S. Korea stresses US alliance amid confusion over Trump drill cut
Lee's comments Tuesday come as many South Koreans remain baffled and concerned about U.S. President Donald Trump's abrupt order to "substantially reduce" military exercises with South Korea.
World
npr.org
18.08.2026
US cites India on voter IDs, but are elections under Modi clean?
Trump highlights India's voter ID rules to bolster his case for stricter US election laws.
World
aljazeera.com
18.08.2026
U.S. diplomat calls Israeli strikes on Syria base "unnecessary escalation"
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack says an Israeli attack on a Syrian air force base was an "unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability."
World
cbsnews.com
18.08.2026
Drills cut by Trump are central to the US-South Korea alliance
The United States and South Korea have regularly conducted military drills to prepare for potential conflicts with North Korea
World
abcnews.com
18.08.2026
Kushner touts unprecedented Iran contacts as Tehran denies Trump backchannel
Jared Kushner says U.S.-Iran communications are "more robust" than ever but accuses Iranian officials of trying to "trick" the U.S. with false concessions.
Politics
foxnews.com
18.08.2026
From America’s ‘oldest ally’ in the Middle East to a bombing target: Trump is trying to wreck the US-Omani relationship
Oman was the first Gulf nation to recognise the United States nearly 200 years ago. Now Trump’s threats puts its relationship with the country under strain, reports Maira Butt
World
independent.co.uk
18.08.2026
The presidents of the UAE and the United States discussed the Middle East conflict
There was a telephone conversation between the presidents of the UAE and the United States, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Donald Trump.
Azerbaijan
report.az
18.08.2026
South Korea and Japan stress stress 'critical' US alliance as Trump slashes military drills
Trump made the surprise announcement about the troop drawdown in a social media post just before US and South Korean soldiers began Monday's annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises.
World
euronews.com
18.08.2026
Trump's North Korea overture triggers fears for US alliances
In announcing scaled back joint military drills with South Korea, the US president appears to be moving towards Pyongyang just as North Korea becomes more emboldened.
World
dw.com
18.08.2026
Trump threatens longtime U.S. ally Oman amid Strait of Hormuz stalemate
President Trump on Monday threatened to strike Oman, a longtime U.S. ally, which shares the Strait of Hormuz and has been negotiating control of the waterway with the Iranian regime. Mr. Trump also su
World
cbsnews.com
18.08.2026
"Liberium": Ocampo used the authority of the ICC in the campaign against Azerbaijan
The UN International Criminal Court (ICC) is experiencing one of the most difficult periods in its 24-year history. The reason for this is that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio filed a legal war agai
Azerbaijan
report.az
18.08.2026
US condemns ‘unnecessary escalation’ after Israeli strikes on Syrian airbase
Ambassador Tom Barrack said the US remained deeply concerned by the strikes on Abu Duhur airbase
World
independent.co.uk
18.08.2026
Why has Trump threatened to bomb Oman – for a second time?
The US president threatened to bomb Oman over Hormuz, with US-Iran peace negotiations in a deadlock.
World
aljazeera.com
18.08.2026
Governments’ borrowing costs hit further multi-decade highs as US-Iran peace hopes fade
Bond yields in US, UK, Germany France and Japan rise after ceasefire ends and Trump threatens to bomb OmanBusiness live – latest updatesGovernment borrowing costs in several advanced economies continu
Finance
theguardian.com
18.08.2026
Exclusive: You Can Finally Buy a Fairphone—a Sustainable, Repairable Smartphone—in the US
More than a decade after launching in Europe, the Netherlands company is now selling its repairable phones in the US, starting with the Fairphone (Gen 6+).
Tech
wired.com
18.08.2026
Trump threatens to bomb Oman, as its ally tires to mediate Iran negotiations
As the 60-day ceasefire deadline passes, US President Donald Trump is lashing out at an American ally trying to mediate negotiations between the US and Iran. Using an expletive, Trump threatened to bo
World
france24.com
18.08.2026
South Korea calls for solid US alliance after Trump says 'good relationship' with Kim Jong Un
The United States and North Korea could be edging back toward direct communication, while creating separation with South Korea by cutting down on joint military exercises. US President Donald Trump an
World
france24.com
18.08.2026
Two largest U.S. reservoirs hit record lows amid Western drought
The two largest reservoirs in the United States have fallen to record lows as a severe drought grips the country's West, according to data released over the weekend.
Science
phys.org
18.08.2026
War between U.S. and Iran shifts key resources away from Asia
The U.S. focus on Iran has pivoted key resources away from another key geopolitical region -- Asia.
World
npr.org
18.08.2026
Oil prices jump after US-Iran ceasefire expires and Trump threatens Oman
Brent crude rises above $90 a barrel for the first time since 30 July after US president tells Tehran to surrenderBusiness live – latest updatesOil prices have risen again after the two-month window t
World
theguardian.com
18.08.2026