Reuters: North Korean leader was in delegation visiting Beijing: source
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was part of a secretive delegation that arrived in Beijing by train on Monday and left on Tuesday, according to a source familiar with the matter and foreign media reports.
The visit, which would be Kim’s first known journey abroad since he assumed power in 2011, was not announced by North Korea or China and has remained shrouded in mystery.
South Korea’s left-leaning Hankyoreh newspaper reported that Kim had traveled to Beijing for meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday afternoon before leaving for a “third location”, which could be in China, on Tuesday. It did not cite specific sources.
The conservative South Korean Chosun Ilbo newspaper, citing an unnamed senior intelligence official, said the delegation had included Kim, and that he had left to return to North Korea.
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MIDDLE EAST
US says clash averted with Russian mercenaries in Syria.
UN faces 'day of shame' over failed Syria truce: Haley.
Syrian troops mass around town as rebels refuse to leave.
Syria, Russia threaten new assault on holdout Ghouta town: sources.
Syria: Biggest convoy yet leaves eastern Ghouta as rebel evacuation gathers pace. 'Biggest' evacuation sees more than 6,700 people leave Ghouta.
Iran mocks Saudi threats but worries about destabilisation.
Half a million students drop out in Yemen war: UNICEF.
Qatar denies fresh UAE accusations of airspace violations.
Investigators again question Netanyahu over graft cases.
White House: Trump 'prepared to potentially withdraw' from Iran deal.
Israeli PM Netanyahu leaves hospital after tests.
ASIA
North and South Korean officials shake hands, share a Swiss toast.
High-level talks on Afghanistan to open in Uzbekistan.
North Korean official calls on U.S. to end sanctions, pressure.
US slams Pakistani firms with sanctions for nuclear trade.
Exclusive: Satellite images reveal show of force by Chinese navy in South China Sea.
U.N. chief 'shocked' by top Myanmar general's comments on Rohingya.
Japan's Abe 'not involved' in doctoring documents: key official.
Afghan clerics in talks with Isis to break polio vaccine myths.
Tiangong-1: China space station may fall to Earth 'in days'.
AFRICA
Drama as Kenya tries to deport opposition politician again.
Ethiopia’s ruling coalition names new chairman, set to be PM.
UN strengthens role of DR Congo mission in elections.
In war-torn C.Africa, Russia trains army in weapons use.
Egypt tries to boost voter turnout with incentives, threats.
Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood banned from politics.
Egyptians vote in second day of election.
Four top activists held after Niger protest violence.
Niger ambassador to Libya denies presence of Nigerian rebels in Libya.
Nelson Mandela's golden hand casts sell for $10m in bitcoin.
EUROPE
Expert says Brexit campaign used data mined from Facebook.
Serbia-Kosovo tensions heighten as Russia wades into dispute.
NATO joins wave of Russian diplomat expulsions.
Which countries are expelling Russian diplomats?
Russia vows to answer U.S. 'blackmail' over diplomats' expulsion.
Six countries are ‘planning state boycotts of the 2018 World Cup in Russia to show solidarity with Britain’.
Rescue workers conclude search operation at scene of shopping mall fire in Kemerovo. Kemerovo fire: Russia crowd condemns officials over disaster.
‘One wants not to cry, but wail': Putin visits scene of Kemerovo mall inferno (VIDEO). Siberian shopping centre fire 'criminal negligence', President Vladimir Putin says.
German court extends Carles Puigdemont detention.
Turkish court rules to keep 2 Greek soldiers in jail after EU calls for their release.
Serb party quits the Kosovo government.
EU must be more open with US about defense goals, Finnish official warns.
AMERICAS
Facebook's Zuckerberg to testify before U.S. Congress: source.
Arrest over suspicious packages sent to US military bases, CIA.
Cuba's Communist Party admits errors, slowdown in reforms.
Mexico, US tout cooperation as homeland security secretary visits.
Fight! Lawyers duke it out over Trump in Russia, porn star cases.
Trudeau to Trump: Canada will block backdoor steel shipments.
Families of fallen Argentine soldiers visit Falklands graves for first time.
US census: pledge to add citizenship question prompts outcry.
Brazil's Dilma Rousseff condemns Netflix over corruption series.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Afghan envoy says terrorism continues to spread from Pakistan.
Bombs disguised as rocks in Yemen reportedly show Iran aid.
Islamic State regrouping in Iraqi, Kurdish disputed territories.
American who escaped Nusra captivity complains FBI 'lied' to and 'betrayed' him.
ISIS killer carried out supermarket rampage after he was summoned to meet anti-terror cops, it emerges, as France prepares to say farewell to hero policeman who died saving hostages.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Wall Street closes sharply lower, tech leads late selloff.
Apple aims to school rivals with new iPad, education apps.
Trump discusses China trade with Merkel, Macron: White House.
UK MPs demand Zuckerberg testify on data row after he offers deputy. Data row: Facebook's Zuckerberg will not appear before MPs.
Petro-yuan helps Russia & China dump US dollar in oil trade.
Saudi Aramco chief says IPO on track for 2018.
Stocks surge on receding trade war fears.
