Since the war began in Iran last year, the economy has deteriorated significantly, with the International Monetary Fund predicting a 5.4% contraction and inflation nearing 69%. Official figures show annual inflation reaches 66%, with food prices soaring—bread and cereals by 140%, meat and poultry by 135%, and edible oils by over 200%, pushing an estimated 4 million Iranians into poverty. The worsening economic situation has pushed 3.5 to 4.5 million additional Iranians below the poverty line, bringing the total to over 40 million people living in poverty.
Lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood, 37, testified to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) that there is no evidence linking him to the conservative Liberal faction known as the Reformers, despite admitting his views aligned with theirs. He mentioned that he had previously instructed the group to cease operations due to its "toxic" nature and described his limited involvement, stating he "assisted on one event under heavy pressure." The inquiry focuses on allegations that conservative Liberal figures, including Greenwood, solicited or accepted illegal donations for party membership renewals, with the practice of branch-stacking under scrutiny, even though it is not illegal in itself.
Atomic City, Idaho, population 52, is experiencing a resurgence in nuclear energy with multiple companies, including Deployable Energy, starting new reactor projects at the Idaho National Laboratory, which spans 900 square miles. A recent Gallup poll indicates that a majority of Americans oppose nuclear plants in their neighborhoods, but local residents like Vickie O'Haro express confidence in safety, stating, "I'm not glowing in the dark." Despite this optimism, concerns remain about the fast-tracked federal regulations under the Trump administration, which have led to staffing cuts and potential risks regarding nuclear safety and environmental standards.
A 78-year-old British widow, Joyce Thomas, is fighting deportation from Sweden after living there for 21 years, as her application to stay was deemed late by authorities. Her case is part of approximately 2,500 British citizens facing removal from Sweden post-Brexit, with Sweden reported to have the highest number of Brexit-related deportations of Britons among EU member states. Despite her long-term residence, family connections, and financial independence, her applications to remain were rejected, prompting concern from the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and calls for compassionate consideration of her situation.
President Donald Trump has appointed Will Scharf, the current White House Staff Secretary, as the new White House counsel effective September 1, replacing David Warrington. Scharf, who has a history of legal involvement with Trump, played a significant role in the controversial $400 million White House ballroom project, which is under legal scrutiny for lacking explicit congressional approval. His appointment comes at a critical time ahead of the November midterm elections, amid expectations of increased Democratic investigations into Trump's administration if they regain Congress.
Western Europe recorded its hottest June and July on record, with an average temperature of 21.62 degrees Celsius (70.92 Fahrenheit), surpassing the previous high set in 2022 and resulting in four heatwaves since May. Prolonged drought conditions have affected large areas, notably Spain, France, Germany, and the UK, with significantly lower soil moisture than in July 2022 and disrupted river flows impacting transport and energy production. Globally, July was the joint second-warmest on record with an average temperature of 16.90 degrees Celsius (62.42 Fahrenheit), 1.47 degrees (2.65 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, while the emerging El Niño is expected to further increase temperatures later this year.
President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. is focusing on economic pressure rather than military strikes to negotiate with Iran, noting that Iran's economy is in “very bad shape” with high inflation and difficulties in paying its troops. He mentioned that the U.S. naval blockade, implemented in April, has intensified this pressure, coinciding with oil prices currently just above $75 a barrel. Trump’s comments come as talks mediated by Oman over reopening the Strait of Hormuz to shipping are reportedly nearing an agreement, although Iran demands specific changes from the U.S. before a full reopening.
More than a million people have been evacuated across eastern China due to Typhoon Dolphin, with over 900,000 relocated in Wenzhou and 215,600 in Shanghai, where the city recorded its highest 24-hour rainfall in over 150 years. Forecasters predict that some areas could receive 200-400mm (7.9–15.7 inches) of rain, raising concerns about flooding and landslides through Wednesday. The storm also disrupted Shanghai's air travel, leading to the cancellation of more than 1,300 flights, while previously causing injuries and power outages in Japan and flooding in the Philippines.
Oil prices are rising, with Brent crude reaching $83.77 a barrel, up over 16 percent since the onset of the US and Israel's conflict with Iran. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has drastically decreased, with only 8 to 15 vessels crossing daily recently, compared to about 130 before the war, contributing to the largest energy disruption in history. Since the war began, there have been at least 64 violent incidents and 17 deaths involving commercial vessels in the region, mainly attributed to Iran's actions.
Israel has confirmed the death of Palestinian detainee Ihab Mohammed Abdel Qader Diab, 36, who died in custody nearly two years after his arrest on December 12, 2023, with claims of torture during his nine-month detention. Diab's death raises the total of Palestinian detainees who have died in Israeli custody since 1967 to 328, with 91 of those fatalities occurring since October 7, 2023, including 53 from Gaza. As of August, nearly 8,000 Palestinians are held as "security" prisoners in Israel, including 3,198 in administrative detention without formal charges, amid growing scrutiny of the Israeli detention system.
The Malaysian government announced that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is undergoing medical checks and a procedure, expected to remain under observation for two days, as confirmed by Senior Press Secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah. This announcement coincided with Anwar's 79th birthday, as he was born on August 10, 1947, and has been in office since November 2022. Anwar previously underwent a routine medical examination in January 2026, and while he has a history of back and shoulder issues, there is no indication that the current procedure is related to those earlier health concerns.
The world's seas recorded the highest sea surface temperatures for July, surpassing the previous high set earlier in 2023, with severe marine heatwaves affecting Europe. This summer's June and July temperatures were 2.79°C above average, leading to significant drought and wildfires across western Europe, where over 10,000 deaths were linked to the extreme heat. Early estimates indicate that the June heat caused €2 billion in losses for grain farmers, and a mega-drought from 2015-2018 previously cost Europe €439 billion due to compounding economic damages across multiple sectors.
Hong Kong has recorded its highest official temperature of 36.9°C on Sunday, surpassing the previous record of 36.6°C set in August 2017. The intense heat was fueled by Typhoon Dolphin, which has also caused mass flight cancellations and evacuations along China's east coast and made landfall with maximum sustained winds of 94 mph (151 km/h). A weather station in Sheung Shui recorded a high of 39.8°C, marking the hottest temperature logged in Hong Kong since the introduction of automatic weather stations in the 1980s.
As Morocco approaches parliamentary elections on September 23, the political discourse has shifted towards the entry of Fouzi Lekjaa, the budget minister and president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, into the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), stirring significant debate. With expectations of billions being invested in infrastructure for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the next government is anticipated to be evaluated on its capacity to host the tournament rather than solely on traditional economic measures. Despite a 50% turnout in the 2021 elections, many younger voters remain disillusioned with political parties, leading to a scenario where influential public figures like Lekjaa overshadow the party-centric discussions.
Yemen's Houthis launched missile and drone attacks on the Red Sea port city of al-Makha, killing at least 11 people—including eight military personnel and three civilians—and wounding 32 others. The government forces intercepted six drones during the assault, with two ballistic missiles falling into the sea, but extensive damage was reported to the port and commercial facilities. The Houthis claimed their actions were in response to a Saudi military buildup, and they also targeted the al-Khokha district, where a governor survived an assassination attempt.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's 15-point Gaza plan, stating that Israeli troops would only withdraw once Hamas is fully disarmed, which he defined as the surrender of all types of weaponry. The disagreement comes as Netanyahu faces political pressure ahead of Israel's elections scheduled for October 27, with some polls indicating he is running level with or behind rivals, while far-right government members support his hardline stance against Hamas. The Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim insisted they remain committed to the roadmap but emphasized that Israel must meet its obligations, including troop withdrawal and cessation of attacks, before comprehensive disarmament can take place.
Senior police detective Frans Mathipa was killed in August 2023, shortly after he gained access to critical information regarding a case involving South Africa's military and special forces. Seven members of the special forces and one military police officer have been charged with his murder but deny the allegations, with concerns raised about potential delays in the trial as some suspects remain in active service. Evidence suggests Mathipa was pursued and shot by individuals linked to the special forces, including a vehicle registered to a front company for them that was tracked to the scene of the incident.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate reported 108 attacks against journalists in the occupied West Bank in July 2026, including 58 cases of brief detentions and restrictions on reporting. The documented violations also included 11 settler attacks, 12 instances of Israeli forces using tear gas or stun grenades against journalists, and six journalists beaten, with four needing treatment for injuries. Since October 2023, over 270 journalists have been killed as part of a broader campaign of violence against the press, with Al Jazeera confirming 12 of its journalists among those fatalities.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is expected to miss a month due to a groin injury, but he may return for Week 1. Additionally, the Bears have signed their fourth defensive back in three days as they continue to adjust their roster amidst ongoing training camp changes. The article also highlights Ruben Hyppolite's impressive performance during training camp, alongside another injury update.
Donald Trump has appointed Will Scharf, the current staff secretary who assisted in securing approval for a $400 million White House ballroom project, as the new White House counsel effective September 1, replacing David Warrington. Scharf has experience as a federal prosecutor and previously represented Trump in several legal cases, including at the Supreme Court, and he has also chaired the National Capital Planning Commission. This staffing change occurs just months before the midterm elections, as Trump's Republican Party aims to maintain control of Congress amid potential investigations from the Democrats if they succeed in November.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has announced her decision to freeze her eggs and will document the process online, emphasizing the lack of information available for women regarding their reproductive health. At 36 years old, she shared that the treatment involves multiple medications over a period of approximately 10 days and highlighted the balancing act of managing fertility treatment alongside her responsibilities as a congresswoman. Ocasio-Cortez criticized the Trump administration's attacks on reproductive care and expressed the importance of normalizing these conversations for working women.
Prue Car, the NSW deputy premier, has requested the NSW Education Standards Authority (Nesa) to ban unsupervised take-home assessments amidst a review of AI's impact on student learning, citing concerns over cognitive development. She noted that 50% of students' HSC results are derived from school-based assessments completed outside the classroom, warning that reliance on AI could undermine education and the integrity of the HSC. Any interim changes, based on Nesa's advice, would potentially take effect from the beginning of term 4.
Evacuation orders are in effect across parts of the Western U.S. and Southwest Canada due to intense heat and dry conditions, resulting in 183 new fires, including eight large ones, with over 30,000 personnel deployed. In Utah, active wildfires have scorched more than 300,000 acres, including the Widemouth 2 fire, which alone has burned over 118,000 acres and remains 27% contained, while two pilots tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash fighting the fires. In British Columbia, over 100 wildfires are active, prompting a state of emergency that has led to the evacuation of more than 20,000 residents, as the region faces ongoing high temperatures and dry weather.
Demi Vollering won her second Women's Tour de France title on August 9, 2026, after finishing the final stage in Nice, extending her overall lead over Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney to 1 minute and 18 seconds. She completed the stage 1 minute and 4 seconds ahead of Spaniard Paula Blasi Cairol and Niewiadoma-Phinney, who finished third overall, 4:29 behind Vollering. This victory marks Vollering's fifth Grand Tour win, as she joins Annemiek van Vleuten as the only women to have won all three Grand Tours.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to combat misleading business practices by banning fake discounts and simplifying the cancellation of unwanted subscriptions, aiming to save consumers £400 million annually. The government plans to implement these changes swiftly, introducing new protections against subscription traps by January, with the average person spending £500 a year on approximately three subscriptions, and an estimated £1.6 billion spent on unwanted ones across the UK. Consumers are expected to save around £14 per month for each unwanted subscription they successfully cancel, as Burnham seeks to address cost-of-living challenges and enhance household finances.
Suspected crime boss Daniel Kinahan, 49, appeared in a Dublin court after being extradited from Dubai following his arrest in April, facing charges of directing a criminal organization between October 2015 and April 2017. He has been remanded in custody and acknowledged in court that he was unlikely to receive bail. The Kinahan cartel has allegedly been involved in trafficking significant amounts of drugs and firearms globally for over 20 years, as reported by the UK's National Crime Agency.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected President Donald Trump's 15-point plan for Gaza, insisting that no military withdrawal will occur until Hamas is genuinely disarmed. Hamas has stated that their disarmament is contingent upon Israel ending all forms of aggression and withdrawing its forces from Gaza, while Netanyahu's position reflects pressure from his right-wing coalition as Israeli elections approach. The United Nations reports that approximately 1.9 million people—90% of Gaza's population—have been displaced since the onset of the war in Gaza.
Sophie Cunningham, a guard for the Indiana Fever WNBA team, gained conservative media attention after opposing transgender women’s participation in women's sports, declaring it a matter of "protecting young girls." Her remarks led to her being hailed by figures like Fox News host Riley Gaines as a key figure in the culture wars, with the Trump Administration even sharing a stylized image of her. Historically, conservative movements have utilized cisgender white women like Cunningham to reinforce social and racial hierarchies, framing them as protectors against perceived threats from minority groups.
The City of Spokane is providing free extra garbage collection services for residents returning from downgraded evacuation zones, with many evacuees allowed to return home following a recent announcement from Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels. Spokane Public Schools has extended emergency services for families affected by the fires through Wednesday, Aug. 12. Additionally, Highway 291 has reopened after a week-long closure due to the Spokane Complex Fires, while air quality remains a concern, with conditions reported in the Unhealthy range.
Germany is currently experiencing daily "hybrid warfare" attacks, according to Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who highlighted an incident involving an explosive-laden drone discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport. In response to growing threats, the German government plans to double its team of anti-drone experts from 150 to 300 and expand its related bases from four to eight. The situation is particularly concerning due to an increase in drone incidents across Europe, with lawmakers speculating about potential involvement from Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.