The US has asked Denmark, Finland, and Sweden to join the global fight against the IS. Media sources in each say they’ve each received a request. Finland’s minister of defence was quoted by Finnish state media outlet YLE as saying the request had come from the US embassy. Source: EUobserver
North and South Korea met on Monday to discuss the next steps in their pact to renew economic cooperation, with the North saying it wanted a “substantive outcome” from the talks, against the backdrop of U.S. concerns over their haste to warm ties. Source: Reuters
The UK and EU say key issues remain unresolved following unscheduled Brexit talks in Brussels. Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier met for more than an hour ahead of a crunch EU leaders’ summit this week. Mr Barnier tweeted that issues, such as how to avoid a hard border with Ireland, were “still open”. Source: BBC
Saudi Arabia on Sunday warned against threats to punish it over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last week, saying it would retaliate against any sanctions with tougher measures, as international criticism increased. “It would lead to Saudi Arabia’s failure to commit to producing 7.5 million barrels. If the price of oil reaching $80 angered President Trump, no one should rule out the price jumping to $100, or $200, or even double that figure,” he wrote. Source Fnancial Post
