Zambia Official Flags Sextortion in Candidate Selection Ahead of Election

Zambia's Secretary of Gender Division Mainga Kabika said female candidates were asked for sexual favours ahead of the August 13 election, highlighting gender inequality with women holding only 15% of parliamentary seats.

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Trump temporarily waived the Jones Act (a law requiring U.S. ships for domestic transport) for 60 days to help move fuel and supplies more easily.

IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri:

Oil facilities associated with America are now on par with American bases and will come under fire with full force.

We warn citizens and workers to stay away from these facilities.

Tulsi Gabbard:

The intelligence community assess that Russia has maintained the upper hand in the war against Ukraine.

Until an agreement is made, Moscow is likely to continue fighting a slow war of attrition until they view their objectives have been achieved.

Tulsi Gabbard on Iran:

The regime in Iran appears to be intact but largely degraded.

Its conventional military power projection capabilities have largely been destroyed.

Iran’s strategic position has been significantly degraded.

Tulsi Gabbard on Iran:

If a hostile regime in Iran survives, it will likely seek to begin a years-long effort to rebuild its military, missiles and UAV forces.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe:

If left unimpeded, Iran would have the ability to range missiles to the continental U.S.

Trump and Netanyahu are working closely together during the war with Iran, speaking frequently and coordinating militarily.

But behind that unity, U.S. officials see a potential split in how each country wants the conflict to end.

The U.S. is mainly focused on weakening Iran’s military—its missiles, nuclear program, navy, and proxy networks—before wrapping up the war.

Israel, however, is pursuing a broader approach, including assassinations and steps that could lead to regime change.

Washington is concerned about stability, especially global oil markets, while Israel is more willing to accept disruption if it helps weaken Iran’s leadership.

For now, the two remain closely aligned, but officials believe Trump may want to end major operations sooner than Netanyahu.

Source: Axios

Q: Trump says he was shocked that Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. Did you provide any intelligence about this?

Tulsi Gabbard: I’m not aware of those remarks.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi:

Starting tomorrow, we will begin providing subsidies to keep the retail price of gasoline at around 170 yen per liter on the national average.

UK Hosts Nigeria State Visit After 37 Years in Windsor Castle

King Charles hosted Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Wednesday in Windsor for the first UK state visit in 37 years, focusing on trade, defence & diplomatic ties amid Nigeria’s security challenges.

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CIA Director John Ratcliffe:

Iran posed an immediate threat at this time.

The next French aircraft carrier will be named “France Libre.”

France Libre = Free France

NATO's Rutte on Iran:

Allies are discussing how to open the Strait of Hormuz.

Macron said that the next French aircraft carrier will cost €10 billion.

JD Vance on gas prices:

This is a temporary blip. Under the Biden administration, gas prices were high for four years.

Gas prices are higher right now, and frankly, they're not even as high as they were in certain parts of the Biden administration.

JD Vance on gas prices:

You’ve got people all over the world who focused on green energy scams, and they are hurt a lot more than we are.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei:

I received with deep sorrow the tragic news of the martyrdom of Dr. Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, along with his son and several of his colleagues.

He was a learned, wise, committed, and experienced figure who served the Islamic Republic for decades across political, security, cultural, and managerial fields.

Such acts of terror only reflect the enemies’ hostility and will strengthen the resolve of the Islamic nation. Undoubtedly, justice will be served.

I extend my sincere condolences to his family and relatives, especially Ayatollah Amoli Larijani, and pray for the elevation of their ranks.

JD Vance on Iran:

Trump is not interested in getting us in the kind of long-term quagmires that we have seen in the past years.

I know Trump, and that is not a risk with him at all.

JD Vance on Trump:

Trump likes it when people express their views, and he listens to everybody.

Whether you are the gardener at Mar-a-Lago or whether you are the Secretary of State, Trump cares about what you think about an issue.