Iran is carefully watching the divisive US debate on whether to launch military strikes against its chief ally, Syria, but the Obama administration may be at risk of sending Tehran the wrong message.
The new MERS coronavirus that has claimed dozens of lives in the Middle East does not yet have the ability to trigger a pandemic, but vigilance is needed in case it mutates.
Oil prices surged on Friday helped by a rise in Middle East worries, after Washington said it would provide military support to Syria's rebels and Iran went to the polls to elect a new president.
Japan's economy shrank for a third straight quarter in October-December, data showed Thursday, leaving it mired in recession owing to weak export demand, but analysts pointed to brighter times ahead.