World News Roundup: Iran calls White House 'mentally retarded'; US, North Korea talks over third summit

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

U.S., North Korea in behind-the-scenes talks over third summit, Moon says

The United States is in behind-the-scenes talks with North Korea over a possible third summit and has proposed working-level negotiations that have been stalled since the second such meeting in February, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Wednesday. Moon, in written answers to questions posed by visiting foreign journalists, said there was no reason to talk of a "stalemate" just because there had been no official dialogue, aimed at the denuclearization of North Korea.

Trump threatens 'obliteration,' Iran calls White House 'mentally retarded'

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to obliterate parts of Iran if it attacked "anything American," in a new war of words with Iran which condemned fresh U.S. sanctions on Tehran as "mentally retarded." But Trump later left the door open for talks, saying that Iran should speak to the United States "peaceably" to ease tensions and potentially lift U.S. economic sanctions.

Britain's Hunt takes aim at PM rival Johnson's 'do or die' Brexit pledge

Jeremy Hunt took aim at Boris Johnson's "do or die" pledge to take Britain out of the European Union on Oct. 31, saying his rival in the race to become prime minister could destroy the Conservative government and stop Brexit from happening. Trailing Johnson in opinion polls, Hunt also stepped up his criticism of the EU, saying the bloc had shown no respect to Britain over the last three years and agreed with a caller to a radio station that the bloc had treated Britain "like dirt".

Hong Kong activists call on G20 leaders to help 'liberate' city

More than one thousand protesters marched to major foreign consulates in Hong Kong on Wednesday, urging leaders at the upcoming G20 summit to support the full scrapping of a controversial extradition bill. Holding placards that read "Please Liberate Hong Kong" in multiple languages including Russian and German, the demonstrators, some wearing masks, marched to consulates of nations represented at the Group of 20 major economies summit in Japan this weekend.

U.S. pushes Middle East economic plan, Palestinians reject it

Palestinians poured scorn on a $50 billion economic formula launched by the Trump administration for Israeli-Palestinian peace as the United States sought on Wednesday to win support for the plan as a foundation to ending the decades-old conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner opened a international meeting in Bahrain on Tuesday evening by urging Palestinians, whose leadership is boycotting the event, to think outside the "traditional box" for an economic pathway that he said was a precondition for peace.

Russia to deliver first S-400 missile to Turkey in July: reports

Russia will make first delivery of the S-400 missile systems to Turkey in July, Russian news agencies cited the head of Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport saying on Wednesday, in accordance with the earlier-stated plans. "We are making first delivery in July as part of out plans," Alexander Mikheev is quoted as saying by RIA news agency.

Thousands mourn officials killed in Ethiopia coup attempt, priests urge unity

Thousands lined the streets in Ethiopia's two main northern cities on Wednesday to mourn officials killed in a failed regional coup, as soldiers looked on and priests called for unity after months of ethnically-charged strife. Snipers stood on roofs in Amhara's regional capital Bahir Dar and security services mixed with the crowds in a show of strength four days after the killings that posed the biggest threat yet to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's reforms.

Israel says GPS mysteriously disrupted in its airspace but planes secure

Israel is experiencing unexplained GPS disruptions in its airspace but measures are in place to allow safe landings and takeoffs at its main international airport, the government said on Wednesday. The announcement by the Israel Airports Authority (IAA) followed a report on Tuesday by the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) that "many" pilots had lost satellite signals from the Global Positioning System around Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport.

ICC prosecutor seeks Bangladesh and Myanmar investigation

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on Wednesday moved closer to opening a full investigation into alleged crimes against the Rohingya people who were driven from Myanmar to Bangladesh. Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said in a statement she would ask judges for permission to investigate crimes that had "at least one element" in Bangladesh, which is a member of the ICC.

Saudi Khashoggi murder investigation fails to address chain of command: U.N. expert

An official Saudi Arabian investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents has failed to examine who may have ordered the killing, a U.N. special rapporteur said on Wednesday. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other senior officials should be investigated over the murder given the credible evidence against them, said Agnes Callamard, the senior official on extrajudicial executions.