Iran Says It Closes Strait of Hormuz After Warning Shot at Vessel 
Trump Administration Bars U.S. Travelers From Congo Flights Amid Ebola Outbreak 
EU to Propose New Rules Limiting Children's Access to Social Media 
Zelenskiy Plans Ukraine Government Shake-Up as Prime Minister Svyrydenko Set to Step Down 
Reuters/Ipsos Poll: Most Americans Expect U.S.-Iran War to Be Prolonged 
DOJ Subpoenas New York Times Journalists Over Air Force One Leak Report 
US-Iran Strikes Escalate as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
EU Weighs New Trade Restrictions on Israeli West Bank Settlements 
Trump Administration Hands Over Key Evidence in Minnesota Immigration Shooting Investigations 
Trump Tells Congress Iran Hostilities Restarted, Citing New 60-Day War Powers Window 
Ann Widdecombe Murder: Police Arrest Second Suspect, Rule Out Terrorism Motive 
EU Ministers Split as Support Grows for Ban on Trade With Israeli West Bank Settlements 
Ukraine, Europe Launch Freyja Missile Shield to Strengthen Air Defense Against Russia 
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham Dies at 71, Leaving South Carolina Senate Seat Vacant 
Western Allies Push for More Air Defenses for Ukraine at Paris Summit 
Brazil Court Bars Flavio Bolsonaro From Visiting Jair Bolsonaro Ahead of Election 
UN Says Hamas Disrupted Gaza Aid Distribution, Group Denies Allegations 
South Korea’s intelligence agency briefed lawmakers that North Korea may conduct its first nuclear test between October 16 and November 7. It would be Pyongyang’s first nuclear test in five years.
Two lawmakers told reporters after the briefing by the South Korean National Intelligence Service that Pyongyang has completed its preparations for a potential nuclear test with a possible timeframe of testing sometime between mid-October and early November.
The preparations were done underground at the Punggye-ri test tunnel, where North Korea conducted six underground tests starting in 2006.
The timing of the nuclear tests may be determined by certain events such as the party congress in China, which is North Korea’s main ally, as well as the midterm elections in the United States in November. The lawmakers also said the timing could also be determined on whether Pyongyang can control its outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.
“The NIS said they cannot calculate the probability but assumed that North Korea would make a comprehensive decision based on international relations and its COVID situation,” said lawmaker Youn Kun-young.
Yoo Sang-bum, the other lawmaker briefed by the intelligence agency, said Pyongyang’s claim of having victory over COVID-19 was “unreliable” as North Korea has repeatedly gone on lockdown and reopened areas near its border with China where “mass vaccinations” were being done.
Yoo’s comments follow North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s previous suggestion that Pyongyang may begin COVID-19 vaccinations in November, warning of a resurgence in outbreaks as immunity levels that were developed from previous infections would go down around October.
Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force said Thursday that it would begin joint military drills with South Korea and the United States. The MSDF said the drills, including anti-submarine exercises, would take place in the Sea of Japan, which South Korea also calls the East Sea.
US Vice President Kamala Harris is currently in South Korea on a visit that aims to reaffirm Washington’s commitment to the country as Pyongyang continues its weapons tests. Harris met with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul for talks, praising the alliance between the countries.
Yoon, who was sworn into office in May, called Harris’s visit “another turning point” in strengthening ties between the US and South Korea.
