August 14, Tuesday, 2018 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Fumiko Konoe and Ms. Hiroko Kitadai

  1. U.S. President Donald Trump has approved a defense budget bill that focuses on threats posed by China.
  2. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono has promised Ecuador that Japan will provide assistance to help the country prepare for natural disasters.
  3. Iran’s supreme leader has turned down an offer by U.S. President Trump to hold talks.