Announcements of new weapons purchases by Japan and South Korea are largely recycled pledges, and the sledding is poised to get even tougher in China on Wednesday.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's flattery of President Trump shows signs of paying dividends.

The First Daughter arrives in Japan ahead of a state visit by the President on Sunday / the US cracks down on the Bank of Dandong.

The US turns back the clock on its Cuba policy at the UN and South Korea observes activity at one of North Korea's missile launch sites.

The US is actively engaged in direct talks with North Korea, despite President Trump saying such efforts are worthless / The leader of Iraqi Kurdistan resigns

Catalonia's former leader flees to Belgium / did a September nuclear test in North Korea trigger the collapse of a cave complex? / New Zealand considers a new climate refugee visa category.

Catalonia's president to be charged with 'rebellion' / Russia's long-term military plans in Syria / and Saudi women can attend sporting events beginning next year.

All bets are off as Catalonia formally declares independence from Spain / Russia throws financial lifeline to Venezuela / rumors of a 'ceasefire' between the Iraqi army and Kurdish fighters

Rex Tillerson says Assad's regime is coming to an end / a pneumonic plague sweeps through Madagascar / new research challenges the conventional wisdom on ancient ocean temperatures.

Saudi Arabia's crown prince announces an ambitious project to create a city on the Red Sea to rival Abu Dhabi and Dubai in attracting top business talent from around the world.