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President Donald Trump called the Strait of Hormuz "American territory" while the US maintains a military blockade of Iran’s shipping. The blockade aims to pressure Iran by restricting access to this key waterway, but peace talks have not progressed.
Key Facts
President Trump described the Strait of Hormuz as "an American territory."
The US is blocking Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil transport.
About 20% of the world’s seaborne oil passes through the strait, which lies between Iran and Oman.
The US military has redirected 68 commercial ships to enforce the blockade.
The US and Iran have not reached a peace deal as the conflict nears six months.
Trump has suggested formally declaring the strait as US territory.
Iran’s deputy foreign minister called Trump’s claims “delusions.”
Trump made these remarks while campaigning for Senator Darline Graham in South Carolina.
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Russian drones attacked a busy shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, killing 16 people and injuring many others. Ukraine’s president and the EU’s foreign policy chief condemned the attack and called for stronger sanctions against Russia.
Key Facts
The attack happened in Kryvyi Rih, a city in central Ukraine and the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
At least 16 people died, including children, and around 130 were injured.
The attack involved two drone strikes, with the second hitting about 30 minutes after the first.
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, called the strike “terror by design” and plans to propose new sanctions on Russia.
Russia has increased attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent months, striking many civilian areas.
Ukrainian emergency services and officials reported the casualties and damage from the attack.
Ukraine’s allies plan to meet soon to discuss continued support for Ukraine.
President Zelenskyy spoke with the UN chief about the ongoing Russian strikes and civilian harm.
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A high-pressure system will bring sunny and warmer weather to much of the UK for the weekend after recent rain. Cooler nights and mild days are expected, but rain and unsettled weather will likely return early next week.
Key Facts
A high-pressure area will cause bright and dry weather across the UK on Saturday and Sunday.
Morning temperatures may be as low as 3°C in rural areas and 6-9°C in cities, typical for late August.
Daytime highs will be around 18°C in northern regions and low 20s Celsius in central and southern areas.
Sunday will be mostly sunny with light winds and warmer temperatures, reaching mid-20s Celsius in some southern cities.
The high-pressure system is expected to move east early next week.
Low-pressure systems from France will bring rain starting Monday night, especially in southern and southwestern Britain.
Western and upland areas could receive 30-40mm of rain by the end of next week; eastern areas will likely get about half that.
Weather conditions may become more unsettled midweek with stronger rain expected.
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President Donald Trump’s legal team threatened to sue the Center for American Progress (CAP), a left-leaning think tank, over a report saying National Guard deployments did not reduce violent crime. CAP rejected the threat, saying the report is based on facts and protected by free speech.
Key Facts
President Trump’s lawyer demanded CAP retract, apologize, and pay damages over a July report on National Guard deployments.
The report found no evidence that sending National Guard troops to cities reduced violent crime.
CAP refused to retract the report, defending it as truthful and protected by the First Amendment.
National Guard troops were deployed to several cities in 2025 to support federal law enforcement amid protests and crime concerns.
The FBI reported that violent crime rates went down nationwide in 2025.
Legal experts say it is hard for public figures like the president to win defamation lawsuits because they must prove statements were made with actual malice.
CAP’s president said such lawsuits threaten free public debate and independent research.
President Trump has a history of filing lawsuits against political opponents or critics.
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The news covers several topics including financial concerns in the UK government, Meghan Markle's talks to join a TV series by Guy Ritchie, and legal rulings against Prince Harry and other celebrities over privacy claims. It also mentions issues with government investigations and migrant fears in France.
Key Facts
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's choice for chief economic adviser declined the role amid financial problems like bond market issues and a £1.8 billion deficit.
Meghan Markle is in advanced talks to join the cast of the gangster TV series "The Gentlemen," directed by Guy Ritchie.
A criminal investigation into Lord Peter Mandelson for passing confidential information may collapse due to lack of US cooperation; he denies wrongdoing.
Prince Harry, Elton John, and other celebrities face a large legal bill after losing a privacy lawsuit, with the court calling their claims highly unreasonable.
UK MPs have accepted £400,000 worth of gifts this year, raising concerns about repeating past scandals.
A French mother expressed fear and concern about illegal migrants causing problems in her village.
The UK is reportedly planning a new bid to host the men's football World Cup.
World powers are showing renewed interest in lunar exploration, with plans like setting a "Greenwich Moon Time."
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President Donald Trump visited Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to support Senator Darline Graham in the upcoming primary runoff election. He encouraged Republicans to vote in the November midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump traveled to Myrtle Beach to rally support for Sen. Darline Graham, a Republican from South Carolina.
The visit took place ahead of a primary runoff election next week.
President Trump urged Republican voters to participate in the November midterm elections.
He made a comment about Senator Lindsey Graham’s respect for Darline Graham.
The event was focused on building support in a traditionally pro-Trump area.
The primary runoff is an important step before the general election in November.
The goal was to help Darline Graham secure her party’s nomination.
Encouraging voter turnout was a key part of President Trump’s message.
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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said it is time to end the months-long conflict with the United States, claiming Iran is in a strong position. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed doubt about Iran’s readiness to negotiate a deal, and the US is planning new sanctions against Iran.
Key Facts
Iranian President Pezeshkian said ending the conflict now is best because Iran holds power and respect.
Pezeshkian defended a recent agreement with the US, saying it did not involve Iran giving up anything.
Iran’s military warned it is ready to respond strongly to any new attacks.
Iran and Oman’s foreign ministers discussed restarting talks and issues with the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route.
The US Navy is protecting secret oil tanker movements through the Strait of Hormuz despite partial closure by Iran.
President Trump said the US has full control of the region and doubted Iran wants a fair deal yet.
The US Treasury Secretary announced plans for new sanctions targeting Iran’s government.
Iran and China criticized the US sanctions, calling them harmful and urging diplomatic solutions.
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A teenager known as P.M.Y. has dropped her lawsuit against social media companies Meta, YouTube, and Snapchat. The case was about claims that these platforms were designed to be addictive, but she dismissed the suit after settling with TikTok.
Key Facts
The lawsuit involved major social media companies: Meta, YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok.
The teen, called P.M.Y., accused these platforms of creating addictive experiences.
She previously settled her case with TikTok.
The remaining claims against Meta, YouTube, and Snapchat were dismissed.
The lawsuit was scheduled for trial later this year.
This case was part of a larger group of similar lawsuits against social media giants.
The focus was on how social media platforms might affect users’ mental health via addictive features.
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President Donald Trump campaigned with Senator Darline Graham in South Carolina ahead of a runoff election to fill the late Senator Lindsey Graham's seat. Despite some concerns about her knowledge of foreign policy, Darline Graham received President Trump’s endorsement and emphasized focusing on domestic issues.
Key Facts
President Trump campaigned for Republican Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina before a special primary runoff.
The runoff will decide who replaces the late Senator Lindsey Graham on the November ballot.
Darline Graham did not get more than 50% of votes in the crowded primary, so a runoff is required.
President Trump said he supports Graham and asked voters to "pretend" he is on the ballot to encourage turnout.
Darline Graham was appointed to finish her late brother’s term after he passed away in July.
Graham admitted she is not very informed on national security issues like Taiwan and the South China Sea.
President Trump defended her honesty and intelligence despite her admission.
Other Republican leaders also spoke at the rally, including Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso and Senators Tim Scott and Representative Russell Fry.
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California state Senator Aisha Wahab has won a special election to fill the U.S. House seat left by Eric Swalwell, despite heavy spending by pro-Israel groups supporting her opponent. Wahab will represent California’s 14th congressional district until January and is set to become the first Afghan American member of Congress.
Key Facts
Aisha Wahab won the special election for California’s 14th congressional district.
Wahab defeated Melissa Hernandez, a moderate Democrat backed by pro-Israel groups.
Pro-Israel groups spent over $4 million to support Hernandez through advertising and campaigns.
Wahab has called the district her home and said her victory shows the district cannot be bought.
Wahab is the first Afghan American expected to join the U.S. Congress.
The election followed Swalwell’s resignation amid denied sexual assault allegations.
Wahab supports economic and social justice and has spoken against the war in Gaza.
Wahab will face Hernandez again in the November general election for the full term.
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The United Nations Security Council held a non-binding vote to help choose the next UN secretary-general. Guyana’s Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett led the poll, followed by candidates from Costa Rica and Argentina. The current secretary-general’s term ends in December 2024.
Key Facts
The Security Council held its second informal poll to select the next UN secretary-general.
Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett from Guyana received the most positive votes in this straw poll.
Seven other candidates are competing, including diplomats and former presidents from various countries.
The current UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has served since 2017 and will finish his second term on December 31, 2024.
No UN secretary-general has served more than two terms.
The Security Council’s 15 members vote in secret to show support or discourage candidates.
Five permanent Security Council members (U.S., China, France, Russia, and the UK) each have veto power over nominees.
The final candidate must receive at least nine votes from the council to proceed to the UN General Assembly for approval.
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The White House responded to comedian Rosie O’Donnell’s jokes about President Trump and his team on a TV show. A White House representative criticized O’Donnell harshly in a public statement.
Key Facts
Rosie O’Donnell made comments about President Trump and his administration on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
The White House responded the same day with a statement from spokesperson Davis Ingle.
The statement described Rosie O’Donnell with negative words and insulted her intelligence.
The exchange occurred in the context of ongoing public criticism and disputes involving President Trump.
This public response shows the White House’s willingness to engage with and counter celebrities’ criticisms directly.
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TikTok has agreed to pay $400 million to settle a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit about violating children’s privacy laws. The case involved claims that TikTok collected personal information from children under 13 without parental consent and did not delete accounts as requested.
Key Facts
TikTok will pay $300 million immediately and another $100 million later after a previous legal agreement is lifted.
The lawsuit claimed TikTok and its parent company ByteDance broke a law protecting children’s online privacy.
The law requires apps aimed at kids to get permission from parents before collecting personal data.
TikTok allegedly ignored parents’ requests to delete their children's accounts and kept accounts even after knowing users were under 13.
In 2024, TikTok changed its U.S. ownership by partnering with Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX for a new U.S. joint venture.
The settlement aims to strengthen protections for children using social media.
Other companies like Meta (Instagram’s parent company) also face legal challenges over children’s privacy.
The case is part of a larger effort to improve online safety for young users and enforce privacy laws.
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Federal officials announced that California, Nevada, and Arizona must reduce their use of Colorado River water by 1.25 million acre-feet each year for the next two years because the river’s water levels are dangerously low. Mexico will also cut back its water use due to an agreement with the U.S. The Colorado River faces a long drought, and the current water-sharing rules expire soon without a long-term agreement among the seven states involved.
Key Facts
California, Nevada, and Arizona will reduce their Colorado River water use by 1.25 million acre-feet annually for two years.
Arizona will have the largest water use cuts among the three states.
Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico do not face water cuts at this time.
Mexico will reduce its Colorado River water use by 250,000 acre-feet under a treaty with the U.S.
The Colorado River is experiencing a 26-year drought, making water supply critical.
Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the two largest reservoirs fed by the river, are at their lowest levels in nearly 70 years.
The seven Colorado River states have been unable to reach a long-term water-sharing agreement before current rules expire in October.
Officials say the cuts are a short-term solution while talks on a permanent plan continue.
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Liberia received the first group of about 20 deportees sent from the United States to a "third country," meaning a place where they have no direct connections. Some of these deportees refused to get off the plane when it landed in Liberia.
Key Facts
Liberia welcomed roughly 20 deportees from the U.S. on a plane arrival day.
These deportees are called "third country" deportees because they are sent to a country they are not originally from and have no clear ties to.
Some passengers on the plane refused to leave the aircraft after it landed in Liberia.
The Trump administration arranged agreements with at least 35 countries to accept such deportees.
The deportation program involves moving people to countries other than their home country or the U.S.
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Democratic primary voters have recently chosen several candidates who won against opponents supported by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). This shift reflects changing opinions within the Democratic Party about U.S. support for Israel and the conflict in Gaza.
Key Facts
Several Democratic candidates won primary races despite heavy financial support for their opponents from AIPAC and related groups.
These wins occurred in states including Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Illinois, and California.
Some progressive Democratic candidates openly criticize the Israeli government’s actions and still secured victories.
AIPAC is a major pro-Israel advocacy group that spends money to support favored candidates through political action committees and super PACs.
Public opinion in the U.S. about Israel has become more divided since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and Israel’s military response in Gaza.
A recent AP-NORC poll shows 58% of Democrats believe the U.S. is too supportive of Israel, up from 45% earlier in 2024.
Support for Palestinians has increased among Democrats, with 62% saying the U.S. does not support Palestinians enough.
Among Jewish Americans surveyed, 32% view Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu favorably, while 59% hold an unfavorable opinion.
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Powerful storms caused multiple tornadoes and record rainfall across the East Coast and other parts of the United States. These severe weather events led to significant damage in several areas.
Key Facts
The storms produced several tornadoes on the East Coast.
There was record-breaking rainfall in multiple locations.
The severe weather affected a wide region, not just one state.
The storms caused damage and disruption for residents.
Emergency services responded to the tornadoes and flooding.
These events are part of unusual and intense weather patterns recently seen in the U.S.
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Dr. Phillip Resnick, a psychiatrist known for his role in the Andrea Yates case, testified in the trial of Lindsay Clancy. His testimony was part of Clancy’s defense in a child-killing case.
Key Facts
Dr. Phillip Resnick is a psychiatrist who previously helped in the Andrea Yates case in 2001.
Andrea Yates was acquitted in her child-killing case after his testimony.
Dr. Resnick testified on behalf of Lindsay Clancy.
Lindsay Clancy is currently on trial for a child-killing case.
The testimony took place on a Friday.
The case is high profile, meaning it has drawn a lot of public attention.
CBS News reported this information.
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At least 16 people were killed and 130 were injured in a drone attack on a shopping mall in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine. The attack included a "double-tap" strike, where a second drone hits the area to target rescue workers after the initial strike.
Key Facts
The attack happened in Kryvyi Rih, a city in Ukraine.
A "double-tap" strike means a second attack follows the first to target rescuers.
At least 16 people died in the attack.
Around 130 people were wounded.
Ukraine’s president called the attack deliberate and targeted.
The mall was the main location of the attack.
The strike involved drones used by Russia.
The attack affected both civilians and emergency responders.
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