David Shadrach

Matthew Petersen: Quiz-flunking Trump judge nominee withdraws US President Donald Trump's latest judiciary nominee has withdrawn his name after failing to answer basic legal questions at his Senate confirmation hearing. Video of Matthew Petersen's embarrassing encounter went viral. "It has become clear to me over the last few days that my nomination has become a distraction," Mr Petersen wrote in a letter. Mr Petersen was nominated as a federal judge in the District of Columbia. Mr Trump had accepted his offer to withdraw, the White House said. Mr Peterson, a Republican member of the Federal Election Commission, is the latest of Mr Trump's conservative judicial nominations to fail. At the hearing, Mr Peterson stumbled over questions asked by Republican Senator John Kennedy. The exchange Senator Kennedy starts by asking Mr Petersen and the four other nominees who appeared with him: "Have any of you not tried a case to verdict in a courtroom?" Only Mr Pete...

US blames N Korea for cyber attack that wreaked havoc worldwide NEWS / POLITICS  North Korea Politics The Trump administration is blaming North Korea for a cyber attack in May that affected more than 150 countries across the world. The so-called WannaCry virus crippled hospitals, banks and other major businesses. It is not the first time Washington has blamed Pyongyang for a major cyber attack.

S Korea security drills help prepare for Winter Olympics NEWS / SOUTH KOREA  Asia Pacific South Korea Politics, The Winter Olympic games in South Korea are just over 50 days away, and security is a major concern after North Korea tested another intercontinental ballistic missile just last month. US and South Korean Marines have been conducting military drills designed to enhance combat readiness in freezing conditions. Kathy Novak reports from Pyeongchang.

Reporters Without Borders: At least 65 media workers killed in 2017 NEWS / UNITED KINGDOM  Europe United Kingdom Human Rights Reporters Without Borders has documented the number of journalists killed or jailed this year. It says Syria and Mexico are among the most dangerous places for reporters to work. Sixty percent of journalists killed are targeted because of their journalistic work. Neave Barker reports from London.

Which are the countries still talking to North Korea? By Alex Oliver & Euan Graham Lowy Institute North Korea is often portrayed as entirely isolated from the rest of the world, but the reality is that it has diplomatic links with almost 50 countries. Which are they, and just how close are their ties? North Korea's pariah status appears to increase by the day. Yet beneath its apparent isolation lies a strange anomaly, its surprisingly expansive diplomatic network. Since North Korea's creation in 1948, it has established formal diplomatic relations with more than 160 countries and it maintains 55 embassies and consulates in 48 nations. A smaller but still significant number of states - 25 in all - have diplomatic missions in North Korea, including the United Kingdom, Germany and Sweden, as shown in mapping of diplomatic networks by the Lowy Institute China and Russia, as its then communist neighbours, were among the earliest to establish diplomatic relations after the creati...

Thousands displaced as territorial disputes continue in Mexico's Chiapas NEWS / MEXICO  Latin America Mexico Human Rights,A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in southern Mexico. Thousands of indigenous people in southern Mexico have been displaced because of a territorial conflict involving agricultural lands. At least 11 people have already died of cold and hunger. Manuel Rapalo reports from the state of Chiapas, Mexico.

IGAD holds fresh South Sudan peace talks in Ethiopia NEWS / SOUTH SUDAN  Africa South Sudan War & Conflict SIGN UP South Sudan's rival factions are meeting in Ethiopia for another round of talks to end the four-year civil war. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development, or IGAD, is leading the process of bringing all the sides together. But each side has different demand. It comes a day after fighting broke out between government forces and fighters loyal to the opposition.