Philippines Holds Historic Bangsamoro Election Amid Tight Security 
U.S. Imposes New Visa Restrictions Over South Africa Policies 
Europe can’t achieve space sovereignty alone. Here’s why 
Houthis Escalate Saudi Attacks as Red Sea Oil Risks Grow 
Kim Jong Un Pledges Deeper Russia Cooperation 
Rodrigo Duterte Makes First Public Appearance at ICC in 18 Months 
Trump Touts $5,000 Checks if Republicans Win Congress 
Sweden Election: Centre-Left Holds Narrow Lead 
What is Zionism? The different meanings of a contested term 
Bill Gates Warns Governments Are Unprepared for AI Disruption 
US Immigration Arrests Surge as Deportations Lag Behind 
US Confirms Weapons in Orbit as Space Tensions Rise 
Banking scandal rocks Brazil’s politics and the country’s presidential election in October 
Guterres Urges Stronger Global AI Safeguards Ahead of UN Assembly 
Ukraine Races to Counter Russia’s Faster Jet-Powered Drones 
Saudi Arabia Raises Security Alerts as Houthi Attacks Threaten Oil Routes 
Add as a preferred source on Google
South Korea and the United States have shortened their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises from 11 days to five and reduced some field training after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a substantial cut in American participation.
The joint drills, which began on August 17, will now conclude on August 21 instead of August 27, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and a U.S. Department of Defense official.
South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back said the allies were moving to cancel the second phase of the exercises, which was expected to include counterattack operations following an initial defensive phase. The JCS said the adjustments to the duration and scope were agreed upon at the suggestion of the United States.
Some combined field manoeuvres will also be reduced, while certain live-training activities have been cancelled or converted into simulations. The Pentagon said the changes would maintain essential readiness and would not undermine U.S. training objectives.
The decision follows Trump’s Sunday order to “substantially reduce” U.S. participation, with the president citing his positive relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump has also reportedly pushed for another face-to-face meeting with Kim, potentially during an Asia trip later this year.
The scaled-back drills coincide with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to South Korea for regional security discussions expected to include developments on the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea again condemned the US-South Korea military drills on Wednesday, describing them as a threat to regional security and saying it would continue exercising its right to self-defence. However, Pyongyang did not directly criticize Trump or mention his decision to reduce the exercises.
Analysts suggested the restrained response could indicate that North Korea wants to preserve room for renewed diplomacy.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said neither Seoul nor U.S. officials had advance knowledge of Trump’s order. President Lee Jae Myung, meanwhile, reiterated that Ulchi Freedom Shield is defensive and is not intended to attack North Korea or increase tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
