[2026-08-18 14:22 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: Israeli forces carry out artillery shelling, strikes in south Lebanon

Snippet: The Israeli military targeted the outskirts of Majdal Zoun with artillery shelling early on Tuesday, Lebanese state media.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-forces-carry-out-artillery-shelling-strikes-south-lebanon

[2026-08-18 14:12 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: Four strikes hit military airport in Syria’s Idlib: Report

Snippet: Four air strikes have hit the Abu al-Zuhour military airport in the eastern countryside of Idlib, northern Syria, Al Jazeera reported.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/four-strikes-hit-military-airport-syrias-idlib-report

[2026-08-18 13:34 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Jerusalem Post

Title: Smotrich calls on Netanyahu to conquer Gaza, establish military government and settlements

Snippet: Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to order the IDF's complete takeover of the Gaza Strip and permit settlements in the area, speaking to students at the Sderot Yeshiva on Sunday.

Read full article: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-905837

[2026-08-18 13:20 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: Yemen’s armed forces say 133 operations carried out against Houthis

Snippet: Yemen’s armed forces announced that they carried out 133 military operations against Houthis over the past day.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/yemens-armed-forces-say-133-operations-carried-out-against-houthis

[2026-08-18 12:38 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: Iranian official warns shipping companies against backing US

Snippet: An Iranian military official has warned that shipping companies involved in "meeting US military needs" against the country will face consequences, Nournews reported.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/iranian-official-warns-shipping-companies-against-backing-us

[2026-08-18 12:15 UTC+10:00] [BUSINESS] [Factuality: 95]

Source: The Japan Times

Title: German drone maker Helsing enlists Rakuten to broker Japan military deal

Snippet: German drone maker Helsing has enlisted Japanese e-commerce and finance firm Rakuten to help finalize a deal to sell its unmanned systems to Japan’s army, a spokesperson for Rakuten said on Monday.

Read full article: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/08/18/companies/rakuten-germany-drones/

[2026-08-18 12:10 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Zero Hedge

Title: US Navy Destroyer Suffered 4-Day Power Outage In Sweltering South China Sea

Snippet: Large US naval battleships continue to suffer problems at sea. While there have been many headlines of late detailing the problems of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier connected to its extended deployment amid the Iran war, a separate warship is having serious problems in Pacific waters, quite apart from the crisis in the Persian Gulf.

Read full article: https://www.zerohedge.com/military/us-navy-destroyer-suffered-4-day-power-outage-sweltering-south-china-sea

[2026-08-18 12:07 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 92]

Source: The Manila Times

Title: House prosecutors mull calling former Duterte security officers to testify on confidential funds

Snippet: MANILA, Philippines — The prosecution panel of the House of Representatives is considering calling two military officers who were identified as recipients of the confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education.

Read full article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/08/18/news/house-prosecutors-mull-calling-former-duterte-security-officers-to-testify-on-confidential-funds/2407230

[2026-08-18 10:18 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: AP News

Title: Trump's slight of South Korea raises broader US security concerns

Snippet: President Donald Trump said Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un treats him with “great respect,” a day after ordering the Pentagon to scale back annual joint military exercises with South Korea, which he criticized for not joining the U.S. war in Iran.

Read full article: https://apnews.com/article/trump-south-korea-military-exercises-american-interests-c602b29c49f56f2acdcca96bb6df08f3

[2026-08-18 10:09 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: Pentagon says it is 'actively working on executing' Trump's directive on S. Korea-US military drills

Snippet: A Pentagon official said Monday that the US Defense Department is "actively" working on executing US President Donald Trump's directive on South Korea-US military exercises, a day after Trump said he has ordered the Pentagon to "substantially" reduce the allies' drills.

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10843478

[2026-08-18 10:05 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Zero Hedge

Title: Iran War Pushes Middle Eastern Airlines Towards $4.3BN Loss In 2026

Snippet: As the US and Israel launched air strikes on Iran on February 28 2026, Iran struck back near US military installations in the Gulf, including in Qatar and the UAE. Several international airports were hit by Iranian strikes, including Dubai, the world's busiest for international passengers, as well as Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Bahrain.

Read full article: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/iran-war-pushes-middle-eastern-airlines-towards-43bn-loss-2026

[2026-08-18 09:46 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: Russian FM lauds N. Korea's troop deployment, pledges closer ties in Liberation Day letter

Snippet: SEOUL, Aug. 18 (Yonhap) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has lauded North Korea's military support for Russia's war against Ukraine and vowed to further deepen bilateral ties, Pyongyang's state media said Tuesday.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260818001400315

[2026-08-18 09:42 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]

Source: BBC News

Title: BBC breaks down Trump's latest shift on North and South Korea

Snippet: President Donald Trump has said that the US will "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his "very good relationship" with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un.

Read full article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cy45zjw424xo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

[2026-08-18 09:22 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: Trump says North Korea's Kim has responded to his overtures

Snippet: A day after he ordered the United States to scale back military exercises with South Korea and called North Korea "unthreatening and respectful,"US President Donald Trump said on Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had responded to his outreach.

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10843408

[2026-08-18 09:14 UTC+10:00] [All News] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Korea Herald

Title: US remains open to dialogue with N. Korea 'without preconditions': Washington

Snippet: The Department of State reiterated Monday that the United States remains open to talks with North Korea "without preconditions," a day after President Donald Trump said he has ordered the Pentagon to reduce South Korea-US military exercises in what appears to be a conciliatory gesture toward Pyongyang.

Read full article: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10843385

[2026-08-18 08:50 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Jerusalem Post

Title: WATCH: IDF arrests two terrorists, raids 100 sites in Duvdevan West Bank counterterror operation

Snippet: IDF soldiers detained two terrorists and raided more than 100 houses near Jenin in the West Bank during a Monday operation, the military said.

Read full article: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-905821

[2026-08-18 07:25 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: State Dept. reiterates U.S. remains open to dialogue with N. Korea 'without preconditions'

Snippet: WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 (Yonhap) -- The State Department reiterated Monday that the United States remains open to talks with North Korea "without preconditions," a day after President Donald Trump said he has ordered the Pentagon to reduce South Korea-U.S. military exercises in what appears to be a conciliatory gesture toward Pyongyang.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260818000900315

[2026-08-18 06:54 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Al Jazeera

Title: Civilians paying price as Israel military raises stakes in Lebanon: UNIFI

Snippet: Civilians in southern Lebanon are bearing the brunt of a significant increase in Israeli military activity over the past fortnight or so, according to United Nations peacekeepers.

Read full article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/17/civilians-pay-price-as-israeli-military-activity-rises-in-lebanon-unifil

[2026-08-18 06:43 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: (2nd LD) Pentagon says it is 'actively working on executing' Trump's directive on S. Korea-U.S. military drills

Snippet: (ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 3-6)By Song Sang-ho

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260818000252315

[2026-08-18 06:12 UTC+10:00] [Military] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Asia Times

Title: US deployable aircraft carrier deficit needs fixing

Snippet: Keep independent journalism alive

Read full article: https://asiatimes.com/2026/08/us-deployable-aircraft-carrier-deficit-needs-fixing/

[2026-08-18 06:04 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: RT News

Title: Latvia wants EU billions for its anti-Russia policies

Snippet: Latvia wants Brussels to provide billions in additional funding as lost trade with Russia and soaring military spending put growing pressure on the Baltic state’s finances, Politico reported on Monday.

Read full article: https://www.rt.com/news/644343-latvia-eu-billions-russia/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS

[2026-08-18 06:04 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: RT News

Title: Read Full Article at RT.com

Snippet: Latvia wants Brussels to provide billions in additional funding as lost trade with Russia and soaring military spending put growing pressure on the Baltic state’s finances, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has told Politico.

Read full article: https://www.rt.com/news/644343-latvia-eu-billions-russia/

[2026-08-18 06:02 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: (LEAD) Pentagon says it is 'actively working on executing' Trump's directive on S. Korea-U.S. military drills

Snippet: (ATTN: UPDATES throughout)By Song Sang-ho

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260818000251315

[2026-08-18 05:45 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: (URGENT) Pentagon says it is 'actively' working on executing Trump's directive on S. Korea-U.S. military exercises

Snippet: (2nd LD) Lee proposes dialogue with N. Korea to officially end Korean War, halt Pyongyang's nuclear program

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260818000700315

[2026-08-18 05:37 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The National (UAE)

Title: US congressional delegation presses Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament | The National

Snippet: US congressional staff from both parties met Lebanon's political and military leadership in Beirut last week, seeking a first-hand assessment of the country's security challenges as Washington presses for progress on Hezbollah's disarmament.

Read full article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2026/08/17/us-congressional-delegation-presses-lebanon-on-hezbollah-disarmament/

[2026-08-18 05:17 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: UNIFIL records ‘marked increase’ in Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon

Snippet: The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Monday “the past two weeks have seen a marked increase in Israeli military activity in south Lebanon”.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/unifil-records-marked-increase-israeli-attacks-southern-lebanon

[2026-08-18 04:32 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: Trump says N. Korea's Kim has responded to his dialogue overture

Snippet: WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has responded to his overture for dialogue, a day after he said he has instructed the Pentagon to "substantially" reduce South Korea-U.S. military exercises that Pyongyang has decried as rehearsals for war.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260818000600315

[2026-08-18 04:21 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: UAE issues rare denial of 'imperial ambitions' in Africa

Snippet: The UAE has pushed back against a Financial Times (FT) article charting the Gulf state’s growing military and economic footprint in Africa.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uae-denies-it-has-imperial-ambitions-africa

[2026-08-18 03:37 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: Pentagon says 'no changes' to announce about ongoing S. Korea-U.S. exercise

Snippet: WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. Defense Department said Monday that it has "no changes" to announce regarding the ongoing South Korea-U.S. military exercise, a day after President Donald Trump said he instructed the Pentagon to "substantially" reduce allied exercises.

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260818000200315

[2026-08-18 03:16 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: Fire breaks out in town near Jerusalem, following Israeli military raid

Snippet: A fire broke out on Monday evening local time in the town of Beit Anan, northwest of Jerusalem, after Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters during a military raid, Wafa news reported, citing local sources.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/fire-breaks-out-town-near-jerusalem-following-israeli-military-raid

[2026-08-18 02:35 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: RT News

Title: Israeli minister calls for 30-40 ‘targeted assassinations’ in Gaza per night

Snippet: Israel should carry out 30 to 40 “targeted assassinations” in Gaza every night, National Security Minister and prominent war hawk Itamar Ben-Gvir has said, claiming that some in the Palestinian enclave “are not people.”

Read full article: https://www.rt.com/news/644337-israel-ben-gvir-30-40-assassinations-gaza/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS

[2026-08-18 02:35 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: RT News

Title: Israeli minister calls for 30-40 ‘targeted assassinations’ in Gaza per night

Snippet: Israel should carry out 30 to 40 “targeted assassinations” in Gaza every night, National Security Minister and prominent war hawk Itamar Ben-Gvir has said, claiming that some in the Palestinian enclave “are not people.”

Read full article: https://www.rt.com/news/644337-israel-ben-gvir-30-40-assassinations-gaza/

[2026-08-18 02:14 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]

Source: Al Jazeera

Title: Democrats rebuke Trump over scaling back military drills with South Korea

Snippet: President Donald Trump is facing pushback over his decision to reduce joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea, with several Democrats accusing him of abandoning Washington’s allies.

Read full article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/17/democrats-rebuke-trump-over-scaling-back-military-drills-with-south-korea

[2026-08-18 02:05 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Manila Times

Title: US scales back drills with South Korea

Snippet: SEOUL — US President Donald Trump said he ordered the Pentagon to scale back “inappropriate and hostile” military drills with South Korea, hours before the exercises began on Monday.

Read full article: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/08/18/world/asia-oceania/us-scales-back-drills-with-south-korea/2406865

[2026-08-18 01:25 UTC+10:00] [Opinion] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Asia Times

Title: US military morale in the Middle East is in the overflowing toilet

Snippet: Keep independent journalism alive

Read full article: https://asiatimes.com/2026/08/us-military-morale-in-the-middle-east-is-in-the-overflowing-toilet/

[2026-08-18 01:00 UTC+10:00] [Photography] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Guardian Australia

Title: Pacific Airshow takes to the skies above the Gold Coast – in pictures

Snippet: View image in fullscreenThe air show features historical aircraft, military fighter jets and stunt planes against the Surfers Paradise skyline.ShareView image in fullscreenThe beach was filled with dedicated aviation enthusiasts, toddlers and everyone in between.ShareView image in fullscreenEveryone was looking up along Cavill Avenue for good reason.ShareView image in fullscreenSygourney Ball in theme and ready for a big day at the Pacific Airshow.ShareView image in fullscreenLast glints of sunlight before the weather closed in on Saturday afternoon.ShareView image in fullscreenMore

Read full article: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2026/aug/18/gold-coast-pacific-airshow-2026-pictures

[2026-08-18 00:24 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South Korea

Title: (News Focus) Trump's order to reduce military exercises raises hopes, concerns over Korean Peninsula security

Snippet: By Song Sang-ho and Lee Yumi

Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260817003500315

[2026-08-18 00:04 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: Trump warns US will 'bomb shit out of' Oman if it strays from Washington's line on Iran

Snippet: US President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Oman if it “gets in the way” of Washington’s efforts to reach a deal with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, according to Fox News. Fox reporter Trey Yingst said he asked Trump about parallel talks between Iran and Oman over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/trump-says-us-will-bomb-shit-out-oman-if-it-gets-way-iran-deal

[2026-08-17 23:48 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Al Jazeera

Title: Trump hails Mecca pact: Can it replace the region’s US security umbrella?

Snippet: Islamabad, Pakistan — When Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan signed a mutual defence pact in Mecca 10 days ago, some geopolitical analysts saw the deal as a message to Washington — that several of the United States’ closest military allies and partners no longer trusted its security umbrella.

Read full article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/17/trump-hails-mecca-pact-can-it-replace-the-regions-us-security-umbrella

[2026-08-17 23:33 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]

Source: The Moscow Times

Title: Judge Sentences Lev Shlosberg to 11 Years in Prison

Snippet: A judge in the Pskov region has sentenced veteran opposition politician Lev Shlosberg to 11 years and one month in prison for “discrediting” and spreading “fake news” about the Russian military, Russian media reported Monday.

Read full article: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/17/judge-sentences-lev-shlosberg-to-11-years-in-prison-a93516

[2026-08-17 23:33 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]

Source: The Moscow Times

Title: Judge Sentences Lev Shlosberg to 11 Years in Prison for Anti-War Statements

Snippet: A judge in the Pskov region has sentenced veteran opposition politician Lev Shlosberg to 11 years and one month in prison for “discrediting” and spreading “fake news” about the Russian military, Russian media reported Monday.

Read full article: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/17/judge-sentences-lev-shlosberg-to-11-years-in-prison-for-anti-war-statements-a93516

[2026-08-17 23:27 UTC+10:00] [Drones] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Politico

Title: Russia cancels major Red Square military jamboree amid drone attacks

Snippet: A major military music festival in Moscow has been canceled four days before it was due to start, the organizers said on Telegram.

Read full article: https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-cancels-military-music-festival-amid-drone-attacks/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication

[2026-08-17 22:50 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Zero Hedge

Title: Trump Threatens To 'Bomb The S**t' Out Of Oman & Touts IRGC Backchannel

Snippet: This should come as no surprise after the much-publicized military command reshuffle of a week ago, but a top Iranian official has told Reuters that the country is shifting from a defense posture to a "fully offensive" one in its conflict with the United States:

Read full article: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/trump-threatens-bomb-st-out-oman-touts-irgc-backchannel

[2026-08-17 22:44 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Al Jazeera

Title: Yemen’s drone war: Rivals flex growing aerial muscle

Snippet: Sanaa, Yemen – After the Houthi armed group in Yemen launched attacks on government military camps and gatherings last week using one-way attack drones, it killed and injured dozens of government soldiers. But the internationally recognised Yemeni government was quick to retaliate by employing remotely operated drones to attack Houthi fighters on the front lines.

Read full article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/17/yemens-drone-war-rivals-flex-growing-aerial-muscle

[2026-08-17 22:35 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: Houthis say they targeted Saudi military ship in Red Sea

Snippet: Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said on Monday that they had targeted a Saudi military vessel and four escort ships in the Red Sea with missiles.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/houthis-say-they-targeted-saudi-military-ship-red-sea

[2026-08-17 22:32 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Jerusalem Post

Title: Houthis claim attack on Saudi military ship, four escort vessels in Red Sea

Snippet: Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said on Monday they had attacked what they described as a Saudi military ship and four escort vessels in the Red Sea with missiles, according to a statement by the group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree on Telegram.

Read full article: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-905779

[2026-08-17 22:20 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]

Source: Al Jazeera

Title: Trump scales down war games with South Korea: Why it matters

Snippet: President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to “substantially” scale back military drills with South Korea, citing his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his disappointment over Seoul not supporting the United States in its war on Iran.

Read full article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/17/trump-scales-down-war-games-with-south-korea-why-it-matters

[2026-08-17 22:20 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Zero Hedge

Title: Trump Says US To 'Substantially Reduce' Military Drills With S.Korea, Cites 'Very Good Relationship' With Kim

Snippet: President Trump revealed Sunday he has ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint military exercises with longtime close ally South Korea, surprisingly mentioning his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a motivating factor in the decision.

Read full article: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/trump-says-us-substantially-reduce-military-drills-south-korea-cites-very-good

[2026-08-17 21:20 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Middle East Eye

Title: Iran warns enemies to 'anticipate strategic surprises' as it shifts from a defensive stance

Snippet: Iran has warned its adversaries to "anticipate strategic surprises" as a senior military official said the country was set to shift from a defensive stance to an offensive one.

Read full article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/iran-warns-enemies-anticipate-strategic-surprises-it-shifts-from-defensive-stance

[2026-08-17 21:05 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The National (UAE)

Title: Israel's Ben-Gvir calls for killing '30 to 40' Gazans each night | The National

Snippet: Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has called for the killing of 30 to 40 residents of Gaza each night and advocated mass Palestinian emigration from the war-ravaged territory.

Read full article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/08/17/israels-ben-gvir-calls-for-killing-30-to-40-gazans-each-night/