East Asian state on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula
A federal judge has ordered the White House to reinstate press credentials for CNN, MS NOW and Politico after the administration revoked their access. The networks have returned to the television pool, but the White House has continued to exclude some reporters from specific events and omitted CNN from Air Force One pool listings for a presidential trip to Tennessee.
US envoy David Perdue has said President Donald Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping whether Beijing would like to buy US weapons. The remark has prompted the State Department to reiterate that US law prohibits arms sales to China and there is no plan to sell. The comments come as Washington has paused a roughly $14bn arms package to Taiwan while Taipei receives deliveries of delayed F-16V jets.
Zelensky has told the UN that Ukraine has transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. He says North Korea is using soldiers as currency to support Russia, while Kyiv seeks humanitarian and legal pathways amid international scrutiny.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has demanded an apology after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly said Kyiv transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea. Seoul says the transfer was meant to be confidential and accuses Ukraine of breaching an agreement; Kyiv denies any nondisclosure pact and calls the matter a diplomatic misunderstanding.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff have concluded that North Korean mines south of the DMZ caused explosions that wounded three South Korean soldiers. The finding, conducted with the UN Command, underscores an armistice violation and triggers discussions of corresponding measures as Pyongyang denies responsibility and tensions rise.
UN agencies warn that hunger and displacement are intensifying in Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen as conflicts, climate shocks, and funding shortfalls undermine relief efforts. In Baidoa and Mogadishu, thousands face famine-like conditions while aid delivery shrinks, pushing millions toward crisis levels ahead of the El Niño season.
The US Supreme Court has lifted a lower court ruling and allowed the deportations of immigrants to third countries to resume, while agreeing to hear the merits of the case in December. The decision follows ongoing debates over due process and safety for deportees, with critics urging Congress to tighten protections.
A joint South Korean–UN investigation has concluded that North Korean mines caused a September 21 blast in the DMZ that wounded three South Korean soldiers. Seoul has demanded an official apology and is conducting mine-clearing; Pyongyang has denied responsibility and has launched a ballistic missile from Wonsan, escalating tensions.
G20 trade ministers in Milwaukee have failed to reach a consensus on countering overcapacity and forced labor, despite a US-led push. A Milwaukee framework on steel excess capacity has emerged, with data sharing and potential tariffs under consideration, while disagreements with China persist.
Officials have kept the 3.5-meter shark, nicknamed Bukangi, confined to a canal as they adapt tactics to guide it back to open water. Thousands of visitors have flocked to North Port to watch, with health and safety checks ongoing as authorities prepare a larger net to redirect the animal toward the sea.
A wave of robotics founders, many ex-Nvidia engineers, are launching startups to apply physical AI and robotics to real-world tasks. Microagi, Skild AI, Walden Robotics and others are drawing in talent and funding as investors pour into the field, signaling a shift from lab demos to scalable commercial deployment.
Japan hosts a delayed, chaotic Asian Games with logistical issues shadowing standout performances. China leads in diving and tennis through young stars like Yu Zidi and Wang Xiyu; Japan and other nations show flashes of talent while organisers face criticism over accommodation and transport.
South Korea is evaluating a proposed $50 billion Alaska LNG project as part of a broader $200 billion investment package announced with the United States. While Washington touts the deal as a boost for energy infrastructure, Seoul is weighing commercial viability and legal compliance amid concerns about the project’s cost, timelines, and long‑term LNG demand.
Canada backs the Pacific Link pipeline to diversify energy exports, fast-tracking regulatory approval and promising job creation, GDP gains, and new revenue. Albertans vote on independence later this month as Ottawa and Alberta push cooperative federalism amid regional tensions.
South Korea has recalled its ambassador to Ukraine and demanded a public apology after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed at the UN that Kyiv transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to Seoul. President Lee Jae‑myung has threatened additional measures if Ukraine does not acknowledge a confidentiality agreement; Kyiv calls the dispute a "diplomatic misunderstanding."
Wu Yize has won the Shenzhen Open final, defeating Yuan Sijun to become world No. 2 and extend China’s hold on the top rankings. He overcame Yuan after building a lead in the evening session, with breaks including 74 and 62 as he secured the title and £177,000. Yuan climbs to around 16-26 in the rankings.
Three South Korean footballers have apologised after celebrating military-service exemptions following their Asian Games win over Japan. Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young has said the exemption system for artists and athletes will have to be scaled back, and several politicians and editorials have called for a review of the decades-old rule that replaces full service with short supplementary training for Olympic and Asian Games medallists.
Brazil's first-round vote has failed to produce an outright winner, forcing a runoff between Lula da Silva and Jair Bolsonaro on Oct. 25. With nearly 99% counted, Bolsonaro leads Lula by about two points, raising questions about polling accuracy and the race's trajectory as both campaigns court voters in a tightly fought general election.
India secures multiple medals across disciplines at the Asian Games in Japan, with Neeru Dhanda’s trap gold, Vithya Ramraj’s 4x400m haul, and Sahil Jadhav’s archery success highlighting triumphs against financial and logistic hurdles.
SpaceX's Starship has achieved orbit in its 14th test flight, deploying 26 new Starlink V3 satellites. The mission demonstrates full orbital capability, a milestone after repeated suborbital tests, and signals a shift toward high-frequency, reusable launches.
The International Olympic Committee has confirmed a handful of countries are engaging in continuous dialogue to bid for future Olympic Games. A deadline of October 31 is set for formal interest, with shortlisting and feasibility assessments to follow between 2027 and 2029. Ahmedabad, Munich and Cape Town are among the cities named in emerging bids for 2036 and beyond.
Mistral AI has introduced ML4, its 1-trillion-parameter model nicknamed Le Chonk, aimed at cyberdefense, coding, and niche industrial tasks. It is in preview, with weights to be released soon. The launch comes amid a broader push for European tech sovereignty and a shift toward open-weight models that rival closed systems.
Apple and LG are developing a slate of home devices designed to work with a new Apple smart-home hub, including cameras, a smart deadbolt, a thermostat, and a 6-inch display hub. The devices are tied to a new HomePod mini update and a TV box set for release on October 13, with additional devices expected later in October.
Investors react to a day of record results as shares in tech and suppliers waver amid concerns about the durability of an AI-driven investment boom. Samsung and peers have posted record or near-record results, while borrowing costs rise globally and weigh on capital expenditure plans.
The Guardian has found that in July and August, over 176,000 tonnes of diesel and other fuels loaded at South Korean ports were shipped on seven tankers to Russia’s Far East, including vessels under UK and EU sanctions. South Korea says its laws were not violated and will review vessel routes and declarations. Ukraine calls this a breach of sanctions amid escalating tensions with Seoul.
US President Donald Trump has reiterated his complaint that he has not received the Nobel Peace Prize, calling the committee’s decision “disgraceful and embarrassing.” He claims to have helped prevent wars and accuses the Nobel committee of discrediting Norway. Pillay’s Nobel win is reported amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in Gaza and commentary on the UN report’s findings.