DPRK rules out talks with US

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea ruled out resuming dialogue with the United States on Wednesday, and vowed to respond to any US aggression with nuclear strikes and cyber warfare.

UN forest program hits political snags

A United Nations program to curb deforestation and carbon emissions in Indonesia has improved forest management, but is being hampered by a "political economy based on forest destruction", a New Zealand researcher said on Wednesday.

Hacker arrested after game with police

A Japanese hacker who hijacked computers in order to issue death threats, leading to the arrest of several innocent people, was jailed on Wednesday after a game of cat and mouse with police.

Jordan executes jihadists after IS murder of pilot

Jordan hanged two Iraqi jihadists on Wednesday, including a female militant, in response to an Islamic State video appearing to show a captured Jordanian pilot being burned alive in a cage by the group.

Iran rejects US call for anti-terror cooperation

The Islamic Republic of Iran has rejected a United States call for anti-terror cooperation, a senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official was quoted as saying by Press TV on Wednesday. "The United States (recently) asked Iran for help in the fight against terrorism. However, we believe the US lacks sincerity (in its antiterror bid) as some of these terrorist groups are simultaneously supported by the US," Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs, Hossein Amir-Abdolla-hian, said on Tuesday.

7 die as commuter train hits SUV on tracks

A packed commuter train plowed into a sport utility vehicle on the tracks at a railroad crossing on Tuesday night, killing seven people, injuring several others and sending hundreds of passengers scrambling to get to safety as the front of the train and the SUV burst into flames.

President confident of receiving weapons aid

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said late on Tuesday he is confident the United States will send weapons to his country to help it fight rebels, a step the US could be considering.

Meeting to focus on rise in global crises

The Ukraine conflict, Islamic State group jihadists and the wider "collapse of the global order" will occupy the world's security community at an annual meeting in Germany starting on Friday.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Monopoly marks its 80th anniversary with real cash

There can't be a Monopoly fan in the world who has not dreamed of one day playing a round with real money.

Big Mac special sauce available for $18K

Fast-food giant McDonald's is giving Australians the opportunity to buy a special bottle of the sauce used on their famous Big Mac - for at least US$18,000.

KFC unleashes hot dog wrapped in chicken

Fast-food giant KFC has begun selling a hot dog wrapped in fried chicken instead of bread and covered in cheese sauce in the Philippines - to the horror of dietitians and the amusement of social media users.