McDonald's on Wednesday reopened its flagship outlet in central Moscow for the first time in four months after Russia clamped down on the fast-food chain for alleged hygiene violations following Western sanctions over Ukraine."We have obtained agreement from the Russian public health agency to reopen our Pushkin Square restaurant," McDonald's spokeswoman Svetlana Polyakova told AFP.Symbolically, the restaurant was the first ever branch of McDonald's to open in the Soviet Union in 1990, when peop

World News Nov. 19, 2014

A second Frenchman was identified Wednesday after appearing unmasked in a grisly execution video among Islamic State jihadists, many of whom are believed to be Western fighters.Several European countries are probing the possible involvement of their nationals in the execution of 18 Syrian prisoners and kidnapped US aid worker Peter Kassig.The video sparked global horror after its release Sunday by the IS Sunni Muslim extremist group that has carried out widespread atrocities since seizing contro

World News Nov. 19, 2014

KOTA TERNATE, Indonesia (AFP) -- A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake rocked the Maluku Islands in eastern Indonesia Saturday, sparking a tsunami warning and causing panicked people to flee their homes. Small waves generated by the undersea quake were detected in several parts of the sprawling archipelago, local authorities said, although there were no reports of casualties or major damage and the tsunami warning was lifted after a short while. Nevertheless, the prospect of a major tsunami set ne

World News Nov. 15, 2014

(Bloomberg) -- European leaders called on Russia to stop supplying rebels in eastern Ukraine, stepping up pressure on President Vladimir Putin as he joined the Group of 20 summit in Australia. "We will continue to use all diplomatic tools, including sanctions, at our disposal" to end the crisis, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy told reporters in Brisbane. "Russia must stop the inflow of weapons and troops," he said, adding European foreign ministers will gather Nov. 17 to discuss fur

World News Nov. 15, 2014

South Korea and New Zealand announced Saturday that they have struck a free trade agreement to boost trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.The announcement, made on the sidelines of a summit of the Group of 20 advanced and emerging economies in this Australian city, wrapped up more than five years of tough negotiations between the two countries. South Korea is a G-20 member but New Zealand was invited to the Brisbane summit as a guest."The FTA will provide a basis to further e

Foreign Affairs Nov. 15, 2014

A 7.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the Maluku Islands in eastern Indonesia Saturday, the US Geological Survey said, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning. The undersea quake struck at a depth of 46 kilometres (28 miles) at 10:31 am (0231 GMT), 154 kilometres northwest of Kota Ternate, the USGS said. "Tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 300 kilometres," said the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.The centre said tsunami waves could hit parts of Indonesia, as well the Philip

World News Nov. 15, 2014

The South Korean stock market is likely to trade lower next week on persistent uncertainties from the stronger Japanese yen, analysts said Saturday.Seoul shares traded higher earlier in the week on news of a bilateral free trade agreement with China, a boon for South Korea's export-oriented economy. China is the country's biggest trading partner.The market lost its shine later in the week as investors changed to a wait-and-see approach on the trade deal, forecasting that there will be a delay in

Nov. 15, 2014

North Korea on Saturday condemned South Korea for firing warning shots at its soldiers as they approached the military demarcation line (MDL), warning that such "provocations" will "lead to a great war of justice.""Recently the South Korean puppet military...have gone extremely reckless in making provocations in the area of the military demarcation line," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported a statement from the Korean People's Army (KPA)."If they continue the military provocation desp

North Korea Nov. 15, 2014

South Korea’s major parties will attempt to finish up negotiations over the special Sewol bill and other key proposals including the overhaul of the Coast Guard on Friday.  　National Assembly sources say the parties have almost reached an agreement on the special Sewol bill, but they continue to hold different views on reorganizing the Coast Guard and the nation’s emergency response infrastructure. 　With parties eager to finish talks, however, a final agreement appears likely by Friday or, if de

Politics Oct. 31, 2014