August 16, Wednesday, 2017 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Emma Howard and Mr. Raja Pradan

1. Japan’s Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera are heading to the United States for talks with their American counterparts.
2. A U.S. State Department spokesperson says North Korea must take serious steps toward denuclearization before the United States can sit down to the negotiating table.
3. A global treaty designed to regulate mercury took effect on Wednesday after it was ratified by more than 50 countries.