New York Times: South Korea Proposes Military Talks With North at Their Border
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea on Monday proposed holding military and humanitarian talks with North Korea, its first visible split with the Trump administration, which has said it will deal with North Korea’s continued missile tests by stepping up sanctions and military pressure on the country.
If the talks take place, they will be the first military-to-military dialogue since 2014. It is an attempt to ease tensions along a heavily armed border, and perhaps to arrange the resumption of reunions of families divided decades ago by the Korean War. But North Korea did not immediately respond, and such conversations have a dismal history since military officials on both sides are usually not empowered to negotiate significant agreements.
Nonetheless, the reaction of the North will be the first test of the pro-dialogue policy of South Korea’s liberal new president, Moon Jae-in, who argues that talks are the likeliest way to end the crisis over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program.
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MIDDLE EAST
US hits Iran with new economic sanctions. US sanctions more Iranians, but nuclear deal stands for now. US slaps new Iran sanctions over ballistic missiles, terrorism.
Cost of making western Mosul ‘liveable’ double previous estimates, UN warns.
UN envoy for Iraq warns against 'collective punishment' for IS families.
Lebanon army to act against militants near Syria border: PM.
Turkish and Kurdish forces clash in northern Syria, tensions rise.
Turkey extends state of emergency by three months.
Turkish court orders human rights activists held on terror charges.
Muslims again boycott holy site over Israeli security measures.
ASIA
New South Korea government proposes military talks with North. South Korea proposes rare military talks with North Korea.
White House: conditions for North Korea talks 'far away'.
Two Chinese coast guard vessels intrude into Japanese waters off Aomori Prefecture.
UN: Civilian deaths in Afghanistan hit new record high.
Five more injured along LoC as Pakistani Army issues stern warning to India over July 16 attack.
Duterte seeks to extend martial law amid ISIL threat.
Myanmar: UN probe 'can only aggravate' Rakhine tension.
Second Australian senator resigns after learning she's also Canadian.
AFRICA
U.N. urges east Libya army to probe executions, suspend commander.
Call for Boko Haram peace talks masks ethnic tensions.
Egypt vows to maintain blockade on Qatar.
South Sudan's president declares state of emergency in home state.
Facing multiple security crises, Congo's Kabila reshuffles police.
EU to restrict rubber boat sales to Libya to curb migrant smuggling.
Somalia internet returns after three-week blackout.
EUROPE
Little Russia: Ukraine separatists proclaim new state.
Chechnya becoming major player in rebuilding war-torn Syria.
Brexit talks begin in earnest with citizens’ rights in focus.
France moves above US and Britain to become the world's top 'soft power' with more non-military global influence than any other country following Macron election win.
Germany delays Israel submarine deal over graft probe: source.
Italy considers emergency visas to ease migrant strain.
Vatican court rejects motions to dismiss in hospital case.
AMERICAS
Trump blasts Congress over failure of GOP health care bill.
Trump threatens sanctions if Venezuela creates Constituent Assembly.
Venezuela opposition calls for general strike over Maduro plans.
Nearly 40,000 flee Canada forest fires.
California extends tough climate policy measures to 2030.
Large majority in new U.S. poll worries of major war.
Trump must release Mar-a-Lago visitor records, judge rules.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Five 'Islamic State' German women found in tunnel in Mosul.
New reports indicate ISIS leader still alive.
US, British volunteers battle IS in Syria’s Raqqa.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Lockheed Martin tops estimates on F-35 sales, raises outlook
Netflix now has 104 million subscribers worldwide.
US calls for smaller deficits in new NAFTA talks.
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