- The Guardian
- Issue #2203
SOUTH KOREA: South Korea has angered President Trump by refusing to participate in the US-Israeli war against Iran. In response, the US President ordered to scale down the US-South Korea military drills. “These exercises are not only costly, but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile,” Trump wrote. He also mentioned that North Korea has been “unthreatening” and “respectful” during his term as president. “Therefore,” he concluded, “and based on the fact that it is too late to cancel, I have instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce the Joint Military Exercises.”
MOROCCO: Spanish media reported that Moroccan security forces thwarted an attempt by hundreds of migrants to illegally enter Ceuta a Spanish-owned city in Africa. In late July approximately 72,000 migrants entered the Spanish territory from Morocco. While most of them returned to Morocco, about 10,000 people still remain in the city.
IRAN: Amid media speculation that the US will put large numbers of troops on Iranian territory, Iran’s Army Chief announced a counter measure. Amir Hatami said that “Any individual who kills or captures and surrenders an American aggressor will receive a reward of (equivalent to AU$42,000) from the Iranian Army.” He also announced “Iranian women who successfully carry out the action will receive double the award.” Hatami added that weapons used to kill American troops would be purchased by the state for twice the value and displayed in a planned museum, with their owners receiving replacements.
OMAN: US President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Oman. According to a reporter for US Fox news, Trump said “If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them.” Oman has been negotiating with Iran in an effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
JAPAN: The minority partner in Japan’s ruling coalition, the Japan Innovation Party, has called for a “realistic review” of Japan’s principle of not allowing nuclear weapons into the country. The JIP is urging the government to allow nuclear-powered attack submarines to visit Japanese ports. The Japanese PM has said the government will keep the non-nuclear principles, but is open to a temporary port call from a nuclear armed US vessel in an emergency.
USA: US Vice President JD Vance has warned that the US Republican Party must address the economic pressures facing Americans or risk driving more young people toward socialism. He made the remarks in an interview, pointing to the cost of housing and education, access to well-paid jobs, and the ability to start a family. “Our response to that can’t just be to ignore the economic concerns that I think are feeding the rising interest in socialism,” Vance said.
As an Australian singer once said, “the rich get richer, the poor get the picture.”
CUBA: Cuba’s Foreign Minister has thanked China for the latest shipment of rice. The shipment is part of a commitment by China to provide 60,000 tons of grain to mitigate the illegal US blockade of the island. China’s ambassador assured Cubans that the shipment comes with the message that “China stands with Cuba.”
INDIA: India is planning to send its first cargo ship on the Arctic route running along Russia’s northern coast next year, as it seeks to deepen trade with Russia outside of Western sanctions. The 5,600km Arctic route or Northern Sea Route (NSR) is the shortest shipping route between East Asia and Europe. “In 2027, we are planning to have the first pilot vessel running through the Northern Sea Route,” said the joint secretary in the Indian Shipping Ministry.
