Briefly

DPRK

Kim expresses regrets over killing of official

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's leader Kim Jong-un expressed regrets on Friday over the death of a missing official of the Republic of Korea, according to CGTN. Kim Jong-un sent a letter to his ROK counterpart Moon Jae-in, saying he feels "very sorry" and the incident should not have happened, a national security adviser of the ROK told a briefing. Kim said he wishes the confidence between the two nations is not damaged. The DPRK added that it had burned the floating device that the ROK man was on, not his body, the adviser said. The ROK on Thursday said the DPRK shot dead a missing ROK official and burned his body earlier this week.

UNITED STATES

Waiver renewed for Iraq to import power

The United States said on Thursday it had renewed a waiver for Iraq to import Iranian electricity, this time for 60 days to enable Baghdad to take "meaningful actions" to reduce its energy dependence on neighboring Teheran. The waiver will continue to exempt Iraq from US sanctions reimposed on Iran, hobbling its oil-dependent economy, after the US withdrew from world powers' 2015 nuclear deal. Washington has repeatedly extended the waiver for Baghdad to use crucial Iranian energy supplies for its struggling power grid, usually for periods of 90 or 120 days. Renewals for shorter periods, analysts said, could be one reflection of relations between the two countries that have been strained over repeated militant attacks on US forces stationed in Iraq that Washington has blamed on Iran, which denies this.

BRAZIL

Carnival delayed for first time in a century

Rio de Janeiro delayed its annual Carnival parade, saying on Thursday night the global spectacle cannot go ahead in February because of Brazil's continued vulnerability to the pandemic. Rio's League of Samba Schools announced the spread of the coronavirus has made it impossible to safely hold the traditional parades that are a cultural mainstay and, for many, a source of livelihood. Rio's City Hall has yet to announce a decision about the Carnival street parties that also take place across the city. But its tourism promotion agency said in a statement to The Associated Press on Sept 17 that without a coronavirus vaccine, it is uncertain when large public events can resume.

Agencies Via Xinhua