Germany will make ties with China a priority during EU presidency: Merkel
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday that Germany would make relations with China a key issue during its 2020 EU presidency.
Japan’s PM visits disaster zone; government to postpone emperor’s parade
Japan’s prime minister visited communities on Thursday that were hit by a powerful typhoon, while the government said it was postponing a parade for Emperor Naruhito’s formal enthronement next week because of the disaster.
Britain will leave EU on October 31 if there is no deal: UK minister Jenrick
Britain will leave the European Union on Oct. 31 if no Brexit deal is reached with the bloc, housing minister Robert Jenrick said on Thursday.
I’ve urged Turkey to end its operation in northern Syria, Merkel says
Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday that Germany would not deliver any weapons to Turkey under current circumstances and added that she had urged Turkey several times to end its military operation in northern Syria.
China urges U.S. to withdraw meeting restrictions imposed against Chinese diplomats
China’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that it urges the United States to withdraw new meeting restrictions imposed against Chinese diplomats.
Afghanistan to miss October 19 deadline for presidential poll results: sources
Preliminary results in Afghanistan’s presidential election will be delayed beyond the Oct. 19 deadline, two sources in the Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan told Reuters.
VAT remains an outstanding issue in UK-EU talks: UK source
Talks between Britain and the European Union were continuing in Brussels on Thursday, with the issue of what VAT sales tax will be applied to Northern Ireland after Brexit yet to be resolved, a British government source said on Thursday.
Thai opposition protests emergency troop transfer to king
Opposition members of Thailand’s parliament objected on Thursday to an emergency decree transferring two army units to the command of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, with one politician saying it does not follow the laws of the constitutional monarchy.
Brexit deal still possible: UK minister Jenrick
A Brexit deal can still be done despite Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party saying it cannot support current proposals from Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the European Union, housing minister Robert Jenrick said on Thursday.
Japan emperor’s parade to be delayed to November 10: NHK
The parade to celebrate Japanese Emperor Naruhito’s formal enthronement will be postponed to November 10 as the government copes with the aftermath of Typhoon Hagibis, NHK national broadcaster said on Thursday.
