Noontime News Recap: Black Sea shipping hit as Iran and Russia tighten ties, Germany's AfD hacked
The European Union says suspected Russian drone strikes have hit civilian shipping in the Black Sea six times in 10 days, raising fresh alarm over attacks on commercial vessels and the safety of sea lanes in the region. đź”—In Tehran, Iran said it and Russia were working more closely than ever after talks focused on expanding economic and nuclear cooperation during a visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. đź”—Germany's Alternative for Germany party has been hit by a major cyber breach, with hackers reportedly accessing email accounts linked to members and stealing more than 421,000 messages. đź”—Storm Austen is... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews Recap | 20 Oct 2026 12:25 LONDON
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South Korea to pull more embassy staff from Ukraine after POW row
South Korea says it will withdraw additional embassy personnel from Ukraine after Kyiv failed to provide what Seoul described as a constructive response to a dispute over two captured North Korean soldiers. The move comes after an earlier decision this month to recall South Korea's ambassador from Kyiv, deepening a diplomatic row linked to the war in Ukraine. A charge d'affaires will remain in the Ukrainian capital, along with consular staff, to keep diplomatic and citizen services operating.The South Korean foreign ministry said it had conveyed its position to Ukraine through multiple channels, but had not received a sufficient reply.... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 20 Oct 2026 11:32 LONDON
Hegseth makes undisclosed Israel visit and meets Netanyahu ahead of election
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has made an undisclosed visit to Israel and met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a report citing sources familiar with the trip. The meeting took place on Monday, with no immediate public confirmation from either side. The visit comes just days before a closely contested parliamentary election in Israel.The report said the trip was not announced in advance and that the Pentagon and Israel's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. There was also no immediate indication of what the two men discussed. The account said the meeting involved Hegseth... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 20 Oct 2026 01:29 LONDON
Germany and Iran trade diplomatic summonses after Hamburg court plot convictions
Germany and Iran have exchanged diplomatic summonses after a Hamburg court convicted two men over an alleged Tehran-linked plot to kill two prominent German Jewish figures. The case has intensified a row between Berlin and Tehran, with each side rejecting the other's accusations. The dispute centres on findings by the German court that the men were involved in planning attacks against the leaders of two Jewish organisations in Germany.Iran's foreign ministry summoned Germany's ambassador, Axel Dittmann, after Berlin had already summoned Iran's ambassador, Majid Nili Ahmadabadi. Tehran accused Germany of making what it called baseless political allegations and said the... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 20 Oct 2026 00:59 LONDON
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US embassies issue coordinated Middle East security alerts over escalation risk linked to Iran and Yemen
US embassies across the Middle East have issued coordinated security alerts warning citizens in 12 countries to prepare for possible disruption linked to rising regional tensions. The warnings cover Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Iran. They advise US citizens to exercise heightened vigilance amid concerns that military escalation could affect travel and security across the region.The alerts warn of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and wider travel disruption. They say the risk is tied to Yemen's Houthis and Iran, and that hostilities could spread rapidly beyond the immediate area.... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 19 Oct 2026 13:29 LONDON
Vanuatu expects China police presence to fall over time after Australia deal
Vanuatu says it expects China's police presence in the country to reduce over time after signing the Nakamal Agreement with Australia. The statement marks a notable shift in the Pacific nation's security relationships and comes as Canberra seeks to deepen its role in regional policing and defence ties. The development is being watched closely because it touches on wider competition for influence in the Pacific.The agreement was signed in June after months of negotiations, and Vanuatu's position was set out publicly on 19 October. Prime Minister Jotham Napat said the country is yet to approve an increase in Australian police... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 19 Oct 2026 07:38 LONDON
Russia explores mediation as Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions continue
Russia is positioning itself as a possible mediator between Pakistan and Afghanistan as cross-border tensions continue and both sides have exchanged fire over the past year. Russian officials held separate meetings in Rawalpindi and Kabul on October 14, adding to signs that Moscow is trying to insert itself into a dispute that earlier regional efforts have not resolved. The talks come after repeated strikes into Afghan territory and a series of ceasefire attempts led by other regional powers.In Rawalpindi, Russia's interior minister, Vladimir Kolokoltsev, met Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. At the same time, Sergey Naryshkin, the director... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 16 Oct 2026 15:33 LONDON
Russia detains Swedish national and Japanese journalist amid prisoner-swap talk
Russian authorities have detained a Swedish national in the Pskov region and a Japanese journalist on Sakhalin Island, according to the Federal Security Service. The two arrests were announced as former president Dmitry Medvedev called for Moscow to replenish its pool of Western citizens for possible future prisoner exchanges. The cases add a new cross-border dimension to Russia's handling of foreign nationals amid the war in Ukraine and wider tensions with countries seen by Moscow as unfriendly.The security service said the Swedish citizen was arrested in the Sebezh district of Pskov region, close to the borders with Belarus and Latvia.... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 15 Oct 2026 12:02 LONDON
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Alleged Chinese spy network used LinkedIn to target more than 100 Australians
An alleged Chinese spying network used LinkedIn to approach more than 100 people linked to Australia, according to an investigation based on records obtained by the Australian Federal Police. The targets included former Queensland premier Steven Miles, an AFP commander and several senior federal officials. The network is also linked to the case of businessman Alexander Csergo, who became the first person convicted under Australia's foreign interference laws.The investigation says two LinkedIn accounts connected to suspected Chinese spies amassed thousands of connections worldwide and used profiles presenting themselves as think-tank representatives. Between 2016 and 2025, the accounts targeted Australians working... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 14 Oct 2026 20:04 LONDON
Shadows of Fire: The Long Arc of Iran–United States Tensions
A Region on Edge: The Latest Escalation In recent months, tensions between Iran and the United States have intensified once again, fueled by disputes over regional security, nuclear development, maritime incidents in the Persian Gulf, and the broader strategic balance in the Middle East. Officials in Washington have expressed renewed concern over Iran’s uranium enrichment levels, while leaders in Tehran have accused the United States of economic warfare through sanctions and diplomatic isolation. The fragile equilibrium that followed earlier rounds of indirect negotiations appears increasingly strained, with both sides engaging in sharp rhetoric at the United Nations, reinforcing military postures... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews-Opinion | 19 Feb 2026 08:49 LONDON
