Soldiers have been told to “strike terror into the enemy’s heart” as tensions spark up once again on one of the world’s most armed borders.
Kim Jong Un’s sister has warned Seoul that new North Korean firepower units are in “firing position” along the border.
Both sides are threatening to answer provocations with force, as tensions on either side of the famous Demilitarised Zone spark once again.
“Our military leadership underlined the need to make those rogues aware that our new firepower units have taken their firing positions,” Kim Yo Jong said, according to state media.
It came as Donald Trump’s envoy arrived in Russia for talks with Vladimir Putin, with a bitter dispute over US support for Ukraine hanging over the latest peace push.
Steve Witkoff landed in St Petersburg on Wednesday and was met by Kremlin investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev on the tarmac.
The Kremlin is offering no guarantees for a breakthrough, with Putin’s aide Yury Ushakov saying he did not know whether an agreement would actually be reached on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, France’s prime minister has promised a “massive” police deployment for the next round of protests on Saturday, admitting authorities fell short last week.
It’s been a wild week inside the nation of 69 million, with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez offering his resignation after confessing police “had lost control”.
'Firing positions': N Korean troops told to 'strike terror into enemy's heart'
Kim Jong Un’s sister has warned Seoul that new North Korean firepower units are already in position along the border.
Both sides are threatening to answer provocations with force, with tensions on either side of the famous Demilitarised Zone spark once again.
“Our military leadership underlined the need to make those rogues aware that our new firepower units have taken their firing positions,” Kim Yo Jong said, according to state media.
She said her brother had “issued an order to fortify the border with an enemy state to be eternally impregnable”.
The hermit kingdom was already attracting attention this week over rumours about Kim’s health. State media has responded quickly to the global press attention, releasing images on Tuesday that it said showed him touring a Pyongyang clothing and footwear exhibition the previous day.
Down at the border, troops are now being told to intimidate their adversaries.
Marshal Pak Jong Chon told troops it was “time to organise the firepower strong enough to strike terror into the enemy’s heart”, according to KCNA, as reported by AFP.
The latest confrontation follows landmine explosions last month that injured three South Korean soldiers. Seoul blames North Korean mines, but Pyongyang denies responsibility.
South Korea says its warning broadcasts and shots are defensive measures intended to stop North Korean troops crossing the military demarcation line and drive back those who do.
Trump ally's meeting with Putin imminent
Donald Trump’s envoy has arrived in Russia for talks with Vladimir Putin, with a bitter dispute over US support for Ukraine hanging over the latest peace push.
Steve Witkoff landed in St Petersburg on Wednesday and was met by Kremlin investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev on the tarmac.
His visit follows talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European partners in Oslo.
Axios reported Witkoff would present Putin with an updated peace proposal. But the Kremlin is offering no guarantees for a breakthrough, with Putin’s aide Yury Ushakov saying he did not know whether an agreement would actually be reached on Wednesday.
Behind the heavily-choreographed diplomacy is a dispute over intelligence that helps Ukraine detect incoming Russian missiles. Kyiv says the warnings have resumed, while Washington denies cutting them off.
On Tuesday, Zelensky said those warnings were working again.
“We are thankful that intelligence works now,” he said, referring to the early-warning information used to protect civilians from incoming Russian strikes.
Washington denies changing its intelligence-sharing policy, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected claims that military supplies were being deliberately withheld.
“There’s nothing being deliberately denied to Ukraine,” he said.
Travellers to tourist spot told to 'prepare a will'
The US State Department has escalated its travel warning for an East African nation popular for its wildlife safaris, urging Americans to reconsider visiting amid heightened health concerns and ongoing security threats.
The State Department on Monday raised its travel advisory for Kenya from Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution,” to Level 3, “Reconsider Travel.”
Health risks and crime were cited among the reasons for the advisory, along with civil unrest, kidnapping, terrorism and traffic safety concerns.
“Prepare a will,” the advisory added. “Establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones.”
US citizen Stephen Hubbard freed by Russia
US citizen Stephen Hubbard has been released from a Russian penal colony as President Vladimir Putin met with US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersberg on Wednesday.
Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired teacher, was detained back in 2022 and sentenced to seven years for allegedly fighting on behalf of Ukraine in the war against Russia.
Trump celebrated Hubbard’s release on social media while blaming his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, for the retired teacher being held so long.
Trump said he personally requested the 74-year-old prisoner’s release during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week.
“Stephen Hubbard, taken four years ago by Russia during the Biden Administration, was just released from prison, at the request of President Donald J. Trump, made directly to President Vladimir Putin in a telephone conversation last week,” President Trump said in a Truth Social post.
He added that Russia hadn’t demanded any prisoner “swap” in return for Hubbard, “out of respect for President Trump.”
The president also lambasted Biden for not doing more to secure the hostage’s return.
“Biden should have done the Hubbard release long ago! What a difference a President makes!” he wrote.
'Massive': France braces for another showdown
France’s prime minister has promised a “massive” police deployment for Saturday’s protests, admitting authorities fell short last week.
It’s been a wild week inside the nation of 69 million, with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez offering his resignation after confessing police “had lost control”.
The world watched everything from historic buildings to local businesses burned in the chaos, which saw an estimated 800,000 people take the streets in anger.
Sebastien Lecornu will today meet representatives from five unions as another round of cost-of-living demonstrations planned by the Yellow Vest movement and high school students takes shape.
“The deployment for next Saturday will be massive,” he told parliament.
His invitation to unions promised discussions on “ways and means to guarantee the essential freedom to demonstrate”, while warning some were attempting to subvert protests with more “unacceptable acts”.
Parts of Paris, including République square and the Les Halles shopping district, are subject to nighttime curfews.
Public gatherings have meanwhile been banned on the Champs-Elysees, near several public buildings and at train stations.
Police have also temporarily banned people from carrying cans or bottles of petrol or gas.
Nearly 150 people have been jailed and more than 800 brought before the courts, according to the justice minister.
Politicians on both sides of the fence in France’s fractured parliament have agreed to investigate the unrest, including possible intelligence failures, policing tactics and government preparedness.
Lecornu has meanwhile accused ultra-left radical groups of forging an “insurrectionary plan” to destabilise the nation.
Eerie Russian border footage amid military build up
Eerie footage has emerged from the Russian European border showing military equipment being delivered to outposts.
Satellite imagery analysed by open-source intelligence researchers shows new and refurbished tanks, armoured personnel carriers and artillery systems arriving at several Russian military storage facilities, including one about 500km from the Estonian and Latvian borders.
The independent Russian outlet iStories reported the buildup on October 17, citing imagery showing T-90M tanks, BTR-82A armoured personnel carriers and BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles arriving at a base in the Kostroma region.
Researchers stressed the equipment was being sent to storage facilities, not active military units, and was not ready for immediate deployment.
What's the latest on the Iran situation?
Iran has warned it will keep the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz closed until the United States accepts its conditions, as Washington signals it is prepared to resume military action.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday the US was ready to escalate its campaign against Iran if ordered by President Donald Trump, insisting Washington would not allow Tehran to obtain a nuclear weapon.
“We’ve done historic devastation to their military capabilities, but if they’re not willing to give it up and the president asks to go even further – we’re prepared,” Mr Hegseth told reporters.
Mr Hegseth also confirmed he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel, but declined to disclose details of their conversation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, meanwhile, said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until Washington accepted Tehran’s demands, despite indirect negotiations continuing through Pakistan and Qatar.
'What's wrong with you': Trump growls at reporter
US President Donald Trump has again lost his cool at a reporter, this time asking ‘what’s wrong with you’ and ‘are you a sick person?’ while seemingly growling.
The scolding came from the Oval office on Tuesday where Mr Trump and Vice President JD Vance announced a $25 million federal Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program alongside YouTuber Nick Shirley.
“I don’t know who the hell you are but you better be careful,” Mr Trump said.
“Quiet. Quiet! What’s wrong with you?
“Are you a sick person? I actually think there’s something wrong with you.”
The outburst was directed at UK outlet The Independent’s White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg who was asking about the plans to overhaul a public golf course in Washington D.C.
Mr Trump previously said he intends to shut down the golf course, which he deemed “trash island” for renovations, into a course capable of “holding World Class Tournaments”.
Trump presents 10K check to Nick Shirley
US President Donald Trump presented a $10,000 check to YouTuber Nick Shirley on Tuesday, whose 2025 YouTube video alleging fraud at Minnesota child-care centers propelled the issue into national debate.
Mr Shirley’s video claimed fake childcare centers were being operated by members of Minnesota’s Somali community to collect federal subsidies. The video went on the garner over four million views, as well as attention from the Trump administration.
“Nick Shirley has been at the forefront of the battle to stop the horrible plague that has happened within our country,” Mr Trump said during a news conference in the Oval Office.
“Nick used his popular YouTube channel to reveal that the Somali community in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was stealing billions.”
Trump urges Zelensky to ‘make a deal’ with Russia
Donald Trump has again pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to strike a deal with Russia, declaring American taxpayers are tired of funding Kyiv’s fight against Moscow.
“We want Zelensky to make a deal. He can make a deal,” Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday.
“He could have made a deal two years ago when we had our little chat in the Oval Office.”