IN BRIEF (Page 12)

United States

Trump denies 'deal' on dreamers, DACA

President Donald Trump on Thursday denied an assertion by Congress' top two Democrats that they reached an agreement with him that would preserve protections for young immigrants in the US illegally while providing border security enhancements, but not the southern wall he has coveted. "No deal was made last night on DACA," known as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Trump tweeted, contracting a characterization of a dinner on Wednesday by his guests, Senator Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

Iraq

At least 50 killed in twin attacks

At least 50 people including Iranians were killed on Thursday in twin gun and car bomb attacks in southern Iraq, officials said. Another 87 people were wounded in the attacks near Nasiriyah, capital of Dhiqar province, said health official Jassem al-Khalidi. The first attack struck close to a restaurant while shortly afterward a car bomb targeted a security checkpoint in the same area, officials said. Bomb attacks in southern Iraq, where the bulk of the country's oil is produced, are relatively rare. No group has claimed responsibility.

Russia

20,000 evacuated after bomb threats

More than 20,000 people were evacuated from more than 30 facilities in Moscow on Wednesday, following "almost simultaneous" anonymous phone calls with bomb threats, Russian news agencies reported. Police and sappers checked more than 30 facilities in Moscow, including three railway stations, major shopping malls and hotels in various parts of the city, Tass news agency reported. According to Russian news agency RIA Novosti, bomb threat calls were recorded in 22 cities in Russia in the last three days.

Korean Peninsula

ROK considering $8m in aid to DPRK

The Republic of Korea was considering $8 million of humanitarian aid to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea through international organizations, local media reports said on Thursday. An official told local reporters that the aid would be discussed next week during a meeting of the inter-Korean exchange and cooperation committee. If approved, it would be the first ROK humanitarian aid to the DPRK since the new government was launched in May.

AP - AFP - Xinhua

(China Daily 09/15/2017 page12)