U.S. reconnaissance images show a North Korean ship, the Rye Song Gang 1, conducting a ship-to-ship transfer, possibly of oil, in an effort to evade sanctions on Oct. 19. South Korea has seized a ship it suspects of participating in such transfers.
U.S. Treasury Department
Reuters: Exclusive: Russian tankers fueled North Korea via transfers at sea - sources
LONDON/MOSCOW - Russian tankers have supplied fuel to North Korea on at least three occasions in recent months by transferring cargoes at sea, according to two senior Western European security sources, providing an economic lifeline to the secretive Communist state.
The sales of oil or oil products from Russia, the world’s second biggest oil exporter and a veto-wielding member of the United Nations Security Council, breach U.N. sanctions, the security sources said.
The transfers in October and November indicate that smuggling from Russia to North Korea has evolved to loading cargoes at sea since Reuters reported in September that North Korean ships were sailing directly from Russia to their homeland.
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MIDDLE EAST
Fighting in northwestern Syria kills 66: monitor.
Syrian rebels depart enclave in south as army gains in north.
Critically ill people evacuated from Syria's Ghouta.
Syrian refugees in Turkey reluctant to return home.
Syrian offensive against Kurds would be a 'mistake': Mattis.
Protests reported in Kermanshah and Mashhad in Iran. Iranian police disperse, arrest protesters as rallies against price hikes spread.
Israeli military strikes Gaza Strip after rocket fire.
Israeli troops wound 56 Palestinians in new clashes.
ASIA
Grieving Afghans end deadly year with tears and funerals.
North Korea: South seizes ship amid row over illegal oil transfer.
'We've got to treat them rough': Donald Trump demands China does more to reign in North Korea.
China's been accused of transferring oil to North Korea, but is unlikely to face harsh penalties.
South Korea: At least four North Korean defectors potentially exposed to radiation.
Mumbai fire: At least 15 dead after blaze in upscale rooftop restaurant.
Nine jailed in Vietnam for 'attempt to overthrow state'.
Vietnam's 10,000-strong 'cyber army' slammed by rights groups.
AFRICA
PM, cabinet resign in troubled Mali.
South Sudanese military raids home of exiled former army chief: relatives.
Tanzania threatens to shut churches after Magufuli criticism.
Libya strongman says backs 2018 elections.
Former football star George Weah wins Liberian presidential election.
Nigeria fuel crisis spawns thriving black market.
Jacob Zuma not made accountable for multi-million dollar home upgrade scandal, court finds. South Africa's Jacob Zuma suffers legal setback over impeachment bid.
Africa’s returning migrants say they need assistance, hope.
EUROPE
Catalonia crisis: Spain PM Rajoy sets timeline for new parliament.
Russia calls ongoing strain with US a major disappointment.
Ukraine kidnappers free bitcoin analyst after $1 mln ransom paid.
US says Romanians hacked Washington DC police cameras.
Record number of Irish passports issued as Brexit vote spurs demand.
Rubbish piles up in Rome as holidays and rain disrupt collections.
1987 papers reveal 'MI5 plot to kill Irish PM Haughey'.
Oskar Gröning: Former SS 'bookkeeper of Auschwitz' to start jail sentence after appeal fails.
AMERICAS
Numbing cold wave grips U.S., heralding a frigid New Year's Eve.
Trump: Even if there was collusion with Russia, 'it’s not a crime'.
White House overhauls staff ahead of midterm year.
US Congress in for messy start to 2018.
Officials: Nearly half of Puerto Rico clients without power.
Mexico confronts surge in violence against women.
Bodies emerge from Guatemala’s war-era ‘model villages’.
Thousands of Peruvians march against Fujimori pardon.
Venezuela probes ex-oil czar Ramirez over alleged graft scheme.
Bronx NYC fire 'caused by child playing'.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Turkey detains 75 Islamic State suspects: police, media.
US ready to partner with Pakistan to defeat terrorists seeking safe havens: Tillerson.
Recent deadly attacks mean tight security for NYC New Year’s.
P Exclusive: China’s Uighurs work to fend off pull of jihad.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Wall Street quiet on last trading day of a strong year.
US oil prices end above $60 for 1st time in 2-1/2 years.
Trump administration rescinding rules for oil, gas drilling.
Apple issues apology for secretly slowing older iPhones.
Tech 2017: BBC News Online's biggest technology stories.
