International
387 storiesJapan says Russia notified it of reporter's detention, but consular access still fails
Japan said Russia provided consular notification on October 15 about the detention of a Hokkaido Shimbun reporter on suspicion of espionage. Embassy officials visited a Moscow detention facility on October 16 but could not meet him, Yomiuri…
U.S. Forces Korea commander says wartime command transfer conditions have changed
U.S. Forces Korea commander Xavier Brunson said on October 14 that conditions for transferring wartime operational control had changed and revised plans had created new standards. He reiterated support for a conditions-based transfer, while…
South Korea considers expanding Cheonghae unit's operations to Gulf of Oman
South Korea is considering extending the Cheonghae unit's operating area from the Gulf of Aden to the Gulf of Oman and adding a maritime patrol aircraft. The Defense Ministry said details had not been decided as it prepared to seek a deploy…
Russia says it detained Hokkaido Shimbun reporter in Sakhalin on spying suspicion
Russia's Federal Security Service said October 13 that it detained a Japanese Hokkaido Shimbun reporter in Sakhalin on suspicion of espionage. Japanese reports said he was transferred to Moscow; the newspaper and Japan's embassy said they w…
Trump says he would welcome Putin at Miami G20, but visit remains uncertain
Donald Trump said he would welcome Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Miami but did not know whether the Russian president would attend. The summit is scheduled for December 14–15.
Trump denies ordering limits on Ukraine's Starlink and Starshield access
President Donald Trump told reporters on 16 October that neither he nor Elon Musk was behind restrictions on Ukraine's access to SpaceX's Starlink and Starshield services. A Reuters report had said the White House ordered the slowdown, and …
Japan seeks information after Russia arrests Japanese journalist on espionage suspicion
Russia's Federal Security Service said on October 13 that it had arrested a Japanese journalist for Hokkaido Shimbun on suspicion of espionage in Sakhalin. Japan requested information and fair procedures, and said it would summon Russia's a…
US extends licenses for Lukoil foreign fuel stations and Bulgarian assets
The US Treasury extended licenses for transactions involving Lukoil's foreign fuel stations and Bulgarian assets until April 24, 2027, Russian outlets reported. Interfax said the previous authorizations were due to expire on October 29, 202…
Peskov sets out Moscow's conditions for renewed dialogue with Moldova
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moldova should abandon what he called a Russophobic policy and release people he described as political prisoners to restore dialogue with Russia. He specifically called for the release of Yevgeniya Guts…
Lavrov to attend October 15 CICA summit in Baku
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will attend the seventh Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia summit in Baku on October 15, Russian outlets reported. Participants are expected to discuss regional developm…
Three European countries offer role in South Korea-Ukraine dispute
Three European countries have offered to help improve strained South Korea-Ukraine relations, South Korea's foreign ministry said on October 15. Seoul said its support for Ukraine would continue despite a dispute over disclosure of the tran…
Lavrov and Fidan meet in Baku, discuss Ukraine and top-level contacts
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Baku on October 15 on the sidelines of an Asian confidence-building summit. RIA Novosti subsequently reported that they discussed support for resolving the crisis…
Putin appoints Dmitry Belov as Russia's ambassador to Paraguay
President Vladimir Putin appointed Dmitry Belov (Дмитрий Белов) as Russia's ambassador to Paraguay, Russian outlets reported on October 15. Belov replaces Alexander Pisarev (Александр Писарев) and previously served as deputy director of the…
Harris criticises Trump's tariffs and alliance policies during Seoul visit
Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris criticised President Donald Trump's tariffs, approach to North Korea and reduction of joint U.S.–South Korean military exercises during an October 14 speech in Seoul. She called for stronger deterren…
White House asks U.S. ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign
The White House has asked Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign as U.S. ambassador to Greece, press secretary Katie Zacharia said Tuesday. The request follows misconduct allegations that Guilfoyle and her lawyers have denied.
South Korean envoy says U.S. intelligence-cooperation concerns remain unresolved
South Korea's ambassador to the United States, Kang Kyung-wha (강경화), said intelligence-cooperation issues had not been resolved to Washington's expectations. Speaking at an October 12 parliamentary audit in Washington, she also said intelli…
Lee stresses national interests while reaffirming South Korea's U.S. alliance
President Lee Jae-myung said South Korea should protect its national interests and avoid submissive attitudes in foreign relations. At an October 13 cabinet meeting, he called the U.S. alliance important while also stressing relations with …
Nobel Peace Prize goes to South African jurist Navi Pillay for international law work
The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on October 9 that the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize goes to Navanethem (Navi) Pillay, 85, the South African-born former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and former International Criminal Court judge, fo…
Russia says it is weighing countermeasures over Japan's new sanctions
Russia's Foreign Ministry criticised Japan's additional sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine as “unfriendly” and “ill-considered,” and said it is considering countermeasures. Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on October 5 that Russia would…
Lee receives credentials from ambassadors of eight countries
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung received credentials from eight newly appointed resident ambassadors on October 12. The envoys represented Honduras, Slovenia, Norway, Kyrgyzstan, Senegal, Iran, Türkiye and Lithuania.