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Aug 5, 2026 - World

WTA event win earns 21-year-old a presidential reception in the Philippines as interest in tennis surges in home countryThe Philippines has been swept up in tennis fever after 21-year-old rising star Alex Eala delivered a historic win, drawing praise from the president who hosted a reception in her honour.On Monday, Eala became the first player from the Philippines to win a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour-level singles title. Continue reading...

Aug 5, 2026 - World

Move is retaliation for Lula’s government refusal to approve Trump’s nominee for ambassador in BrasíliaDonald Trump’s administration has revoked the visa of Brazil’s ambassador to the US in a sharp escalation of a diplomatic feud with the country’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.The US state department said Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti’s visa had been cancelled in retaliation for Brazil’s refusal to approve Trump’s nominee for ambassador in Brasília and its decision last month to deny visas to two US diplomats seeking to visit ahead of an October election. Continue reading...

Aug 5, 2026 - World

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) was stumped cold when comedian Jon Stewart pressed him on where he draws the line for political support.Fetterman appeared on Stewart's podcast, "The Weekly Show," for an interview that hasn't been released yet, but in a clip previewing the episode, Stewart repeatedly asked Fetterman to explain why he has increasingly embraced MAGA-friendly positions while feuding with his own party over issues like opposition to Israel."For you, you could agree with them 90 percent of the time, but Israel is the red line," Stewart said, seeking clarification from Fetterman on where he draws the line for his support. "Absolutely," Fetterman said. "Israel, for me, like, I can't ever turn my back on Israel."The interview focused on Israel as Stewart asked Fetterman about his opposition to Democratic Socialists who have won congressional seats and others running for office while criticizing Israel. Fetterman has said he would leave the Democratic Party if it "officially" became "anti-Israel," according to reports.However, Stewart seemed baffled by why Fetterman draws that line."I mean no disrespect on this," Stewart told Fetterman. "But that is not our country," Stewart said, referring to Israel. Fetterman reacted to the statement by throwing his head to the side, seeming to be frustrated."You're saying that these candidates may have great ideas for our economy; they may want to do the exact same thing you want to do in terms of getting money out of politics; they may want to increase the social safety net; they may want to change the balance of power from capital back to labor," Stewart continued. "But if they don't agree with you on Israel, you don't want them in your party.""I don't know who you're referencing specifically," Fetterman said. Stewart shot back, "I'm referencing what you just said."Fetterman shook his head and said, "Name one."Stewart threw out names like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Abdul El-Sayed, and Bernie Sanders. Fetterman responded by saying that DSA members should "run under your own banner" and "Why not have a DSA party?" Stewart explained, "We have a two-party system," and said it didn't make sense to throw them out because they don't support Israel but agree with Fetterman on most other issues."You're literally saying we can all have discussions except when it comes to Israel, which is not America," Stewart said. "It seems like a weird line to draw."Fetterman stammered and said, "I don't think that's weird," because historically the Jewish community suffers "when people or a government or people turn their back" on them."The Jewish community and Israel are not the same thing, brother man!" Stewart responded.Jon is joined by U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) for discussion on the Democratic Party, Israel, and the issues that continue to shape his politics. New podcast out tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/QAmZazHzOQ— The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart (@weeklyshowpod) August 4, 2026

Aug 4, 2026 - World

This live blog is now closed.US and Qatar report progress on Iran ceasefire and reopening Hormuz straitIran and Oman have made progress toward a deal to reopen the strait of Hormuz, a potential breakthrough that could help end the war in the Middle East, regional officials have said.Under the emerging agreement, ships would enter the Persian Gulf through an Iranian-controlled route and exit through a route controlled by Oman, with service fees charged for providing security and preserving the maritime environment, two regional officials told the Associated Press. Continue reading...

Aug 4, 2026 - World

A former Republican strategist warned on Tuesday that President Donald Trump's Iran conflict is the beginning of a "larger war."Steve Schmidt, co-founder of the anti-Trump group The Lincoln Project, outlined how Trump's ongoing military "quagmire," the "corrupt charade" of his attacks on American citizen David Hearn — which failed in court — and Trump's rage "at the Westchester wino" Jeanine Pirro have all revealed what could come next."She'll be gone soon, just like the Secretary of War, so-called, who's lost the war to Iran," Schmidt said, suggesting both Pirro and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth could be replaced.Schmidt also discussed how Trump would continue to blame others for his own failures."He made the world so much more dangerous and sentenced some score of tens of thousands of American soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines to death in a larger war that's coming to clean up this disaster, whether it be five years, or 10 years, or 15 years from now. Donald Trump has lit the fuse," Schmidt said. "The economy is unraveling. The debt bubble surrounding these AI companies is expanding to its explosive terminal point. And all of it is Donald Trump's fault."He asked his audience to consider why Trump's attacks on Hearn were something Americans should think deeply about."And all of it is coming at a time when an innocent man, an American Olympian, was finally freed from the clutches of a government that tried to lock him up for touching a Reflecting Pool that Donald Trump poisoned," he added.