Hong Kong confirms economy fell into recession amid protests, trade war
Hong Kong sank into recession for the first time in a decade in the third quarter, government data confirmed on Friday, weighed down by increasingly violent anti-government protests and the escalating U.S.-China trade war.
UK PM Johnson says Brexit transition period will not be extended
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Britain he will “absolutely guarantee” that his government will not extend the Brexit transition period before the end of year.
Lithuania pardons Russians spies, may pave way for swap with Russia and Norway
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on Friday pardoned two Russian citizens sentenced for spying in a move that could pave the way for a three-way spy swap between Russia, Norway and Lithuania.
Japanese academic released after detention by China
A Japanese academic detained in Beijing since September has been released and returned to the country on Friday, in a move expected to help pave the way for a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping next year, government officials said.
Hong Kong third-quarter GDP shrinks 3.2%, confirms depth of recession
Hong Kong confirmed on Friday its economy plunged into its first recession in a decade in the third quarter, weighed down by increasingly violent anti-government protests and the escalating U.S.-China trade war.
Labour’s McDonnell says broadband plan is the limit of nationalization plans
A plan to nationalize parts of BT to provide free broadband to everyone in Britain marks the extent of the opposition Labour Party’s nationalization policy, its finance spokesman John McDonnell said on Friday.
Renamo’s appeal to have election result annulled dismissed: Mozambique’s top court
Mozambique’s top court has dismissed opposition party Renamo’s application to have the results of its recent general election dismissed – a scenario Renamo has said could result in violence in the country just months after an historic peace deal.
Pentagon’s Esper says it is crucial South Korea pays more for U.S. troops
U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper pressed South Korea on Friday to pay more for the cost of stationing U.S. troops in the country and to maintain an intelligence-sharing pact with its other Asian ally, Japan, that Seoul is about to let lapse.
UK’s Labour vows to nationalize some of BT in free broadband plan
Britain’s opposition Labour Party said it will nationalize telecoms provider BT’s fixed line network to provide free full-fiber broadband for all if it wins the Dec. 12 election.
BT CEO says Labour’s plan for free broadband may cost £100 billion
Britain’s opposition Labour Party’s plans to nationalize parts of telecoms provider BT’s network and provide free full fiber broadband may cost more than 100 billion pounds ($127 billion), BT chief executive said.
