Wednesday, December 13, 2017

World News Briefs -- December 13, 2017 (Evening Edition)



Reuters: Despite Tillerson overture, White House says not right time for North Korea talks

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - No negotiations can be held with North Korea until it improves its behaviour, a White House official said on Wednesday, raising questions about U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s offer to begin talks with Pyongyang any time and without pre-conditions.

“Given North Korea’s most recent missile test, clearly right now is not the time,” a White House official told Reuters.

Tillerson said on Tuesday the United States was “ready to talk any time North Korea would like to talk,” appearing to back away from a key U.S. demand that Pyongyang must first accept that any negotiations would have to be about giving up its nuclear arsenal.

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MIDDLE EAST

UN chief: Iran may be defying UN on missiles, OK on nukes.

US to present evidence Iran is providing missiles to Yemen rebels.

Russian, Syrian jets hit Aleppo, Damascus countryside.

Syrian opposition seeks direct Geneva talks with regime.

Houthis: Saudi-led raid kills prisoners in Sanaa. Yemen war: Air strikes on rebel prison in Sanaa 'kill 30'.

Israeli military strikes Hamas in Gaza in response to rocket fire.

Istanbul hosts summit against Trump’s Jerusalem recognition.

OIC declares East Jerusalem as Palestinian capital.

Press freedom index: Turkey remains world's worst jailer of journalists.

Palestinian leader says Trump's Jerusalem 'crime' prevents U.S. peace role. Palestinian president says no role for US in peace process.

Saudi King Salman says determined to confront corruption.

ASIA

Chinese, South Korean leaders meet hoping to smooth tensions.

Despite Tillerson overture, White House says not right time for North Korea talks.

Philippines extends martial law for one year in restive Mindanao amid fears of IS resurgence.

UN official says North Koreans agree on importance of avoiding war.

Tillerson says U.S. ready to talk to North Korea; Japan wants pressure.

Russia welcomes US pledge to drop preconditions on North Korea talks.

H.R. McMaster: Time running out for China on North Korea.

China gathering blood, DNA and iris scans for massive database of millions in Muslim province.

Presumed North Korean ghost ship washes ashore in northern Japan.

China marks 80th anniversary of Nanjing massacre.

AFRICA

Guinea-Bissau opposition rejects president's crisis talks plan.

E.Guinea intercepts Gabon-bound boat carrying 205 migrants.

UAE, Saudi Arabia join G5 Sahel force summit in Paris.

France seeks ways to boost anti-jihadi force in Africa.

Boko Haram displaced get ID cards in Nigeria.

Rwanda-backed report alleges France’s role in 1994 genocide.

Wanted Sudan leader Bashir attends Turkey's Islamic summit.

Global companies snared in South Africa’s corruption scandal.

Shyma: Egyptian singer jailed over music video inciting debauchery.

EUROPE

British Prime Minister Theresa May loses key Brexit vote.

EU parliament backs starting next phase of Brexit talks.

Brexit: May stands firm over Commons vote demands.

Germany's Angela Merkel and SPD start grand coalition talks.

Catalan secessionists face steepest challenge in Barcelona's bruised beltway.

Kremlin calls U.S. allegations of subversive activity 'groundless'.

More Russians want to vote for Putin, poll shows.

German soldier charged with plotting to kill politicians while posing as refugee.

Greek court orders extradition of Russian Bitcoin suspect to US.

AMERICAS

GOP says it’s got a deal on taxes; cuts coming for next year.

Democrat Jones wins stunning red-state Alabama Senate upset.

Trump Jr. to appear before Senate Intelligence Committee Wednesday.

Canada says defense firms can now sell small arms to Ukraine.

Canada cautions Boeing amid trade row.

Argentina: DNA reunites thousands after 'Dirty War'.

Joshua Holt: Venezuela court rules US man to be tried on weapons charges.

Venezuela’s opposition, prisoners win EU human rights award.

California hills appear to be covered with lava in apocalyptic scenes as wildfires grow to five times the size of DC and 8,000 firefighters battle to contain them.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Bombing underscores NYC subway system’s vulnerability.

Men due to leave Gitmo under Obama seem stuck under Trump.

New York bombing suspect Akayed Ullah warned Trump on Facebook.

LinkedIn hosted jihadist lectures, Blair institute reveals.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US stocks indexes close mostly higher after Fed rate hike.

Fed lifts rates but 2018 policy outlook unchanged.

Google to open artificial intelligence centre in China.

Disney set to seal $60bn 21st Century Fox takeover.

Facebook hits back at former executive's claims the company is 'destroying how society works'.

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