North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches the launch of a Hwasong-12 missile, September 16. KCNA via REUTERS
Reuters: U.S. military warns against getting hopes up over North Korean overture
SEOUL (Reuters) - The head of U.S. forces in South Korea warned on Thursday against raising hopes over North Korea’s peace overture amid a war of words between the United States and the reclusive North over its nuclear and missile programs.
In a New Year address, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he was open to dialogue with U.S. ally South Korea and could send a delegation to the Winter Olympics to be held in the South in February.
Kim also warned that he would push ahead with “mass producing” nuclear warheads, pursuing a weapons program in defiance of U.N. Security Council sanctions.
In response, Seoul on Tuesday proposed high-level talks at a border village and on Wednesday, the two Koreas reopened a border hotline that had been closed since February 2016.
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MIDDLE EAST
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Iranian diplomat charges US with inciting protests.
Israelis watch closely as Iran protests.
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Thousands displaced by fighting in Syria's Idlib.
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Trump threat to cut Palestine aid could 'unravel Oslo'.
Qataris 'barred' from pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
ASIA
Pakistani military talks of 'response' to any US action.
Japan says North Korea poses biggest threat since World War II. North Korea the greatest threat to Japan since WWII, Shinzo Abe says.
Chinese and Japanese media: N. Korea aims to weaken S.Korea-U.S. alliance.
'Anything to report?': Korean hotline reopens with little to say between foes.
S. Korea: No sign of imminent North Korean provocation.
Trump takes credit for talks between two Koreas.
S. Korea's ex-President took bribes from spy agency for personal bills.
South Korean president apologizes to Japan's sexual slavery victims over 2015 deal.
Myanmar president calls for reform of nation's military-drafted constitution.
AFRICA
Equatorial Guinea says attempted 'coup' thwarted.
Sudan extends ceasefire with rebels through end-March - SUNA agency.
Algerian police violently disperse doctors' protest.
Ethiopia says it will free all political prisoners.
South Africa train crash: Multiple fatalities reported.
'Twice as many die' in Africa after surgery.
EUROPE
Iran protests: EU treads carefully as Trump lashes out.
Germany insists UN peacekeeping mission should be deployed across Donbass.
Norway suspends arms exports to UAE amid Yemen conflict.
Iceland equal pay law comes into effect in bid to close gender gap.
Emmanuel Macron promises ban on fake news during elections.
Council leader calls for beggars to be removed before UK royal wedding.
Deadly storm blasts across Europe, killing three.
AMERICAS
'Bomb cyclone': Explosive winter storm hits US.
Trump blasts Bannon over book, says ex-aide 'lost his mind'.
Mark Warner says Steve Bannon should testify.
Donald Trump-Steve Bannon spat: President's lawyers issue legal threat.
Donald Trump disbands his own voter fraud commission.
Mexico's presidential race chaotic as independents join the race.
Chile: Pinochet-era secret police jailed over activist murder.
Canadian veterans demand accountability over medication.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
2017: A record year for U.S. counterterrorism strikes.
Pentagon: Two militants dead in Somali airstrike.
US Commandos raid ‘Red Unit’ in ongoing campaign against Taliban financial network.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Natural disasters cause record costs for insurers in 2017.
The world's biggest YouTube stars are seeing a massive slowdown.
Bitcoin: Bank of America division bans investments.
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