Iran says two border crossings to Iraq closed because of unrest in Iraq
Two border crossings between Iran and Iraq, including one due to be used by hundreds of thousands of Shi’ite Muslim worshippers at an annual pilgrimage this month, have been closed because of unrest in Iraq, Iran’s border guards said on Thursday.
Unkempt? Presidential spokesman tells critics Duterte smells ‘refreshing’
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman defended him against critics who described him as looking unkempt when he met with Russia’s prime minister, saying he is “very hygienic” and that “his body emits a refreshing scent”.
Pakistan and Taliban call for U.S. to resume Afghan peace talks
Peace talks in Afghanistan must resume as soon as possible, Pakistan and the Taliban militant group urged on Thursday, after President Donald Trump broke off negotiations last month seeking to end the United States’ longest war.
UK’s Brexit proposal rebuffed in Brussels as ‘no basis’ for a deal
Britain’s proposals for a Brexit deal were widely rebuffed in Brussels on Thursday, with a European Parliament group saying it was not “a basis for agreement” and a senior EU official saying it took two steps backwards from an earlier agreement.
EU official says UK PM’s Johnson’s Brexit offer ‘can’t fly’
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s last ditch Brexit proposal “can’t fly” because it an unworkable move backwards that leaves Britain and the European Union far apart, a senior European Union official said on Thursday.
About $4 billion Hong Kong deposits may have left for Singapore in June-August: Goldman
Hong Kong may have lost as much as $4 billion in deposits to rival financial hub Singapore between June and August, Goldman Sachs estimated this week.
Hong Kong court to hear assault case against teen student shot by police
The lawyer for an 18-year-old Hong Kong student protester shot in the chest by police was due to appear in court on his behalf on Thursday, after the teenager was charged over his role in violent demonstrations.
EU sees UK Brexit proposal ‘no basis for a deal’: sources
A European Parliament Brexit group believes that the proposals put forward by the British government on Wednesday “do not represent a basis for an agreement”, according to the draft of a statement seen by Reuters ahead of release later in the day.
Over to EU now on Brexit, Britain says after last ditch offer
Britain is willing to negotiate the details of its last ditch Brexit offer to the European Union but it is now up to the bloc to be creative and flexible to avoid a disorderly departure on Oct. 31, Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said on Thursday.
British Brexit proposals on border are basis for talks: Irish minister
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s last-ditch Brexit offer concerning the Irish border is the basis for discussions but not of an agreement, a junior Irish minister said on Thursday.
