International
Ukraine assures that the first North Korean soldiers will be deployed on the war front in two days
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, warned this Friday citing information collected by his intelligence services, that the first North Korean soldiers who according to Seoul, Washington and Kiev already receive instruction in Russia will be sent with the Russian Army at the front in two days.
“According to intelligence information, on October 27 or 28 the first North Korean military will be deployed by Russia in combat zones,” Zelenski said after meeting with his military and security leadership.
“Obvious escalation” of Russia
The Ukrainian president described the alleged imminent deployment of North Korean soldiers on the front as an “obvious escalation” by Russia.
“The world has to do with it clearly what Russia really wants, which is the continuation of the war,” Zelenski said in his report of the meeting with his military leadership, published on his Telegram channel.
The Ukrainian president also called for “a forceful reaction” from the international community.
“The consummation of North Korea’s entry into combat actions should not be received with closed eyes and vague comments, but with tangible pressure on both Moscow and Pyongyang to respect the UN Charter and punish this escalation,” Zelenski said.
North Korean soldiers on the Kursk front
Both the United States and South Korea have confirmed that about 3,000 North Korean soldiers are already training in Russia to enter the war with the Russian Army.
According to Seoul intelligence, North Korea has decided to contribute up to 12,000 men to the Russian war effort.
Ukrainian sources say they have evidence of movements of North Korean soldiers from the Russian Far East, where they would have begun training, to the west of Russia, from where they would join the ranks of the Kremlin troops fighting against Ukraine.
According to some Kiev sources, the Russian oblast of Kursk – where Ukrainian troops control part of the territory – is the destination chosen for the first North Korean contingent to join the Russian Army.
“Compliance” with international law
Meanwhile, North Korea said that sending its troops to Russia “would comply with international law” if it occurred, in a statement from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs that is the first of the regime on the North Korean deployment allegedly destined for Ukraine.
“If something like what the international media talk about happens, I think it would be an action that complies with international legal norms,” Kim Jong-gyu, Deputy Foreign Minister in charge of Russia, said in a statement distributed by the state agency KCNA.
“I think there will surely be forces that want to present it as illegal,” Kim added in response to a question posed by a journalist from this official North Korean agency about the deployment of this country’s army in Russia, according to the KCNA.
“Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not participate directly in what the Ministry of Defense does and does not feel the need to confirm it separately,” said the deputy minister.
International
Air Canada suspends JFK flights amid soaring fuel costs linked to Iran conflict
Air Canada announced on Friday that it will suspend its flights from Montreal and Toronto to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport from June through late October, citing rising jet fuel costs driven by the conflict involving Iran.
“Since the beginning of the conflict with Iran, some routes and less profitable flights have become economically unviable, so we are making adjustments accordingly,” the airline said in a statement.
Despite the suspension, the carrier confirmed it will continue operating 34 daily flights from six Canadian cities to New York’s LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
Air Canada expects to resume its JFK operations after October 25.
Meanwhile, Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz amid a temporary ceasefire in the region. However, jet fuel shortages could persist even if the truce holds.
Fuel accounts for between 25% and 30% of operating costs for most airlines, and carriers worldwide have responded to the crisis by raising fares and suspending select routes due to safety and profitability concerns.
International
UK braces for potential CO₂ shortage amid Middle East tensions
The government of United Kingdom is preparing contingency measures amid fears of a potential shortage of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which could impact the agri-food industry if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, The Times reported on Thursday.
According to the newspaper, officials assessed this scenario during a recent crisis meeting aimed at evaluating the consequences of a prolonged conflict, triggered on February 28 by joint attacks from United States and Israel against Iran.
Under this scenario, CO₂ supplies—primarily a byproduct of fertilizer production using natural gas—could fall by up to 18%, affecting multiple sectors including agriculture and food production.
The gas is widely used in the slaughter of pigs and poultry, as well as in extending the shelf life of packaged foods. Breweries could also face disruptions due to reduced availability.
“I don’t want to comment on a leak, but now that the information is out there, I hope people feel reassured knowing we are working on it,” said Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in remarks to Sky News.
While a drop in CO₂ supply is not expected to cause major shortages in supermarkets, it could limit product variety, The Times noted, citing access to internal government documents.
To mitigate the impact, authorities are considering prioritizing CO₂ supply for critical sectors such as healthcare and civil nuclear energy, where it is used in cooling systems for blood reserves, organs, vaccines, and electricity generation. The government may also request domestic producers to increase output.
Central America
El Salvador and Paraguay approve 2026–2028 cooperation program
The governments of El Salvador and Paraguay approved the 2026–2028 Cooperation Program, which includes six joint development projects, according to Salvadoran Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Adriana Mira.
Mira stated that El Salvador will act as the “main provider of cooperation,” contributing five initiatives focused on road infrastructure, tourism, and local development. She also noted that one of the projects will be led by the Paraguayan side, although no further details were disclosed.
The agreement was reached during the Second Meeting of the Joint Commission on Technical and Scientific Cooperation between both countries.
According to Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the First Meeting of the Political Consultation and Bilateral Coordination Mechanism was also held, with the participation of Vice Minister Víctor Verdún.
In an official statement, the Paraguayan government reported that both delegations agreed to identify mechanisms to promote competitiveness, economic growth, and market access. They also committed to signing agreements related to air transport cooperation.
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