ROK govt to boost inter-Korean cooperation fund for next year

SEOUL - Next year's allocation to the inter-Korean cooperation fund spiked 14.3 percent on-year to 1.1 trillion won ($994 million) in the government budget announced on Tuesday, with the sharp increase reflecting Seoul's hopes of expanding and making headway in cross-border projects. Unification-related budget stood at 1.3 trillion won.

Street festival bombing kills 2, wounds 37

SULTAN KUDARAT, Philippines - Philippine authorities were hunting two men believed to have planted the explosives that killed two people, including a young girl, at a festival in the nation's south.

Trudeau stands firm on US deal demands as talks set to resume

WASHINGTON - Canada and United States are set to tackle their contentious issues in bilateral talks on Wednesday, as the two nations work to salvage the North American Free Trade Agreement amid signs Ottawa was open to taking a more conciliatory approach.

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US, Mexico reach new trade deal

WASHINGTON - The United States and Mexico agreed on Monday to overhaul the North American Free Trade Agreement (known as NAFTA), putting pressure on Canada to agree to new terms on auto trade and dispute settlement rules to remain part of the three-nation pact.

German govt condemns far-right riots

CHEMNITZ, Germany - Far-right demonstrators clashed with leftist protesters in the eastern German city of Chemnitz on Monday after an Iraqi and a Syrian were arrested over a fatal stabbing that triggered violent demonstrations.

Russia slams sanctions, mulls response

WASHINGTON - Russia has blasted new US sanctions for an alleged poison attack on a former Russian spy, saying Moscow will "withstand" and respond to Washington's "brute pressure".

Pompeo 'consulted with foreign ministers' on next DPRK step

WASHINGTON - The US State Department said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke on the phone with the foreign ministers of the Republic of Korea and Japan to discuss the next step on engagement with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

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Chinese special envoy commends Mnangagwa

Zimbabwe president says he looks forward to attending FOCAC

Macron to tackle welfare spending

PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron's government will tackle social spending in the next wave of its reforms as weaker than expected growth puts pressure on the budget deficit, the prime minister said on Sunday.

Laos remains target for money laundering

VIENTIANE - Laos continues to face a high risk of money laundering despite the country graduating from the "gray list" of the Financial Action Task Force in 2017, local daily Vientiane Times on Monday quoted Laos' National Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment as saying.