World News Briefs -- March 12, 2018 (Evening Edition)



Reuters: White House expects North Korea summit to happen despite Pyongyang's silence

The White House said on Monday it fully expects an unprecedented meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to take place, even though Pyongyang has yet to comment publicly on the possibility.

A South Korean delegation that visited North Korea last week said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed a wish to meet Trump and South Korea’s president to discuss denuclearisation. North Korean media has reported the South Korean visit, but no details of the talks.

Asked if the North Korean silence meant there was a chance the meeting between Trump and Kim would not take place, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said:

“We fully expect that it will. The offer was made and we’ve accepted. North Korea made several promises and we hope that they would stick to those promises and if so the meeting will go on as planned.

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MIDDLE EAST

Turkey will soon clear Syria's Afrin town of militants: government spokesman.

Hundreds flee Turkish advance on Afrin city: monitor.

U.S. pushes U.N. for Ghouta truce as Trump considers Syria options. U.S. warns if Security Council doesn't act on Syria, it will.

Syrian troops cut major roads in suburbs of Damascus.

Eastern Ghouta: At least 42 killed amid ongoing offensive. Syrian army gains ground in Eastern Ghouta.

More civilians leave Syrian rebel enclave as army advances.

US airstrikes in Syria drop by half as Kurds depart anti-ISIS fight.

2017 was the deadliest year of Syrian war for children, says Unicef.

Syria war has killed more than 350,000 in 7 years: monitor.

Four 'terrorists' killed in attack on Iran military checkpoint.

Saudi Arabia used abuse to seize billions during purge: NYT.

Turkish private jet crashes in Iran; all 11 aboard killed.

ASIA

Seoul sees North Korea caution in talks silence; Tillerson expects contact.

North Korean nuclear crisis at a crossroads: Xi Jinping urges Kim and Trump to fast track talks.

North Korean media hasn't reported summits with Seoul, U.S.. 'No response' yet from North Korea on talks with the US.

Most South Koreans welcome North Korea's change of heart but 64 percent doubt sincerity.

Afghan forces battle Taliban fighters in Farah province.

Myanmar builds military bases on the site of Rohingya homes and mosques – report.

Myanmar events 'bear hallmarks of genocide': UN expert.

Sri Lanka: UN condemns anti-Muslim violence.

At least 40 killed in Bangladeshi passenger plane crash on football pitch near Kathmandu airport.

India: Thousands of farmers march for more rights.

Shinzo Abe's wife's name removed from documents on suspected cronyism scandal. Japan: Shinzo Abe's political future in doubt as wife linked to cronyism scandal.

AFRICA

Nigerian presidency says to negotiate for release of 110 abducted Dapchi girls.

Congo opposition leader says will return home by June.

Tillerson shortens African tour over 'schedule demands'.

Chad, a counterterror ally, still smarting over travel ban.

Defeating Al-Shabaab first step for Somalia's stability: AMISON chief.

Libyan militias continue to benefit from external weapons support: UN Libya Experts Panel report.

Ethiopian military mistakenly kills 9 civilians.

At least 22 dead after cattle raid in South Sudan.

Sierra Leone presidential poll set for Julius Maada Bio and Samura Kamara run-off.

South African President Ramaphosa warns against land invasions.

EUROPE

Serb 'fear-mongering' ahead of Bosnia vote raises concern: security minister.

UK's May says 'highly likely' Russia behind nerve attack on spy.

Theresa May seeks answers in spy's poisoning at national security meeting.

UK lawmaker says spy poisoning looks to be ‘state-sponsored’.

Russia calls British PM's spy attack allegations a 'circus' - agencies.

Trump-Russia: Putin criticised for Jew election meddling comments.

Putin says he approved plan to shoot down plane in 2014.

EU lawmakers roast Juncker over 'stitch-up' promotion of aide.

EU 'will stand up to trade bullies'.

Slovakia's interior minister resigns amid uproar over investigative journalist's murder.

Austria marks 80 years since Nazi Germany annexation.

Lone attacker killed at Iranian ambassador residence in Vienna.

AMERICAS

Deadly blast in Texas believed linked to earlier explosion.

Trump to meet Saudi crown prince on March 20: White House.

Colombia election: Farc fails to win support in first national vote. Colombia: Opposing peace with FARC, conservatives make gains at the polls. Colombia: FARC performs poorly in first electoral test.

Chile: Conservative billionaire Sebastian Pinera returns to presidency.

Venezuela opposition asks U.N. not to send observers to May vote.

Sick Venezuelans flee to Colombia as refugee crisis worsens.

For poor Venezuelans, a box of food may sway vote for Maduro.

Cuba vote marks final chapter of Castro legacy.

Falklands: Argentinian soldiers' relatives to put names on graves.

New York helicopter crash: five dead after aircraft ditches in East river.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Tillerson ends Africa trip vowing US backing against terror.

ISIS militants raid by night, hide during the day in Kirkuk.

Islamic State claims bombing in Libya that killed 3.

Man seeks €1.8m in compensation for wrongful jailing over 9/11.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Nasdaq rises, Dow dragged down by tariff worries.

Canada's Trudeau accuses China of 'dumping' steel on global markets.

Saudi Aramco IPO delayed until 2019: report.

Elon Musk: SpaceX and Tesla alive 'by skin of their teeth'.

Trump says Commerce Secretary will talk tariffs with EU.

China’s steel, metals sector calls for retaliation over Trump tariffs.

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