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MIDDLE EAST | Updates from regional conflicts:

• The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification system said today that Gaza City and surrounding areas are officially suffering from famine – the first time the global hunger monitoring group has recorded famine outside of Africa. Reports say the determination is likely to place increased pressure on Israel to allow more aid to enter Gaza amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. [IPC info] [more]
• Ahead of an August 31 deadline set by France, Germany, and U.K., the Iranian foreign ministry is scheduled to hold a telephone conference with officials from the European countries today as part of efforts to avoid the re-imposition of U.N. sanctions over Tehran's nuclear program. [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 1,275 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here are your updates:

• Reuters cites unnamed sources familiar with Russian government deliberations as saying President Vladimir Putin's conditions for a peace deal with Ukraine include: Ukraine giving up all of the eastern Donbas region, renouncing ambitions to join NATO, remaining neutral, and keeping Western troops out of the country. [more]
• Reports say an American-owned electronics plant was among the targets struck by Russian drone and missile attacks in western Ukraine yesterday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strike appeared to be a "deliberate attack against American property and investments in Ukraine." [more]
• Ukrainian officials say Russia has fired nearly 1,000 long-range drones and missiles at Ukraine since Monday’s White House talks involving U.S., European, and Ukrainian leaders. [more]

U.S. VISAS | The State Department said yesterday that it is reviewing information on some 55 million people who have valid U.S. permanent, student, or tourist visas for any violations that could lead to deportation or denial of entry. Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said yesterday that the U.S. will stop issuing worker visas for commercial truck drivers, effective immediately. [more]

U.S. SECURITY INVESTIGATION | Reports say federal law enforcement is searching the Maryland home of John Bolton, the former advisor to, and current critic of, President Donald Trump, this morning as part of a national security investigation ordered by FBI Director Cash Patel. [more]

U.S. FEDERAL FUNDING | In a 5-4 decision yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court said the Trump administration can move forward with plans to cancel some $783 million in National Institutes of Health grants and other funding as part of efforts to end federal diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. [more]

TRUMP LEGAL CASES | A New York appeals court yesterday threw out the $355 million financial penalty imposed on President Donald Trump by a lower court last year following his civil conviction on business fraud charges. The appeals court maintained the fraud conviction against Trump and his two eldest sons, but found the monetary penalty to be "excessive." [more]

NEW JERSEY | A federal judge ruled yesterday that Alina Habba, a former personal attorney for President Donald Trump, has been unlawfully serving as the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey since last month. U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann said the Trump administration had used a “novel series of legal and personnel moves” to keep Habba in her role without the Senate confirmation that is required by federal law. [more]

U.S. ECONOMY | Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to give public remarks today as part of the Fed’s annual economic symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming – his last address at Jackson Hole as chair before his term ends in May of next year. Analysts predict that Powell will signal a likely interest rate cut for later this year, but not necessarily commit to one for next month. [more]

NEW YORK | Local health officials say a sixth death has been linked to an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in the Central Harlem region of New York City and that more than 100 people have been diagnosed with the ailment. [more]

COLOMBIA | At least 17 people were killed in a car bombing and a separate attack on a police helicopter in Colombia yesterday. President Gustavo Petro blamed the attacks on dissidents of the largely defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, commonly known as FARC. [more]

AUSTRALIA AND PHILIPPINES | Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro are expected to sign a joint statement of intent to boost defense cooperation between their countries today following talks in Manila focusing on concerns over increased Chinese aggressiveness in the South China Sea. [more]

SRI LANKA | Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested by Sri Lankan police today on charges of misusing public funds during his tenure as president from 2022-2024. [more]

LIBYA | The Interior Ministry of western Libya's Tripoli-based government says an attempt to target the headquarters of the United Nations mission in the Mediterranean city of Janzour with a rocket was foiled yesterday and that investigations are ongoing to determine the identity of the rocket operators. [more]

GUINEA | Authorities in Guinea's Coyah prefecture say at least 11 people were killed yesterday when a landslide caused by heavy rains struck homes in the rural commune of Maneah. [more]

SUDAN | United Nations officials say a drone attack destroyed all 16 trucks in a convoy carrying food aid to Sudan's famine-stricken North Darfur region yesterday. No claims of responsibility have yet been made for the attack. [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1485, Henry Tudor (the future Henry VII) defeated the Yorkist king Richard III in the Battle of Bosworth Field, effectively ending the Wars of the Roses and establishing the Tudor dynasty on the English throne. [more history]