Sean's Daily Digest

Japan's Takaichi meets Trump, urges UN to drop 'enemy state' label

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met President Trump in New York on Tuesday, days before Trump's summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, with Trump praising her as doing a 'tremendous job.' At the UN General Assembly, Takaichi called for the UN Charter to drop its World War II-era 'enemy state' label, which she said China and Russia have used to attack Japan, and voiced support for the International Criminal Court after Trump called it 'out of control.'

South Korea's Lee seeks new approach to North Korea as missile tests loom over Xi-Trump summit

Ongoing · day 3 ↗

South Korean President Lee is pursuing a new approach to North Korea that includes advocating for easing sanctions on the regime, representing a significant policy shift despite North Korea's growing nuclear threat. Analysis suggests North Korea's missile launches were likely aimed at removing denuclearization from the US-China summit agenda and forcing recognition of North Korea as a nuclear power as a prerequisite for any talks with Washington.

Philippine Senate lowers conviction threshold in Sara Duterte impeachment trial

The Philippine Senate impeachment court ruled Wednesday that absent senators cannot vote in Vice President Sara Duterte's trial, lowering the vote total needed for conviction. The decision overturns presiding officer Chiz Escudero's July 6 ruling that had fixed the threshold at 16 votes, and could reduce it to 14 by excluding senators who are detained, in hiding, or on medical leave, including Jinggoy Estrada, Rodante Marcoleta, Bato dela Rosa and Loren Legarda. Prosecutors called it a more feasible path to conviction but said the case remains difficult to prove.

Sri Lanka convicts 15 men over 2019 Easter Sunday bombings

A Sri Lankan court convicted 15 men on terrorism charges over the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 270 people and injured more than 500 at three churches and three luxury hotels. Each defendant received a prison term of 200 to 260 years; among those convicted was Naufer Moulavi, whom prosecutors said masterminded the suicide bombings. The verdict followed a trial that lasted nearly five years.

Moroccans vote in parliamentary election shaped by Ceuta migrant crisis

Morocco held parliamentary elections Wednesday, with nearly 16 million people registered to elect 395 members of the House of Representatives. The vote follows a summer surge in which about 60,000 people crossed to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, at least 100 of whom died, amid youth unemployment that reached 37.3% and Gen Z-led protests demanding jobs and better services. The next government will oversee the final stages of a $20 billion push to prepare for the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco co-hosts with Spain and Portugal.

Mexico bans cellphones in primary and secondary schools from November

Mexico unveiled nationwide rules restricting cellphone and tablet use in primary and secondary schools, taking effect November 3. President Claudia Sheinbaum said state education officials reached consensus on the measure, with high schools left to set their own limits; Education Minister Mario Delgado called it a step to protect children's mental health and learning.

Iraq's PM al-Zaidi vows to disarm Iran-backed militias

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi says he will disarm Iran-backed militias, laying out a timeline in an interview. He is a political newcomer attempting a goal that has eluded his predecessors.

US withholds Sudan army chief's UN visa over ceasefire dispute

The United States is withholding a visa for Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan ahead of his scheduled UN General Assembly address, tying the visa to a US-backed 90-day ceasefire proposal that Khartoum has resisted, sources told Reuters. Burhan postponed his trip to New York, Sudan's foreign minister will address the assembly in his place, and Sudan's government called the move a violation of the UN Convention. The dispute comes amid Sudan's civil war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, which the UN calls the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

China tightens exit rules on tech talent and capital

New entry-exit rules that took effect last week let Chinese authorities stop engineers, founders and other specialists from leaving the country if their expertise in batteries, rare earths or AI is deemed a threat to "industrial and technological security." Beijing has also tightened outbound-investment rules and restricted overseas postings of technical staff, moves an SMU law professor says reflect concern about capital outflows and departing entrepreneurs.

France to open talks on Latvia joining nuclear deterrence initiative

France agreed to open talks on Latvia joining a nuclear deterrence initiative, according to Latvia's leader.

UK launches RAF squadron to defend satellites in orbit

Britain unveiled the No III Space Effects Squadron on Wednesday, a Royal Air Force unit tasked with disrupting, degrading and denying hostile activity targeting British satellites. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said Britain must "keep pace in the new space race," and the Ministry of Defence said the unit will use advanced technology, including electronic warfare, to counter threats to satellites used for communications and missile-attack warnings.

Ethiopian rebel groups form coalition against government, call PM dictatorial

Ongoing · day 3 ↗

Half a dozen Ethiopian rebel groups have announced the formation of a coalition against the government, accusing the prime minister of being dictatorial. The alliance forms in a country already scarred by war.