IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Belgium

UK, EU agree to speed up talks

Britain's prime minister capped a day of Brexit diplomacy on Monday with hugs from the chief of the European Union's executive arm and an agreement that negotiations on the UK's departure from the EU need to be sped up. Prime Minister Theresa May and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said after dining together in Brussels that the stalled talks "should accelerate over the months to come".

Afghanistan

Attacks leave nearly 50 dead

Two separate suicide and gun attacks on government forces in Afghanistan left nearly 50 dead and more than 200 wounded, officials said on Tuesday. The Taliban claimed the most deadly of the two assaults, a coordinated attack on police in the southeast Afghan city of Gardez that resulted in an hours-long gun battle. A separate ambush in the neighboring province of Ghazni killed 15 security officials.

Philippines

Duterte declares victory in Marawi

President Rodrigo Duterte declared victory over Islamic State-linked extremists that took over the southern city of Marawi in May, ending nearly five months of fierce fighting that has killed more than 1,000 people and displaced thousands. Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Restituto Padilla said on Tuesday that there are still about 30"armed elements or strugglers" in Marawi.

United Kingdom

One killed, two injured in stabbing

One person was killed and two others injured following a stabbing incident outside Parsons Green tube station in southwest London, the ambulance service said. The attack happened shortly after 7:35 pm as commuters journeyed home from work. The three victims, all male, were treated at the scene and one has been taken to hospital. The incident was not being treated as terror-related.

(China Daily 10/18/2017 page12)