Extending Brexit transition is an option UK would hope not to use: UK official
Extending a so-called transition period after Britain leaves the European Union is an idea that has come up in Brexit negotiations in recent days, a senior British government official said on Thursday.
Former Malaysian deputy PM detained amid graft investigation
Malaysia’s anti-graft agency arrested a former deputy prime minister, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, on Thursday in connection with an investigation into suspected misappropriation of funds from a charity foundation, the agency said.
EU leaders seek stronger euro zone as Italy challenges rules
European Union leaders will discuss on Thursday how to make the euro zone more resilient to crises, with the bloc’s third biggest economy, Italy, putting new urgency into the talks by challenging EU budget rules that underpin the single currency.
Norway police appeals against order to release Russian spy suspect
A Norwegian court said on Thursday a Russian who is suspected of spying should be released from detention but police filed an appeal against the ruling, his lawyer told Reuters.
Lebanon president says government will be formed ‘very soon’
Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun said on Thursday a government would be formed “very soon”.
Dutch cancel Saudi trade mission over missing journalist: spokeswoman
The Dutch government on Thursday canceled a trade mission to Saudi Arabia next month due to concerns over the disappearance of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a spokeswoman said.
CEO of French group Thales pulls out of Saudi investment conference
Patrice Caine, the chairman and chief executive of French defense electronics group Thales, has decided not to attend a Saudi investment conference next week, amid global concerns over the fate of a missing Saudi journalist.
Dutch pull out of Saudi conference over missing journalist: ANP
The Dutch finance minister has scrapped plans to attend a conference in Saudi Arabia due to concerns over the disappearance of a dissident journalist, news agency ANP reported on Thursday.
Singapore charges men, firms over North Korea luxury goods sanctions breaches
Singapore charged a citizen, a North Korean and three companies in court on Thursday with supplying prohibited luxury items to North Korea, the latest example of sanctions breaches in the wealthy Asian city-state.
Brexit transition extension would have conditions: French presidency source
France does not rule out a possible lengthening of Britain’s post-Brexit transition period if it helps advance negotiations with London, but any extension would come with conditions, an official in President Emmanuel Macron’s office said on Thursday.
