Tunisian PM Chahed submits bid in crowded race for presidency
Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, leader of the secular Tahya Tounes party, on Friday submitted his candidacy for the presidential election expected next month, making him a likely frontrunner in a crowded field.
Lebanon to announce release of Canadian held in Syria: Lebanese official
Lebanon’s security chief Abbas Ibrahim will on Friday announce the release of a Canadian who was being held in Syria, an official Lebanese source said.
Spain’s Sanchez to meet with Podemos, others to gain support for confirmation
Spain’s acting prime minister Pedro Sanchez said on Friday he would meet next month with Unidas Podemos as well as regional parties, including Catalan separatists, in order to seek support for a confirmation vote.
As arms treaty fails, big powers risk new missile race
For those who worried about the risk of the Cold War ending in catastrophe, the early- to mid-1980s were the most alarming period since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.
‘Each of us writes’: Hong Kong’s discontent fuels creative art
Railings festooned with tear gas canisters and colorful postcards are artworks that protesters in Hong Kong have made from materials left over from recent demonstrations, hoping to spread their message in the Chinese-controlled territory.
Russians rush to buy iodine after blast causes radiation spike: reports
Residents of two northern Russian cities are stocking up on iodine that is used to reduce the effects of radiation exposure after a mysterious accident on a nearby military testing site, regional media reported.
Italy’s League presents no confidence motion in government
Italy’s ruling League party said on Friday it will present a no confidence motion in the Senate to bring down the government and it hopes the country will go quickly to snap elections.
Japan’s Empress Emeritus Michiko diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer: NHK
Japan’s Empress Emeritus Michiko is to have surgery after being diagnosed with an early-stage breast cancer, public broadcaster NHK said on Friday, citing the Imperial Household Agency.
U.S. asks South Korea to send troops to Strait of Hormuz – Yonhap
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper asked South Korea to send troops to join a U.S.-led maritime force in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Iran, Yonhap news agency said on Friday.
Indonesia to publish final report on Lion Air crash next month
Indonesian investigators will give their final report next month on the crash of a Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX jet that killed 189 people last October, the country’s civil aviation authority said on Friday.
