Briefly

IRAN

Supreme leader rules out nuke talks with US

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Tuesday warned against nuclear negotiations with the United States under the present circumstances, saying it will not serve Iran's national interests. "Under the present circumstances, negotiation with the US government is, first, of no help to our national interests, fails to have any benefit for us and will not prevent any loss," Khamenei said in a televised address. He added that it would even lead to "major" losses for Iran, some of which could be "irreparable".Khamenei said the US side had determined the final result of negotiations in advance by demanding the cessation of nuclear activities and uranium enrichment in Iran, stressing that such a process was not negotiation but "dictation and imposition".

SOUTH KOREA

Ex-first lady goes on trial in corruption case

South Korea opened a criminal trial Wednesday for the wife of impeached former president Yoon Suk-yeol, marking the first time an ex-first lady has faced trial, after her husband was removed from office over a martial law bid. Kim Keon-hee was arrested in August on a range of charges, including stock manipulation and corruption. She appeared in person at the Seoul Central District Court, escorted by guards. Dressed in a dark suit with her hair tied back, the former first lady wore a badge on her chest bearing her inmate number: 4398. The case means South Korea now has both a former president and a former first lady simultaneously facing criminal proceedings. Kim has long faced scrutiny, with lingering questions about her alleged role in stock manipulation.

Agencies - Xinhua