France's Hollande heads to Japan for 'Abenomics' lesson
Just weeks after a visit to regional rival China, French President Francois Hollande arrives in Japan on Thursday, hoping to close deals on nuclear cooperation and in the aviation sector.
04 June 2013 13:20
French move to ban industrial food from 'restaurants'
Worried its gastronomic reputation is being damaged by substandard eateries, France is considering banning establishments from calling themselves restaurants if meals are not made from scratch by in-house chefs.
04 June 2013 11:19
S. Korea, US hold talks on key nuclear accord
South Korea and the United States began extended negotiations Monday on renewing their civilian nuclear pact, with Seoul pushing for the right to produce its own nuclear fuel.
Iran nuclear impasse to dominate IAEA meeting
Iran's defiant expansion of its nuclear programme and 10 failed meetings with the IAEA will dominate a gathering of the UN body's board starting Monday.
Russia's ambitious smoking ban goes into effect
Russia's ambitious smoking ban, which aims to cut the number of smokers in half and improve public health, went into effect Saturday amid doubts that its measures can be fully enforced.
03 June 2013 10:42
US reaffirms defence treaty with Philippines
The United States on Saturday reaffirmed its commitment to a defence treaty with the Philippines, which is currently embroiled in a territorial dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea.
02 June 2013 11:39
China's Xi in Trinidad to boost Caribbean trade
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in oil-rich Trinidad and Tobago late Friday for the first leg of a Latin America and Caribbean tour aiming to strengthen Beijing's trade ties in the region.
02 June 2013 11:39
Japan pledges $14 bn in aid to Africa over 5 years
Japan said Saturday it would give $14 billion in aid to Africa over the next five years, as Tokyo scrambles to grab a share of resources and the potentially vast marketplace on offer.
US defence chief accuses China of cyber spying
US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Saturday accused China of waging cyber espionage against the United States, stepping up pressure on Beijing over the issue ahead of a key summit between their leaders.
01 June 2013 14:59
Obama approval ratings down amid political flaps
President Barack Obama's approval ratings took a hit over the past month as he wrestled with controversies over the IRS, Benghazi and the secret seizure of journalists' phone records.
