Briefly

MALAWI

Memorandum on BRI cooperation signed

Malawi signed a memorandum of understanding with China on cooperation for the Belt and Road Initiative on Wednesday in the capital Lilongwe, becoming the latest country to join the multinational project. At the signing ceremony, Malawi's Foreign Affairs Minister Nancy Tembo said joining the BRI will provide new impetus for cooperation between the two countries. Chinese Ambassador to Malawi Liu Hongyang said China stands ready to link the BRI with Malawi's 2063 Vision. Over 170 countries and international organizations have so far signed BRI cooperation agreements with China.

IRAQ

Parliamentary bloc nominates candidates

A new parliamentary bloc led by Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's Sadrist Movement announced on Wednesday the nomination of Rebar Ahmed Khalid and Jaafar al-Sadr for the posts of president and prime minister respectively. The tripartite bloc Saving Homeland also includes Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Al-Siyada Alliance. Khalid is the incumbent interior minister in Kurdistan. The parliament earlier announced him as a presidential candidate on behalf of the KDP. Jaafar al-Sadr currently serves as the Iraqi Ambassador to Britain.

SOUTH KOREA

Ex-president leaves hospital after release

Former president Park Geun-hye left hospital on Thursday, three months after she was released from prison following a pardon for her role in one of the country's biggest corruption cases. Since the December pardon, 70-year-old Park has been an inpatient at the Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, being treated for shoulder pain and dental problems as well as stress, according to local media. She had been serving a 20-year prison sentence for abuse of power and bribery, and another two years for election law violations.

Xinhua - Agencies