U.S. trade deficit drops 24% in August as Trump's tariffs reduce imports

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has expressed concerns that President Donald Trump may deploy military-style forces in cities during the midterm elections to intimidate voters. This potential action has raised alarms among Democrats, who view it as a strategy to undermine the electoral process.

The US Senate has passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the Justice Department to release all unclassified materials related to Jeffrey Epstein. The bill now awaits President Donald Trump's signature. Both Democrats and Republicans have praised the courage of Epstein survivors in bringing this issue to light.

Press groups criticized President Trump for stating that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman 'knew nothing' about the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. This remark was made during an Oval Office meeting with the crown prince, where Trump interjected in response to a question from ABC News reporter Mary Bruce regarding the prince's alleged involvement in the incident.

President Trump's agreement to sell F-35 advanced fighter jets to Saudi Arabia could significantly shift the military balance in the Middle East. This deal raises concerns among Israeli and U.S. officials regarding the potential erosion of Israel's Qualitative Military Edge (QME) in the region.

Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent journalist, was murdered in a Saudi consulate in 2018. In a recent press conference, President Donald Trump dismissed the gravity of Khashoggi's killing, stating, 'things happen.' This comment came during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been implicated by the CIA in orchestrating Khashoggi's murder, although he denies any involvement.

Andrew Paul Johnson, a 44-year-old man who participated in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol and was later pardoned by Donald Trump, has been arrested in Florida on multiple charges of child sexual abuse. Johnson, who pleaded not guilty, was taken into custody in Tennessee in August before being extradited to Florida to face the charges.

Donald Trump is set to sign a bill that will require the Justice Department to release more files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender. Initially opposing the release, Trump changed his stance after it became clear that the House would pass the legislation.

In August, Donald Trump initiated a campaign against Venezuela, starting with airstrikes on alleged drug boats, which faced criticism as extrajudicial killings. The U.S. president subsequently deployed naval assets in the Caribbean. The Guardian's Tom Phillips questions the validity of claims regarding drug trafficking and discusses the implications for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.