Japan

Republicans aimed for a vote on Friday to hand President Barack Obama the coveted "fast-track" trade negotiating authority he needs to complete his signature Pacific trade pact after concessions to Democrats appeared to smooth the way forward. 

Senior police investigators from Europe, Japan and the United Arab Emirates gathered in Budva, Montenegro, on Wednesday to share information about ongoing investigations into the so-called "Pink Panther" robberies around the world.

The meeting is part of an Interpol operation against the gang, most of whose members come from the former Yugoslavia.

The Bulgarian city of Ruse hosts an international sand sculpture festival dedicated to cinema between June 9 and 20.

A total of 613 tonnes of sand will be crafted into ten sculptures, each measuring two metres in height, daily Dnevnik reports.

?In Bloom,? the first solo exhibition by Pelin K?rca, opens June 11 at Istanbul?s Dirimart Gallery. Selections of the artist?s latest works will be featured in the exhibition. 

World leaders warned Russia June 8 that it would face stepped-up sanctions for its "aggression" in Ukraine, as they wrapped up a G7 meeting also pledging strong action to fight climate change.

Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov will take part in the American Jewish Committee Global Forum on June 7-9 in Washington.

At the invitation of AJC's executive director, David Harris, Mitov will address the participants in the forum on June 8 during the AJC Global Forum's World Leaders Plenary.

About half of live dolphins caught in the Japanese coastal town of Taiji were exported to China and other countries despite global criticism of the hunting technique used, a news report has said.

The so-called "drive hunt" method has been criticized overseas as cruel and Japanese zoos and aquariums were recently forced to vow not to buy animals caught with the controversial fishing.

President Barack Obama is aiming to show unity with Western allies on global challenges during an overnight trip to Germany, especially Chancellor Angela Merkel amid enduring anti-Americanism in her country over US spying programs.

Thousands of demonstrators marched in the German resort town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen on June 6 to protest against a meeting of leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) industrial nations that starts on June 7 at a nearby luxury hotel.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinz? Abe has stated that the country will provide Ukraine with USD 1,5 B in order to ensure its financial stability, as reported by 112 Ukraine TV.

The statement was made upon the Japanese Prime Minister met with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Kiev Saturday.