Briefly

AFGHANISTAN

Trump wants troops home by Christmas

United States President Donald Trump said in a tweet on Wednesday that the remaining US troops in Afghanistan should return home by Christmas. However, US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien suggested that the US military would still keep 2,500 troops in Afghanistan by early 2021. Commander of US Central Command Kenneth McKenzie said last month that the troop presence in Afghanistan would be decreased to about 4,500 by early November.

JAPAN

Eased travel likely for safer destinations

Japan is reportedly planning to ease travel restrictions to China and to around a dozen other countries and regions next month, local media reported on Thursday. According to the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper, the eased list of countries and regions also include Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia and China's Taiwan province, among others. The Japanese government said it will urge travelers to not make unnecessary trips and to refrain from visits that are not urgent, the newspaper said.

JORDAN

King tasks new PM with Cabinet mission

King Abdullah II of Jordan on Wednesday appointed Bisher Khasawneh as the new prime minister and designated him to form a new Cabinet, according to a Royal Court statement. The appointment came after King Abdullah II on Saturday accepted the resignation of Omar Razzaz as prime minister. Khasawneh worked previously as an adviser for policies and media for the king. In a letter to the new prime minister, the king said the process forming a new Cabinet comes amid the difficulties created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Xinhua