1. End ‘Business as Usual’ With North Korea: US to China
The US called on China to end “business as usual” with its ally North Korea after Pyongyang defied world powers by saying it had tested a hydrogen bomb. Meanwhile South Korea is preparing to retaliate by broadcasting propaganda across the border.
2. Iran-Saudi Arabia Rancour Worsens
Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia deteriorated even further as Tehran severed all commercial ties with Riyadh and accused Saudi jets of attacking its embassy in Yemen’s capital.
3. Two Middle East Refugees Arrested in US on Terrorism Charges
Two men from the Middle East who came to the US as refugees were arrested on federal charges in California and Texas involving international terrorism, US officials said on Thursday.
4. Some Taliban Factions Consider Joining Peace Process, Others Opposed
Some factions within the Afghan Taliban are considering taking part in a peace process that officials from Afghanistan and Pakistan aim to revive next week, several senior members said, in a softening of the militants’ recent stance against talks.
5. Taiwan Frets China Economic Noose Tightening as Polls Loom
In the run-up to Taiwan’s elections, state-linked Chinese firms launched a $3 billion cross-strait investment grab, sparking fears Beijing will use its economic clout to influence the island as it looks to vote in a president who favour independence.
6. In Besieged Syrian Town, Peace Talks Seen as Pointless
Warnings of widespread starvation are growing as pro-government forces besieged an opposition-held town in Syria and winter worsens, darkening the already bleak outlook for the peace talks the UN hoped to convene this month.
7. Paris Police Kill Man Armed with Meat Cleaver on Charlie Hebdo Anniversary
French police shot dead a man wielding a meat cleaver after he tried to enter a police station on the anniversary of the militant attack in Paris, shouting “Allahu akbar” (God is Greatest) and wearing what turned out to be fake suicide belt.
8. White House, Silicon Valley to Hold Summit on Militants’ Social Media Use
Senior White House officials and US intelligence and law enforcement figures will meet with Silicon Valley executives on Friday to discuss how to counter the use of social media by militant groups, sources familiar with the meeting said.
9. Volkswagen CEO to Hold High-Level Talks on Emissions Scandal
Volkswagen Chief Executive Matthias Mueller will meet with the top US environmental regulator next week for the highest-level talks since the German automaker admitted to using software to evade emissions requirements for 580,000 US vehicles.
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