Egypt Today’s morning international news

CAIRO – 1 November 2017: Egypt Today briefs top European newspapers on Wednesday for political issues, and others related to accidents and natural disasters.

Spain's High Court summons Puigdemont testimony on Thurs.

Spain's High Court on Tuesday called former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, who led the campaign for independence of his region from Spain, and 13 members of his sacked administration to testify on Thursday at 9 a.m.


Leader of ANO Party Andrej Babis meets President Milos Zeman in Prague - REUTERS

The court will decide whether the ousted Catalan leader will go to jail, after the court started processing rebellion and sedition charges against Puigdemont and the other Catalan leaders, Reuters reported.

Puigdemont has agreed on the Spanish government’s call for a snap election for Catalonia, after it took control of the region following the regional parliament’s vote to declare independence, thouth he stressed that calls for independence will keep going.

Czech election winner Babis to seek minority government

Czech election winner Andrej Babis will seek to form a minority government after some parties shunned his campaign, Babis said on Tuesday after meeting the president.

The country faces possibile political conflict that may lead to putting the 2018 budget approval at risk, as curbing investments would slow down economic growth, which is currently rapid.

Babis said he hoped to have a new government by the Christmas holiday.

His ANO party won a parliamentary election this month by a large margin, convincing voters it could deliver a more effective powerful state, eradicate corruption and distribute the fruits of economic expansion more fairly, Reuters reported.


Sacked Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont departs after a news conference at the Press Club Brussels Europe in Brussels, Belgium, October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Yves Herman

Other parties have refused to back a government that includes billionaire Babis, who is charged with fraud regarding a €2 million ($2.33 million) EU subsidy. Babis denies any wrongdoing, calling the charges politically motivated.


Britain accelerates Brexit plans, speeds up EU talks

Britain is taking steps to accelerate preparations for "all eventualities" when it leaves the European Union, with mutual hopes on both sides that an agreement on stepping up talks to end more than 40 years of partnership will be accomplished soon.

The slow pace of talks has increased the possibility of it leaving without a deal, with only 17 months remaining until Britain's expected departure, giving some time for business leaders to make up their minds regarding potential investment opportunities.


Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street in London - REUTERS

British and EU negotiators met in Brussels on Tuesday to try to agree to a schedule for further divorce talks, with an initial proposal from the bloc to hold three more rounds before the end of the year not winning instant approval from London, according to Reuters.