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Aug 3, 2026 - World

Iran discussing creation of temporary route through strait of Hormuz with its neighbour, says spokespersonMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesIran has been in discussion with Oman about the creation of a new temporary route through the strait of Hormuz that would allow commercial shipping to resume, but is not yet reviving talks with the US, Tehran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.Esmail Baghaei was responding to claims by Donald Trump that talks between the two sides covering all the major disputes between them could restart as early as Monday. Trump claimed he had held off from launching the biggest strike on any country “since world war two” over the weekend after Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, rang him to urge diplomacy. Trump said the cancellation was conditional on Iran reaching a deal quickly. Continue reading...

Aug 3, 2026 - World

US president says he called off another US attack on Iran as part of a push for an agreement. Plus why Pokémon Go is still bring global joy 10 years onGood morning. Donald Trump said talks with Iran would happen on Monday but declined to set a deadline for an agreement, after earlier saying he had called ⁠off an imminent attack. For its part, Iran said it was nearing a deal with Oman over a new route through the strait of Hormuz, and it had no plans to receive a delegation or send an Iranian one to any talks.On Saturday night, Trump claimed on social media that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked for time to complete a deal ⁠that would lead to “the immediate, complete and total” reopening of the strait and “an end to Iran’s nuclear threat”. He added that Tehran must “rapidly make a deal”.What has Iran said about the strait? The Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, told state television on Sunday that a deal was close with Oman over a new route through the waterway. “We are now going to reach an understanding on a route acceptable to both sides – neither the northern route nor the southern route – but one that respects the sovereign rights of both sides and safeguards our national interests and security,” he said in an interview.How many measles cases has the US seen? His remark came as the incidence of measles crossed a milestone – the US has officially recorded 2,371 confirmed infections so far this year, surpassing the total tally in 2025 of 2,289. Taken together, in the past two years there have been more measles infections in the US than in the rest of the 21st century combined. The last time a greater number of measles cases was recorded in a single year was in 1991. Continue reading...

Aug 3, 2026 - World

It marks the latest in a months-long pattern of Trump threatening major strikes, then calling them off only for fighting to resume days later.

Aug 3, 2026 - World

Meeting follows years of questions over wellbeing of detained former leader, who was ousted by coup in 2021Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi has met a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the aid organisation has confirmed.The meeting on Monday ⁠followed years of questions over the wellbeing of the 81-year-old, whose whereabouts and health condition have been largely unknown since the elected civilian government she led was ousted by a military coup in February 2021. Continue reading...

Aug 3, 2026 - World

Factories in upbeat mood despite fears over economic impact of US war on Iran, poll findsBusiness live – latest updatesUK manufacturers ramped up production last month for the fourth consecutive month and at the fastest pace in almost two years, according to a leading survey of the industry.The S&P Global poll of manufacturers found them in upbeat mood in July, though anxious about the prospect of a long war in the Middle East that would block supplies of oil and gas, and raise the cost of production. Continue reading...