Open audition: Ukraine’s comedian president invites citizens to run in July poll
A comedian and entrepreneur, 29-year-old Roman Hryshchuk had only been in politics for a few weeks when he found himself in front of a semicircle of voters in a park in western Kiev, fielding questions from a testy audience.
Suicide bomber kills five at wedding party in eastern Afghanistan
A suicide bomber on foot targeted a wedding party in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Nangarhar on Friday, killing at least five people and injuring 40, local officials said.
Iran calls on Britain to release seized oil tanker immediately
Iran called on Britain on Friday to immediately release an oil tanker that British Royal Marines seized last week on suspicion it was breaking European sanctions by taking oil to Syria, a foreign ministry spokesman told state news agency IRNA.
Four British nationals arrested in eastern China
Four British nationals have been arrested in eastern China, the British Embassy in Beijing said Friday, amid escalating diplomatic tension between the two countries.
South Korea demands proof from Japan for accusation of export violations
South Korea said on Friday it deeply regrets accusations by some senior Japanese officials that South Korea did not enforce proper export control and Japan must present clear evidence for its assertion.
Iran calls on Britain to immediately release its seized supertanker: IRNA
Iran called on Britain on Friday to immediately release its oil tanker which British Royal Marines seized last week on suspicion that it was breaking European sanctions by taking oil to Syria, a foreign ministry spokesman told state news agency IRNA.
New North Korea constitution calls Kim head of state, seen as step to U.S. peace treaty
Kim Jong Un has been formally named head of state of North Korea and commander-in-chief of the military in a new constitution observers said was possibly aimed at preparing for a peace treaty with the United States.
Indonesia grants clemency to Canadian teacher convicted of sex abuse
Indonesia has granted clemency to a Canadian teacher convicted of sexually abusing students, an official said on Friday, in a case that critics say was riddled with irregularities and threw a spotlight on the Southeast Asian country’s justice system.
Exclusive: Singapore cautions wealth managers on aggressively courting HK business
Singapore has cautioned wealth managers against aggressively marketing their services or making other efforts to woo clients to the city state by capitalizing on rival Hong Kong’s political turmoil, people with knowledge of the matter said.
Indonesia looks east to expand Pacific diplomacy, trade
Indonesia will establish diplomatic relations with the Pacific states of Niue and Cook Islands while pursuing trade deals with Fiji and Papua New Guinea, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said on Friday, as the country moves to strengthen regional ties.
