Kim Jong Un Vows Victory in Anti-US Struggle on Korean War Armistice Anniversary

SEOUL — On the anniversary of the Korean War armistice, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared that his country is determined to triumph in its "anti-imperialist, anti-US" efforts. According to the state-run KCNA news agency, Kim emphasized during a visit to a war museum that North Korea will undoubtedly succeed in becoming a wealthy nation with a powerful military and emerge as an honorable victor in its ideological struggle. The armistice, signed on July 27, 1953, brought an end to active combat in the Korean War, involving North Korea, South Korea, China, and United Nations forces led by the United States. Despite the ceasefire, the peninsula remains divided roughly in half along the demilitarized zone, a status quo North Korea marks as "Victory Day," although South Korea does not observe the date with significant ceremonies. In addition to his museum visit, Kim paid respects at memorials dedicated to war veterans, including the Tower of Friendship which honors Chinese soldiers who fought alongside North Korean forces during the conflict. He also met with members of an artillery regiment to commemorate the occasion. Recently, North Korea has expanded its military involvement by sending thousands of troops and munitions to support Russia’s efforts in the Ukraine conflict, particularly in the Kursk region. South Korean officials suggest that additional North Korean deployments could occur in the coming months. This display of defiance and military posturing underscores North Korea's ongoing confrontation with the United States and its determination to project strength amid persistent geopolitical tensions.

Migrant Boat Capsizing Off Yemen Claims 68 Lives, 74 Missing Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts

ADEN, Yemen — The death toll from the capsizing of a migrant boat near Yemen’s southern Abyan province has climbed to 68, with 74 individuals remaining missing as rescue teams persist in efforts despite challenging sea conditions. According to Abdul Qader Bajamil, director of Abyan’s health office, bodies have been recovered at various points along the coast, while 12 survivors were rescued early Sunday and have been transported to Shaqra General Hospital for urgent medical care. Medical personnel report that several survivors are in critical condition due to prolonged exposure to the sea and exhaustion. The tragedy took place late Saturday night, August 2, 2025, when a vessel smuggling 154 Ethiopian migrants capsized amid severe weather and strong winds in the waters off Abyan. Authorities confirmed that all passengers were Ethiopian nationals looking to reach Yemen as a transit point towards Gulf countries in pursuit of improved economic prospects. The Abyan security forces have intensified search operations, deploying additional teams to recover those missing and manage bodies discovered across scattered coastal areas. Health officials are coordinating with local authorities to ensure the deceased are accorded proper burial near Zinjibar, the province’s capital. This incident underscores the enduring hazards faced by African migrants undertaking perilous sea journeys through a region marred by prolonged conflict and a dire humanitarian crisis. The United Nations has repeatedly identified Yemen as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies. Local security officials have called for urgent international collaboration to address the root causes of irregular migration and enhance maritime safety protocols within Yemeni waters. An Abyan security official stated on condition of anonymity, "This tragedy highlights the necessity of regional cooperation to prevent further loss of life and tackle the fundamental issues driving these hazardous migrations." International humanitarian organizations, including the International Organization for Migration, have dispatched teams to support rescue efforts and deliver aid to survivors. Maritime authorities caution that adverse weather conditions continue to pose significant obstacles to ongoing search and rescue missions.

Thailand and Cambodia Hold Preliminary Defense Talks Amid Fragile Ceasefire

Preliminary discussions between defense officials from Thailand and Cambodia commenced on Monday, August 4, in Malaysia, setting the stage for a pivotal ministerial-level meeting scheduled for Thursday. This diplomatic engagement comes as a tenuous ceasefire endures nearly a week after intense border fighting between the two nations. The ceasefire agreement, brokered last Monday in Malaysia with facilitation from the United States and China as observers, followed five days of violent confrontations. The clashes—marked by artillery exchanges and jet fighter operations—resulted in at least 43 fatalities and displaced more than 300,000 individuals on both sides of the border. Defense ministers from both countries are expected to convene the General Border Committee meeting on Thursday to explore mechanisms to uphold the ceasefire. Representatives from the United States, China, and Malaysia will also observe the forthcoming talks. Despite ongoing dialogue, mistrust lingers between Thailand and Cambodia. The Cambodian defense ministry has accused Thai forces of violating the ceasefire by deploying excavators and installing barbed wire in disputed border areas. Thailand has responded by asserting that both sides have maintained their positions without significant movements. Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, a spokesperson for the Thai military, noted, \"There are reports that the Cambodian side has modified their positions and reinforced their troops in key areas... to replace personnel lost in each area.\" Moreover, Cambodia has demanded the immediate release of 18 of its soldiers captured by Thai forces. Thailand stated that the detainees are being treated humanely as prisoners of war and will be freed only after a full cessation of hostilities, not simply a ceasefire. The upcoming ministerial meeting in Malaysia seeks to address these concerns and reinforce the fragile peace along the border region.

Death Toll Rises to 68 in Yemen Migrant Boat Tragedy Amid Ongoing Search Efforts

The death toll from a migrant boat capsizing off Yemen’s southern coast has climbed to 68, with an additional 74 individuals still unaccounted for, local officials reported Sunday. Rescue teams have recovered the bodies along the coastline of Abyan province throughout the day, while earlier in the morning, 12 survivors were rescued from the sea. Abdul Qader Bajamil, director of the health office in Abyan province, confirmed the survivors were promptly transported to Shaqra General Hospital for urgent medical care. Several remain in critical condition due to prolonged exposure to harsh sea conditions and exhaustion. The incident occurred late Saturday night when the smuggling vessel carrying 154 Ethiopian migrants overturned around 11 p.m. local time amid severe weather and powerful winds in the waters off Abyan. Authorities in Abyan have verified that all those involved were Ethiopian nationals, part of a continued influx of African migrants attempting the perilous journey through Yemen to reach Gulf countries seeking improved economic prospects. Bodies have been found dispersed along multiple coastal locations, prompting authorities to intensify search efforts by deploying additional rescue units. Health officials are collaborating with local authorities to ensure proper burial arrangements for the victims near Zinjibar, the provincial capital. This tragedy underscores the ongoing dangers faced by African migrants undertaking risky sea voyages despite Yemen’s prolonged conflict and grave humanitarian crisis. The United Nations has consistently described Yemen’s situation as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies.

Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir Defies Status Quo with Al-Aqsa Visit, Calls for Gaza Reoccupation

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir made a controversial visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem on Sunday, a move that breaks with a long-standing agreement governing the sensitive site. During his visit, Ben-Gvir issued a forceful call for Israel to reoccupy the Gaza Strip. In a video shared on the social media platform X, Ben-Gvir stated, \"From here, we must send a clear message: to conquer all of the Gaza Strip, assert sovereignty over it, eliminate every Hamas member, and promote voluntary Palestinian migration from Gaza.\" He further added, \"This is the only path to recovering hostages and securing victory in the war.\" Despite a ban on prayer at the site for non-Muslims, Ben-Gvir reportedly prayed at Al-Aqsa, with police officers present who did not intervene, according to Israeli state media Kan TV. The visit drew sharp criticism from Arab states, including Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs condemned the action as a deliberate provocation to Muslims worldwide. In response to growing tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement emphasizing that Israel's commitment to preserving the status quo at the Al-Aqsa compound remains unchanged. The Al-Aqsa Mosque complex, situated in East Jerusalem—a territory Israel occupied in the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed—is administered by Jordan's Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs via its Jerusalem department, although Israeli police maintain security. Traditionally, while Jewish visitors have been permitted at the site, they have been barred from engaging in religious prayers there. However, recent years have seen an increase in prayer activities by far-right Israeli extremists at the compound, raising concerns about stability in the region.

Philippines to Experience Continued Warm Weather with Localized Thunderstorms in Some Areas

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) announced on Saturday afternoon that warm weather is expected to continue across much of the country. According to Pagasa weather specialist John Manalo, temperatures in Metro Manila will range between 27 to 31 degrees Celsius on Sunday.\n\nLocalized thunderstorms may develop in portions of Central Luzon, southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. Manalo explained that the southwest monsoon, known locally as the "habagat," is presently influencing only certain northern Luzon areas, including the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, and Cagayan Valley Region.\n\nDespite the monsoon's presence, rain is unlikely in these northern locations except in Batanes province, where cloudy skies and significant chances of rain showers are forecast for Sunday.\n\nNotably, Pagasa reported that there are no tropical cyclones or low-pressure systems being monitored within or near the Philippine area of responsibility at this time. This suggests stable weather conditions aside from the localized rain events in the aforementioned areas.

Sahara International Film Festival Urges Christopher Nolan to Exclude Western Sahara Footage from Upcoming Film

The Sahara International Film Festival (FiSahara) has publicly called on filmmaker Christopher Nolan to omit scenes shot in Western Sahara from his forthcoming film, due to the sensitive political status of the region. Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, has been mostly administered by Morocco since 1975 but remains classified by the United Nations as a non-self-governing territory. The sovereignty dispute involves Morocco and the Algerian-supported Polisario Front, which advocates for Sahrawi independence. Maria Carrion, executive director of FiSahara, which hosts its events in Sahrawi refugee camps in Algeria, criticized Nolan's decision to film near Dakhla, on the Western Sahara coast. She stated, \"We are urging Nolan to stand in solidarity with the Sahrawi people. Shooting in this occupied territory legitimizes the occupation and perpetuates colonialism.\" Reportedly, Nolan filmed scenes for his 2026 release, *The Odyssey*, starring Matt Damon and Zendaya, in this disputed area. Carrion emphasized that there were many other locations with sand dunes that could have been chosen, saying, \"Filming on a sand dune in occupied territory furthers colonialism in Western Sahara.\" Representing Morocco, Culture Minister Mehdi Bensaid expressed optimism, attributing the production to enhancing Dakhla’s reputation \"as a filming destination, not just a tourist spot.\" However, Carrion countered these remarks by highlighting that Nolan did not acquire consent from Sahrawi representatives but only from Morocco, which FiSahara deems as an occupying power. \"Real consent requires the involvement of the Sahrawi people, not the occupier,\" she added. FiSahara also suggested that Nolan and his crew may have been inadequately informed regarding the region’s contested nature. The Western Sahara conflict remains unresolved decades after Morocco's annexation, with the Polisario Front insisting on a referendum for self-determination. Notably, in 2020, the United States endorsed Morocco’s autonomy proposal amid Rabat’s normalization of relations with Israel, complicating the diplomatic landscape further.

China and Russia to Conduct Joint Naval Exercises Near Vladivostok in August

China and Russia are set to carry out joint naval exercises in the vicinity of Vladivostok, Russia, this August, according to an announcement by the Chinese Defense Ministry on Wednesday. Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China’s Defense Ministry, confirmed during a press briefing that the Sea-2025 exercise will involve both countries’ naval and air forces operating in the surrounding waters and airspace. "After the conclusion of the exercise, participating units from both sides will undertake the sixth joint maritime patrol in designated areas of the Pacific Ocean," Zhang stated. He emphasized that this exercise forms part of the annual military collaboration plan between China and Russia. Zhang clarified that the drills are not targeted at any other nation and are independent of current international or regional circumstances. This planned exercise follows previous joint operations, including last July’s drills near Zhanjiang in southern China’s Guangdong Province, highlighting the ongoing defense partnership between the two nations.

UAE Offers Condolences to Philippines Following Devastating Typhoons and Monsoon Floods

The United Arab Emirates extended its heartfelt condolences to the Philippine government on Wednesday in response to the severe impact of Typhoon Emong, accompanied by two additional tropical cyclones and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), which caused extensive flooding and landslides across Metro Manila and northern and central Luzon this month. At least 34 people have lost their lives due to these weather events. The typhoons Crising, Dante, and Emong, together with the Habagat, triggered massive evacuations amid widespread destruction. The UAE Embassy in Manila expressed its support, stating, \"The UAE has expressed its sincere condolences and solidarity with the Republic of the Philippines over the victims of Typhoon Co-may (formerly Emong), which struck Luzon Island accompanied by heavy rainfall. The typhoon resulted in numerous deaths and injuries, as well as significant damage to property.\" The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs also extended its sympathies to the families affected and offered wishes for the swift recovery of those injured, reaffirming their support for the Filipino people and government during this challenging time. According to the Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), 18 individuals were injured and seven remain missing as of Tuesday. The calamities have affected over 1.8 million families, with more than 20,000 people currently residing in temporary government shelters. The NDRRMC reported damage to 586 road sections and 35 bridges, disrupting transportation and local infrastructure. Additionally, 50,772 farmers and fisherfolk experienced losses, and 193 cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity to address the emergency response needs aggressively. These storms have forced urgent humanitarian and disaster relief initiatives as authorities continue efforts to aid the affected populations and restore essential services.

Phivolcs Cancels Tsunami Alerts After No Significant Sea Level Disturbances Observed

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) announced that no significant sea level disturbances or destructive tsunami waves have been observed along the country\'s Pacific coast. Accordingly, as of 4:40 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, the tsunami alerts previously issued for multiple provinces have been officially cancelled. The affected areas where the tsunami warning has been lifted include the Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, and Davao de Oro. Phivolcs stated, "With this, any effects due to minor sea level disturbances have largely passed, and therefore, DOST-Phivolcs has now cancelled the recommendations issued for this event." The agency further emphasized that "this will be the final tsunami information issued for this event." The initial advisory was prompted by an 8.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the East Coast of Kamchatka, Russia, raising concerns about potential tsunami impacts on the Philippine coastline. Despite the magnitude, no destructive waves were recorded locally, allowing for the swift cancellation of the warnings.