Iran, US Sanctions, and China
China warns it will safeguard its interests after US widens sanctions against Iran. The US has threatened to isolate nations that continue to do business with Tehran, which sells much of its oil to Beijing. Source (BBC): https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyl8965j5go
China denounces US threat of sanctions over trade with Iran. Beijing pushed back publicly against Washington’s warnings over its purchases of Iranian oil. Source (The Guardian): https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/25/china-us-sanctions-iran-oil
Trump calls leaders to isolate Iran, and SCOTUS backs Trump for now on mail-in voting. President Trump is calling on world leaders to join his economic war against Iran, while the Supreme Court is backing his order to restrict mail-in voting for now. Source (NPR): https://www.npr.org/2026/08/25/g-s1-140004/up-first-newsletter-iran-economic-war-scotus-mail-in-voting-dhs-privacy
Iran may have little to lose as the U.S. tries to squeeze its economy. Experts warn that a campaign aimed at avoiding military escalation could instead provoke it, as Iranian leaders vow retaliation across the oil-rich Gulf. Source (New York Times): https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/25/world/middleeast/iran-us-economy-sanctions.html
How the US sanctions on Iran impact China. The US sanctioned Chinese firms over Iran links but spared big banks as Trump and Xi eye key talks. Source (Al Jazeera): https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/8/25/how-the-us-sanctions-on-iran-impact-china
Will tougher US sanctions disrupt Iran’s shadow economy? The US is expanding sanctions on Iran’s financial networks, targeting crypto, gold, aviation and shipping. Analysts say the measures may fuel inflation and strengthen informal markets without changing Tehran’s behavior. Source (DW): https://www.dw.com/en/will-tougher-us-sanctions-disrupt-iran-s-shadow-economy/a-78494630
China warns US against expanding Iran sanctions to Chinese firms. Beijing reiterated its opposition to measures targeting its companies over their dealings with Tehran. Source (Middle East Eye): https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/china-warns-us-against-expanding-iran-sanctions-chinese-firms
Can Pakistan’s Asim Munir convince Iran military chiefs to return to talks? Pakistan says progress was made in Tehran, but Iran’s security establishment remains wary of Washington. Source (Al Jazeera): https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/25/can-pakistans-asim-munir-convince-iran-military-chiefs-to-return-to-talks
Ukraine and Russia
Russia mobilisation fears grow amid reports of intimidating tactics. Military recruitment efforts are reportedly more aggressive as Russia prepares for a winter offensive in Ukraine. Source (Al Jazeera): https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/25/russia-mobilisation-fears-grow-amid-reports-of-intimidating-tactics
Burnham to take Zelenskyy’s pleas for Patriot missiles to Trump. European coverage of Zelenskyy’s push for air defense support ahead of talks with the US president. Source (The Guardian): https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/aug/25/europe-ukraine-patriot-missiles-zelenskyy-trump-russia-drone-germany-latest-news-update
Middle East
Palestine weekly: After Kushner departs, Israel escalates Gaza attacks. Israel deepens Gaza attacks and West Bank expansion as countries condemn abuses but impose few consequences. Source (Al Jazeera): https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/25/palestine-weekly-after-kushner-departs-israel-escalates-gaza-attacks
Israeli forces raid Unrwa centres serving 16,000 Palestinian refugees. Coverage of raids on facilities used by displaced Palestinians. Source (Middle East Eye): https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-forces-raid-unrwa-centres-serving-16000-palestinian-refugees
Is AIPAC’s political standing declining in the US? The pro-Israeli lobby group is increasingly becoming a liability for both the progressive and right wing. Source (Al Jazeera): https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/25/is-aipacs-political-standing-declining-in-the-us
USS Abraham Lincoln to dock in Thailand next week after record Middle East deployment. US politics live coverage noting the carrier’s movement following an extended regional deployment. Source (The Guardian): https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/aug/25/donald-trump-tariffs-canada-midterms-primary-south-carolina-iran-ukraine-voting-rights-latest-news-updates
Former Al Jazeera journalist Ali Younes arrested in Amman. Younes was arrested for allegedly sharing an article questioning US aid to Jordan. Source (Middle East Eye): https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/former-al-jazeera-journalist-arrested-jordan-reposting-article-questioning-us-aid-kingdom
Europe and UK
Lockerbie bombing trial postponed days before it was due to start. The trial of a Libyan man is delayed for a third time, after new evidence on the 37-year-old case came to light three days ago. Source (BBC): https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq63rmj1zl1o
Government lays out housing plans but Burnham backtracks on social renting pledge. UK politics live coverage of new housing plans and a reversal on a social renting commitment. Source (The Guardian): https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/aug/25/housing-plans-andy-burnham-social-renting-pledge-ukraine-reform-tories-rupert-lowe-uk-politics-latest
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen polling at record high ahead of 2027 election. Polling shows Le Pen at a record level as the next French presidential contest approaches. Source (Middle East Eye): https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/french-far-right-candidate-marine-le-pen-polls-record-high-ahead-2027-election
Asia and the Americas
Why Rohingya refugees are protesting in Cox’s Bazar, 9 years after genocide. Rohingya refugees face deep aid cuts in Bangladesh and forced evictions in Malaysia and India. Source (Al Jazeera): https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/25/why-rohingya-refugees-are-protesting-in-coxs-bazar-9-years-after-genocide
India faces criticism from UN discrimination watchdog. CERD says India must tackle hate crimes against Bengali-speaking Muslims and increase protections for other groups. Source (Al Jazeera): https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/25/india-faces-criticism-from-un-discrimination-watchdog
Haiti: Gang coalition unleashes violent new attack. At least 47 people were killed and 22 injured in an overnight gang raid on a neighbourhood overlooking Port-au-Prince, the UN said, prompting anger over the lack of protection from repeated attacks. Source (France 24): https://www.france24.com/en/video/20260825-haiti-gang-coalition-unleashes-violent-new-attack
Why Starlink won’t open Vietnam’s heavily censored internet. Starlink promises better connectivity in remote and mountainous areas, but in one of Southeast Asia’s most tightly controlled online environments, more network access doesn’t mean more free speech. Source (DW): https://www.dw.com/en/why-starlink-won-t-open-vietnam-s-heavily-censored-internet/a-78494983
Local cops flout sanctuary law to help ICE deport immigrants. Illinois law prohibits local collaboration with immigration enforcement officials, but police often find workarounds. Source (The Intercept): https://theintercept.com/2026/08/25/illinois-trust-act-ice-deport-police-collaboration/
Markets and Business
Stock futures rise as Treasury yields decline, chipmakers gain ahead of Nvidia earnings. U.S. equity futures rose Tuesday as Treasury yields fell again and chip stocks moved higher, with investors looking ahead to Nvidia’s earnings. Source (CNBC): https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/24/stock-market-today-live-updates.html
Wall Street looks to Nvidia earnings after Monday’s tech-led pullback. Bitcoin crossed above $80,000 as U.S. stock futures pointed higher following a tech-led slide on Monday. Source (Quartz): https://qz.com/wall-street-futures-nvidia-earnings-inflation-data-082526
Democrats say Trump’s oil and gas stocks gained up to $15.5M as Iran war boosted energy shares. A Joint Economic Committee minority report found Trump held as much as $45.6M in oil and gas stocks in 2025, a portfolio now valued at up to $61.1M. Source (Quartz): https://qz.com/trump-oil-gas-stocks-iran-war-democrats-jec-report-082526
Cramer says data center political backlash is making Amazon, Google, and Meta the winners. The “Mad Money” host argues big tech can absorb tougher regulatory requirements that smaller developers cannot afford. Source (Quartz): https://qz.com/cramer-data-center-political-backlash-hyperscalers-082526
Dick’s Sporting Goods stock sinks after Foot Locker drags down earnings and outlook. Foot Locker comparable sales fell 3.6% in the quarter as a promotional athletic footwear market weighed on the newly acquired chain. Source (Quartz): https://qz.com/dicks-sporting-goods-earnings-foot-locker-outlook-082526
Trump eyes renaming Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America’ as Canada trade war deepens. Trump said he is considering renaming Lake Ontario as the US-Canada trade dispute intensifies, with Canada expected to announce retaliatory measures. Source (SCMP): https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3365227/trump-eyes-renaming-lake-ontario-lake-america-canada-trade-war-deepens
US-China Track 1.5 talks offer formula for ties. A senior Chinese official urged “normal stability with controllable disagreements,” saying both sides should expand shared interests and reject zero-sum games. Source (SCMP): https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3365226/normal-stability-us-china-track-15-talks-offer-formula-ties
Las Vegas businessman convicted in $24 million ‘AI supercomputer’ crypto Ponzi scheme. The defendant faces up to 280 years in prison following conviction. Source (CoinDesk): https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/08/25/crypto-supercomputer-ponzi-schemer-convicted-faces-up-to-280-years-in-prison
Treasury move is just another way to a weaker dollar, says SocGen’s Juckes. Kit Juckes said the US Treasury’s move to increase purchases of long-dated bonds is “management of the market” rather than intervention. Source (Bloomberg): https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2026-08-25/treasury-move-is-another-way-to-a-weaker-dollar-juckes-video
The Univrs Ecosystem
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