IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Russia

Kremlin ready for DPRK-US talks

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Russia stands ready to act as a mediator between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States in talks aimed at reducing tensions, if both parties are willing for Moscow to take on this role. "Russia's readiness to clear the way for de-escalation is obvious," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a phone call with reporters.

European Union

Brexit deal 'could be a template'

An EU agreement with Britain on relations after Brexit could serve as a model for ties with other countries that want to be as close as possible to the bloc but are not yet ready to join, such as Ukraine and Turkey, Germany's Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said on Tuesday. He said such a deal could offer a solution to the puzzle of how the bloc of 27 member states can manage its ties with two other large nonmembers.

Middle East

Girl in custody for kicking soldiers

An Israeli court on Monday extended the custody of a Palestinian girl who became a national Palestinian heroine after she was caught on video kicking Israeli soldiers in her West Bank village. The court remanded Ahed Tamimi in custody for an additional four days. On Dec 15, Tamimi and another girl approached the soldiers outside their home and told them to leave. Tamimi then pushed and kicked the soldiers.

Cuba

Nearly 40 injured in fireworks explosion

A fireworks explosion injured 39 people, including six children between the ages of 11 and 15, during a popular Cuban carnival on Christmas Eve, state-run media reported on Monday. The centuries-old Parrandas festival in the central town of Remedios takes place every Dec 24 and draws thousands of Cubans and some tourists. All the injured appeared to be local residents.

Morocco

Miners' deaths spark massive protest

Thousands of people protested in the eastern Moroccan city of Jerada on Monday over the death of two young men in a coal mine. The victims, two brothers aged 23 and 30, died on Friday while clandestinely digging in an abandoned mine, sparking a wave of anger in Jerada, which has long been dependent on mining. The wave of protest started on Friday with anger against what the families of the victims and local residents called "delay in the extraction of the two bodies from the well and the lack of adequate equipment of rescue workers".

(China Daily 12/27/2017 page12)