U.S., Japan conduct air exercises near Korean peninsula
The United States and Japan conducted joint air drills in skies near the Korean peninsula on Aug 8.
World Headlines
China Earthquake: Death Toll Rises In Sichuan Province, Rescue Operations Continue
At least 13 people died and over 175 were injured late Tuesday after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit a popular tourist area in southwestern China’s Sichuan province, according to state media. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “all-out efforts” to rapidly organize relief work and rescue the injured.
Australian Prime Minister: Same-Sex Marriage Could Be Legalized Before Year’s End
Australia’s prime minister said that he supports legalizing same-sex marriage in a possible nationwide vote, and he expects the people to vote with him.
Russia downplays North Korea’s saber-rattling, tells US to be ‘prudent’
Russia’s top diplomat downplayed North Korea’s nuclear saber-rattling following a diplomatic summit Tuesday, and said the United States has to take ‘prudent’ steps to deescalate the crisis.
First Baptist’s Robert Jeffress: ‘God has given Trump authority to take out Kim Jong Un’
Dallas megachurch pastor Robert Jeffress, one of President Donald Trump’s evangelical advisers who preached the morning of his inauguration, has released a statement saying the president has the moral authority to take out North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
UN warns of genocide in Central African Republic
The Central African Republic risks plunging deeper into a humanitarian crisis if the international community fails to respond to growing violence, said UN aid chief Stephen O’Brien on Monday.
Russia’s Lavrov meets Tillerson, says feels U.S. ready to continue dialogue
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Sunday he believed his U.S. colleagues were ready to continue dialogue with Moscow on complex issues despite bilateral tensions.
Japan warns North Korea’s nuclear weapons program has ‘advanced considerably’
Japan has warned that the threat from North Korean nuclear weapons has reached a ‘new stage’ now that it appears to have developed an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the US mainland.
Middle East Cauldron Taking on Global Implications
After a nine-month battle, Iraq took control of the ISIS stronghold in Mosul. Now the U.S.-led coalition remains focused on taking the fight to ISIS in Raaqa, Syria, the terror group’s self-proclaimed capital.
Sea dispute, N. Korea, Muslim militants top ASEAN meetings
Alarm over North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile tests, a germinal step to temper South China Sea disputes and unease over a disastrous siege by pro-Islamic State group militants will grab the spotlight in an annual gathering of Southeast Asia’s top diplomats with their Asian and Western counterparts.
Trump eager to declare Iran noncompliant on nuclear deal; Tillerson argues for leverage
A heated behind-the-scenes debate is playing out among high-level Trump administration advisers over whether the president should declare Iran in violation of the nuclear accord reached under his predecessor, President Obama.
EU’s Juncker says ready to retaliate if needed over new U.S. sanctions on Russia
The European Union’s chief executive on Wednesday said the United States had taken into account some EU concerns over new sanctions on Russia but Brussels was ready to retaliate within days if the measures hurt EU economic interests.
Trump Signs Russia Sanctions Bill, But Lays Out His Concerns About the Law
President Donald Trump signed a Russia sanctions bill Congress forced on him, adding a statement saying the administration will carry out the law but with reservations about its impact and the constitutionality of some provisions.
Human embryos edited to stop disease
Scientists have, for the first time, successfully freed embryos of a piece of faulty DNA that causes deadly heart disease to run in families.
Yemen: One million malnourished children at risk of cholera
More than a million children are suffering from malnutrition amid a deadly cholera outbreak in Yemen, says Save the Children.
US warns Venezuela’s Maduro after government opponents detained
Donald Trump has warned Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro that he will be held ‘personally responsible’ for the safety of two opponents who were jailed on Tuesday.
Trump says U.S. will ‘handle’ North Korea after second ICBM launch
President Trump said Monday that his administration will ‘handle’ the threat posed by North Korea’s latest launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
After space launch, US envoy warns: We can’t trust Iran
The United States punished Iran on Friday for launching a satellite-carrying rocket into space by hitting six Iranian entities with sanctions that target the country’s ballistic missiles program.
Moscow vows ‘retaliation’ against U.S. over sanctions vote
The Trump White House is adamant that Moscow will change course on its public threats of diplomatic punishment over the president’s decision to approve stronger U.S. sanctions against Russia.
Boko Haram Terrorists kill 48 in Nigeria
Nigerian hospital officials say the death toll from an ambush in northeastern Nigeria has risen to 48 people.