Summary: US soldier Travis King crossed into North Korea last month, seeking refuge from alleged racism and mistreatment in the US Army . North Korea publicly acknowledges the incident, sharing their interpretation of Travis King 's motivations. The Pentagon cannot verify the claims made by North Korea regarding King's allegations. Travis King was facing legal issues in South Korea and expressed concerns about racism and mental well-being prior to his border-crossing . The case highlights complexities surrounding military personnel and cross-border situations. ...

Summary: 23-year-old Travis King fled to North Korea from the US Army, alleging mistreatment and racism . US military is skeptical of King's claims, given his background and the geopolitical context. King had recently been released from a South Korea n prison before allegedly crossing into North Korea . Travis King 's detainment raises concerns about North Korea 's potential motives and the response of US and South Korea n officials. The situation's complexity and geopolitical nuances contribute to the uncertainty surrounding King's eventual release. ...

Why the world was wrong about Putin | Analysis People are packing up in their cars. They're getting out of here. A few days before I found myself standing there on the edge of Kharkiv, watching those first tank shells hit into the apartment blocks in Saltyvka, my editor, Louis Emmanuel, had asked me to come up with something to be published on the day of the war, if the war began, explaining to readers why this was happening. And I was hoping it would never be published. It was, and the answer I came up with was, probably in the simple balance of power. I quote it, Russia's military is at its strongest and most capable since the Cold War. Its public finances are also in good order, and Mr Putin may believe he is well placed to bear the costs of the conflict and inevitable sanctions. We'll come back to that in a second. The West is conversely at a moment of historic econo...

Fleeing Russian soldiers on the rise as Ukraine troops advance in Bakhmut Now, the chief of Russia's Wagner mercenary group has said that President Zelensky was being deceptive after suggestions that Ukrainian forces had recaptured the city of Bakhmut. Yeah, he said that the situation on the flanks is shaping up according to the worst predicted scenario for Russia that is, so that signals more misery it would seem for Putin's troops. Well joining us this morning to help unravel these new developments is political reporter Stefan Boscher. Good morning to you Stefan, really good to have you with us and it does need unraveling this because we've had conflicting reports in the past few days about this spring offensive and movements being made by Ukraine in Bakhmut. That's right, some of the most movement was seen on a very stagnant Eastern front for a very long time now ov...

Imran Khan speaks after release: ‘This is a fight to the end for me’ Arriving at court amidst tight security and a charged atmosphere, Imran Khan. Pakistan's former Prime Minister faces dozens of legal cases, but dismisses them as politically motivated. His supporters went on the rampage after he was arrested earlier this week. In unprecedented scenes, they targeted buildings linked to Pakistan's military, which has long dominated political life. Khan's party denied that many believe the army helped bring him into power, then pushed him out and are now trying to prevent him from returning to office. But the Supreme Court ruled Khan's detention was illegal and today he was granted bail. Speaking to us, he struck a defiant tone. It seems as if the government, the military leadership, are going to keep launching cases, keep trying to arrest you. Look, let me just tell y...

Liberating Russian-targeted territories is Ukraine's top priority We can tackle any objects in Russian territory because Russia is aggressive against Ukraine and we have all moral and juridical right to do this. But for the moment, for us, it's more important to liberate our territories. So that is our priority aim. At least nine people died earlier today in a new wave of strikes across Ukraine, in which Russia used powerful weapons, including rare hypersonic missiles. Russia had reportedly not fired Kinzau hypersonic missiles, which can evade their defenses since the beginning of the conflict. And this latest barrage was the most severe to hit Ukraine for weeks, cutting power to the Zaporizhia nuclear plant, which is Europe's biggest. Well, earlier this evening, I spoke to Alexei Honcharenko, people's deputy of Ukraine, and former chairman of the Odessa Oblast Council...

Summary: An Australian Army helicopter and MRH 90 ditched near Hamilton Island during a two-helicopter mission, leaving four aircrew missing. Search and rescue operations are underway, and the families of the aircrew have been notified. Defense exercises are essential but come with inherent risks. The gravity of serving in the nation's uniform is deeply felt at this moment. Appreciation expressed for the assistance from various agencies, including the public and US allies. ...

Ukraine War: 'Putin is feeling more and more isolated' Well, Ukrainians are not losing it, and with the support they've had from the West, they will not lose it. The question is, can the Ukrainians win? The Russians are not going to win, but can the Ukrainians win? And if so, when? And of course, I think we all recognise, and particularly having listened to recently to President Zelensky, that until they get all the weaponry that they're asking for, main battle tanks, self-propelled artillery and the like, they won't be able to mount a proper counter-offensive and crack the Russians. So, long answer, I'm afraid, Kate, to a short question. Ukrainians will not lose this. The Russians cannot win it. What we have to do is help the Ukrainians to win on the battlefield. But we bring other pieces into this chess game, don't we? We bring in China, we bring in Belar...

Taylor Swift? BTS? Whose book is it?! For the moment, it's called 4C Untitled Flatiron Nonfiction Summer 2023, not the most engaging title to encourage book sales. And yet, this mystery memoir has reached the US top ten pre-order charts of both Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Fans of the singer Taylor Swift have speculated it could be her, despite no cast-iron proof of her involvement or any comments from the star herself. Something booksellers are only too keen to capitalize on. This teasing Instagram post from Skylark Bookshop says details of the memoir will be released on the 13th of June, and asks, which celebrity has an affinity for that number? Swifties will know that 13 is her lucky number. It is 544 pages long, 5 plus 4 plus 4 equals 13. It is not a political memoir, however Flatiron Books does a lot of political memoirs, including Joe Biden, Oprah Winfrey, so seems like th...

Summary: Niger 's President Mohammed Bazoum was removed from power in a coup led by military forces , citing deteriorating security conditions and bad governance . Supporters of the ousted president have gathered to call for his release and defend democracy . The coup complicates international efforts in combating the jihadist movement in the Sahel region . The United States and other nations have condemned the coup , urging for President Bazoum 's immediate release. ...