Newsweek is reporting that Japan, the only country to have suffered atomic bombings in war, is considering a "realistic approach" to nuclear abolition, which could involve hosting nuclear weapons. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that Japan's Three Non-Nuclear Principles remain policy, but the country is discussing their relevance amid global factors. These factors include U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, China's expanding nuclear arsenal, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and doubts about U.S. defense guarantees under President Donald Trump. Newsweek said China's growing assertiveness in maritime claims and its vow to incorporate Taiwan are significant fears for Japan.
The publication also noted that Iran's nuclear work serves as a warning, prompting countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates to consider their own nuclear options. In Europe, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to similar calculations, with new NATO member Finland lifting its Cold War-era ban on nuclear weapons and France revamping its arsenal. Newsweek concluded that nuclear proliferation is increasingly seen as a rational choice in the current global climate.
Separately, Newsweek, citing Reuters, is reporting that the Trump administration is preparing to ban a Chinese-made component from data centers. This move stems from increasing concerns that reliance on China could jeopardize the security of America's artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, told Newsweek that an agreement with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz is in its final drafting stages.
Newsweek highlighted the Temple Mount, known to Muslims as Al-Haram al-Sharif, as the Middle East's most dangerous religious flashpoint. It said Arab and Muslim countries are concerned Israel seeks to alter the status quo under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. The site is holy to both Jews and Muslims, with increasing Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount causing friction.
From Pyongyang, Newsweek reported that North Koreans are being advised to consume dog meat soup during a heatwave. The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party, published an interview with a doctor recommending "dongogi" (sweet meat) along with fruits and other foods to lower body heat.