bring peace to Gaza before being broadened to cover other conflicts worldwide. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week that Israel would not withdraw troops until Hamas is genuinely disarmed, adding that it rejected the Board of Peace’s 15-point document. He spoke despite the US administration’s backing of the plan. Netanyahu Meeting PlannedWhile in Egypt, Kushner also met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, according to Israeli media reports. Those reports also said Kushner, Mladenov and Blair would meet Netanyahu on Monday to try to advance the proposal. In a joint statement on Sunday, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan and Indonesia said Israel’s rejection of the US plan could undermine Trump’s efforts to secure peace. The ceasefire that came into effect on 10 October last year remains in place. However, Israel’s military has carried out strikes in Gaza since then, including attacks in the Khan Yunis and Nuseirat areas. Israel said the strikes targeted “terrorists” and accused Hamas of breaking the truce. War BackgroundThe war began after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response. More than 73,000 people have died in Gaza since the war began, according to the territory’s health ministry. The UN considers the ministry’s figures reliable. The UN estimates that about 1.9 million people, or 90% of Gaza’s population, have been displaced since the conflict started. AQNiqGGdtjfq-CJ52e8-cA-czygiNE8l7jeQb0eUvlbB_g7fpak3h2E2mVZUI7JHqvoj_wHr-wUsj8ZMTrcR5NvtTYC4LObf5Lchri0EnQ.mp4 Join the discussion? 17 August 2026

Iran’s Supreme Leader has moved to promote security figures with long experience in foreign confrontation and domestic repression, elevating six hardliners to senior roles in the security establishment, according to analysts and reporting. US President Donald Trump has argued that his campaign of pressure on Tehran has produced a more “rational” and “reasonable” leadership in Iran. But the latest appointments point to a leadership that appears set on confronting Washington rather than seeking compromise. Security appointments follow new national security chiefThe changes were announced this week, with the senior appointments described as having been made by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Monday. They came after the naming of Mohsen Rezaie as national security chief the day before. Experts said the reshuffle reflects a shift away from the more cautious style associated with Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba’s father, who had been supreme leader until he was assassinated by Israel at the start of the war. They said the new approach combines greater aggression towards external enemies with tighter attention to dissent within Iran. Offensive posture and tighter internal controlHamidreza Azizi, of the Clingendael Institute in the Netherlands, said the leadership’s priorities are twofold: preparing the state for a more confrontational external environment and “securitising” day-to-day domestic life. Azizi said the emphasis on offensive operations, unified command and faster decision-making suggests a movement from Ali Khamenei’s traditionally cautious approach to a form of “offensive deterrence”. Saeid Golkar, associate professor of political science at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, said many appointees have intelligence backgrounds and that the overall picture is of a security-dominated bureaucracy taking stronger hold of Iran’s administrative system. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said the changes reinforce “maximalist and hardline” positions. These include insisting on absolute Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz, calling for the removal of US troops from the region and pressing ahead with Iran’s nuclear programme. Rezaie and the strategy of continued pressureRezaie has repeatedly called for resistance against the United States while leaving space for negotiation. In March, he warned that if the US strikes Iran’s electricity infrastructure, the response would not follow a tit-for-tat pattern, but instead would extend to multiple forms of retaliation. Last month, he said the United States had been trapped by Iran and that Iran would not allow it to escape. Analysts also linked the appointments to broader aims of prolonging conflict with the US and seeking to ensure that Trump’s political allies face setbacks in upcoming midterm elections. Vali Nasr, author of Iran’s Grand Strategy, said the new leadership is more risk-taking and that it appears to believe Iran’s comparatively limited reaction in 2020 to the killing of Qasem Soleimani by the US was a factor behind Trump’s escalation in his second term. Soleimani was targeted by a US missile in Baghdad at the end of Trump’s first term, and Iran did not respond directly, despite furious rhetoric. Israeli analyst Danny Citrinowicz said the leadership is more willing to use Iranian military capabilities directly and to test adversaries with less restraint. He said the shift is especially significant for the nuclear issue, arguing that some inside Iran view Ali Khamenei’s strategy of a strategic “limbo” as having weakened the country. Basij role points to deeper neighbourhood intelligenceOne of the appointments brings back a veteran intelligence figure to lead the Basij volunteer militia, which operates under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and played a major role in suppressing protests in January. Hossein Taeb, described as an ally of Mojtaba Khamenei, had previously headed IRGC intelligence. Sina Toossi wrote that Taeb was a divisive figure associated with hardline repression of dissent, and noted that the US sanctioned him in 2010 for involvement in suppressing protests after an election widely described as rigged. Taeb’s new mandate, Toossi said, calls for strengthening the Basij’s “public intelligence network”, using modern technologies and expanding neighbourhood organisation. Babak Vahdad, an independent researcher, said this represents a more granular internal security effort, pushing collection, detection and early warning deeper into neighbourhoods, local social networks and mosques. Golkar said some analysts see the appointments, including the return of security veterans, as a hedge against possible unrest if economic pressures intensify again. Despite uncertainties over who designed the changes—Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen or heard from directly since being chosen as supreme leader in March—Azizi said the overall combination of figures such as Taeb, Rezaie, and Ahmad Vahidi, now commander of the IRGC, indicates a leadership increasingly relying on experienced intelligence and military personnel to consolidate control after the war. Join the discussion? 12 August 2026

The Pentagon has released another batch of declassified UFO-related records, including new videos, images and documents describing unidentified objects seen by US personnel across multiple locations and decades. The latest release comprises 41 files uploaded as the US defence department continues to publish material following an order from President Donald Trump earlier this year. It is the fifth tranche in a wider, multi-stage programme that has so far produced hundreds of documents. Pentagon Release and File DetailsThe department previously uploaded an initial set of 161 files on 8 May, and said more would follow. This fifth drop includes more than a dozen videos, three images and around a score of PDF documents. The documentation spans from 1953, the earliest item, to material dated this year. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the department will continue releasing additional documents on a “rolling basis” as further records are made public. Gulf of Oman and Middle East VideosOne video described in the new set was recorded over the Gulf of Oman in 2021 and shows what it characterises as a dark “cold orb” moving in irregular patterns. The file says that, at first glance, the movement resembles a housefly crossing the frame, and estimates the object at about 4 feet (1.2 metres) in diameter. The records use the US government’s terminology “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena” (UAP), which is applied to objects that have not been identified. UAP can occur over land and at sea, and are described in airspace as well as underwater contexts, according to the documentation. Another video, captured by a US military sensor camera at an undisclosed location in the Middle East in 2025, shows a round sphere travelling in a straight line over an area that appears to be residential. Pilot Account and Pacific FootageA declassified FBI document included in the release describes an account from a former military pilot of lights seen in the sky in October 2023 during a flight between Boston and Dublin. The pilot said other pilots had reported similar incidents between midnight and 3am. The document states that the lights began dim and grew brighter before fading out. It adds that some lights remained stationary while others moved along straight lines, at times changing direction. The pilot also reported seeing variations of the lights at least ten times after first spotting them in 2023. In footage dated 2019 from the Pacific Ocean, a black sphere appears and then disappears from view. When it reappears, the object is described as quivering and then drifting slowly from left to right. The file notes that although the imagery was collected by a sensor, the display was recorded using a handheld device, which may have contributed to flickering in the footage. Earlier Naval Review and New RenderingsA 1953 PDF in the tranche includes conclusions by the US Naval Photographic Interpretation Center about two videos recorded in the western United States, in Montana in 1950 and in Utah in 1952. The memo states that the apparent objects increased in size as their “luminosity” increased, and it concludes that the videos depict characteristics “inconsistent with those of natural phenomena”. All three images in the release are described as renderings, meaning they are artistic interpretations based on first-hand descriptions rather than direct photographic capture. One rendering depicts a large dark triangle with round lights at each corner, based on an encounter described by two former US military service members from the summer of 2011. Interest in extraterrestrial life has increased in the US in recent years, including after Congress held its first UFO hearings in five decades in 2022 and the military pledged to expand transparency. AQPxh6Sx62PwAMeRhNfgfB7jKO1RgtuEzIuu8vRkJdETZ68Ic78p5eB4g3ioIrFVAWtQ_SqiJgkaGB9MJTEiUbwFoDyWxPY5-Bkxm1-53sdBvg.mp4 Join the discussion? 8 August 2026

Germany has said Russia was behind a drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany last month, after officials reviewed equipment used in the incident and intelligence assessments. The attack was discovered on 4 August, when a drone carrying an explosive device was found at the airport near Ukrainian cargo aircraft. The device did not detonate, with investigators concluding that the detonator was faulty. German authorities said they believe a second drone then collided with a nearby cargo aircraft, while a third drone was reportedly found at the site ten days later. Drone Attack At Leipzig/Halle AirportInterior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the episode followed what he described as a long-established pattern of Russian “hybrid operations” in Europe, adding that Germany had assumed it could be targeted again. He said the examination of the explosive equipment, together with intelligence findings, showed Russian involvement. Germany has previously said it believed “foreign powers” could be behind the Leipzig incident but had not publicly identified Russia. German Response And Russian RetaliationForeign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany would take further steps against Moscow. He said he would order the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn and terminate the contract for the Russian House in Berlin, a venue that many observers have linked to espionage and Russian propaganda. Wadephul also announced tighter entry controls for Russian nationals and said Germany would increase pressure on Russia’s “shadow fleet” — old tankers used to help circumvent Western sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He said he had summoned Russia’s ambassador to Germany, Sergei Nechayev, after the announcement. Nechayev was seen arriving at Germany’s foreign ministry shortly afterwards. Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, said Moscow would respond in a “mirror-image” manner to Germany’s measures, and told the German Press Agency that Berlin was “sponsoring terrorism” in reference to military and economic support for Ukraine. Russia has consistently rejected allegations of involvement in such attacks. Reactions In NATO And The EUNato chief Mark Rutte said the alliance was “in full solidarity with Germany”, adding that the evidence was clear and that he welcomed the steps announced by Berlin. He posted the comment on X. The measures were expected to be discussed at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Ireland later on Tuesday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X that the EU would stand against Russian aggression and deter those seeking to undermine European freedom and security, adding that additional sanctions against Russia were being prepared. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Russia was “escalating tension across the whole region”. Polish prosecutors are investigating whether foreign intelligence services were involved in a fire at a factory making drone components on Monday. In the UK, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Russian efforts to undermine support for Ukraine were “futile and doomed to fail”. Other Security Incidents And PoliticsLeipzig/Halle Airport is used for military transport involving Germany and Nato allies, and it is also a base for Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines, which carries most of the country’s air freight. Germany has reported drone sightings at airports, military and industrial sites over the past year. Chancellorship security officials have warned that Germany is a “daily target” for hybrid warfare, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz said last week that those carrying out hostile acts would “pay a price”. The government has said it is looking to strengthen intelligence powers, which critics have described as limited. The announcement comes as Merz faces political pressure at home. A key state election in Saxony-Anhalt could give the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) a state-level role for the first time. The AfD, Germany’s largest opposition party, wants to stop sending support to Ukraine and to reopen ties with Russia. An MP from Merz’s CDU, Roderich Kiesewetter, said the steps taken so far “fall far short” and that Moscow “just laughs” when the ambassador is summoned. Separately on Tuesday, German police said they are investigating the discovery of improvised explosive and incendiary devices at a power substation in Brandenburg. A power line was damaged, causing a temporary outage, and it is not known who planted the devices. Join the discussion? 2 September 2026

A federal judge on Thursday night issued a temporary order blocking the Trump administration from putting in place key provisions of a newly finalised rule aimed at restricting mail-in voting. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani said the order prevents the United States Postal Service from increasing its oversight of mail-in voting, after President Donald Trump signed an executive order that would effectively place the Postal Service in the role of primary enforcer for whether mail voters meet eligibility requirements. Temporary Order Halts key ProvisionsTalwani’s ruling blocks the implementation of the newly finalised rule for at least 14 days. The decision restricts the government’s plan to expand the Postal Service’s involvement in the mail-voting process by limiting action that would increase oversight relating to mail-voter eligibility. The order was issued as the administration moved to finalise and advance the rule following the executive order issued by Trump. Court Limits Postal Service RoleUnder Talwani’s temporary injunction, the Postal Service is barred from taking steps that would amount to additional supervision of mail-in voting in connection with the eligibility standards referenced in the administration’s approach. The executive order that led to the rule sought to use the Postal Service as the central mechanism for enforcing eligibility requirements for mail voters. Talwani’s latest action halts that effort, at least temporarily, by stopping the rule’s key components from taking effect. Prior Block on Executive Order LiftedTalwani had previously blocked Trump’s executive order, but that decision was later reversed. On Wednesday, she lifted her own block after the Supreme Court ruled on Monday that she had moved too quickly at the time. The Supreme Court’s decision meant the executive order could proceed, prompting the administration to finalise the rule restricting mail-in voting further. Shortly thereafter, the judge returned with the new temporary order. New Ruling Adds Delay of at Least 14 DaysThursday night’s order keeps the newly finalised rule from being implemented immediately, giving the challenge an additional pause while the dispute remains before the courts. The ruling lasts for at least 14 days, delaying the administration’s attempt to apply the rule’s core provisions that would involve the Postal Service more directly in oversight of mail-voter eligibility. Join the discussion? 28 August 2026

Canada has introduced retaliatory tariffs on roughly $20 billion of American goods, alongside new support for businesses and workers, as Washington and Ottawa move further into a trade dispute between the two countries. The measures, announced on Tuesday, match the latest U.S. duties on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Canada said the counter-tariffs will apply from September 8 and will cover imports across around 700 product categories. Tariffs Begin On September 8Canada’s retaliation comes after the Trump administration imposed new 50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian imports, effective from Saturday, following talks between the two countries that ended without agreement. Canada’s new duties run at three rates, depending on the product. The government said imports subject to the package will face 15%, 25% or 50% tariffs. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the response would be paired with support aimed at protecting workers, farmers, families and firms. He said Canada would apply counter-tariffs “dollar-for-dollar” and provide a “multi-billion” assistance package in parallel. The White House and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Scope Of Goods And Sector ImpactCanada said the counter-tariffs were calculated using 2024 trade figures. The affected goods account for nearly 4.5% of Canada’s imports from the United States. The Canadian measures include a 50% tariff rate on steel, aluminium, furniture and clothing. A 25% rate will apply to cheese, appliances and some seafood, while a 15% rate covers electronics and tools. RELATED Carney Says U.S. Wants to 'Destroy' Canadian Industries Industry analysis suggests the U.S. tariffs are narrower in relative terms, affecting about 5% of Canada’s exports to the United States. However, trade analysts said the impact could be concentrated in sectors already under pressure, including wood products such as kitchen cabinet manufacturers. Canada’s list of retaliatory items also includes prepared foods, perfumes and toiletries, plastics, lumber, wood pulp and paper products, carpets and clothing. Political Pressure Cited By MinistersIndustry Minister Mélanie Joly said the Canadian tariffs were designed mainly to protect domestic businesses, but also to increase leverage ahead of U.S. midterm elections on November 3. Joly said Canadian retailers should ensure competitors do not access the Canadian market “in a better way than” their own products. She added that some of the targeted goods were selected to apply pressure to states in the United States. C$7.5 Billion Support PackageAlongside the tariffs, Canada unveiled a C$7.5 billion package of measures intended to support small and medium-sized businesses, with funding focused on improving company cash flow and backing workers affected by the new duties. A federal lender, the Business Development Bank of Canada, will provide part of the assistance, including interest-free loans ranging from C$2.5 million to C$5 million. Joly said businesses would not be required to repay for 36 months, a period that would extend through to the end of the Trump administration’s term. Join the discussion? 26 August 2026

A U.S. Air Force transport aircraft bound for Antarctica turned back to Christchurch, New Zealand, on Tuesday after a warning about a potentially hazardous activity affecting international airspace. The C-17 Globemaster, operating under the call sign ICE28, departed Christchurch at about 9:00 a.m. local time, before returning less than three hours later. The change was prompted by a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued at the direction of New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Warning Issued by New Zealand Civil Aviation AuthorityIn a statement on Tuesday, the CAA said it had been notified of potentially hazardous activity by Russia’s state air traffic management organisation, which led to the issuance of a NOTAM to alert pilots. On Wednesday, the agency said it had received further information from Russia about the hazard, identifying it as a planned missile launch. “The [CAA was] made aware by the Russian air traffic agency of a planned missile launch and associated potential hazard to international airspace, within New Zealand’s Oceanic Flight Information Region (FIR),” the CAA said. Oceanic Flight Information Region Covers High SeasThe Oceanic FIR is the airspace over the high seas that New Zealand manages under an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regional air navigation agreement. New Zealand’s air traffic management authority describes the FIR as covering an area of about 30 million square kilometres, largely over international waters across the South Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean and the Tasman Sea. Danger Area and NOTAM for OperatorsThe CAA said it established a danger area and issued the NOTAM to inform aircraft operators of the potential risk. It added that the measure does not automatically block flights through the area. “This does not prevent aircraft from flying through the area; operators make their decisions based on the information available,” the agency said. Part of Winter Resupply Flights to AntarcticaThe C-17 flight was scheduled as part of the U.S. Air Force’s winter fly season. The mission involves moving researchers and essential equipment to Antarctica before the summer research period begins. The aircraft is one of the operations scheduled annually to fly between Christchurch and research bases in Antarctica in both the United States and New Zealand. Join the discussion? 20 August 2026

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf on Tuesday attacked the US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, saying they were “out of their league” in efforts to bring Tehran back to peace negotiations. In a post on the social media platform X, Qalibaf said Washington believed that applying greater pressure to Iran would produce concessions that, he argued, were not part of any existing agreement. He added that Hegseth and Bessent should not be relied upon to steer the approach, urging US officials to stop waiting for them to reverse the situation. Criticism Of US Pressure ApproachQalibaf’s comments came as the Trump administration continues to seek ways to increase pressure on Iran. He framed the current strategy as a misunderstanding of what Iran would accept, and criticised the attempt to use force and sanctions to move Tehran towards talks. The speaker’s remarks also followed a period in which Hegseth, who oversees the US Department of Defence, has made limited public comments about the status of the US war against Iran in recent weeks. On Monday, he defended the Trump administration’s military actions during a public appearance at the Iowa State Fair. Hegseth Defends Military ActionsAt an event honouring service members, veterans and their families, Hegseth repeated a line from President Trump that the war is necessary to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Speaking at the event, Hegseth said there is a “cost” associated with difficult decisions involving national defence, which he linked to the objective of ensuring Iran does not acquire nuclear capability. He also said he was unwilling to accept a future in which a chance to address the threat had been missed. Hegseth’s intervention, which focused on the rationale for continued military pressure, came alongside broader efforts by Washington to push Iran towards negotiations. Sanctions Signal And No TalksBessent, the US Treasury Secretary, meanwhile indicated last week that Washington would consider sanctions on Iran that he described as unprecedented. His remarks suggested the administration is looking for further economic measures to increase leverage. The US has also tried to pressure Iran over access through the Strait of Hormuz and to return the sides to negotiations. However, officials have said that efforts to bring Iran back to talks have not produced significant results. On Tuesday, President Trump said there were no current negotiations with Iran. He said the war, now in its sixth month, has no clear end in sight, extending uncertainty over how the conflict might be resolved. Join the discussion? 19 August 2026

Prime Minister Andy Burnham exchanged messages with a person posing as Susie Wiles, the chief of staff to US President Donald Trump, Downing Street said it would not comment on the security breach. The incident was first reported by Politico. The report said officials were told Burnham had contacted an account claiming to be Wiles before he became suspicious that the contact was not legitimate. Politico said only “a few messages” were sent. A government spokesperson said: “We do not comment on national security matters.” Messages Sent, later Flagged as SuspiciousIt is understood the communication between Burnham and the person pretending to be Wiles took place via text messages, with no call between the two. Sources said the messages did not include information of significance. They added that once the contact was believed to be suspicious, the texts were quickly passed to the appropriate authorities. Downing Street declined to comment further on the breach. FBI Probe and Wiles Phone Hacking ClaimThe development comes after the BBC previously reported that the FBI was investigating an alleged hack of Wiles’ phone, following an incident in May last year. Wiles said her phone had been hacked after an impersonator, or impersonators, used her contacts file to send messages to other senior US figures. She said the targeting focused on her personal phone rather than a government device. The BBC report noted that recipients of the messages included US senators, governors and top business executives. In addition, Wiles—described as a close ally of Trump—had been among those targeted by a cyber espionage unit linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 2024, according to earlier reporting. UK Impersonation Incidents Including CameronA similar pattern has appeared in the UK’s own diplomatic communications. In 2024, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed that then-foreign secretary David Cameron had been the subject of a hoax call involving a person pretending to be former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. At the time, the FCDO said Cameron also exchanged some text messages with the impersonator. Poroshenko was president of Ukraine from 2014 to 2019. The FCDO said it released details of the exchange publicly because it feared the information could be “manipulated” if it were not addressed directly. It also noted that, during Cameron’s period as prime minister, he had held multiple dealings with Poroshenko, including meetings at international summits. The latest report about Burnham follows those earlier cases of impersonation involving senior political and diplomatic figures. Join the discussion? 17 August 2026

President Donald Trump said the United States will “substantially reduce” joint military exercises with South Korea, arguing the drills are costly and send an “inappropriate and hostile” signal. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the decision reflected his “very good relationship” with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un. He also pointed to South Korea’s recent decision not to join the United States in the denuclearisation of Iran. Trump said the exercises are expensive, with much of the cost paid by the United States, and added that the planned training is “too late to cancel” as the two countries are due to begin their annual manoeuvres on Monday. Neither Seoul nor Pyongyang issued a response to the comments. Cost, Costliness And A Different SignalTrump said the exercises were not only costly but also that they would communicate hostility. He said South Korea had declined an invitation for involvement in US-led denuclearisation efforts regarding Iran, adding that he had asked South Korean President if Seoul would like to join and that South Korea replied “No thanks”. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula following North Korea’s recent ballistic missile tests, which are banned under United Nations resolutions. Ulchi Freedom Shield Planned Next WeekThe reduction is taking place around the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, which was announced last week at a joint press conference by US and South Korean military leaders. They said the 11-day drills would be similar in scale to previous years and would involve about 18,000 South Korean soldiers. US and South Korean officials also referenced North Korea’s deployment of troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine. RELATED South Korea Urges Peace Talks to Finally End Korean War US military spokesperson Ryan Donald said the exercises are intended to account for that threat, referring to North Korean soldiers returning from the battlefield. He said about 28,500 American military personnel are stationed in South Korea. On Friday, North Korea’s foreign ministry condemned the joint drills as “a rehearsal for an aggressive war”. Triggered By Recent Missile TestsThe joint exercises are scheduled only days after South Korea, the United States and Japan detected a second North Korean missile test within a short period. Pyongyang has expanded its nuclear and missile programmes since the collapse in 2019 of Kim’s high-profile diplomacy with Trump during the president’s first term in office. Kim became the first sitting US president to visit North Korea, when Trump travelled there seven years ago. Trump’s remarks about South Korea also appeared to reflect frustration that Seoul has not made direct military or logistical contributions to US efforts related to the conflict in Iran. He has previously expressed dissatisfaction with other allies, including Japan, France and the United Kingdom, over what he described as reluctance to become involved. Previous Changes To ExercisesTrump’s decision to cut back training is not unprecedented. The United States suspended the exercises entirely in 2018 during denuclearisation negotiations with Kim. The drills were scaled back again in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Last week, South Korea’s president proposed talks with the northern neighbour on formally ending the war between the two countries, which remains technically active since an armistice signed in 1953. Join the discussion? 17 August 2026

The US administration’s decision last month to move Donald Trump off Air Force One using a reported ruse in Turkey has raised concerns in Washington about the credibility and seriousness of an Iranian assassination threat, experts said. The episode comes after joint US and Israeli strikes in February killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and scores of other senior Iranian officials on the first day of the war. In that context, a reported revenge plot against Trump was not expected to be far-fetched, analysts said, particularly given the long-running US warnings about Iran targeting Trump and people close to him. Turkey escape and surprise in WashingtonThe reported plan to remove Trump from the aircraft involved measures that left some aides and journalists on the plane, according to the account discussed by experts. The episode has been seen by some in Washington as notable because it suggested that protecting the president may have required unusual steps while others near him could still have been exposed to risk. Colin P Clarke, executive director of The Soufan Center, said the approach could make the administration’s posture look poor. He described the actions as “not a good look” and said they risked making Trump appear “weak”, while also stressing that threats should not be discounted even if they have not previously succeeded on US soil. Previous threat allegationsUS officials have accused Iran of seeking to assassinate Trump for years. In 2024, Manhattan federal prosecutors said Iranian authorities had ordered an operative to kill Trump while he was a presidential candidate, linking the alleged order to Trump’s role in the killing of Qassem Suleimani, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, during his first term. In July this year, Israel shared intelligence with the US saying Iran had drawn up a new plan to kill Trump. Separately, an Iraqi militant arrested earlier this year was alleged to have close ties to Iranian officials and was said to be considering an attack targeting Ivanka Trump. Senior figures including Mike Pompeo, Trump’s former secretary of state, and John Bolton, a national security adviser, were also reported to have been under threat. Bruce Hoffman, a senior fellow on counter-terrorism and homeland security at the Council on Foreign Relations, said the February strikes had set the stage for further threats. He said that, for Iran, revenge “is something that’s taken very seriously” and that the killing of Suleimani “has set in motion very serious threats”. Hoffman also said humiliation can be treated as a form of revenge from Iran’s perspective. He added that, in view of the reported Turkey operation, Iran may benefit from the episode regardless of how imminent the threat was “from the Iranian point of view”. Capability and implications for talksExperts pointed to a broader historical pattern in which Iran and its networks have used terrorism as part of foreign policy. Hoffman cited the 1992 Buenos Aires car bombing outside the Israeli embassy, which killed 29 after Abbas al-Musawi, the then secretary general of Hezbollah, was assassinated. He also cited a bombing two years later on a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people and injured more than 300. While the current risk has been widely discussed since the war began, Matthew Levitt, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, wrote in May for War on the Rocks that authorities had not reported a single homeland plot specifically tied to Iran. He noted that lone attackers angered by the war had killed Americans, but that those cases were not directly linked to Iranian intelligence or security agencies. Levitt argued that Iran’s ability to execute attacks may have been “somewhat diminished” by strikes targeting senior figures involved in external operations, including Rahman Moqadam, head of special operations in the IRGC’s intelligence organisation, and Majid Khademi, head of the IRGC Intelligence Organisation. Clarke said Iran’s past patience in assembling complex attacks—citing the 1994 Buenos Aires attack—also suggested the conflict may not be winding down as some may assume. Hoffman said Iran’s readiness to try to kill a sitting US president would likely complicate the White House’s calculations and could affect negotiations to end the war, arguing it showed Iran was not backing down. Join the discussion? 13 August 2026

A Syrian court has sentenced former leader Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia, convicting him of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the country’s civil war. The ruling was issued as Syria’s interim authorities continue legal proceedings against people linked to the Assad regime, which ruled for more than 50 years before being overthrown in December 2024. Death sentence following Assad’s flightAssad left Damascus for Moscow with his family after the collapse of his rule, ending a decades-long grip on power that began with his father. The court said he was responsible for the offences during the conflict. The same case also resulted in a death sentence for Atef Najib, Assad’s cousin and the former head of political security in the southern province of Deraa. Najib was brought before the court in a cage while the judge read out the sentence. Deraa is widely regarded as the birthplace of the uprising that began against Assad’s rule. Protest sparked by detention and alleged tortureIn March 2011, demonstrations erupted in Deraa after a group of teenagers were detained and were accused of writing anti-government graffiti. The authorities’ handling of the arrests included allegations of torture, and security forces responded with a violent crackdown. The unrest in the city quickly spread nationwide. What began as protests escalated into a civil war in which hundreds of thousands of people were killed. Interim government prosecutes former officialsEarlier this year, Syria’s interim government began trying officials connected to the former regime. Najib was described as one of the highest-ranking figures to face trial. The court convicted Najib of crimes including murder, the “intentional killing of children under 15”, and “torture leading to death”. The proceedings were among the most prominent legal actions taken since the rapid end of the Assad dynasty following a campaign led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is now Syria’s president. Since taking power, the new authorities have detained a number of former officials and security personnel. However, most senior figures from the old regime, including Assad himself, remain beyond reach because they are in Russia. Extradition remains uncertainIt remains unclear whether Syria’s new authorities can obtain Assad’s extradition from Moscow. This is not the first move against him since the fall of the regime. An arrest warrant was issued last December for Assad on charges of murder and torture. During the final years of his rule, attempts by Syrian opposition figures to pursue Assad through courts in Western countries did not result in any convictions. Join the discussion? 11 August 2026

US President Donald Trump said he would demand that Iran pay compensation for deaths and injuries caused over recent decades, in a move he portrayed as part of efforts to end wider conflicts and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The statement, made in a post on Truth Social, marks the latest sign of friction around talks aimed at winding down the war in the region and restarting shipping through one of the world’s most important oil routes. Reparations demand on Truth SocialTrump said he was issuing a demand for “war reparations” after Iranian negotiators raised similar claims for damage linked to fighting that has lasted about five months and has killed thousands, he said. He claimed Iran’s attacks include “roadside bombs” and other conflicts associated with figures such as General Qassem Soleimani, and he said the request covers the families of people killed in combat, including those connected to the USS Cole. Trump also said compensation should be paid to families of “hundreds of thousands” of protesters he said Iran has killed over the past 50 years, adding that he believed 52,000 people had been killed in the past five months. Talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz stallThe reparations demand is likely to be difficult for Iran’s leadership to accept, coming as Trump and other senior US negotiators continue to work, without success so far, on an arrangement they have repeatedly described as close to completion. The aim is to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global oil trade flowed before the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran in late February. Despite US officials saying a deal was imminent on multiple occasions, no agreement has materialised, and Trump’s comments add further pressure to negotiations that are already being closely watched by regional governments and oil markets. Netanyahu rejects Trump’s Gaza roadmapThe remarks also followed fresh setbacks in Trump’s push to end multiple Middle East conflicts before the November midterm elections, when high oil prices and inflation could affect Republican support. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he rejected Trump’s “Board of Peace” 15-point plan for ending Israel’s war in Gaza. Netanyahu said Hamas must fully disarm before Israel would consider withdrawing from Gaza, opposing the phased withdrawal approach set out in the proposal. He presented his position as a refusal to accept US pressure on Israel’s war aims, saying: “Unlike all those who lecture us, we do what needs to be done for Israel’s security, and we can and know how to stand our ground, even against our best friends when necessary.” Trump had not responded to Netanyahu’s statement by the time of reporting, but earlier on Monday, when asked a question in the Oval Office, he said his relationship with Netanyahu was “very good”. Trump expands scope of demandsTrump said the reparations demands would also extend beyond the immediate conflict, broadening the targets after his first post. About an hour later, he wrote that, for the purposes of the Iran negotiations, Iran should be held responsible for damage and deaths affecting people in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Gaza. Join the discussion? 11 August 2026

Mark Zuckerberg has faced questions about why his 387ft superyacht, reportedly worth about $300m, did not respond to a call for help from another boat in south-east Alaska. The incident, reported last week, involved a 21ft skiff that ran out of fuel between Petersburg and Juneau. According to the Alaska Beacon, the crew of a nearby cruise ship that was further away than Zuckerberg’s yacht went to the rescue after receiving the request. Meta Platforms chief executive officer Zuckerberg, who also leads Facebook and Instagram, was not on board his yacht at the time, his representative said. Skiff rescue after fuel ran outA passenger on the UnCruise Adventures ship Wilderness Legacy said the vessel rescued a stranded boat during the night. The passenger posted the account on Bluesky, saying the cruise ship responded after communications were raised with the yacht that was closer. The passenger wrote that the rescue took place after the Coast Guard radioed Zuckerberg’s yacht and that the yacht “repeatedly refused to respond”. They also said there was “near unanimous booing” when the ship’s captain discussed the situation with other passengers. The post described the yacht as having been in the area of Auke Bay for an extended period, though the comments were part of wider reactions to the story. Picture courtesy of The Guardian Questions over reported lack of helpZuckerberg’s yacht has come under scrutiny following the report that it did not assist the stranded skiff when nearby vessels called for support. The account alleges the yacht was approached for help multiple times. It also suggests the rescue operation did not involve the yacht, despite being closer to the incident than the cruise ship that responded. Zuckerberg spokesperson: crew on different radio channelBrian Baker, a spokesperson for Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, told Forbes that Zuckerberg was not on board the yacht, named Launchpad, at the time. Baker said the crew had been using a different radio channel and only reviewed the broadcast after the situation had progressed. He added that “the assist was already under way” by the time they reviewed the communication. The spokesperson’s account did not dispute the underlying rescue, but it did challenge the claim that the yacht’s crew declined to help in the moment. Wider criticism and online reactionEven without Zuckerberg being present on his yacht, the report is unlikely to remove criticism that has previously been directed at him and his companies, the original article said. Zuckerberg has faced longstanding criticism over the societal impact of social media platforms operated by Meta. He has also been the subject of renewed attention linked to his relationship with Donald Trump, according to reporting cited in the source, and to criticism of his lifestyle. Online responses to the Alaska rescue story included strong condemnation from some users. One Reddit comment, posted in response to the rescue report, expressed anger at Zuckerberg and described the yacht as an “eyesore” in Auke Bay. The episode has reignited questions about how responsibility is handled during emergencies at sea, though details of the radio communications remain a point of contention between the reports and the spokesperson’s explanation. Join the discussion? 10 August 2026

North Korea has advised citizens to eat dog meat soup to help them cope with high summer temperatures, as record heat grips the Korean peninsula. In guidance published by state media, the ruling Workers’ Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun urged people to follow both food-based cooling measures and first-aid steps for heat-related illness, while warning that prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can worsen certain health conditions. Heat Advice From State MediaIn an article published on Sunday, Rodong Sinmun shared recommendations for handling a heatwave. It said an interview with a senior doctor at Pyongyang General Hospital included cautions that heat exhaustion and heatstroke could aggravate cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hyperthyroidism. The newspaper also suggested ways to cool the body through foods, recommending watermelon, mung beans and cucumbers. For nutrition during the heat, it pointed readers towards “highly nutritious foods”, including dog meat soup, fish porridge and red bean porridge. Dangogi Promoted As Cultural TraditionDog meat soup, known locally as dangogi guk, has been promoted by the North Korean authorities for years as a traditional health tonic, despite remaining out of reach for many residents because of its cost. Ri Chol, a former North Korean diplomat, said dangogi is largely consumed on hot summer days to help people withstand heat exhaustion, but described it as “a pricey food” that is not affordable for many ordinary citizens. Pyongyang has promoted dangogi for decades, including by opening upmarket speciality restaurants along the Taedong River and designating regional recipes as cultural heritage. The government has also held annual cooking competitions in the capital to raise the dish’s profile, presenting it as a patriotic way to endure summer conditions. Advisories Across The PeninsulaIn North Korea, authorities have been issuing multiple heat advisories as temperatures remain high. Since July 27, Pyongyang has experienced a run of tropical nights, with overnight temperatures staying above 25C. The Korean Central Broadcasting Station reported on Monday that a “sweltering heat advisory” would stay in place until Sunday in most areas south of the country’s central region, and in parts of the north. It said daytime temperatures in these areas were expected to reach 33C to 35C, with average relative humidity above 70%. A separate “high temperature advisory” has been issued through Saturday for Pyongyang, North Pyongan Province, parts of Jagang Province, and parts of the central and southern regions. Forecasts for those areas range from 35C to 40C. The guidance from North Korean state media comes as conditions on the other side of the border also deteriorate. South Korea Faces Severe HeatwaveSouth Korea is dealing with one of its most severe heatwaves in decades. Temperatures recently rose above 40C in parts of the country’s south-east, and forecasters said the extreme heat is moving towards the Seoul metropolitan area. They attributed the lack of relief to weather patterns linked to Typhoon Dolphin, which is moving towards Japan. Forecasters said it is likely to intensify the heat rather than bring cooling. Meteorologists believe the typhoon will be blocked by two large heat domes around the peninsula, allowing only hot, dry winds to reach South Korea. Kim Soo-hyeon, a forecaster at the Korea Meteorological Administration, said western regions are expected to become even hotter because of persistent easterly winds. “As Typhoon Dolphin moves westwards from the waters north of Guam, the easterly winds are expected to persist, so temperatures in western regions are likely to remain high for the time being,” Kim said. Policy Contrast With South KoreaNorth Korea’s promotion of dog meat soup contrasts with South Korean law changes. In 2024, South Korea passed legislation banning the breeding, slaughter, distribution and sale of dogs for human consumption. The law allows a three-year grace period ending in February 2027, after which people found in violation face penalties including up to three years in prison or fines of up to 30 million South Korean won (US$22,000). Join the discussion? 4 August 2026

The US military command overseeing operations in the Middle East has asked analysts for “new ideas” on how to pressure Iran and push it towards negotiations on terms favoured by President Donald Trump, according to two sources familiar with the request. The prompt came in an email sent by a senior officer in the intelligence branch of US Central Command (CENTCOM) to a broad group of military analysts on Wednesday, one source said. A second source said a senior US military officer issued a similar request last week to gather additional options for dealing with Iran. The outreach, which officials said was unusual to run through email, was seen as a sign that the range of available moves for Trump appears limited. CENTCOM officials also acknowledged in the message that the strategy may need reassessment. In a statement, CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Timothy Hawkins said the command has a record of working in innovative ways, adding that Admiral Cooper reaches out across the team, regardless of rank, to improve operational performance. CENTCOM Email Message Raises Pressure For New OptionsTrump’s review of strategy has taken place alongside repeated military actions over recent weeks. The US has carried out air strikes intended to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and to bring Tehran back to the negotiating table, but no deal has emerged. The email request arrived shortly before Trump threatened further strikes on Iran, only to call them off over the weekend after intervention by regional officials, including Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, who urged de-escalation. Strike Plans Face Military And Political LimitsAccording to two sources familiar with planning, the US military has prepared for attacks on “Pickaxe Mountain” and other Iranian sites believed to hold nuclear material or equipment. Trump has also been weighing intensified strikes, including renewed efforts against remaining Iranian nuclear facilities, which he previously claimed were destroyed in last summer’s campaign. However, the sources said that even with US conventional firepower, missiles and bombs alone are unlikely to be decisive because the facilities are buried deep underground. Achieving greater effect would probably require ground forces, a course described as a major risk that Trump has been reluctant to take. The sources also pointed to concerns about transparency around service member casualties, with 18 US personnel reported killed so far. One line of consideration described to the sources was a strike approach intended to deliver a symbolic display of force, in a “fireworks” style, aimed at hitting the same or similar sites previously targeted. That approach could help Trump argue progress without delivering the initial objective of ending Iran’s nuclear programme. Another central issue remains Iran’s stance on control and claims related to the Strait of Hormuz, which has become the core of the wider dispute. Intelligence Views Bombing As InsufficientRecent assessments by the Central Intelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency have concluded that the type of bombing the US is conducting is unlikely to change Iran’s negotiating position, according to reporting by CNN. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Trump’s most senior military adviser, has also acknowledged publicly that air strikes alone cannot meet all of the administration’s stated war aims. Speaking to lawmakers last month, he said air power has limits. Options for escalation have been discussed for months, with additional military assets deployed to the region in anticipation of a decision. Officials said one CENTCOM plan would involve heavy bombardment over one or two weeks to target Iran’s missile capabilities. Trump has so far held back, including after hearing concerns from Caine about shrinking stocks of air-defence interceptors. Other officials have raised risks of high civilian casualties if strikes expanded to infrastructure targets such as bridges or water desalination plants. Possible paths for escalation discussed in planning include sending US troops, including threats Trump has raised about occupying the strategic island of Kharg or seeking to remove Iran’s highly enriched uranium. Such steps would, however, conflict with a pledge Trump made to his supporters in 2024, saying he would not send Americans to fight and die in “stupid foreign wars that never ends”. In a Cabinet meeting on Friday, Trump said he wanted to “win”, adding that at some point Iran would decide it could not endure the pressure. Join the discussion? 4 August 2026

President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to its lowest level of his second term, according to political analyst Nate Silver, as the continuing war with Iran and rising fuel prices weigh on public opinion. Silver said on Thursday that the timing of Trump's declining approval closely matched the recent increase in petrol prices and the resumption of hostilities with Iran. "The timing lines up remarkably well with gas prices and the resumption of hostilities in Iran," he wrote on X. Support declines as Iran war and fuel prices dominate concernsThe conflict, now approaching its sixth month, has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route that carries around 20% of the world's oil supply. The disruption has contributed to higher global energy costs, with the average price of a gallon of petrol in the United States reaching about $4.11 on Friday, up from roughly $3.15 a year earlier. Polls Show Growing DisapprovalTwo major polls released this week also indicate declining public support for Trump, particularly over his handling of the conflict in the Middle East. A Quinnipiac University poll published on Tuesday found that 58% of registered voters disapproved of the president's job performance, while 32% approved. The survey marked Trump's lowest approval rating recorded by Quinnipiac across both of his terms in office. An AP-NORC poll released on Wednesday similarly placed Trump's approval rating at 33%, down four percentage points from its previous survey. It was also the lowest level recorded by the polling organisation since Trump's return to the White House. According to Decision Desk HQ's polling average on Friday, Trump's overall approval rating stood at 40.6%, while his average disapproval rating was 57.5%. Economic Pressure MountsThe prolonged conflict has also increased pressure on the US economy, with higher oil prices contributing to rising inflation and growing concerns over the cost of living ahead of the midterm elections. Higher fuel costs have become a visible consequence of the fighting, as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to affect global oil markets. Opposition to the War IncreasesThe Quinnipiac survey found that 60% of US voters opposed the war, the highest level of opposition since the conflict began on 28 February. Nearly three-quarters of respondents also said they did not support sending US troops to Iran. The AP-NORC poll reached similar conclusions, with 64% of Americans saying the war had not been worthwhile. That view was shared by 87% of Democrats, 68% of independents and 37% of Republicans. Join the discussion? 2 August 2026