Japan to pick new prime minister on Sept 17: Kyodo

18:52, August 30, 2020

• 3 Photos

  Hichem Mechichi assumes office as Tunisian PM

  Tunisian Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and former prime minister Elyes Fakhfakh attend the power transfer ceremony in Tunis, Tunisia, Sept. Hichem Mechichi formally assumed his duties as the head of the new Tunisian government on Thursday, said the Tunisian presidency. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua

• 15 Photos

  Japanese PM Abe announces resignation over health issues, intent to run in next general election

  Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe takes off his face mask at the start of a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 28, 2020. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said at a press conference on Friday that he will step down from his post due to health concerns.

• 

  Statue of Canada's first prime minister toppled by protesters

  A statue of Canadas first Prime Minister Sir John Macdonald was toppled in downtown Montreal by protesters marching in support of defunding police, government officials said.A statue of John MacDonald lies on the ground, with its head a few meters away, at Canada Park in central Montreal, August 29, 2020. /AFPThe incident occurred at the end of a peaceful march on Saturday when a group of people climbed the monument and pulled down the statue, causing the head to fly off, according to video posted on social media.A statue of John MacDonald is seen on the ground after it was pulled down during a protest against racial inequality, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, August 29, 2020. /ReutersCalls to defund the police have been growing across the U.S. and Canada, after a spate of violent incidents involving police. The death of George Floyd, a Black man, while in the custody of Minneapolis police in May, sparked global protests about racial inequality and police brutality, and renewed pledges from some to fight racism.In June, a video showing a forceful arrest of a Canadian indigenous leader by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police raised questions about the use of force by the police.The statue of Macdonald has been the site of repeated acts of graffiti in recent years, and it has often been covered in red paint.Saturdays incident drew quick condemnation from political leaders."Whatever one might think of John A. Macdonald, destroying a monument in this way is unacceptable," Quebec Premier Francois Legault said in a tweet. "We must fight racism, but destroying parts of our history is not the solution."Newly elected leader of Canadas main opposition Conservative Party, Erin OToole, said, "We will not build a better future by defacing our past."Source(s): Reuters