October 24, Wednesday, 2018 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Raja Pradhan and Ms. Mariko Kojima

  1. The Japanese government says it is highly likely that freelance journalist Jumpei Yasuda has been released by militants in Syria.
  2. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is to appear at an economic forum amid allegations that he was behind the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
  3. White House National Economic Council director said U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet next month.

October 23, Tuesday, 2018 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Ms. Fumiko Konoe and Ms. Hiroko Kitadai

  1. Japan is to stop providing China with government aid next year and start jointly helping developing countries.
  2. U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Monday. They likely discussed the U.S.’s intention to withdraw from a treaty with Russia on the elimination of intermediate-range missiles.
  3. Taiwanese prosecutors reportedly believe Sunday’s deadly derailment was caused by the train breaking the speed limit.

October 22, Monday, 2018 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Yoshi Ogasawara and Ms. Emma Howard

  1. Taiwanese railway authorities say the driver of the derailed express train had reported problems with the train before the accident.
  2. U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton is scheduled to explain the U.S. withdrawal from a nuclear missile treaty with the Soviet Union to Russian officials in Moscow.
  3. Reuters news agency has quoted a senior Saudi official as saying that journalist Jamal Khashoggi was choked to death.