Reuters: Trump says U.S. having direct talks with North Korea about summit
PALM BEACH, Fla. (Reuters) - President Donald Trump disclosed on Tuesday that the United States is having direct talks at “extremely high levels” with Pyongyang to try to set up a summit between him and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump made the acknowledgement during a picture-taking session with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as they opened two days of talks at the president’s Mar-a-Lago retreat in Palm Beach, Florida, which is to include a round of golf.
Abe obtained an agreement from Trump to bring up the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea during any summit.
Trump said U.S. officials are looking at five different locations for a late-May or early-June meeting with Kim. Asked if any of those were in the United States, Trump said ‘no’.
He did not identify who on the U.S. side was talking to the North Koreans.
Read more ....
MIDDLE EAST
U.S. says chemical arms inspectors still have not entered site of Syrian attack.
U.S., Syria give conflicting accounts on global chemical weapons experts.
Russia: Chemical inspectors allowed access to Syria attack site. Syria 'chemical attack': OPCW investigators to be allowed into Douma.
France says Syria attack evidence 'highly likely' to 'disappear'.
Syrian forces targeting Homs and Qalamoun near Damascus. Syrian army shells jihadist enclave near Damascus: pro-Assad commander.
Assad prepares to assault last rebel enclave near Damascus.
Syria's air defence system 'malfunction' causes confusion.
In Syria's Raqqa, corpses still lie in the rubble.
U.N. Yemen mediator to come up with talks framework in two months. UN to launch new Yemen peace roadmap within two months.
Hamas leader says open to Israel prisoner deal.
Israel pauses on Memorial Day to remember the dead.
Palestinians protest to support prisoners in Israeli jails.
ASIA
Trump gives 'blessing' to Korea peace treaty talks.
More pressure needed on Myanmar to take back Rohingya: Bangladeshi PM.
Vietnam hunts ex-intelligence agents over 'leaking state secrets'.
IMF sees emerging Asia as top global growth engine.
Two Koreas discuss official end to 68-year war, report says.
Defector: North Koreans face chronic food shortages.
South Korean culture minister finds Kim Jong Un open, humorous.
Taiwan leader says island secure ahead of China drills.
Myanmar grants amnesty to 8,500 prisoners.
Japan signals interest in China's One Belt, One Road initiative.
China logs solid growth despite trade row.
China to relax foreign ownership limits on cars, other industries.
Unit 731: Japan discloses details of notorious chemical warfare division.
AFRICA
Nigeria's President Buhari will meet Trump in Washington.
UAE stops training Somalia’s military after cash seizure.
Nigerian police, Shiite protesters clash for second day.
Nigeria's Senate seeks explanation of $462 million to buy helicopters.
UAE shuts Mogadishu hospital amid tension with Somali government.
DRC violence: Ituri's displaced fear returning home.
DR Congo president sacks 256 judges for not having law degrees.
Nigeria: Shrinking Goronyo dam threatens livelihood of millions.
Egypt’s mufti issues fatwa against buying Facebook ‘likes’.
EUROPE
Britain's Corbyn under fire over anti-Semitism in parliament.
US flights diverted as Russia permissions to expire.
U.S., Britain warn of Russian cyberattacks in rare joint alert.
Putin to Merkel: US, allies' 'aggression' in Syria violates international law.
France's Emmanuel Macron calls for revival of EU democracy. France's Macron: EU in 'civil war' over democracy.
Armenia parliament swears in new PM despite protests.
Russian spy: Skripal poison 'was in liquid form'.
Spain: Catalan activists defiant despite crackdown.
Romanian prosecutors indict ex-leader for revolution deaths.
British PM apologises to Caribbean leaders over deportation row.
AMERICAS
The Supreme Court just handed the Trump administration a loss on immigration — and Gorsuch was the tiebreaking vote.
One dead after engine failure forces Southwest emergency landing in Philadelphia.
Trump and Melania to dine with Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe at Mar-a-Lago for summit on 'security and trade'.
Trump scraps new sanctions against Russia, overruling advisers.
Officials: California 'not participating' yet in Trump's border protection push.
Trump criticizes California governor on troops at border.
Younger party official faces test as Cuba’s next president.
Under military rule, Venezuela oil workers quit in a stampede.
Rebel groups fight over coca-growing region in Colombia.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Pentagon warns of IS resurgence in regime areas of Syria.
A 10-minute trial, a death aentence: Iraqi justice for ISIS suspects.
Iraq: Women with suspected links to 'IS' suffer sexual abuse, Amnesty says.
Yemen's Houthis release 18 Al-Qaeda fighters.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Wall Street rises on earnings hopes, Netflix soars.
Starbucks to shut US stores for 'racial-bias education'.
IMF predicts stronger growth but warns of risks.
Exclusive: China seeks trade firewall with U.S. allies in rush of ambassador meetings - sources.
Tesla halts production of Model 3 for second time this year.
