Morning Briefing: Aug. 24, 2026

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday, including US President Donald Trump renewing his criticism of Canada amid an ongoing tariff dispute, Syria and Israel holding high-level US-mediated de-escalation talks in Jordan, and the US Treasury secretary announcing an “economic D-Day” against Iran.

TOP STORIES

• Trump criticizes Canada over tariffs amid ongoing trade dispute

US President Donald Trump criticized Canada over tariffs and renewed his criticism of Ottawa’s relationship with Washington.

"Canada wants the benefits of being a State, without being one!!!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

He also accused Canada of imposing high tariffs on US agricultural products, saying: "They have also charged our great farmers, for many years, massive amounts of Tariffs. No more!!!"

• Syria, Israel hold high-level US-mediated de-escalation talks in Jordan

High-level Syrian and Israeli delegations met in Jordan under US mediation to achieve “de-escalation” following recent Israeli strikes on Syrian territory, a diplomatic source told the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

The Syrian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and included the heads of the General Intelligence Directorate and Military Intelligence, the Foreign Ministry source said.

The meeting was held following the “recent Israeli bombardment of Syrian territory and rising tensions in southern Syria” and efforts to “support stability in Syria and the region,” the source said.

• US Treasury secretary says Washington entering 'economic D-Day' against Iran

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States was entering an "economic D-Day" against Iran following what he described as the Trump administration's dismantling of the Islamic Republic's military and nuclear capabilities.

"President (Donald) Trump has dismantled Iran’s military capabilities, destroyed nearly 100 percent of its military factories, and buried its nuclear program," Bessent said in a post on the US social media platform X.

"We are now entering the endgame. At dawn begins an economic D-Day — the single greatest financial offensive ever marshaled against an adversary."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Two Palestinians were killed and several others injured in an Israeli drone strike targeting a displacement tent in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, in the latest violation of the Oct. 10, 2025 ceasefire, medical sources said.
• Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir will visit the Iranian capital Tehran on Monday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei announced.
• Alternative for Germany (AfD) co-leader Alice Weidel said her party would seek Germany's withdrawal from the euro and the Schengen Area, close national borders, and impose tougher migration policies if it enters the federal government.
• UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese called for an “international protection presence” in the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, saying such a deployment was “absolutely urgent.”
• British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will visit Kyiv on Monday in his first foreign trip since taking office, reaffirming the UK's support for Ukraine as it marks the 35th anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union, according to several British media reports.
• Tunisian authorities said the bodies of 11 irregular migrants had been recovered after their boat sank off the coast of the town of Ben Gardane in the country’s southeast.
• Iraq has proposed creating a joint security council between Iran and Saudi Arabia, a senior Iraqi official said, citing a “crisis of trust” between the two regional powers.
• The Yemeni army said it carried out drone strikes on Houthi positions across multiple front lines as fighting between the two sides intensified.
• The Israeli army carried out a fresh incursion into southern Syria’s Quneitra province, detaining a shepherd, Syrian media reported.
• Iran warned that vessels failing to comply with its transit rules in the Strait of Hormuz could face fines, detention or seizure during subsequent crossings.
• Sudan’s Joint Force of Armed Movements said it destroyed 49 combat vehicles belonging to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and captured 70 fighters in coordination with the Sudanese army.
• Mexico’s Sinaloa state Congress unanimously approved Governor Ruben Rocha Moya’s request for indefinite leave, just over a day after he returned to office following a 112-day absence, local media reported.
• Washington transformed into a high-speed motor circuit for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, a marquee event celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store signed defense cooperation and strategic partnership agreements.
• A fast-moving wildfire in the western US state of Nevada has grown to more than 10,500 acres as it continues to move toward residential areas, prompting evacuations and a state of emergency, local authorities announced.
• The Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee approved a provision in a draft law allowing Tehran to charge ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Reigning champions Türkiye defeated Slovenia 3-1 to claim their second Pool A victory at the CEV Women’s European Volleyball Championship in Istanbul.
• Mohamed Salah scored his first goals for Turkish club Trabzonspor, netting twice in a 2-1 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir that gave the Black Sea team their first win of the season.
• Venezuela is expected to face two new tropical waves this week after heavy rains caused flooding and river overflows in Caracas and surrounding areas.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied Ukraine’s involvement in any operation related to the sabotage of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, saying Kyiv is open to cooperating with the investigation, Ukrinform reported.
• American military casualties in the war with Iran have reached 774, including 18 fatalities, according to the latest figures from the Pentagon’s casualty reporting system.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Oil prices fall as markets await new US sanctions on Iran

Oil prices fell as investors awaited details on a new US sanctions package targeting Iran, which Washington has described as its toughest-ever economic campaign against Tehran.

West Texas Intermediate futures fell about 1.3% to $85.93 a barrel, while Brent crude declined 1.24% to $93.22.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is due to announce the measures later Monday.

"At dawn begins an economic D-Day — the single greatest financial offensive ever marshaled against an adversary," Bessent said on the US social media platform X.

• Canada rejected US trade deal over 'unfair' and 'uneconomic' demands: Report

Canada rejected a proposed US trade agreement following a series of "last-minute" demands from Washington that officials characterized as fundamentally lopsided, according to a report by Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail.

“Last-minute changes in the US proposed terms were unfair, uneconomic and called into question the reliability of any deal,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said after announcing that he suspended trade talks with Washington.

He emphasized that the proposed framework failed to protect national interests, prompting a vow to implement dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs beginning on Sept. 8.