American taxpayers' bill for Iran war grows to estimated $47.1 billion

By: Ben Finley, Associated Press · Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press

28 October 2026 at 22:40

The Republican president has said new strikes on Iran are an option after the midterms and is sending more military resources to the Middle East, despite initially promising Americans a military campaign that would last only a matter of weeks.

Iranian film-maker Jafar Panahi given new prison sentence

World news | The Guardian

By: Deepa Parent

28 October 2026 at 19:56

Charges against him are unclear after return to Iran despite being sentenced last year for ‘propaganda activities’

An Iranian court has handed the award-winning film director Jafar Panahi a new prison sentence of five years and one month and ordered the seizure of all his assets.

The 66-year-old, who won the Palme d’Or at Cannes last year for It Was Just an Accident, was sentenced in absentia, his lawyer, Mostafa Nili, told the Iranian news outlet Emtedad. The court also imposed a two-year travel ban and barred him from using social media for two years, Nili said.

‘A pretty grim picture’: outlook for UK living standards slashed despite Healey’s budget

World news | The Guardian

By: Richard Partington Senior economics correspondent

28 October 2026 at 18:40

OBR cautions about Middle East war dragging down growth and triggering a fresh cost of living crisis

British households face a “pretty grim picture” for living standards as the war in the Middle East drags down growth and triggers a fresh cost of living crisis, the government’s independent forecaster has said.

In a report as John Healey announced his first budget, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) issued a sharp downgrade for growth in 2027, household disposable incomes and the public finances despite the measures taken by the chancellor.

For Israel’s Neighbors in Middle East, the Election Offers Little Hope of a Reset

NYT > Top Stories

By: Christina Goldbaum

28 October 2026 at 13:45

Few countries in the Middle East expect a turning point in relations with Israel. But the outcome of the vote has implications for the regional conflict with Iran.

Parts of Lebanon have been greatly damaged in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah since March, including the Dahiya neighborhood, a Hezbollah stronghold in the capital, Beirut.

Gulf states working on multipart peace deal to avert renewal of US-Iran war

World news | The Guardian

By: Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor

28 October 2026 at 08:00

Talks are aimed at reopening strait of Hormuz and lifting sanctions on Iran, and for Houthis to withdraw in Yemen

A multipronged peace deal to reopen the strait of Hormuz within four days of sanctions being lifted and for the Houthis to withdraw substantial forces inside Yemen are at the heart of Gulf states’ plans to avert what they regard as a disastrous renewal of war between Iran and the US.

The US is aware of the talks’ progress but is holding out for a concession that European powers suggest could involve Iran allowing UN weapons inspectors back into the country.

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