United States of America – Author Carlo Carrasco

Trump Threatens To Hit Power Plants Of Islamic Terrorist State Iran If It Does Not Fully Open The Strait Of Hormuz Within 48 Hours

March 23, 2026March 22, 2026carlocarrasco

US President Donald Trump threatened to hit various power plants of the Islamic terrorist state of Iran if it refuses to fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, according to a news report by The Jerusalem Post.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of The Jerusalem Post. Some parts in boldface…

The United States will destroy Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully opened within 48 hours, US President Donald Trump threatened in a Truth Social post on Saturday night.

“If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS,” Trump wrote.

The US strikes will start with “the biggest one [power plant] first,” Trump stated.

Trump’s statement follows a report in Japanese media that Tehran is ready to let Japanese-related vessels pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

The report came from Kyodo News, citing Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Tehran has started talks with Tokyo about possibly opening the Strait, Araghchi told the Japanese news agency in a phone interview on Friday.

Meanwhile, the US and its allies have ramped up efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, deploying low-flying warplanes to strike Iranian boats and Apache helicopters to intercept drones, US officials told the Wall Street Journal on Thursday.

If the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran refuses to give in to Trump, I would not be surprised. Iran’s wicked leaders prefer to die fighting and terrorizing the region instead of doing things diplomatically. Iran is guilty of not only attacking Israel but also Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Islamist Qatar and others. It is likely the terrorist regime of Iran will remain defiant even though many of its senior leaders and officials have been eliminated. The regime itself is obsessed with death and destruction. Whatever happens, here is hoping that the US-Israel joint forces will bring down the Islamic terrorist regime for good and liberate the oppressed and freedom-hungry Iranians.

For additional insight, watch the YouTube news videos below.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran will defy Trump’s latest warning? Are you convinced that Iran is being led by its so-called supreme leader or by a group of their highest ranking commanders who think they can fool the world? Do you think NATO will eventually get involved in the Middle East conflict and help secure the Strait of Hormuz?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

NATO Slammed By Trump

March 22, 2026March 21, 2026carlocarrasco

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) – an intergovernmental military alliance between more than thirty member states – was slammed by US President Donald J. Trump and labeled a paper tiger due to its cowardice as it never supported the military operations against the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran, according to a news report by Newsmax.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of Newsmax. Some parts in boldface…

President Donald Trump on Friday blasted NATO and key European allies, calling the alliance “a paper tiger” and accusing its members of cowardice for refusing to back efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz while the United States and Israel continue military strikes against Iran.

“Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “They didn’t want to join the fight to stop a Nuclear Powered Iran.

“Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don’t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices.“

Although Trump has argued the conflict is effectively over and that Iran’s military has been severely weakened, he has stopped short of formally declaring victory.

“So easy for them to do, with so little risk,”Trump wrote. “COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!“

Trump’s criticism came after Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands signaled Thursday that they were prepared to assist in keeping the vital shipping lane open.

“We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait,” the countries’ leaders wrote in a letter. “We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning.”

The letter did not specify what role those countries would play in any Hormuz security effort. The strait carries about 20% of the world’s daily oil supply, and the joint statement also voiced “deep concern” over the effect of Iranian strikes on global energy markets.

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands are NATO members.

Trump has repeatedly pressed NATO and European allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz and has urged several countries to take part in the military campaign, though they have so far resisted direct involvement.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Thursday he believes the alliance and its members will ultimately reach a solution to restore passage through the strategic waterway.

“I’m confident that allies, as always, will do everything in support of our shared interest as we always do,” he said.

This development raises doubts about the credibility and relevance of NATO in the 21^st century. Among NATO’s members are Spain and Turkey whose leaders openly support Islamic terrorists and hate Israel. I am surprised that Italy – led by its conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni – did not get involved considering her nation’s healthy ties with Trump’s America and Israel. Let’s be clear here…a lot of European nations rely on oil tankers that pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Finally, I believe it is arrogant and wrong for NATO to ignore Iran’s attacks against other states in the Gulf such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and even Islamist Qatar.

For additional insight, watch the YouTube news videos below.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Apart from the obvious cowardice, what do you think are the other factors as to why NATO and its members stayed away from the military operations against the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran? Do you think the wicked Iranian regime has deep connections with most of NATO’s members? Do you consider NATO relevant and needed in this current century?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Israel Eliminates Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib

March 19, 2026March 18, 2026carlocarrasco

Esmaeil Khatib – the Minister of Intelligence of the Islamic terrorist state of Iran – was eliminated successfully by Israel which severely damaged the regime whose number of officials have been reduced even more, according to a news report by The Jerusalem Post. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz and the military confirmed the assassination.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from The Jerusalem Post news report. Some parts in boldface…

The IDF has assassinated Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and the military both confirmed on Wednesday.

Before the assassination was confirmed, two sources gave The Jerusalem Post different indications on the likelihood of the success of the operation, which took place Tuesday night.

Khataib’s death marks the next most significant assassination in Iran since the early days of the war, other than the killing of Ali Larijani and the Basij chief on Monday night.

Khatib has been the intelligence minister since August 2021, when ultra-hardliner and former Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi was elected.

When Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash, and Masoud Pezeshkian succeeded him as Iranian president, he kept Khatib in his role, an unusual move given that traditionally new presidents replace top ministers with their own close associates.

Khatib seen as hardliner close to Khamenei checking Pezeshkian – However, Khatib was close to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and was viewed as a hardliner who could keep Pezeshkian’s more moderate positions in check.

In addition, over the years, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) started to displace aspects of the authorities and power of the intelligence ministry, causing friction and competition between the bodies.

Raisi was closer to the IRGC than former president Hassan Rouhani, and Khatib spent much of his career in the IRGC’s intelligence branch.

When Raisi moved Khatib from the IRGC to run the intelligence ministry, it also cemented some of the IRGC’s new intelligence powers.

Khamenei wanted to keep Khatib in place partially to ensure continued IRGC dominance.

Although the IRGC was viewed by Khamenei as more loyal and ideologically committed to his causes, the Post has reported that the intelligence ministry had been viewed by outside CIA and Mossad officials as far more professional and competent.

If IRGC intelligence officials might sometimes be promoted to their roles due to ideological loyalty, top intelligence ministry officials usually only achieve promotion based on outstanding spycraft.

Indeed, the elimination of Khatib is very significant and it weakens the regime even more. The regime, whose so-called new supreme leader could not even show himself living, will continue to pretend it is functioning even after losing Ali Larijani and the Basij chief prior to Khatib. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel is very capable of tracking and finding Iranian regime leaders for elimination. If the Islamic terrorist proxies realize that Iran – whose entire military has been decimated already by Israel and Trump’s America – has a pretentious and smaller leadership existing, they will feel the pressure knowing they can’t keep on fighting without Iran’s support.

As for the oppressed Iranians who protested against their government, the eliminations of Khatib, Larijani and the Basic commander should embolden them to take action against the wicked regime soon.

For additional insight, watch the YouTube news video below.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran has much fewer commanders remaining behind the scenes? Do you think their so-called new supreme leader is in a coma behind closed doors? With Khatib dead, do you think the number of Iranian soldiers and police officers will contemplate abandoning their posts to escape overseas?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani And Basij Commander Of Iran Eliminated By Israel

March 18, 2026March 20, 2026carlocarrasco

In what can be described as the most significant eliminations since that of the demonic Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) successfully eliminated Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani and Basij Commander Gholamreza Soleimani, according to a news report by The Jerusalem Post.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from The Jerusalem Post news report. Some parts in boldface…

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani was killed in a targeted Israeli airstrike in Iran overnight, the IDF and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed on Tuesday afternoon.

Israeli confirmation of the assassination came after three separate sources confirmed to The Jerusalem Post he was targeted in what is the single most momentous targeted killing following the death of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

The military referred to Larijani as “the de facto leader of the Iranian terror regime.”

Basij commander killed along with ‘majority of leadership’ – The IDF also confirmed it had assassinated the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Basij paramilitary militia, Gholamreza Soleimani, and his deputy, Seyyed Karishi. The two were killed in a makeshift tent area, which had been set up to make it harder to follow them as opposed to in a known headquarters.

An Israeli official also confirmed to The Jerusalem Post that the majority of the Basij leadership was eliminated overnight in the Israeli airstrike.

The military also announced that it killed the IRGC’s Aerospace Force chief.

Larijani was due to give public address in Iran on Tuesday – Iranian authorities stated that Larijani was due to give a public address on Tuesday, but two IDF sources expressed skepticism about his making a statement and expressed stronger optimism that the strike succeeded in killing him, before his death was announced.

After Larijani’s death was confirmed, the Mossad Farsi account posted on X/Twitter, saying “In the end, people without mercy will die.”

The Prime Minister’s Office released an image later on Tuesday, which it said captured the moment in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued the order for the targeted assassinations.

Netanyahu also released a statement via video following confirmation of Larijani’s death, calling him the “boss” of the regime, whom he called a “group of gangsters.”

“We’re undermining the regime, in the hope of giving the Iranian nation the opportunity to get rid of it,” he said. “It won’t happen all at once, it won’t happen easily, but if we commit to it, we’ll be able to give them the chance to take their fates into their own hands.”

Larijani was ‘de-facto leader’ of Iran after Khamenei’s killing – Some have viewed Larijani as the man running the Iranian regime since Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was assassinated by the IDF, along with Iran’s military chief, IRGC chief, defense minister, and around 40 other top officials on February 28.

Larijani has been the Islamic regime’s most public voice, responding directly to threats and comments by US President Donald Trump and others.

Whereas Mojtaba Khamenei has been technically appointed the next supreme leader, IDF and American intelligence have said he is badly wounded, and given a total lack of public appearances, doubts have been expressed about whether he is actually running the country.

Further, Larijani was promoted to run day-to-day operations for the country and all negotiations with the West over the conflict in the weeks before the war started.

Larijani, on March 1, announced that he would be heading an interim committee for running the country, given Khamenei’s death. However, just because Larijani issued such a statement does not mean that he is for sure calling the shots.

The Iranian leader has had ups and downs with Khamenei, having been an IRGC commander, speaker of parliament, and a national security council chief, but then was disqualified from running for Iranian president to pave the way for Ebrahim Raisi’s election in 2021, and was out of favor for a time.

However, in recent months, Larijani made a comeback as one of the older and still living top advisers to Khamenei, following so many top officials being killed in June 2025, and became Khamenei’s number two, running the country’s day-to-day security affairs and nuclear negotiations with the US.

If Larijani has been the number one official in Iran these last two weeks, and even if he is only one of the top few, killing or wounding him could significantly impact the overall strategic picture.

This development is the latest addition to the number of Islamic terrorist leaders Israel eliminated under the leadership of Prime Minister Netanyahu. With Larijani confirmed dead, one has to wonder who exactly are leading the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran and why is it their chosen so-called supreme leader – son of the demon Ali Khamenei – has not physically emerged. For additional insight, watch the YouTube news video below.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the significance of the latest Islamic terrorist leaders of Iran will be realized soon as the war in the Middle East goes on? Who do you think is actually leading the evil regime of Iran right now?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Trump’s America To Launch Tariff Investigations On Several Countries

March 13, 2026March 12, 2026carlocarrasco

Even as the United States is busy working alongside Israel on the war against the Islamic terrorist state of Iran, the Trump administration announced that it will launch tariff investigations on several countries including trade partners like Japan, according to a news report by Kyodo News. The probes are meant to find out if unfair trading practices exist.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Kyodo News report. Some parts in boldface…

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration said Wednesday it will launch tariff investigations into what it sees as unfair practices by China, Japan and over a dozen other American trading partners.

According to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, the move is intended to “uncover a variety of unfair trading practices related to excess capacity in production” in the manufacturing sector, and replace Trump’s sweeping tariff regime that was invalidated by the Supreme Court in February.

“Our view is that key trading partners have developed production capacity that is really untethered from the market incentives of domestic and global demand,” Greer told reporters.

The other trading partners facing the investigations, carried out under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, are the European Union, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, Greer said.

The statute, which allows the U.S. government to impose tariffs in response to a foreign country’s alleged unfair practices, was a favorite tool of Trump for justifying higher tariffs on Chinese imports when he started a trade war with Beijing during his first term as president.

After the U.S. top court on Feb. 20 struck down a large chunk of Trump’s far-reaching tariff agenda as imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, his administration introduced a new 10 percent global duty.

However, the new 10 percent surcharge, relying on a different legal framework, can only last 150 days unless Congress approves an extension.

Greer said the Trump administration seeks to complete the investigations as quickly as possible and prepare for new Section 301 tariffs within the 150-day period.

The statute requires consultations with the governments of the targeted trading partners before tariffs can be imposed.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the United States is doing the right thing with the multiple trade investigations? How do you think the Trump administration will adjust its tariff policy once the 150-day period expires?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Trump Says War With Iran To End “Very Soon”

March 11, 2026March 10, 2026carlocarrasco

Since the first strikes happened on February 28, the joint military operations of the United States and Israel have heavily damaged the military, energy and government sites of the Islamic terrorist state of Iran. As the war with Iran has impacted the global economy and a new so-called supreme leader of Iran was selected, US President Donald Trump stated that the war is expected to end “very soon” but not at the end of this week, according to a news report by Kyodo News.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Kyodo News report. Some parts in boldface…

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday the ongoing war with Iran is expected to be over “very soon” but ruled out the possibility of it coming to an end this week.

“We’re winning very decisively. We’re way ahead of schedule,” Trump, who had initially predicted the conflict could last four to five weeks, claimed during a press conference in Florida.

Trump’s remarks came after Iran selected Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader after his father was killed in the first wave of U.S.-Israeli strikes.

Khamenei, the late leader’s second son, is known for his close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His rise to power has raised concern among many countries that the war, entering its second week, could further destabilize the Middle East and quickly ripple through the global economy.

While insisting that the United States has achieved an “unprecedented” military success, Trump said he was “disappointed” with Iran’s choice of supreme leader.

“We think it’s going to lead to just more of the same problem for the country,” he said.

Sending conflicting messages, Trump also warned that the United States will aggressively attack Iran if it attempts to block the world’s energy supply.

“We will hit them so hard that it will not be possible for them or anybody else helping them to ever recover that section of the world,” he said.

But he struck an optimistic note on oil prices, saying they would be much lower after the war ends. On disruption to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said the United States was less affected than China.

It seems that the joint Israel-America operations have achieved more than what was previously expected. The Islamic regime’s navy has been demolished, the air force crushed, and the oil refineries destroyed. It has also been reported that more military personnel of the regime have left their posts and moved out of the country using fake passports. The oppressed Iranians, meanwhile, should get more motivated to go out and protest as the regime’s military and police forces weaken.

Looking at the bigger picture, the massive devastation on the Islamic terrorist state made the leaders of Russia and Communist China worried. China needs oil from Iran while Russia needs Iranian-made weapons. Geopolitically, it’s like Trump’s America stuck two birds with one stone. In the case of Israel, Islamic terrorist groups are weakening now that the Islamic regime of Iran cannot support them. Going back to Iran, there are opportunities for the affected Iranians to move out of the country and enter Armenia as refugees. Already there are groups at the Armenian side of the border who intend to help Iranian refugees.

For more updates about what happened lately, watch the videos below.

Let me ending this post by asking you readers to pray to the Lord for victory, for the protection of the American and Israeli forces, for the safety of civilians everywhere, for the end of the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran to happen soon, and for the liberation of the oppressed Iranian people. Pray to Him to also bless US President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as their respective administrations. Pray to God for more peace and stability in the Middle East and for the stability of the global economy.

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Philippines Coconut Oil Exporters See Golden Opportunities In America

March 10, 2026March 3, 2026carlocarrasco

Since US President Donald J. Trump returned in 2025, there were significant revisions in America’s health standards with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) serving as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. One of the revisions tackled the dietary health guidelines which in turn created new opportunities in America that coconut oil exporters of the Philippines can capitalize on, according to a news report by the Philippine Star.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of the Philippine Star. Some parts in boldface…

Coconut oil exporters are upbeat that demand for the prized commodity in the US will increase after Washington revised its dietary health guidelines, promoting the consumption of healthy fats.

United Coconut Association of the Philippines (UCAP) said the latest 2025-2030 US Dietary Guidelines reflects a “symbolic” shift in Americans’ diet as it represents an “inverted” food pyramid, putting fats at the top.

Prior to the change, saturated fats, including coconut oil, have been demonized based on the prevailing Lipid Heart Theory claiming that saturated fats and cholesterol are the root causes of heart disease, said UCAP chairman Marco Reyes.

He pointed out that previous dietary guidelines, particularly the 2020-2025 edition, had explicit warnings on the consumption of fats, including coconut oil and recommended consumers to shift to vegetable oil instead.

But in the latest guidelines, such an explicit warning has been removed with the only discouraging factor to coconut oil remaining is the limit stated on the consumption of saturated fat, Reyes said.

The latest dietary guidelines emphasized that saturated fat consumption must not exceed 10 percent of total daily calories. Furthermore, consumers are advised to eat healthy fats which it noted are plenty in whole foods like meats, eggs, among others.

However, coconut oil is not categorically stated as part of the healthy fats. Despite this, Reyes noted that demand for the commodity will still increase since there are no more explicit warnings against coconut oil.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the latest health guidelines of America will actually lead to stronger demand for coconut oil from the Philippines?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Japanese Prime Minister Condemns Iran

March 7, 2026March 10, 2026carlocarrasco

Even though it has been severely damaged by the joint forces of the United States and Israel, the Islamic terrorist state of Iran continued to retaliate by launching missiles and drones not only at American and Israeli forces, but also on sovereign nations in the Middle East such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Islamist Qatar and more. As such, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae condemned Iran for the destruction it committed, according to a news article by Nippon TV.

For insight, the Prime Minister previously urged Iran to solve its conflict with America and Israel diplomatically. Economically, Japan is vulnerable as it imports most of its oil from the Middle East and the violence happening in the said region has already caused serious economic disruptions. Japan also opposes any nuclear weapons development program by Iran.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of Nippon TV. Some parts in boldface…

Amid continued tensions surrounding the situation in Iran, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae spoke on the phone with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on March 5 and told him she condemns Iran’s actions.

Officials said that at the start of the roughly 20-minute conversation, Merz provided an overview of the international situation, taking into account events including his summit meeting with US President Donald Trump.

In response, Takaichi told Merz that she condemns Iran’s actions, including attacks that have extended to civilian and diplomatic facilities and resulted in civilian casualties. The two leaders agreed to work together to de-escalate the situation as quickly as possible.

Ahead of the phone call, Takaichi met with visiting UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan Al Jaber at her office.

In the talks, Takaichi asked for cooperation from the United Arab Emirates in safeguarding Japanese nationals and maintaining a stable supply of oil to Japan.

Officials said Jaber expressed his intention to cooperate in areas such as ensuring the safety of Japanese citizens.

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, there have been disruptions in logistics, with tankers becoming stalled near the Strait of Hormuz.

Japanese automaker Toyota Motor is said to be considering reducing its production of vehicles bound for the Middle East.

According to sources, Toyota has notified parts manufacturers and other relevant entities about the possibility that it may reduce the number of vehicles produced. Toyota has not disclosed details of its production plans or whether it uses the Strait of Hormuz.

But last year, the company exported about 320,000 vehicles, including Land Cruisers, to Middle Eastern countries.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran is just days away from totally collapsing as the United States and Israel keep on pounding them with military weapons? Do you think the wicked government of Iran is paying any attention to the Prime Minister of Japan? Why do you think the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran deliberately targets civilians with missiles and drones? Did you notice a lot of people in your local community who openly support the Islamic terrorist state of Iran?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Only 705,809 Babies Born In Japan In 2025

March 7, 2026March 3, 2026carlocarrasco

Japan’s long-time population problems continued as the number of new children born in 2025 reached only 705,809, according to a news report by Kyodo News. The figure, which includes foreign residents, is the lowest since the counting of newborn children started in 1899.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

The number of children born in Japan in 2025 fell from a year earlier to 705,809, the fewest since data became available in 1899 and hitting a new low for the 10th consecutive year, health ministry data showed Thursday.

The figure, which includes foreign residents, was down from 2024 by 2.1 percent, or 15,179 births, as the country faces a rapidly graying population and increased anxiety over child-rearing due to the higher cost of living amid inflation. The pace of decline, however, slowed from a year earlier.

In addition to economic anxiety, more people appear to be choosing to marry and have children later in life, or not to marry at all, due to a shift in priorities, experts say.

Population decline showed no signs of abating, with the natural decrease — subtracting the number of births from deaths — hitting the highest ever at 899,845, according to preliminary data released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research had projected that the number of births, including those of foreign residents in the country, would not drop below 710,000 until 2042.

In separate data released by the ministry in June last year, the number of babies born to Japanese nationals in 2024 fell to 680,000, dropping below 700,000 for the first time.

The 2.1 percent decrease shown in the latest data — compared with 5.0 percent in 2024 — likely partially reflects a second straight year of increasing marriages in 2025, up 1.1 percent to 505,656.

The number is still far below the more than 600,000 marriages Japan had seen annually until 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic disrupted normal patterns of social interaction.

“We haven’t been able to turn the trend, unfortunately,” a senior government official said at a news conference on Thursday.

Among the few bright spots for the country’s 47 prefectures, Tokyo and Ishikawa, in central Japan, saw an increase in birth numbers.

The change in Tokyo, where the figure rose by 1.3 percent in the first increase in nine years, could be the result of an influx of people into the capital along with the child-rearing support orchestrated by the metropolitan government, experts say.

Ishikawa’s case is seen as a rebound from a decrease in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula in January 2024.

The remaining 45 prefectures continued to see births decline, with the steepest drop of 8.7 percent in Shimane followed by decreases in Yamagata, Aomori and Nagano.

Rural regions have seen their populations decrease as people opt to leave for schools and jobs. Few municipalities have found a winning formula to reverse the trend.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? What do you think the government led by Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae should do to stop the population decline? Do you think allowing more foreigners to legally migrate into Japan is the answer?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Filipina Worker In Israel Killed By Iranian Missile

March 4, 2026March 3, 2026carlocarrasco

As the Islamic terrorist state of Iran – which lost its demonic Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – kept on firing missiles and drones at several locations in the Middle East in retaliation to the joint US-Israel military operations, a Filipina worker in Israel got killed by an Iranian missile and already the embassies of both the Philippines and Israel expressed their condolences to the victim’s family, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

Israel’s embassy in the Philippines has expressed its condolences to the family of the Filipina caregiver who was killed during an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Mary Ann Velasquez de Vera, 32, from Basista, Pangasinan, lost her life when a missile struck her apartment on March 1, according (to) the Israel Embassy in Manila. Before this, she was still assisting her patient to safety while she, herself, was already injured.

“Mary Ann, like so many overseas Filipino workers in Israel, exemplified resilience, compassion, and quiet strength,” the Israeli Embassy in Manila said.

“She was identified by her husband, who is also an overseas Filipino worker in Israel, and their family,” it added.

“Israel joins in the profound sorrow of her family and the Filipino community. We mourn together and honor Mary Ann’s memory with dignity and respect. May her soul rest in peace,” it also said.

The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv also conveyed its condolences to the bereaved family through a phone call made by Ambassador Aileen Mendiola to her husband. Mendilola assured him of the Philippine government’s full assistance.

In a separate news report by GMA News, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh confirmed that the Jewish state has committed to providing lifetime support to the family of the victim. Under under Israeli law, the families of individuals injured or killed during a conflict — whether Israeli citizens or foreign nationals — are entitled to lifetime benefits.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines should suspend diplomatic ties with the Islamic terrorist state of Iran? Do you think the terrorist regime of Iran should be held accountable for attacking civilians with missiles and drones so indiscriminately? How long do you think the conflict in the Middle East will last? Are you hoping that Trump’s America, Israel and all the affected nations of the Middle East will band together to end the Islamic terrorist government of Iran? Did you notice any Islamist in your local community expressing support for Iran and Islamic terrorists?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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	Instapundit »… on Trump Threatens To Hit Power P…
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	Instapundit »… on NATO Slammed By Trump

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