Politics
559 storiesWhite House press secretary Zakaria to leave after five days amid law licence row
White House press secretary Katie Zakaria is leaving the post five days after taking it on 12 October, following criticism that she was introduced as an attorney without holding a US law licence. Asahi Shimbun reported, citing multiple US m…
Trump says new White House press secretary should reconsider her role
Donald Trump said he advised new White House press secretary Keti Zakhariya (Кэти Захария) to reconsider her role after her first briefing drew criticism. Asked whether he would force her out, he said she should decide herself, according to…
South Korea's Democratic Party apologises over governor's firefighting funding remark
South Korea's Democratic Party apologised on 16 October after Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae compared firefighting to a fiscal drain. The party pledged to seek more funding for firefighter safety, staffing, equipment and working conditions.
White House press secretary admits she did not pass a bar exam after lawyer claims
Katie Zakaria (ケイティ・ザカリア), the new White House press secretary, said on 15 October that she has not passed a bar exam. The Wall Street Journal had reported on 14 October that she failed the California bar after law school, although Presiden…
Japan's parties agree to open Lower House debate on food tax cut bill on 20 October
The Liberal Democratic Party and the Lower House group Chudo agreed on 16 October to open plenary debate on the food consumption tax cut bill on 20 October, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attending. The ruling side had first proposed th…
Fukuoka assembly approves inquiry into alleged payments linked to leadership posts
The Fukuoka prefectural assembly approved an Article 100 investigative committee to examine alleged payments linked to speaker and deputy-speaker posts, TBS NEWS DIG reported early on October 17. The decision followed prolonged arguments ov…
DOJ gives California 48 hours to review alleged noncitizen voters
The Justice Department threatened legal action unless California officials review a federal list of suspected noncitizens who may have received mail ballots. Letters demand a citizenship review within 48 hours and ask officials to set aside…
Katie Zacharia holds first White House briefing, taking three reporters' questions
New White House press secretary Katie Zacharia held her first briefing on Tuesday, ending in less than 15 minutes after taking questions from three reporters, NBC News reported. She highlighted President Donald Trump's campaign appearances …
South Korea's ruling party opens talks on impeaching Chief Justice Cho
Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok said on October 16 that discussions had begun on possible impeachment of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae. Later reports described support from hardliners alongside warnings within the party about proceeding.
Japan's agriculture minister submits resignation amid budget and election-bus controversy
Agriculture Minister Kazuo Yana (簗和生) submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on October 14, Asahi Shimbun reports. He faced criticism over remarks about cutting road budgets in areas that did not support him and free shu…
Carney urges Alberta to reject separation path in Monday referendum
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Alberta voters on Thursday to reject a path toward separation in Monday's referendum. The vote would determine whether the province remains or instructs its government to begin a legal process towar…
'No Kings' coalition plans 3,000-plus early-voting events across US on Saturday
The 'No Kings' coalition, known for protests against President Donald Trump, has planned more than 3,000 events on Saturday, Oct. 17, to promote early voting before the 3 November midterm elections. Organizers say the aim is to get people t…
Korean outlets report White House spokesperson's exit after credentials controversy
Yonhap and Chosun Ilbo reported that the new White House spokesperson left her post on October 16 amid controversy over her legal credentials. Newsis reported that Donald Trump said his decision was not final, while also citing US media rep…
Lee urges National Assembly to put Buma and 5·18 uprisings in constitution preamble
President Lee Jae-myung said on 16 October at the 47th Buma Democratic Uprising ceremony in Busan that putting the Buma uprising and the Gwangju democratisation movement in the constitution's preamble is the minimum step to remember that hi…
White House press secretary Zakharia out less than a week after appointment, outlets say
Katie Zakharia has left the post of White House press secretary less than a week after her appointment was announced, Russian outlets reported on 16 October. The New York Times, citing three sources, said she was fired, while the White Hous…
Trump says Biden administration did many bad things related to Ukraine
US President Donald Trump told journalists on 16 October that the administration of his predecessor Joe Biden was very corrupt and did many bad things related to Ukraine. RIA Novosti reported that he did not say which actions he meant. TASS…
Reports question new White House spokesperson's legal credentials
South Korean outlets reported questions about the legal credentials of new White House spokesperson Keiti Jakaria (케이티 자카리아), citing The Washington Post. They said the newspaper had found no record of a U.S. law license, while the White Hou…
NBS poll puts Lee's approval at 44% as South Korea's party gap narrows
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's approval stood at 44% and disapproval at 49% in an NBS poll released on October 15. Support for the Democratic Party was 33% against 28% for the People Power Party, halving their gap from the previous …
South Korea's Lee rejects calls to close cabinet meetings to public
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said on 16 October that he opposed making cabinet meetings entirely private. He rejected claims that public sessions prevent ministers from speaking freely, saying closed sessions and individual contact …
Lee appoints Park Dong-il industry vice minister, Shin Jin-chang FSC vice-chair
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung appointed Park Dong-il (박동일) vice minister of industry and trade and Shin Jin-chang (신진창) vice-chairman of the Financial Services Commission on October 16. Both were promoted from senior posts within the…