Spain seeks arrest of Catalan leader

MADRID - A Spanish judge was set on Friday to issue an arrest warrant for Catalonia's deposed leader Carles Puigdemont over his region's contested independence drive, in a move likely to further escalate tensions in Spain's worst political crisis in decades.

Attack victims honored as investigators seek answers

NEW YORK - The eight people killed in a truck driver's rampage were honored by friends and strangers on Thursday with a nighttime walk down the riverfront esplanade where the victims died as both investigators and terror-weary New Yorkers tried to make sense of the crime.

New great ape species found in Indonesia

JAKARTA - A new species of orangutan has been discovered in the remote jungles of Indonesia, immediately becoming the world's most endangered great ape, researchers said Thursday.

Trump plumps for 'safe pick' Powell to oversee economy

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced his nomination of Jerome Powell to chair the Federal Reserve, a replacement who is widely expected to stay the course on monetary policy.

IN BRIEF (Page 8)

Boom time for UK trade with China

Companies 'ahead of the curve' as investment shifts further inland

Tourists enchanted by Malaysian hot spot's three-wheel wonders

MALACCA, Malaysia - Decked out with flashing lights and cartoon characters, with loud music pumping, rickety bicycle rickshaws have become a hit with tourists visiting the historic Malaysian city of Malacca.

Japanese firms hit by quality-control crisis

A series of leading Japanese manufacturers have been mired in recent quality scandals, damaging the once-revered "Made in Japan" reputation and reflecting a lack of supervision on a national level.

University builds zoo to soothe students

CANBERRA - An Australian university has set up a petting zoo to help students cope with the stress of exam time.

Flooding away from the fields

Drought forces Sri Lankan farmers to move to cities in search of work

Bangladeshi auto driver sues over movie mobile mix-up

DHAKA - A Bangladeshi auto-rickshaw driver is suing for damages after his phone number was used in a movie, leading to a barrage of calls from female fans of the film's star that he says nearly destroyed his marriage.

Mountain conqueror takes to the tides for China challenge

MANILA - After conquering Qomolangma, which is also known as Mount Everest in the West, Philippine adventurer Carina Dayondon is set to sail to China aboard a wooden replica of an ancient boat in the hopes of raising national awareness of her country's forgotten maritime prowess.