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Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has urged Americans to protest President Donald Trump, saying his war in the Middle East has failed, as new US sanctions and fighting in the region continued Tuesday. The United States imposed sanctions on 10 individuals and entities in Iran, Hong Kong and Pakistan over allegations that they helped Iran obtain weapons and military equipment. The Treasury Department said the measures were part of Trump administration efforts to cut financial support for Iran’s military supply network. The sanctions came as prospects for renewed diplomacy between Washington and Tehran remained uncertain. Iran calls on Americans to protestGen. Hossein Mohebbi, a spokesman for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, said the war could end only if the United States accepted defeat and withdrew. Speaking at a news conference in Tehran, Mohebbi read what he described as a “letter to the American people” ahead of the Nov. 3 US midterm elections. In comments to The Associated Press, he urged Americans to reconsider their leadership and take to the streets to protest Trump’s policies. He accused Washington of using Iran’s nuclear program as an excuse to take the country’s wealth and return it to a colonial status. Iran’s currency also fell to a new low Tuesday, with traders exchanging more than 2.5 million rials for $1. The currency has repeatedly weakened since the war began in February. Saudi oil pipeline resumes operationsA major Saudi oil pipeline that was shut down earlier this month after a drone attack has resumed operations, a Saudi government official said. The official, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorized to comment publicly, said the 1,200-kilometre (745-mile) East-West pipeline is operating close to pre-attack levels and should return to full capacity within weeks. Saudi Arabia accused an Iran-backed Iraqi militia of carrying out the drone attack. The pipeline transports crude from oil facilities along the Gulf to export terminals on the Red Sea coast. Data firm Kpler said tankers loaded about 12.5 million barrels of oil Sunday at the Yanbu export terminal and nearby Al Muajjiz terminal, both supplied by the pipeline. Pakistan vows to support Saudi ArabiaPakistan will use “whatever means are available” to defend Saudi Arabia against Iran-backed Houthi rebels, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said Tuesday. Asif did not say whether Pakistani forces had taken part in airstrikes. He said Pakistan’s military capabilities would be available to Saudi Arabia under a new mutual defence pact involving Saudi Arabia and Turkey. “I’m not going into detail, but obviously when I say that we are bound by this arrangement to defend Saudi Arabia, that means whatever means are available at our disposal, they’ll be available to Saudi Arabia also,” he told reporters in Rome. Heavy strikes hit Houthi strongholdSaudi-backed Yemeni government forces carried out heavy airstrikes Tuesday in the northwestern province of Saada, a stronghold of the Iran-backed Houthis. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said government forces carried out 35 airstrikes on Houthi positions over 24 hours. Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported earlier that at least 20 strikes hit several areas of Saada. Israeli settlers block Palestinian family from homeMore than 100 Israeli settlers clashed with Israeli soldiers who were escorting a Palestinian man back to his home in the West Bank village of Jalud. Mahmoud Tubasi told the AP that soldiers initially took him to his house, but rioting settlers forced him and his family to leave in a military vehicle. He said settlers have surrounded the house for about two months, preventing the family from returning. The Israeli military said the overnight operation to return the family “was not completed” and that three officers were injured after settlers threw rocks, blocked roads and set Palestinian property on fire. Israeli police said three settlers were arrested over the violence. The incident was condemned by Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gidon Saar and President Isaac Herzog. Rights groups have accused the Israeli military of cooperating with settlers, while the military has struggled to contain a recent increase in settler violence. Israeli strikes kill four in GazaIsraeli airstrikes in Gaza killed four people Tuesday, including a Hamas commander, according to Palestinian and Israeli officials. An early morning strike on an apartment west of Gaza City killed two people and injured five others, officials at Shifa Hospital said. The Israeli military said the strike targeted Izz al-Din Bik, a Hamas commander involved in planning attacks and recruiting members. Hamas confirmed his death and said he was one of the main figures involved in overseeing the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel, which killed more than 1,200 people. Later Tuesday, an Israeli strike in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza killed one person and injured several others, Gaza’s Health Ministry said. Another strike east of Gaza City killed one person, Shifa Hospital officials said. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the afternoon strikes. The deaths were the latest reported since a ceasefire took effect nearly a year ago.

Taiwan’s defense minister said Tuesday that existing U.S. arms sales to the island remain unchanged, although a record $14 billion package remains on hold. Defense Minister Wellington Koo said Taiwan is continuing discussions with the United States on individual arms deals and has received no notice of any changes to existing sales or military cooperation. “As for arms sales, we are in continuous discussions with the Americans on this,” Koo told reporters outside Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan in Taipei. “We haven’t received any notice of any changes to sales or our cooperation.” Koo said U.S. officials had assured him that Washington’s policy toward Taiwan remained unchanged. He also said 66 advanced F-16V fighter jets ordered by Taiwan have reached a stage of production where they are ready for delivery. The aircraft were originally expected to be delivered in 2024, according to local media, but the program was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and problems involving the production line. The comments came amid concerns that U.S. President Donald Trump could suspend arms sales to Taiwan. China has repeatedly called on Washington to stop such sales, including during a May meeting in Beijing between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The United States paused the $14 billion package following that meeting. U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are a major source of tension between Washington and Beijing. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, while the United States does not formally recognize the island as an independent country. Washington, however, maintains close unofficial ties with Taipei and is legally required to help Taiwan maintain its ability to defend itself. Taiwan says it needs U.S. weapons to strengthen its defenses against a possible Chinese attack. China’s People’s Liberation Army regularly sends military aircraft and naval vessels toward Taiwan. Analysts expect U.S. arms sales to Taiwan to continue, although some deals could remain delayed in the short term. “There are two more summits between the U.S. and China scheduled within this year, so I think neither side really wants to break things off, and the Taiwan issue will be put aside temporarily,” said Ma Chun-wei, a professor at Tamkang University. However, Ma said Taiwan remains important from a security perspective and that U.S. arms sales to the island would likely continue.

Asian shares traded mixed in early Thursday trading as investors assessed recent movements in oil prices and the US bond market, while also watching currency fluctuations. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 1.3% to 65,883.41 in morning trading, helped by gains among some chipmakers amid continued interest in artificial intelligence. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.7% to 8,700.50. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declined 0.5% to 24,715.95, while the Shanghai Composite slipped 0.8% to 3,902.33. South Korean markets were closed for the Chuseok autumn harvest holiday. In energy trading, US benchmark crude fell 0.82% to $91.40 a barrel, while Brent crude, the international benchmark, dropped 0.83% to $102.22 a barrel. Brent prices remain well above the roughly $72 a barrel recorded before the war with Iran began. Investors remain concerned that the conflict could disrupt oil supplies in the Middle East for an extended period. Talks between US and Iranian officials are continuing through mediators, but no concrete agreement has emerged so far. US bond yields pressure Wall StreetWall Street came under pressure Wednesday as a stronger-than-expected economic report raised fresh concerns about inflation and pushed US Treasury yields higher. The S&P 500 fell 0.8%, after ending the previous session just 0.4% below its record high set last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 352 points, or 0.7%, while the Nasdaq composite fell 1.1% from its record level. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury rose to 5.10% from 4.96%, a significant move in the bond market. Higher bond yields can weigh on stocks and other investments while also making borrowing more expensive, which can slow economic activity. The 10-year yield briefly reached nearly 5.14% on Wednesday, returning to levels last seen in 2007, before the global financial crisis sent borrowing costs sharply lower. Yields have risen in recent weeks amid concerns about persistent inflation, the US government's large debt burden and other economic risks. Inflation worries intensified after a preliminary report indicated that US business activity had grown at its fastest pace in more than five years. US inflation has remained elevated, prompting the Federal Reserve to raise its short-term interest rate last week for the first time in three years. Fed Gov. Michael Barr said in a speech this week that further rate increases “are likely to be needed” to bring inflation down to the central bank's 2% target. Yen remains weakThe Bank of Japan recently raised its benchmark interest rate in an effort to support the Japanese yen. However, the move had largely been expected by investors, limiting its impact on the currency. A weaker yen puts additional pressure on Japan because the country relies heavily on imported oil, particularly when global energy prices are high. In currency trading, the US dollar slipped to 157.94 yen from 158.30 yen. The euro was little changed at $1.1382, compared with $1.1388. In US markets, the S&P 500 fell 58.61 points to 7,706.03. The Dow dropped 352.10 points to 51,511.59, while the Nasdaq composite declined 308.24 points to 26,936.04.

The Trump administration has announced new travel restrictions on South African officials it accuses of supporting discrimination against white people and other minority groups. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that the United States would revoke visas or reject visa applications from foreign nationals found responsible for or involved in enforcing laws and policies that permit uncompensated land seizures, racial discrimination or incitement of violence against minority ethnic and racial groups in South Africa. "The United States will not allow such behavior to go unchecked," Rubio said in a statement, adding that such actions undermine peace, economic stability and the rule of law and conflict with the principles of US foreign policy. The South African government has strongly rejected the US allegations, describing claims of discrimination against whites as baseless and saying they have resulted from misinformation since US President Donald Trump returned to office last year. Rubio did not name any officials who could face the restrictions. However, a South African lobby group representing white minorities has previously urged the US to sanction officials from the African National Congress (ANC), the party of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the largest party in Parliament. The announcement is the latest step by the Trump administration against South Africa over its claims that white South Africans, particularly Afrikaners, face discrimination under the country's Black-led government. Afrikaners are largely descended from Dutch and French settlers who arrived in South Africa in the 17th century. They were central to the country's former apartheid system of racial segregation. South Africa has a population of about 62 million, including roughly 4.5 million white people of Afrikaner, British and other backgrounds. The United States has pointed to a controversial South African law allowing the government, under certain conditions, to expropriate unused private land without compensation. Washington has also cited affirmative action policies aimed at expanding opportunities for Black South Africans and others, as well as a small number of violent crimes against white farmers, as evidence of what it describes as broader anti-white discrimination. The Trump administration has also criticized South Africa's decision to accuse Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza before the International Court of Justice, the UN's highest court. Israel strongly denies the allegation. During Trump's second term, the United States has imposed several other measures against South Africa over what it describes as anti-white and anti-American policies. These include excluding South African officials from meetings of the Group of 20 major economies held in the United States this year and reducing aid to the country's HIV treatment program. The United States has also introduced a refugee program for Afrikaners and other white South Africans, claiming they face a humanitarian emergency in the country. South Africa has rejected that characterization. Washington says the latest measures are necessary because South Africa has not changed its policies. "This visa restriction policy is only the first step in a series of escalatory measures that will show America's firm resolve in this matter," the official US ambassador to South Africa account said on X on Wednesday, referring to Rubio's announcement.

The United States has acknowledged for the first time that it has deployed weapons in space, a significant disclosure following years of warnings about the possibility of countries such as Russia placing weapons in orbit. US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said Monday that the United States has deployed "on-orbit space control weapons" capable of protecting the Joint Force from hostile actions by adversaries. Meink did not provide details about the weapons, how they operate or whether they are designed to target objects in space or on Earth. The United States warned two years ago that Russia was developing a new space-based anti-satellite weapon, although the White House said at the time that there was no immediate threat. The reports renewed longstanding concerns about space-based threats from Russia and China, particularly because much of the US infrastructure depends on satellite communications. The United States has also previously demonstrated its ability to destroy satellites from the ground. Speaking at the Air and Space Forces Association's Air, Space & Cyber Conference, Meink said the Air Force was expanding its use of autonomous systems and predicted that the service would look "radically different" by 2032. He said, for example, that one-way attack drones could replace artillery as the "primary killer." "We are increasing readiness against existing threats," Meink said. The disclosure comes as the Trump administration places greater emphasis on space-based military capabilities. During Trump's first term, in 2019, he established the Space Force as a separate branch of the US military. In his second term, he has announced the "Golden Dome" missile defense system, which includes plans to deploy US weapons in space. Trump said last year that he expected the system to be "fully operational before the end of my term," which ends in January 2029. He said it would be capable of intercepting missiles "even if they are launched from space." He also ordered the Pentagon during the first week of his presidency to pursue space-based missile interceptors. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the space-based components of the Golden Dome alone could cost as much as $542 billion over 20 years. In 2024, the Biden administration said Russia was developing a space-based nuclear weapon capable of remaining in orbit for long periods before releasing a burst powerful enough to destroy nearby satellites. The disclosure sparked renewed debate at the United Nations over weapons in space. In April 2024, Russia vetoed a US-Japanese resolution calling on countries not to develop or deploy nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in space. Such weapons are prohibited under a 1967 international treaty signed by both the United States and Russia. The treaty also established outer space as a global commons to be used only for peaceful purposes. Russia's delegation described the resolution as hypocritical and a double standard. Moscow instead proposed a separate resolution calling for a ban on all weapons in space "for all time," but it failed to pass. Russia has argued that the United States and its allies oppose a complete ban on weapons in outer space because they intend to deploy weapons there.

Most US men may be unaware of a possible link between dairy consumption and prostate cancer, according to a new survey released during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Only 20% of the men surveyed knew that consuming milk and other dairy products may increase the risk of prostate cancer. After being informed about the potential risk, 66% said they would be likely to avoid dairy products. The survey, conducted by Morning Consult for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, included 1,102 US men. It also found that only 20% had received information from a healthcare professional about the relationship between diet and prostate cancer risk. “Physicians and other healthcare professionals need more education on the dangers of dairy products and the benefits of a plant-based diet for prostate cancer,” said Noah Praamsma, a dietitian and nutrition education coordinator with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Studies link dairy consumption to prostate cancer riskPrevious studies have found an association between higher consumption of dairy products, including milk and cheese, and a greater risk of prostate cancer. A review of 32 studies found evidence of increased risk among people who consumed larger amounts of dairy products. One study found that people who drank at least one serving of skim or low-fat milk daily had a 19% higher risk of prostate cancer than those who rarely drank it. Another study followed 3,612 men for eight to 10 years. It found that men who consumed the most low-fat dairy products — about three servings a day — were more than twice as likely to develop prostate cancer. The survey also found strong support for clearer food labeling. About 76% of respondents said they favored warning labels on dairy products informing consumers about the potential prostate cancer risk. Plant-based diets may offer protectionPraamsma said most men surveyed already understood that fruits, vegetables, grains and beans may help protect against prostate cancer. He said research suggests that a fully plant-based diet may provide the greatest benefits. The Adventist Health Study-2 found that men following a vegan diet had a 35% lower risk of prostate cancer compared with men following nonvegetarian or other vegetarian diets. Plant-based diets may also benefit men who have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer. A study of more than 2,000 men with the disease found that those who ate the most plant-based foods had a 56% lower risk of the cancer progressing and a 59% lower risk of recurrence than those who consumed the fewest plant foods. Prostate cancer remains a major health concernProstate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among men, according to the American Cancer Society's 2024 annual report. The society estimates that 333,830 new prostate cancer cases will be diagnosed in the United States in 2026, while 36,320 people are expected to die from the disease. Source: Science Daily

The United States, South Korea and Japan will hold a five-day trilateral military exercise next month as they seek to strengthen their response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, South Korean officials said Friday. The announcement came a day after North Korea warned that it would take “serious, immediate and powerful” action against what it described as hostile moves by the United States. The planned exercise could further reduce the chances of an early restart of talks between Washington and Pyongyang, despite US President Donald Trump’s recent decision to reduce the scale of a major military exercise with South Korea. South Korea’s military said the Freedom Edge exercise will begin September 7 in waters near the southern island of Jeju. It described the drill as defensive and said it aims to improve the three countries’ ability to respond to North Korean nuclear and missile threats while supporting regional peace and stability. North Korea has repeatedly condemned the trilateral exercise, calling it a “reckless show of strength.” Pyongyang has also accused the US and its allies of using the drill to pressure China and Russia. Launched in 2024, Freedom Edge combines air and naval exercises to improve cooperation in areas including ballistic missile defence, anti-submarine warfare and surveillance. Last week, US and South Korean forces ended their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise six days earlier than planned after Trump said he had ordered the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” the drill. North Korea considers such exercises preparations for an invasion. Trump cited his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un when announcing the reduction. But Pyongyang rejected the gesture, saying shortening the exercise did not change its “provocative, aggressive nature.” North Korea subsequently fired about 10 short-range ballistic missiles into the sea, apparently in response to the US-South Korean military exercise. Pyongyang has said it will not return to talks with Washington unless the US drops its demand for North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons as a condition for negotiations. Since talks with Trump broke down in 2019, Kim has expanded North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and strengthened ties with Russia amid the war in Ukraine. Experts say Pyongyang could now seek major concessions from Washington, including recognition as a nuclear-armed state and broad sanctions relief, in exchange for giving up part of its nuclear programme. On Thursday, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry accused Washington of carrying out a series of hostile actions, including a possible plan to sell air-to-air missiles and related equipment to South Korea. It warned that Pyongyang would respond strongly to what it called hostile acts in various areas.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on China and the United States to overcome their differences ahead of an expected summit next month between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Wang made the remarks during a meeting with US Ambassador to China David Perdue on Wednesday, according to China's state broadcaster CCTV. He urged both sides to focus on areas of cooperation, properly manage their differences, reduce interference and clear obstacles to high-level exchanges between the two countries. China-US relations still face "various risks and challenges," Wang said, according to CCTV. Trump and Xi met in Beijing in May and agreed to keep bilateral ties stable and maintain a fragile trade truce. Trump invited Xi to visit the United States for a meeting on Sept 24, although the exact date of the Chinese president's visit has yet to be confirmed. Despite the agreement, Washington and Beijing have continued taking targeted economic measures against each other. The United States has banned imports of newly manufactured Chinese humanoid robots, while China has restricted American entities involved in trade and other activities in the country. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing Thursday that the two countries were continuing discussions on the leaders' planned meeting "within the year." Tensions between the world's two largest economies rose sharply after Trump returned to the White House last year. At one point, the US said tariffs on Chinese goods could reach 145%, although the rates were later reduced significantly. Tensions have eased in recent months, and the two leaders reached several agreements during their May meeting, including plans to establish trade and investment boards between the countries. However, the Trump administration has been considering an additional 7.5% tariff on Chinese goods following a US investigation into excess industrial capacity and production in 16 economies. No final decision has been announced. The US also said last month that it would impose a 12.5% tariff on China following an investigation into forced labour involving 60 economies. China's Commerce Ministry said Thursday that Beijing "firmly opposes" the US investigation into excess capacity, accusing Washington of "politicizing economic and trade issues." The ministry said China would closely monitor developments and "reserves the right to take all necessary measures" if required. Last month, China also rejected Western criticism over its industrial overcapacity in a report titled "China's Position on the So-called Excess Capacity Issue," saying Beijing had never sought to maintain a large trade surplus.

Asian shares rose Thursday, following gains on Wall Street, while South Korea’s benchmark Kospi jumped more than 6% after the US Treasury announced plans to significantly increase its purchases of longer-term government debt. US stock futures also edged higher after the Treasury said it would at least double the size of its planned buybacks of longer-term government bonds. The move could reduce pressure on stock markets from rising bond yields. Increased government bond purchases can push bond prices higher and, in turn, lower yields. South Korea’s Kospi surged 6.1% to 6,858.91 after falling 5.8% on Wednesday as investors sold shares linked to artificial intelligence. Samsung Electronics rose 9.7%, while SK Hynix, a major memory chipmaker, gained 14.1% after announcing a large share buyback programme. Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 1.3% to 66,178.26, recovering from losses earlier in the week. Japan reported a trade deficit for the third consecutive month in July, with both imports and exports reaching record levels. SoftBank Group, which has invested in OpenAI, gained 3.8%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 1.1% to 25,786.32, while the Shanghai Composite gained 0.3% to 3,905.23. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 increased 0.3% to 9,066.40. Taiwan’s Taiex was little changed, while India’s Sensex gained 0.7%. US government bond yields fell after the Treasury announced its expanded buyback plans. Bond prices and yields generally move in opposite directions. The announcement appeared to ease investor concerns about rising borrowing costs. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 rose 0.2%, ending a three-day losing streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq composite each also gained 0.2%. US bond yields have climbed in recent months amid concerns about inflation linked to the prolonged war in Iran, rising government debt and other economic pressures. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note fell to about 4.64%, down from 4.71% on Tuesday. However, it remains significantly higher than before the war in Iran began. The 30-year Treasury yield also declined to 5.18% from 5.28%. Bond yields in Asia also eased following the US Treasury announcement. Japan’s 10-year government bond yield dropped to about 2.83% from above 2.89% on Wednesday. It had recently reached its highest level in about 30 years. Oil prices edged higher Thursday as negotiations between the US and Iran showed little progress. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 0.3% to $91.90 a barrel. It was trading at around $72 before the war began. US benchmark crude gained 0.2% to $84.57 a barrel. The US dollar rose to 158.60 Japanese yen from 158.16 yen. The euro was trading at $1.1676, slightly.

The United States will make permanent a visa bond programme requiring applicants from 50 countries, most of them in Africa, to pay a refundable bond before applying for certain US visas. According to a draft notice published Friday in the Federal Register, the US State Department said a year-long review found the programme helped reduce visa overstays, prompting the decision to make it permanent from Monday. The revised rules also raise the maximum bond amount from $15,000 to $20,000. The previous minimum bond of $5,000 has been removed, leaving bond amounts of $10,000 or $20,000, depending on the decision of a consular officer. The programme applies to applicants seeking B1 business visas and B2 tourist visas. The bond is refunded if the visa application is rejected or, if approved, once the traveller complies with all visa conditions and leaves the United States as required. The Trump administration introduced the programme in August last year as part of broader efforts to reduce illegal immigration and prevent visitors from overstaying their visas. The State Department said it costs the US government about $18,000 to locate, arrest and deport each person who remains in the country after their visa expires. According to the department, nearly 45,500 visitors from the 50 affected countries overstayed their visas in 2024. During the first 10 months of the bond programme, fewer than 50 overstays were recorded from those countries. US officials described the programme as successful in reducing visa violations. However, critics argue that the policy places a heavy financial burden on people from low-income countries who want to travel to the United States for tourism, business, education or to visit family members. The State Department had originally expected around 2,000 applicants to be affected by the programme. Instead, about 20,000 applicants were required to pay the bond. Nearly half of those applicants decided not to proceed with their visa applications, contributing to an 83 percent drop in business and tourist visas issued to citizens of the affected countries. The department said it expects the permanent programme to further reduce demand for B1 and B2 visas from countries covered by the policy.