Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner Group founder, appeared in Belarus after leading a march on Moscow. Belarusian President Lukashenko confirmed his arrival and offered an abandoned base to Wagner troops.

A US think tank suggests that the alleged drone attack on the Kremlin may have originated within Russia. The institute asserts it’s unlikely that two drones could bypass Moscow’s air defenses, suggesting the possibility of a domestically launched attack for societal mobilization.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s visit to Tokyo marks a positive shift in Japan-South Korea relations. Diplomats and politicians from both countries have been working together to address ongoing issues and improve bilateral ties. Japan and South Korea continue their diplomatic efforts to find a solution that benefits both nations.

Several Japanese nationals are being detained at an immigration facility in the Philippines, and police in Japan have requested that they be returned to Japan to face charges for a string of robberies. One of the suspects may have to be prosecuted in the Philippines before he can be extradited.

The world’s population topped 8 billion, double the 1974 level. However, growth is slowing, and populations shrinking in wealthy countries. This can be viewed positively, as fewer children are correlated with reproductive freedom and with confidence of kids reaching adulthood. But low fertility rates cause economic stagnation, and populations are growing fastest in the poorest countries.

During the first Halloween celebration in Seoul since COVID-19 restrictions were eased, 153 people died and 133 were injured when an excessive number of people crowded into a narrow, sloping alley. The area was featured in a South Korean TV drama, and its high profile may have contributed to overcrowding that led to the tragic accident.

Vladimir Putin announced mobilization of additional troops through conscription as the Ukraine war drags on. However, companies are protesting that having employees called up for military service will disrupt operations. The Russian defense ministry now says white-collar workers with higher education will be exempt, but businesses in various fields are likely to be affected.

When Britain’s longest-reigning monarch died at 96, it struck a blow to a country struggling with crises including Brexit, energy costs, and questions about the role of the royal family itself. Private and modest in her personal life, as a public figure she was a stabilizing force over her seven decades on the throne.