The Japanese government revised limits on defense equipment exports Tuesday to enable the sale of weapons overseas, Kyodo News reported.

Iranian team receives green light from supreme leader for talks with US: Axios report

BAGHDAD, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's Coordination Framework, an umbrella alliance of Shiite parties and the largest parliamentary bloc, failed Monday to agree on a nominee for prime minister-designate, the state-run Iraqi News Agency reported.Abbas al-Amiri, the alliance's secretary-general, said the meeting was positive, with members presenting and discussing views on potential candidates, but added that more time was needed.Al-Amiri said the bloc will hold another meeting on Tuesday, aiming to reach a final decision by Wednesday.On April 11, Iraq's parliament elected former environment minister Nizar Amedi as president. Under the constitution, the president has 15 days to nominate a prime minister-designate from the largest parliamentary bloc. The nominee then has 30 days to form a government and seek a confidence vote.In January, the Coordination Framework nominated former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for the post. The move drew criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned Washington would no longer help Iraq if al-Maliki returned to power. Al-Maliki dismissed the remarks as blatant U.S. interference and a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.Under Iraq's post-2003 power-sharing system, the presidency is held by a Kurd, the parliamentary speaker by a Sunni Muslim, and the prime minister by a Shiite Muslim.