Daily World Briefing, Aug. 5

China's Long March-12 rocket launches new internet satellites

China launched a Long March-12 carrier rocket on Monday, sending a group of internet satellites into space.

The rocket lifted off at 6:21 p.m. from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in the southern island province of Hainan. It successfully placed the payloads, the seventh group of low-orbit internet satellites, into preset orbit.

The launch marked the 587th mission of the Long March series carrier rockets, according to the launch site.

It was also the second flight of the Long March-12 rocket.

Trump threatens to "substantially" hike tariffs on Indian goods

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to "substantially" raise tariffs on goods imported from India with the excuse that India bought and resold Russian oil.

"India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Indian goods imported into the United States will be subject to a 25 percent tariff starting Aug. 7, according to an executive order signed by Trump on July 31.

Iran to consider any nuclear proposal securing uranium enrichment rights

Iran will consider any proposal for the resolution of its nuclear issue that is capable of incorporating and guaranteeing the country's uranium enrichment on its soil, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said here Monday.

"We have always stressed that the issue of uranium enrichment in Iran, as an inseparable part of the country's rights within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, is of very high importance. Thus, any proposal capable of guaranteeing this important component will be worth considering for us," Baghaei said at a weekly press conference.

He said that the circumstances for any potential Iran-U.S. talks have drastically changed, and that among the main matters on the agenda are "holding the United States to account and demanding compensation for the military aggression against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities."

Israeli minister's visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque compound triggers concerns

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem on Sunday sparked regional condemnation and raised concerns over escalating tensions.

The move came as Israeli strikes continued across the Gaza Strip. On Sunday, dozens of Palestinians were reportedly killed en route to aid distribution points, amid mounting global criticism accusing Israel of creating famine-like conditions in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

The visit also came after Hamas released videos showing an Israeli hostage in Gaza who appeared visibly frail and emaciated. The footage sparked public outrage in Israel and intensified pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to reach a deal for the return of the remaining hostages.

Israel says to achieve war objectives in Gaza "without exception"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he will direct the Israeli army later this week on achieving three war objectives "without exception" in Gaza, where more deaths of starvation and malnutrition are recorded despite days of aid deliveries.

During his weekly Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said he will convene the Security Cabinet later this week to "direct the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) how to achieve the three war objectives -- all of them, without exception," listing the goals as "defeating the enemy, releasing our hostages, and ensuring that Gaza will never again threaten Israel."

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an Israeli official told Xinhua that Netanyahu is expected to convene a security discussion on Tuesday to deliberate "a total reoccupation" of Gaza.

35 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza

A total of 35 Palestinians were killed on Monday in Israeli shelling and gunfire across Gaza, at least 12 of those while waiting for humanitarian aid, according to the Gaza Civil Defense.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Civil Defense, said 11 Palestinians were killed in Israeli shelling targeting their homes in the Shuja'iyya area, east of Gaza City, five killed in Israeli shelling targeting a group of citizens in the Al-Tawam area, northwest of the city, and two more killed in the Beit Lahia area, north of the city.

In central Gaza, an Israeli airstrike killed three Palestinians in the city of Deir al-Balah, and Israeli army fire killed nine Palestinians and wounded at least 50 others waiting for food near a U.S.-run aid distribution center, Basal said.■