World News Briefs -- February 25, 2018

Daily Mail: It really was the Peace Games! 'North Korea is ready to hold talks with US' as athletes from both countries march together and one of Kim Jong-un's key aides sits inches from Ivanka Trump at spectacular Winter Olympics closing ceremony

* Bronze medal winning Billy Morgan was the TeamGB flag bearer at the Olympics closing ceremony today
* The 28-year-old led out our 59 athletes out at end of the Britain's most successful ever Winter Games
* Closing ceremony, entitled 'The Next Wave', highlighted the Olympic spirit and present a message of peace
* Ivanka Trump and a North Korean spy chief blamed for deadly attacks on the host nation shared a box today
* Ivanka and Kim did not appear to interact when South Korean President Moon Jae-in shook hands today
* But it emerged North Korea was ready to hold talks with the US in what would be a significant development

Ivanka Trump sat within inches of a key Kim Jong-un aide at the spectacular Winter Olympics closing ceremony today as it emerged North Korea was ready to hold talks with the United States.

The First Daughter was seated near Pyongyang General Kim Yong Chol as the pair were both guests of honour of South Korean leader Moon Jae-in.

Kim is accused of masterminding the sinking of the South Koran war ship Cheonan that killed 46 sailors and the artillery bombardment of a South Korean island that killed four people.

And it has now been claimed North Korea is ready to open dialogue with the United States.

The Blue House, South Korea's presidential office, reported the news during the games' closing ceremony. It did not immediately have further details.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syrian regime bombs eastern Ghouta despite humanitarian truce: Monitor. Syria: fresh fighting in eastern Ghouta despite UN-ordered ceasefire.

Turkey says UN Syria ceasefire won't affect Afrin offensive.

Syrian Kurdish leader Salih Muslim arrested in Prague on Turkey's request.

At least 14 killed in attack on Yemen counter-terrorism base, Islamic State claims responsibility.

Deadly air attacks pound Houthi-held Hodayda.

Israeli navy kills Palestinian after boat breaches sailing limit, military says.

Christian leaders shut Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre church. Jerusalem: Christianity's 'holiest site' closed in protest.

Iran's new avant-garde mosque angers religious hardliners.

Detectives will interrogate Banjamin Netanyahu in two corruption cases this week.

US to open new embassy in Jerusalem in May.

ASIA

North Korea ‘very willing’ to hold talks with US. North Korea open to talks with United States, South Korea says.

North Korea calls new US economic sanctions 'act of war'.

Trump warns of military action with North Korea if sanctions don't work.

Defector: Desperate North Korea sees South as last lifeline.

China-North Korea trade falls to near four-year low in January as sanctions bite.

China to scrap presidential term limits, clearing way for Xi Jinping to rule indefinitely. Xi Jinping to cement his power with plan to scrap two-term limit.

China scare spreads to New Zealand.

Rohingya exodus still growing, six months into crisis.

Cambodia ruling party wins 'a lot of seats' in contentious vote.

Papua New Guinea to host APEC, biggest event in its history.

Large 7.5-magnitude earthquake hits Papua New Guinea.

AFRICA

Jihadist group claim Mali attack that killed two French soldiers.

Somalia al-Shabab: Deadly double car bombing near presidential palace. Somalia blasts death toll at 45, AMISOM explains clash with gov't troops.

DR Congo police fire on church-led, anti-Kabila demonstrators. DR Congo: At least one dead in latest anti-Kabila protests.

More than 100 schoolgirls missing after Boko Haram attack in Nigeria.

Scores on trial over failed Burkina coup.

Libya's NOC declares force majeure on 70,000 bpd El Feel oilfield.

Libya’s most trusted Gaddafi aide escapes assassination in South Africa.

Egypt freezes assets of leading government critic.

EUROPE

Putin, Merkel, Macron discuss Syria situation over phone - Kremlin.

Angela Merkel names CDU members of possible German cabinet.

CIA files 'reveal US spies kept tabs on Jeremy Corbyn's links to Soviet-backed El Salvadorian trade union which supported violent Marxist guerrillas'.

Latvian bank linked to N. Korea money laundering ordered closed.

Polish government freezes controversial Holocaust law.

Russians commemorate anniversary of slain politician Boris Nemtsov's death.

International Red Cross says 21 staff members paid for sexual services.

Triumphant Russian hockey team defies ban, sings national anthem after Olympic win (VIDEO). IOC: No Russian flag at Winter Olympics closing march.

AMERICAS

Trump-Russia: Democrats defend Russia inquiry in memo.

US governors fear for election security amid Russian cyberattacks.

'I have given amazing leadership': Broward County Sheriff refuses to resign amid criticism his officers didn't act on 911 calls made about the school shooter and makes bizarre comparison to OJ Simpson. 'It was as bad as you can imagine, times ten': Emotional cops reveal how they ran towards rampaging school shooter while four 'coward' sheriff deputies stayed outside and refused to go in.

Congress has ideas on gun violence, but no consensus.

Mexican hosts open 'difficult' new round of NAFTA talks.

Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto postpones his visit to the White House after Trump 'loses his temper' during a testy 50-minute phone call.

Fresh row over mysterious sickness affecting US diplomats in Cuba.

Colombia extradites 'Pablo Escobar of Ecuador' to US.

Julian Assange: Ecuador says latest talks on release failed.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Iraq sentences 16 Turkish women to death over IS ties.

ISIL claims deadly suicide car bombings in Yemen's Aden.

2 attacks thwarted & 3 mosques closed in terrorism crackdown – French interior minister.

‘Precursor to 9/11’: Trade center bomb echoes after 25 years.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

'Black Panther' again slays North American box office.

Microsoft fights US in high court to protect global business.

Berlin 'aware' of Geely buying stake in Mercedes maker.

Samsung Galaxy S9 focuses on the camera.

Warren Buffett: 'What counts are brains and capital'. Trump tax reform gives Buffett $29bn boost.