Government to ban plastic cups and dishes

France's latest efforts to reduce pollution will also affect nature lovers hitting the countryside for an outdoor meal: Under a controversial new ban, picnickers won't be able to buy plastic goblets to drink their beloved wine, or plastic knives to make ham and butter baguette sandwiches.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Progress in judicial protection of rights

Editor's note: The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China on Monday issued a white paper on new progress in the judicial protection of human rights in China. Following is the full text of the document.

Remarks by Li Keqiang at the 11th East Asia Summit

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith,

Li's remarks at the 19th ASEAN Plus China, Japan and ROK Summit

Your Excellency Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith,

Remarks at the 19th China-ASEAN Summit to Commemorate the 25th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations

Your Excellency Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith,

Illegal workers fuel US fishing industry

Hawaii's high-quality sea-food is sold with the promise that it's caught by local, hard-working fishermen. But the people who haul in the prized catch are almost all undocumented foreign workers, con-fined to US boats for years at a time without basic rights or protections.

Underwater drones used to predict hurricanes

As Hermine worked its way up the East Coast, scientists deployed several underwater drones they say will help them better understand what sustains and strengthens hurricanes and tropical storms and ultimately better protect life and property.

Wall to keep migrants out to be built

Britain is to start building a wall in the northern French port of Calais to stop migrants jumping on trucks, under a deal agreed earlier this year, the interior ministry said on Wednesday.

Couples held over Paris car with gas canisters

French police investigating a car containing six gas canisters discovered near the Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris detained a second couple overnight.

Woman charged over kicking migrant

A Hungarian television camerawoman who made headlines last September after appearing to trip and kick migrants who were fleeing police has been indicted, prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Russia intercepts US Navy spy plane

A Russian fighter jet flew within 10 feet (3 meters) of a US Navy surveillance aircraft, in what US officials called an unsafe intercept over the Black Sea, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.