Despite its best efforts, Iran won’t be able to toll the Strait of Hormuz. Here’s why 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Israeli Airstrike Kills Three in Central Gaza Despite Ceasefire 
Ukraine Strikes Russian Titan-Barrikady Plant With Long-Range FP-5 Flamingo Missile 
Canada Grants C$7 Million to Greenland Molybdenum Mine to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply 
Trump Signs Memorandum Backing Americans’ Right to Repair Their Own Vehicles 
Taiwan Coast Guard Officer Finds Strength in Faith as China Increases Pressure in Taiwan Strait 
Trump Questions Housing Bill as He Prioritizes SAVE America Act 
Maria Corina Machado Vows Return to Venezuela After Earthquakes Despite Obstacles 
Iran Skips U.S. Technical Talks Over Unmet MoU Conditions and Frozen Funds Dispute 
Andy Burnham Sets Out Vision to Decentralize Britain as Labour Leadership Race Begins 
US, Iran Agree to Halt Attacks Ahead of Doha Talks on Strait of Hormuz 
Russia Intensifies Assault on Kostiantynivka as Ukraine’s Donetsk Defense Faces Mounting Pressure 
Serbia Protests Continue as Thousands Rally Despite Vucic’s Resignation Plan 
Russian Attacks on Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv Kill 10 as Ukraine Vows Response 
For the first time since 2018, a United States aircraft carrier will be visiting South Korea as both countries are set to undergo joint military drills. The joint military drills are to take place this week amidst concerns over North Korea’s nuclear stance.
The South Korean Navy said Monday that the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier strike group would be arriving in Busan on Friday. The carrier strike group will be arriving in South Korea as both countries will be conducting combined drills to strengthen their readiness in light of Pyongyang’s recent legislation over its nuclear program.
“By conducting combined drills, the Navies of the two countries plan to strengthen their military readiness and demonstrate the firm resolve of the South Korea-US alliance for peace and stability in the Korean peninsula,” the South Korean Navy said in a statement.
While South Korea is not nuclear-armed, the country falls under the United States' so-called “nuclear umbrella” meaning that US forces will defend allies in case of a nuclear attack. This also follows the largest joint exercises by both countries last month.
The arrival of the US carrier strike group follows the law that was passed in North Korea, allowing the isolated nation to carry out a preemptive nuclear strike while solidifying its nuclear status as “irreversible.”
North Korea has already conducted multiple weapons tests this year, including the first intercontinental ballistic missile in five years.
There are also concerns that North Korea may conduct its first nuclear test following the multiple weapons tests.
Washington and Seoul issued a joint statement last week condemning North Korea’s “escalatory and destabilizing message related to nuclear weapons use.”
Earlier this month, South Korea proposed talks with North Korea on how to help the thousands of families who were separated during the 1950-1953 Korean War in another direct overture under the administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Unification minister Kwon Young-se extended the invitation ahead of the Chuseok holiday, saying the separation of the families during the war is part of a “painful reality” as both sides celebrate the holiday.
Kwon added that Seoul is willing to consider Pyongyang’s preferences on the date, venue, agenda, and format of the discussions.
