KYODO reported a senior government official said Japan is considering deploying cutting-edge AI systems under its 'proactive cyber defense' policy to counter attack risks from advanced models such as ANTHROPIC's Claude MYTHOS. National cybersecurity director Yoichi Iida said using advanced AI is "unavoidable" and warned the time from discovering a vulnerability to exploiting it could plausibly shrink to 1% or 0.1% of previous lengths. The cabinet led by Prime Minister TAKAICHI decided in March t

The Financial Times reports a former senior U.S. intelligence official warned that in a second term Donald Trump is following a 'dictator's playbook,' weakening checks on his power and degrading U.S. security. Trump, who pledged to fight the 'deep state' on returning to the White House, has sought to suppress critics and demand personal loyalty. Former CIA station chief Paul Kolbe said dictators follow a common script for seizing and exercising power that mirrors current U.S. developments. National security lawyer Mark S. Zaid, whose security clearance was revoked by the White House last year and who is in legal dispute with Trump, warned the president will continue to consolidate power: All safeguards have been removed, the worst is far from over.

Typhoon White Dolphin has been bringing strong wind and rain to multiple Zhejiang locations since the night of Aug 7. Conditions will further intensify on Aug 9; over Aug 9–10 Taizhou, Ningbo and nearby areas may see locally extremely heavy rainfall, with coastal gusts up to force 13–16. Authorities have urged precautions for the typhoon.