World
Trump Unharmed in Second Attack; Suspect Arrested by Police
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump narrowly escaped a second assassination attempt at his own golf course in Florida on the 15th. Trump was unharmed in the incident and later reassured his supporters via social media. This attack comes just 64 days after a previous attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris promptly issued statements condemning the violent act. The 58-year-old suspect, named Ralph, was arrested while fleeing the scene.
The 58-year-old gunman, who attempted to assassinate Trump, was wearing a pink outfit and surrendered with his hands raised before being handcuffed and taken away by police. He appeared in federal court for the first time on the 16th, facing two federal firearm felony charges, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possessing a firearm with a removed serial number. The FBI revealed that the shooter had been lying in wait on the golf course for 12 hours, clearly targeting Trump. However, authorities stated the gunman never had a chance to open fire.
President Biden publicly praised the Secret Service for preventing Trump's assassination, emphasizing that "there is no place for political violence in America—zero tolerance. I have always condemned political violence, and I always will." Trump, on the other hand, pointed fingers at the Democratic Party, blaming Biden and Harris for their "incendiary rhetoric." As the election approaches, tensions surrounding political rhetoric and election violence may be difficult to quell.
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Storm Hits Central and Eastern Europe: Torrential Rains Cause Widespread Flooding
Extreme Weather Ravages the Globe: Storm Boris Strikes Central and Eastern Europe with FurySince the 12th, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia have been battered by strong winds and heavy rainfall due to Storm Boris. Romanian rescue teams reported that the storm-triggered floods have caused four deaths and left 25,000 homes without power.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis stated, "We are once again facing the impacts of extreme weather, which are becoming increasingly apparent in Europe, with severe consequences." Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu visited the hardest-hit region of Galati, where four lives were lost, around 5,000 homes were damaged, and 25,000 homes were left without electricity. Romania’s emergency services noted that eight counties are severely affected by flooding.
The water levels at the Czech-Polish border have exceeded the warning line, surging nearly 2 meters overnight. Czech authorities ordered immediate evacuation, while northern and northeastern regions experienced power outages in 51,000 households. In response to the situation, flood prevention measures were swiftly enacted, recalling the devastating floods that hit the capital, Prague, in 2002.
In Hungary, the Danube River is expected to approach historic high levels in the coming days. Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak issued a warning about severe weather changes, particularly in the southwestern regions, based on the grim forecast.
Southern Austria has been hit by strong winds reaching 146 kilometers per hour. Local media reported that since the 14th, firefighters in the capital Vienna have been deployed approximately 150 times to clear debris from the streets and pump water from flooded basements. Some northeastern regions of Austria have already been declared disaster zones.
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Trump and Harris Campaign in Swing States as Immigration Controversies Intensify
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris are each holding rallies in key swing states. On Friday, the 13th, Trump announced during a campaign event that if re-elected, he plans to deploy federal law enforcement officers to begin mass deportations of immigrants, starting in Ohio and Colorado. Meanwhile, racial tensions concerning Haitian immigrants have escalated.
According to CNN, Harris received widespread praise for her performance in the October 10th presidential debate. Polls now show Trump and Harris are nearly tied in support. Both candidates have ramped up their campaigns in swing states. Recently, Trump brought national attention to Springfield, Ohio, after a Facebook post claimed a neighbor had found a missing cat in a Haitian immigrant’s yard, suggesting they intended to eat it. This rumor, later picked up by the media and debunked by authorities, fueled anti-immigrant sentiment. Springfield is home to over 12,000 Haitian refugees legally residing under U.S. law. Trump has stated these immigrants are "ruining their way of life" and promised to "mass deport" them.
Springfield’s local government reported potential bomb threats, leading to the closure of some government buildings and schools last Thursday. Trump's running mate, J.D. Vance, has also used Springfield as an example of failed immigration policies. Without evidence, Trump claimed armed illegal immigrants are "taking over our country from the inside." President Joe Biden has condemned Trump's attacks on immigrants, with the co-chair of the Congressional Haitian Caucus calling these remarks "rooted in racist stereotypes."
Meanwhile, Harris's team announced she will appear in a live event with Oprah Winfrey on the 19th. Last Friday, Pope Francis referred to the U.S. presidential election as a choice between “the lesser of two evils,” criticizing both Trump’s anti-immigrant stance and Harris’s support for abortion rights, arguing they are contrary to the sanctity of life. A U.S. think tank study shows that in the 2020 election, Catholic voters were split in their support for Trump, though 60% of Catholics believe abortion should be legal in most cases.
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Japan's PM Fumio Kishida to Visit U.S. on September 21, His Final Trip Before Stepping Down
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announced on the 13th that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will visit the U.S. from September 21 to 23, during which he is expected to attend the Quad leaders' summit and the United Nations General Assembly. This will be Kishida’s final overseas trip before stepping down as Prime Minister. As the leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Kishida has already announced that he will not seek re-election as party president. This U.S. visit will be his last foreign trip before relinquishing his role as Prime Minister, coinciding with the LDP presidential election scheduled for September 27.
Kishida's itinerary includes a visit to Wilmington, Delaware, the hometown of U.S. President Joe Biden, on September 21 (local time), to attend the Quad leaders' summit, where Kishida, Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet.
Additionally, during his U.S. visit, Kishida is also expected to participate in the "Summit of the Future," which will be held alongside the United Nations General Assembly and will address global issues such as climate change. He is scheduled to deliver a speech at this international conference.
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Shinjiro Koizumi Leads in Polls for Japan's Liberal Democratic Party Presidential Election
The Liberal Democratic Party of Japan has announced that nine candidates will run in the party's presidential election, with voting set to take place on September 27. According to a poll conducted by Japan's Jiji Press, Shinjiro Koizumi, the 43-year-old former environment minister and son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, is currently leading in support.
In the poll, conducted from September 6 to 9, the top four candidates were Shinjiro Koizumi (25.5%), former secretary-general Shigeru Ishiba (24.2%), Minister of Economic Security Sanae Takaichi (8.5%), and Digital Minister Taro Kono (4.9%). Among Liberal Democratic Party supporters, Koizumi's support rises to 35.6%, compared to Ishiba's 27.1%. This marks a shift from a poll in early August, where Ishiba led with 18.7%, about 6.2% ahead of Koizumi, who was second at the time.
The poll also surveyed voter intentions for the upcoming House of Representatives election. The Liberal Democratic Party leads with 31.2%, followed by the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party at 10.2%, the Japan Innovation Party at 5.5%, and the Komeito Party at 4.2%. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's cabinet approval rating has remained below 20% for ten consecutive months, dropping by another 0.7% this time to just 18.7%.
The poll surveyed 2,000 men and women aged 18 and older through individual interviews, with a valid response rate of 58.5%.
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Pope Departs Timor-Leste for Singapore as Asia Tour Nears Conclusion: Summary Report
Pope Francis departed Timor-Leste today for Singapore, marking the final stop of his 12-day Asia-Pacific tour, traveling from one of the world’s poorest regions to one of its wealthiest. This signifies the last leg of his Asia tour.
During his visit to Timor-Leste, the Pope emphasized the importance of peace, reconciliation, and uplifting marginalized communities. His itinerary included meetings with government officials, religious leaders, and youth, where he praised the country's progress since independence and acknowledged its ongoing challenges.
Upon arriving in Singapore, the Pope’s schedule includes meetings with local Catholic leaders, interfaith dialogues, and discussions on issues of social justice and environmental protection. His visit to Singapore underscores his commitment to promoting dialogue among different faiths and fostering harmony in a multicultural society.
The Asia tour, which covered multiple countries, focused on themes of peace, unity, and service to the poor, reflecting Pope Francis' mission of bringing hope and solidarity to diverse communities across the region. The tour is expected to conclude in the coming days, leaving a lasting impact on the countries he visited.
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US Company Partners with Tata: Super Hercules Military Aircraft to Be Manufactured in India
US company Lockheed Martin and India's Tata Group have announced a new partnership to manufacture the C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft in India. This collaboration not only strengthens India's defense and aerospace capabilities but also marks an important step in the strategic relationship between India and the US.
The partnership includes the establishment of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities to support both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and global C-130J fleets. Additionally, the Indian Air Force plans to increase production and assembly of the C-130J, expanding India's medium transport aircraft production capabilities, though this requires approval from both the US and Indian governments.
According to foreign media reports, Sukaran Singh, CEO of Tata Advanced Systems, stated that this collaboration is a significant milestone for Tata Advanced Systems, as it marks the company's entry into the MRO field for large defense aircraft. Rod McLean, Vice President of Lockheed Martin, expressed that the partnership reflects the company’s commitment to India's self-reliance and its confidence in Indian partners.
The C-130J Super Hercules has been in service with the Indian Air Force since 2011, demonstrating exceptional operational capabilities in high-altitude regions and adverse weather conditions. This aircraft is deployed in 23 countries around the world for missions including search and rescue, wartime transport, and humanitarian aid.
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Trump leads Harris by 1% in pre-debate poll
With just two months left until the U.S. presidential election, the first debate between Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris is set to take place on the 10th. According to the latest poll from The New York Times, Trump leads Harris by 1 percentage point. Since this margin falls within the error range, the race is considered very close. Experts suggest that Trump’s support remains relatively solid, while Harris's main challenge is to use the debate as a way to introduce herself to more voters, a crucial factor for the Democrats' chances of winning.
The poll, jointly conducted by The New York Times and Siena College, was released on the 8th and shows that Trump is currently ahead of Harris by 1 percentage point. Additionally, 28% of respondents say they are not very familiar with Harris. Analysts believe that this number indicates the end of Harris's post-announcement honeymoon period and reflects a cautious attitude from voters toward her, given her lack of campaign experience.
The poll also highlights Trump’s steady support. The key upcoming event will be how both candidates use the 90-minute debate, set for 9 p.m. on the 10th, to expand their influence. The debate will be hosted by ABC News. This showdown, which could significantly impact the November election, will turn the debate venue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, into the center of attention. With 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania is critical, as past elections have shown that winning the state often equates to securing the White House. The competition in Pennsylvania is fierce, with both parties’ vote margins in the tens of thousands.
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Heads of intelligence from the US and UK rarely speak with one voice: The international order is under severe threat
On September 7, CIA Director William Burns and MI6 Chief Richard Moore attended the Financial Times Weekend Festival in London, where they warned that the international order is facing the greatest threat since the Cold War. This threat encompasses Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the rise of China, and the deteriorating situation in the Middle East. They praised Ukraine's counteroffensive in Russia's Kursk region earlier in August and emphasized the critical importance of the US-UK alliance in addressing these challenges.
During their joint interview with the Financial Times on September 7, Burns and Moore highlighted that despite enduring two world wars, the Cold War, and joint efforts against international terrorism, the special relationship between the US and the UK has remained a close and indispensable alliance. They celebrated the 75th anniversary of their partnership two years ago. With the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war and unprecedented global threats since the Cold War, the importance of their intelligence partnership is more pronounced, and they will continue to strengthen cooperation, including intelligence sharing.
Burns and Moore mentioned that the CIA and MI6 are working together to address Russia's aggression in Ukraine, reaffirming their unwavering support for Kyiv. They noted that China's rise is now a major geopolitical threat of the 21st century, presenting significant challenges in the intelligence domain. To counter this, they are reorganizing their agencies to enhance their response to Beijing's formidable threats.
Burns stated that the CIA's budget for China-related activities has tripled over the past three years, accounting for 20% of their budget. Both leaders also committed to intensifying efforts to combat Russian intelligence operations in Europe and to thwart Russian attempts to use technology to spread misinformation and undermine alliances.
They further indicated that Ukraine has a chance to turn the tide of the war and urged Western nations to continue their support. Burns also discussed the Middle East situation, emphasizing that the US is actively working to broker a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, with only 10% of the terms remaining to be agreed upon. This final part is the most challenging, requiring both sides to make difficult choices and necessary compromises to end the Gaza conflict.
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Heads of intelligence from the US and UK rarely speak with one voice: The international order is under severe threat
On September 7, CIA Director William Burns and MI6 Chief Richard Moore attended the Financial Times Weekend Festival in London, where they warned that the international order is facing the greatest threat since the Cold War. This threat encompasses Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the rise of China, and the deteriorating situation in the Middle East. They praised Ukraine's counteroffensive in Russia's Kursk region earlier in August and emphasized the critical importance of the US-UK alliance in addressing these challenges.
During their joint interview with the Financial Times on September 7, Burns and Moore highlighted that despite enduring two world wars, the Cold War, and joint efforts against international terrorism, the special relationship between the US and the UK has remained a close and indispensable alliance. They celebrated the 75th anniversary of their partnership two years ago. With the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war and unprecedented global threats since the Cold War, the importance of their intelligence partnership is more pronounced, and they will continue to strengthen cooperation, including intelligence sharing.
Burns and Moore mentioned that the CIA and MI6 are working together to address Russia's aggression in Ukraine, reaffirming their unwavering support for Kyiv. They noted that China's rise is now a major geopolitical threat of the 21st century, presenting significant challenges in the intelligence domain. To counter this, they are reorganizing their agencies to enhance their response to Beijing's formidable threats.
Burns stated that the CIA's budget for China-related activities has tripled over the past three years, accounting for 20% of their budget. Both leaders also committed to intensifying efforts to combat Russian intelligence operations in Europe and to thwart Russian attempts to use technology to spread misinformation and undermine alliances.
They further indicated that Ukraine has a chance to turn the tide of the war and urged Western nations to continue their support. Burns also discussed the Middle East situation, emphasizing that the US is actively working to broker a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, with only 10% of the terms remaining to be agreed upon. This final part is the most challenging, requiring both sides to make difficult choices and necessary compromises to end the Gaza conflict.
- Read more
- 28 reads
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