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North Korea says dictator Kim Jong Un and US President Trump continue to have close relations and trust.

  
Analysis, Politics

KCNA (north Korean state media) say Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump continue to have close relations and trust.

  • But apart from that US political circles remain hostile to North Korea
Yesterday we got this out of NK:
  • North Korean dictator says will withdraw South Korean facilities from Mount Kumgang Tourist Region
Further details on this are that Kim has ordered the demolition of hotels in the area that were built by South Korea.
KCNA (north Korean state media) say Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump continue to have close relations and trust.

France’s Macron demands Nov 15 Brexit deadline – report

  
Analysis, Politics

Telegraph report

Macron is drawing a line in the sand. However Macron tends to draw lines in very fine sand, or particularly windy days. A report from BBC says Johnson asked Macron to veto the extension.
Here is the Telegraph report.
The French President’s hardline stance, designed to exert maximum pressure on MPs in London to back the deal,  has horrified diplomats in Brussels, who fear the short delay raises the risk of an accidental no deal Brexit.
Separately, a report from Reuters confirms there will be no EU decision on an extension today and that they will meet again on Friday. The report says a 3-month extension is most likely.
This is from Sky News:

Trump will make a statement on Syria conflict at 1500 GMT (11 am ET)

  
Analysis, Politics
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Trump comments to come later

Trump has been tweeting for the past hour with the usual stuff on impeachment and whatever else Fox Business is talking about.
Big success on the Turkey/Syria Border. Safe Zone created! Ceasefire has held and combat missions have ended. Kurds are safe and have worked very nicely with us. Captured ISIS prisoners secured. I will be making a statement at 11:00 A.M. from the White House. Thank you!
Expect the statement to be along those lines but there is always a high risk of Trump going off-script.

Boris Johnson spokesman: If EU offers Jan extension, there will need to be an election

  
Analysis, Politics
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Johnson spokesman:

  • Johnson spoke to Tusk and told him he still opposes an extension
  • No meeting of minds with Corbyn after meeting
  • Johnson wants to get his deal done by Oct 31 but yesterday’s vote makes no-deal more likely
  • If an extension is vetoed, we have a plan to get it done
  • Asked if he could hold an election before Christmas, spokesman says ‘yes’
The Irish PM said if there is no consensus on extension, EU leaders would need to meeting possibly on Monday, maybe even Friday.
A Labour spokesman said there is a strong likelihood the EU will grant an extension along the lines of what was requested.

North Korean dictator says will withdraw South Korean facilities from Mount Kumgang Tourist Region

  
Analysis, Politics
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Mount Kumgang Tourist Region is a special administrative region of North Korea.

Popular with South Korean tourists.
Tensions between North and South have re-exscalated recently, this a response from Kim Jong Un. Adds that SK visitors are still welcome.

White House says reports of one day trade talks are incorrect

  
Analysis, Politics

USD/JPY retracing some if its earlier losses

  • White House says SCMP report is inaccurate.
  •  “We are not aware of a change in the Vice Premier’s travel plans at this time.”
  • Senior admin official says Liu still scheduled to depart Friday evening, and dinner is on for the delegation Thursday evening in DC.
The cynics amongst us might think that once this White House denies something then that is confirmation ….
More:
  • US official asked if to expect a breakthrough in the trade talks, says Trump has not made up his mind

HK press says US-China talks are expected to last for only one day! No progress made.

  
Analysis, Politics
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South China Morning Post with the piece saying:

  • US and China make no progress on key trade issues in two days of deputy-level talks, sources say
  • The Chinese delegation refuses to talk about forced technology transfers, a core US grievance in the negotiations, a person with knowledge of the meetings says
  • High-level talks are expected to last for only one day, with Liu He and his team now planning to leave Washington on Thursday
Risk off on this news.
And yen, gold positive
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