Xinhua world news summary at 0230 GMT, Oct. 14

At least 30 people were killed Thursday when a car bomb tore through a rebel checkpoint in Syria's northern province of Aleppo, opposition activists said.

The explosive-laden vehicle targeted a checkpoint manned by the rebels in the city of Azaz, in the northern countryside of Aleppo, near the Turkish borders, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (Syria-Rebel-Car Bomb)

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KHARTOUM -- Sudan signed with Russia a number of agreements for exploring mineral fields in Sudan, said Sudan's minister of minerals on Thursday.

The agreements, signed between the mineral ministry and the Russian State Geological Company, covered development of mineral exploration and geological laboratories, said Ahmed Mohamed Sadiq Al-Karuri, the minister of minerals, after the signing ceremony. (Sudan-Russia-Mining)

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BRUSSELS -- The European Union (EU) on Thursday appealed a ruling by the World Trade Organization (WTO) that the EU and its several member states had failed to end illegal subsidies to aircraft maker Airbus.

The European Commission, or the EU's executive body, said in a statement it disagrees with the WTO conclusion that, "even though most of the subsidies challenged by the US have ended, the EU has not yet fully complied with the previous ruling." (EU-WTO Ruling-Airbus)

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BANGKOK -- Thai prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said late Thursday that the Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn had asked for time to mourn his father before being enthroned.

Prayut said he met with the Crown Prince at dusk Thursday to reporters in government house.

"He (Prince Vajiralongkorn) is already the heir apparent, but he asked time to grieve and to mourn his father with people around the country first," said Prayut. (Thailand-Crown Prince) Endi