Early results from Indonesia’s election on Wednesday showed President Joko Widodo securing a comfortable lead over ex-general Prabowo Subianto.
Official results are not expected until May, but the so-called "quick counts" showed that Subianto was more than 10 percentage points behind Widodo.
Prabowo's campaign spokesman said the numbers based on 50 per cent of votes was not enough.
Iran sends proposal for negotiations with US to mediator Pakistan
Tehran has submitted its latest proposal for negotiations with the United States, Iranian state media and a Pakistani official said on Friday, a move that could offer hope for breaking a deadlock in efforts to end the Iran war.
Iran threatens painful response if US renews attacks
Iran said on Thursday it would respond with "long and painful strikes" on US positions if Washington renewed attacks and restated its claim to the Strait of Hormuz, complicating US plans for a coalition to reopen the waterway.
Ukrainian drones hit Russian port of Tuapse for the fourth time
A fresh Ukrainian drone strike on Russia’s Black Sea port of Tuapse, the fourth in the past week, sparked a fire at the sea terminal but caused no injuries, local officials said early on Friday.
Detained Myanmar ex-leader Suu Kyi to meet legal team this weekend
The legal team of Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi plans to meet the detained former leader this weekend after she was transferred to house arrest in the capital by the military-backed government, a representative said on Friday.
The UAE has welcomed a new resolution adopted by the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee during its 84th session.
At the United Nations Security Council, the UAE has called for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, urging that Iran be held fully accountable for obstructing international navigation.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has praised the efforts of the first batch of Emirati government officials to secure scholarships to study at the world's top universities.
