Briefly

UNITED STATES

Dockworkers on strike over labor contract

Dockworkers at major ports along the US East and Gulf Coasts began walking off the job on Tuesday after last-minute negotiations yielded no new labor contract, a stoppage expected to drag on the world's largest economy just ahead of the November presidential election. The International Longshoremen's Association said the walkout by its workers marks the first "coast-wide strike in almost 50 years". The shutdown would halt shipments of an array of goods from food to electronics and could cost the US economy billions of dollars a week.

EUROPE

Ex-Dutch PM takes over as NATO chief

One of NATO's longest-serving top officials, secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg, stepped down on Tuesday, handing over the reins to former Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte as the military alliance confronts some of the biggest challenges in its history. Rutte underlined the importance of keeping the trans-Atlantic bond between the United States, Canada and Europe strong, and expressed confidence that he can work well with whoever is elected to the White House.

Agencies Via Xinhua