Witkoff praises Putin as 'a humanitarian'

Witkoff Calls Putin 'a Humanitarian' — Peace Remains Elusive

On October 21, 2026, Steve Witkoff, special envoy of US President Donald Trump, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. The meeting came a day after Witkoff had sat down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo, Norway, making for a rapid diplomatic shuttle between the two sides.

At the opening of the talks, Putin announced the release of Steven Havard, a former American teacher who had been held in Russian-occupied Ukraine for four years. Witkoff responded by praising the Russian leader: 'My president Trump is praised as a humanitarian, and you are also a humanitarian. I respect and thank you.'

BBC Russia editor Steve Rosenberg noted that it was 'striking' for a US envoy to call Putin a humanitarian as Russia approaches nearly five years of war in Ukraine. Witkoff handed Putin the proposal that had come out of the Oslo discussions and asked him to 'read it carefully,' also proposing the resumption of technical-level trilateral talks among Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. Yet Rosenberg cautioned that Putin has shown no sign of compromise in his recent statements and expects pressure on Ukraine to increase as winter sets in — leaving prospects for peace as distant as ever. Economic cooperation, including a reported 'diesel deal' between the US and Russia, was also discussed.

Hungary's Former Central Bank Governor Arrested on Fraud Charges

In Hungary, György Matolcsy (ジェルジ・マトルチ), the former governor of the National Bank of Hungary, has been arrested on fraud charges. Matolcsy served as Finance Minister from 2010 to 2013 and then as central bank governor for twelve years, from 2013 to 2025, making him one of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's closest allies.

The charges, made public through his lawyer, include economic fraud causing serious financial harm, embezzlement, and the use of forged documents. Matolcsy himself has denied any wrongdoing. He was not detained alone: a lawyer and the owner of a construction company were also taken into custody at the same time. Prosecutors issued a statement saying they were conducting coordinated searches as part of an ongoing investigation that includes embezzlement.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar — who defeated Orbán in April's election and took office in May — confirmed the arrest on social media, writing: 'Holding those responsible for the abuses committed under the previous government is a priority. It will take time, but we will proceed according to the rule of law.' BBC global correspondent Joanna Caine observed that such a major arrest just six months into Magyar's tenure clearly signals his political priorities after campaigning on an anti-corruption platform.

UK Approves Jackdaw Gas Field Drilling in North Sea

After months of debate, the UK government has approved the development of the Jackdaw gas field, located 240 kilometres off the north-east coast of Scotland near Aberdeen. Officials said gas could begin flowing to homes and businesses by the end of this month, with the decision brought forward as a response to the energy crisis stemming from instability in the Middle East.

The government cited three main justifications: securing a domestic gas supply during the transition to renewables, preserving jobs in north-east Scotland, and directing gas tax revenues toward funding the renewable energy shift. Critics pushed back sharply. Tessa Khan of climate campaign group Uplift argued the field would 'do almost nothing' to lower energy prices or improve security, noting it amounts to just 3% of UK demand, and called the pursuit of new fossil fuel development 'incomprehensible' after a prolonged period of record heat. BBC UK political correspondent Rob Watson reported that the announcement drew applause from the opposition benches while the governing Labour Party's own MPs sat in silence — illustrating the sharp left-right divide the issue has opened.

Busan's Celebrity Shark 'Bukhangi' Finally Guided Back to Sea on Third Attempt

Bukhangi (부칸기), the shark that had strayed into the port of Busan, South Korea, and captured the public's imagination, has finally been guided back to open water on the third rescue attempt. After two previous efforts ended in failure, rescue teams spent eight hours coaxing the shark out through the harbor entrance and into the sea.

During its 33-day stay, Bukhangi drew more than 1.6 million visitors to the port, was named an official mascot of the city of Busan, and spawned a line of merchandise. However, the shark is a threatened species, had sustained a nose injury, and its health had been declining under the stress of bright lights, noise, and the pressure of tourist crowds — prompting marine biologists to push for its early return. BBC reporter Jake Kwon noted that, with ocean temperatures continuing to rise, the possibility of the shark returning to the port is not zero. Given that the first two rescue attempts both ended with the shark finding its own way back in, whether this operation has truly succeeded remains to be seen.