China frees Japanese academic as Tokyo prepares for Xi visit
A Japanese academic returned home on Friday after being released by China following several weeks in detention, a move expected to help pave the way for a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Japan next year.
University tells non-students to go now as Hong Kong campus showdowns loom
The president of Hong Kong’s Chinese University, which anti-government protesters have turned into a fortress stockpiled with petrol bombs and bows and arrows, threatened on Friday to call in “assistance” unless all non-students leave.
German parliament enshrines climate protection in law
Germany’s lower house of parliament on Friday voted to enshrine climate protection in law, setting specific targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from sectors like energy, transport and housing.
UK PM Johnson says Labour’s plan to part-nationalise BT is ‘crackpot’
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said a pre-election promise by the opposition Labour Party to nationalize telecoms provider BT’s fixed line network to provide free full-fiber broadband for all is a “crackpot scheme.”
Russia lands forces at former U.S. air base in northern Syria
Russia landed attack helicopters and troops at a sprawling air base in northern Syria vacated by U.S. forces, the Russian Defence Ministry’s Zvezda TV channel said on Friday.
Khamenei: Iran not calling for elimination of Jews, wants non-sectarian Israel
Iran is not calling for the elimination of the Jewish people, but believes people of all religions should decide Israel’s future, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Friday.
Former deputy head of China’s drug regulator sentenced to 16 years in prison
Wu Zhen, a former deputy head of China’s food and drug regulator, was sentenced to 16 years in prison by a Chinese court, state television reported on Friday.
Sri Lanka presidential race tightens as minorities seek to stop Rajapaksa
Sri Lankans elect a new president on Saturday in a “finely balanced” race between the early favorite, former defense chief Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and government minister Sajith Premadasa, who has gained momentum in recent weeks.
Explainer: Sri Lanka’s presidential election, by numbers and issues
Sri Lanka will pick a new president in a vote on Saturday that comes months after Easter Sunday attacks by Islamic State that raised fears over the safety of the tiny island, undermined investor confidence and choked its economy.
UK police investigating alleged assault on Hong Kong justice secretary in London
British police said they are investigating the alleged assault on the Hong Kong justice secretary in London, but so far there have been not been any arrests.
