Chinese intelligence support has helped Iran improve its ability to target U.S. ships and military bases in the Middle East, according to U.S. intelligence assessments.

Satellite imagery and geospatial data from Chinese groups helped Iran carry out a precise July strike on a U.S. base in Jordan that killed three American service members, officials said.

The data has also improved Iran’s ability to track ships in the Strait of Hormuz and increase the effectiveness of drone and missile attacks.

U.S. officials say the extent of China’s involvement remains unclear, including whether Beijing directly ordered the support or merely allowed it. Russia has also provided assistance, while Iran’s battlefield experience has further improved its capabilities.

Source: CNN

The EU has urged Britain to raise tariffs on Chinese cars and align more closely with EU trade policy to avoid barriers on British exports.

Brussels said a customs union could help resolve tariff differences and prevent Chinese companies from bypassing EU tariffs by routing goods through the UK.

Source: FT

Pope Leo XIV:

The justice, wisdom and sense of humanity demand that we stop the arms race. They demand the parallel and simultaneous reduction of the existing arms in various countries.

The prohibition of atomic weapons and human disarmament must be achieved through common agreement and accompanied by effective controls.

Pope Leo XIV:

There is an increasingly widespread mistaken belief that possessing nuclear weapons is a guarantee of security, which fuels a new and difficult-to-control arms race.

Yet peace is not a balance of power and is built every day through dialogue and justice.

Pope Leo XIV:

There exists today the temptation to expect science to provide a solution and consolation for all our sufferings.

The risk is often falling into illusion. When science and technology are not enlightened by conscience, they can propose immediate solutions that seem to respond to the desires and needs of men and women, but which in reality can seriously lead them away from the good to which they deeply aspire.

I sometimes observe with concern the current developments in societies that risk turning science and technology into a profitable enterprise, encouraging genetic manipulation, surrogacy, organ purchasing and the offering of programmed death.

Let us not forget that mutual respect and the protection of the life of every human person are the responsibility of each and everyone, beginning with a conversion of intelligence and heart, and requiring a real and selfless commitment toward our brothers and sisters.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi:

Regarding the situation in the Middle East, I pointed out that achieving early stabilization of the situation across the region, as well as securing free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz without any additional costs, is extremely important.

On that basis, President Erdogan expressed agreement with Japan’s position, and we agreed that both countries would work closely together.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi:

Japan has consistently contributed to international peace and prosperity as a peace-loving nation, and this policy will not change in the future.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi:

I called for international solidarity toward a world without nuclear weapons, and urged the complete denuclearization of North Korea and an early resolution of the abduction issue.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi:

Japan believes that the U.S.-China relationship becoming one that contributes to stability for Japan and the international community is important.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on India:

Japan and India are special strategic global partners that share a strategic direction.

We will build a mutually complementary relationship by making use of each other’s strengths in areas such as security, including economic security, the economy, investment, innovation and human exchanges.

Turkish President Erdogan on Israel:

Recently, a misguided narrative aimed at portraying Türkiye as a new source of threat has been fueled in Israel. We consider this rhetoric to be linked to Israel’s domestic political dynamics and the electoral climate.

Türkiye has no hostility toward the Israeli people or toward any other society.

What we oppose are policies that we consider contrary to international law and steps that deepen instability in our region.

Source: Newsweek

Turkish President Erdogan on the Mecca Alliance:

It would not be correct to view the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement as an alliance established against Iran, Israel or any third country.

This agreement is an expression of our shared responsibility to build a safer, peaceful and prosperous future.

For a long time, we have emphasized that regional issues must be addressed by the countries of the region themselves. We seek to strengthen our security, enhance our deterrence and reinforce lasting stability in our region.

Source: Newsweek

Turkish President Erdogan:

The relations that Greece or any other country develops with third countries are a matter of their own choice. Türkiye does not view every bilateral relationship as a threat directed against it. Nonetheless, we closely monitor any actions that may jeopardize our national security, lawful rights, and interests.

Türkiye has a strong position and influence in NATO. Rather than debating the ramifications of a hypothetical military confrontation for the Alliance, it would be more prudent to focus on diplomacy to prevent such a possibility from arising.

Source: Newsweek

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

We are developing these new partnerships while continuing to work closely with our principal ally, the United States, and our major trading partner in China.

Australia stands for a safer world where no country dominates and no country is dominated.

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Gaza:

The peace plan on Gaza agreed last October was welcome, but it has not fundamentally changed the reality on the ground.

Israeli strikes continue. Humanitarian aid remains blocked. Civilians continue to suffer.

We, the international community, have failed Palestine.

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Sudan:

We need to act decisively to support the people of Sudan to end this conflict. We must support their aspirations for democracy, justice, and development.

Sudan has become a forgotten war despite its devastating impacts. We must not allow the absence of daily headlines to become a license for inaction.

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Iran:

Ireland has consistently stated that Iran must cease its attacks on its neighbors and also end its destabilizing activities across the region, including strikes on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Vessels must be allowed to transit the strait safely and without tolls in line with international law. If we are to build greater stability, Iran must never have a nuclear weapon.

Iran’s destabilizing influence across the region must cease. We need dialogue to achieve a negotiated settlement.

Trump:

Very productive meeting with President Xi for both the U.S.A. and China. Tremendous things will be happening.

Like almost everyone else, he seemed to like calling the poorly and inaccurately named Artificial Intelligence to a far more accurate and important name, SUPER INTELLIGENCE. That would be “SUPER!” Everyone last night agreed, also.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung criticized Zelensky for publicly revealing Ukraine’s transfer of two North Korean prisoners captured while fighting for Russia to South Korea.

Lee said the matter was highly sensitive for diplomacy and national security and that the disclosure violated a confidentiality agreement.

He called it “deeply regrettable” and said such issues should be handled based on national interests rather than political gains.

Yemen’s Houthis have told the EU they will not target European ships in the Red Sea, saying their campaign is aimed at Saudi Arabia rather than disrupting international shipping.

The Houthis also assured the U.S. they would not target American ships after Oman-facilitated talks with Washington.

Source: FT