Maduro off to China, Vietnam in 'difficult times'

A handout photo released by the Venezuelan Presidency shows Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L) waving next to First Lady Cilia Flores (R) during a rally in Caracas on August 28, 2015 (AFP Photo/)

Caracas (AFP) - Venezuela's socialist President Nicolas Maduro will go cap in hand to China and Vietnam at the weekend, with his oil-rich country mired in recession.

U.N.'s Ban defends China parade trip after Japanese concern: Xinhua

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, speaks during an event marking 4th anniversary of the bombing of the Abuja United Nations building by Boko Haram members in Abuja, Nigeria, August 24, 2015. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese state news agency Xinhua said on Saturday U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has defended his trip to Beijing next week to watch a military parade marking the end of World War Two following concern from Japan.

Russia creates Aerospace Forces by merging military branches

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia has merged several branches of its military into the Aerospace Forces — a reorganization aimed at enhancing coordination and efficiency, officials said Monday.