IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Middle East

Kerry defends UN settlement move

Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday defended last week's move to allow the UN Security Council to declare Israeli settlements illegal, a spark that set off an extraordinary and deepening diplomatic spat between the US and its closest Middle East ally. Meanwhile, US president-elect Donald Trump accused the current administration of treating Israel with "total disdain" and promised his support when he is inaugurated on Jan 20.