EU deeply skeptical that latest UK plan could yield Brexit deal
European Union officials expressed doubt on Thursday that the latest British proposals on Brexit could yield an agreement before an Oct. 31 deadline, with one saying Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan “can’t fly” as it stands.
UK’s Brexit proposals offer possibility of ‘tolerable deal’: Conservative eurosceptic
The head of a group of eurosceptic lawmakers in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party said on Thursday the government’s latest Brexit proposals offered the possibility of a “tolerable deal”.
Paris Metro closes station near scene of knife attack
The Metro station near the scene of a knife attack in the Paris police headquarters on Thursday has been closed for security reasons, the RATP public transport authority said on Twitter.
Pompeo, Pope Francis urge religious freedom in Mideast, elsewhere
Pope Francis and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo agreed on Thursday on the need to protect the rights of Christian minorities in the Middle East during a meeting at the Vatican, the U.S. State Department said.
UK PM Johnson to talk to Donald Tusk about new Brexit deal: spokesman
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to speak to the European Council President Donald Tusk on Thursday to discuss his new Brexit proposals, his spokesman said, adding that he expected other phone calls with European leaders.
Ahead of pilgrimage, Iran border crossing closed due to Iraq unrest
A border crossing between Iran and Iraq, which is due to be used by hundreds of thousands of Shi’ite Muslim worshippers at an annual pilgrimage this month, has been closed because of unrest in Iraq, Iranian state television reported on Thursday.
Swiss banks benefit as rich Britons line up escape route from Brexit chaos
Swiss private banks have seen a sharp rise in British clients who are moving assets offshore to escape a chaotic Brexit, several sources familiar with the situation told Reuters.
Iran says it foiled plot to kill Quds chief Soleimani
A senior Iranian official said on Thursday that Tehran had foiled a plot by Israeli and Arab agencies to assassinate Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force.
Estonia’s EU energy candidate questioned on climate credentials
Estonia’s candidate for European energy commissioner, Kadri Simson, insisted on Thursday she is committed to climate goals as she was pressed by EU lawmakers over her country’s reluctance to back the bloc’s ambitions for zero emissions by 2050.
Russia: Israeli air strikes in Syria could further destabilize situation
Israeli air strikes on the territory of Syria might lead to a further destablisation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a newspaper interview.
