IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Korean Peninsula

Neighbors to hold talks on border

The Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea agreed on Friday to hold working-level talks early next week to schedule the joint survey of roads across the DPRK-ROK border, according to the ROK's unification ministry. Lee Eugene, deputy spokesperson of the unification ministry, told a regular media briefing that the second round of the joint road research meeting will be held on Monday at the inter-Korean liaison office in the DPRK's border town of Kaesong.

Republic of Korea

Moon sacks finance minister, policy chief

President Moon Jae-in sacked his top two economic officials on Friday, the government said, as the world's 11th-largest economy struggles with slowing growth, rising unemployment and persistent income gaps. Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon and presidential chief of staff for policy Jang Ha-sung had both been replaced, top Blue House spokesman Yoon Young-chan said in a televised statement. The pair had reportedly been at odds with each other.

United States

Wildfire ravages California town

A fast-moving wildfire that ravaged a Northern California town on Thursday sent residents racing to escape on roads that turned into tunnels of fire as thick smoke darkened the daytime sky, wiping out what a Cal Fire official said was a couple of thousand structures. Harrowing tales of escape and heroic rescues emerged from Paradise, where the entire community of 27,000 was ordered to evacuate. Witnesses reported seeing homes, supermarkets, restaurants, schools and a retirement home up in flames.

US, Mexico, Canada to sign trade pact

Cabinet ministers from the United States, Mexico and Canada will sign a new trade agreement on Nov 30, Mexico's economy minister said on Thursday. The deal will be signed in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo told reporters at an event in Mexico City. Argentina is hosting the G20 international forum for governments and central bank governors. It was yet to be determined whether the presidents and prime minister will participate in the signing, Guajardo said.

Australia

One dead, two hurt in Melbourne attack

A knife-wielding man stabbed two people, one fatally, in Australia's second-largest city on Friday in an attack likely linked to terrorism, police said. The attack during the afternoon rush hour brought central Melbourne to a standstill. Police said the man got out of a vehicle, which then caught fire, and attacked three bystanders with a knife before being shot by police. The suspect died later at a hospital. One of the victims also died and the two others were hospitalized.

Xinhua - AFP - AP - Reuters

(China Daily 11/10/2018 page11)