BRUSSELS (AP) -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has reassured European Union officials about the Trump administration's stance toward the bloc, European Council President Donald Tusk said Monday. Tusk said he and Pence held ``open and frank talks'' aimed in part at allaying concerns about President Donald Trump's support of the EU and of European security through the NATO military alliance."I heard words which are promising for the future, words which explain a lot about the new approach in Wash

KUALA LUMPUR (AP) -- North Korea's top envoy in Kuala Lumpur on Monday denounced Malaysia's investigation into the apparent killing of the exiled half brother of North Korea's ruler, calling it politically motivated and demanding a joint probe into the death. The comments from Ambassador Kang Chol came amid rising tensions between North Korea and Malaysia over the death, with Malaysia recalling its ambassador to Pyongyang over what it called ``baseless'' allegations. Kim Jong Nam, the estranged

RUSSELS (AFP) -- US Vice President Mike Pence sought to reassure Europe Monday of Donald Trump's commitment to transatlantic ties as he met EU chiefs in the face of anti-Trump protests.Pence was in Brussels at the end of a European trip aimed at comforting allies fearful US President Trump might abandon them."Today it is my privilege on behalf of President Trump to express the strong commitment of the United States to continued cooperation and partnership with the European Union," Pence said aft

TOKYO(AFP) -- Sony on Thursday halved its full-year profit forecast as it was battered by a near $1 billion writedown on its movie unit while a strong yen also dug into the Japanese firm's bottom line.The dour reading comes as the embattled entertainment giant struggles with a painful restructuring drive that has included layoffs and asset sales after years of huge losses.It said net profit in the nine months to December 31 plunged 80.7 percent to 45.6 billion yen ($405 million) and warned it ex