Air China flight’s sudden descent linked to co-pilot smoking: state media
An emergency descent by an Air China aircraft after cabin oxygen levels dropped has been linked to a co-pilot smoking an e-cigarette during the flight, state media said on Friday, citing China’s aviation regulator.
Israel interceptor missile shoots down drone at Syrian frontier: witness
Israel’s military said it had fired a missile at a drone that approached from Syria on Friday, and a witness on the Syrian side of the frontier said the aircraft had been brought down.
Protesters close access to Iraq’s Umm Qasr port
About 100 protesters demanding jobs and better state services closed access to Umm Qasr port near the southern Iraq city of Basra on Friday, port employees said.
Eritrea’s president to visit Ethiopia, embassy to re-open
Eritrea’s president will make a historic visit to Ethiopia this weekend, cementing a stunning rapprochement with his giant neighbor after a generation of mutual hate and mistrust.
Poland opposition boycotts parliament independence day centennial
Three Polish opposition parties boycotted a special session of parliament on Friday to mark the centennial of independence, in protest against changes by the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party they see as undermining democracy.
‘We are always missing you’: Torn apart by violence, Rohingya families connect through letters
Inside a bamboo shelter on Bangladesh’s eastern coast, 58-year-old Sait Banu held a dog-eared note from her husband. “If you find a good match for my daughter Una Jamin, you can arrange her wedding,” he urged her in the letter.
Italian PM Conte to visit Russia on October 24: Interfax
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte plans to visit Russia on Oct. 24, Interfax news agency reported on Friday, citing Italian Ambassador to Russia Pasquale Terracciano.
South Africa launches notes and coins for 100th anniversary of Mandela’s birth
South Africa on Friday launched a set of limited edition bank notes and gold coins to mark the 100th anniversary on July 18 of the birth of Nelson Mandela.
Bomb on Pakistan campaign convoy kills 10 amid tension as ex-PM Sharif’s returns
A suicide bomber hit a campaign convoy in southwestern Pakistan, a police official said, killing 10 people in the second election-related attack on Friday amid tensions over ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s return ahead of July 25 elections.
India says twice-delayed strategic talks with U.S. to be held in September
India will hold a top-level strategic dialogue with the United States in the first week of September, India’s defense minister said on Friday, after the United States last month postponed the meeting for a second time this year.
