Kim-praising Trump asks South Korea, ‘Why are we helping you?’ in tiff over Iran aid
President reduces seven-decade U.S. relationship with South Korea to protection racket as he rants about Seoul not joining his war against Iran
World
independent.co.uk
17.08.2026
Kentucky Gov. Beshear Keeps Pushing for Info on McConnell’s Health. He Says He’s ‘Heard Absolutely Nothing Back’
It's been more than a month since the Democratic Governor issued a public letter calling on the Republican to update his constituents on the status of his health amid a lengthy hospitalization.
World
time.com
17.08.2026
Iran-US war latest: Trump threatens to bomb ally Oman as Netanyahu holds ‘deep discussions’ on Gaza peace plan
Iran said it reached an agreement with Oman over a plan for ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz
World
independent.co.uk
17.08.2026
Kushner's Gaza peace plan talks end without breakthrough
A senior Israeli official told news agency AFP that the US and Israel had "agreed that no redeployment or reconstruction would take place in the Gaza Strip before Hamas is disarmed throughout Gaza."
World
euronews.com
17.08.2026
Trump’s move to gut South Korea alliance is ‘inane, haphazard decision’, lawmakers say
US president’s abrupt order to scale back joint exercises with Seoul is meant to ‘flatter’ North Korea’s dictator, top Democrat saysUS politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump’s move to gut Washingt
World
theguardian.com
17.08.2026
Palestinians, Israelis sceptical of Gaza plan as Kushner visits region
US envoy Jared Kushner met Hamas leaders in Egypt and Israeli PM Netanyahu to push Trump’s 15-point Gaza roadmap.
World
aljazeera.com
17.08.2026
Canada races to avoid new U.S. tariffs of up to 50%
The duties would hit a wide swath of goods, including hockey sticks, building materials, clothing and dairy products.
World
nbcnews.com
17.08.2026
Jon Ossoff calls Trump’s handling of Iran war ‘uniquely despicable’ in excoriating speech
Georgia Democratic senator has stoked speculation for 2028 presidency bid by delivering stinging attacks on TrumpDemocratic senator Jon Ossoff has attacked Donald Trump’s “uniquely despicable” handlin
World
theguardian.com
17.08.2026
War on Iran: Phase II, Day 37
Iran is offering $30,000 for captured or killed US soldiers. Trump cuts back South Korea drills.
World
aljazeera.com
17.08.2026
Supreme Court again rejects Trump's bid to overturn E Jean Carroll sex abuse case
The US president has already paid the writer over $5m in damages in the assault and defamation case.
World
bbc.co.uk
17.08.2026
Leading economies’ borrowing costs hit highest since 2008 crisis
Concern over impact of Iran war pushes up government bond yields in US, UK, France, Germany and JapanGovernment borrowing costs in several advanced economies hit their highest level since the 2008 fin
World
theguardian.com
17.08.2026
Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it 'gets in the way' over Iran issue
The president also told Fox News the US had a direct backchannel with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - something it denies.
World
bbc.co.uk
17.08.2026
Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it impedes US-Iran Strait of Hormuz talks
Tehran has been locked in ongoing talks with Oman over establishing a secure passage for commercial shipping through the Strait, which usually carries around a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trad
World
euronews.com
17.08.2026
Donald Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it ‘gets in the way’ of ending Iran war
President issues threat to ‘bomb the shit out of them’ after previously threatening Gulf ally in MayDonald Trump has again threatened to bomb Oman if it “gets in the way” of his effort to end the US-I
World
theguardian.com
17.08.2026
Trump scales down war games with South Korea: Why it matters
US president cites Seoul's reluctance to back his war on Iran, and his warm ties with North Korea's leader as reasons.
World
aljazeera.com
17.08.2026
US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding expires: How and why it fell apart
Trump deemed the MoU 'over' within a month of it being signed, as the two sides traded attacks despite a 'ceasefire'.
World
aljazeera.com
17.08.2026
Trump cuts US-South Korea military drills citing ‘good relationship with Kim Jong-un’ | First Thing
President said he was ‘not happy’ with plans for large-scale joint exercises he described as ‘inappropriate and hostile’. Plus, how five obscure horses have ended up at the center of a transatlantic b
World
theguardian.com
17.08.2026
Senior Russian banker fired after scathing speech on wartime economy
Andrei Klepach of VEB said Russia’s economy was falling behind China, US and ‘in some respects Ukraine’Europe live – latest updatesThe chief economist at Russia’s second-largest bank has been fired af
World
theguardian.com
17.08.2026
Kushner and Netanyahu agree U.S. general should oversee Hamas ‘demilitarization,’ source says
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and envoy Jared Kushner on Monday agreed that the Gaza Strip’s “demilitarization” should start with a Hamas weapons ha
World
nbcnews.com
17.08.2026
Between cartel threats and U.S. airstrikes, Ecuador fishers have nowhere to hide
Drug cartels have turned the small ports of Ecuador's Manabi province into a cocaine-trafficking hub, extorting local fishers who are prized for their navigation skills.
World
japantimes.co.jp
17.08.2026