Commentary:The battle to determine the composition of the next Iraqi government has not yet been won, writes Nussaibah Younis. However, Iran could secure a strategic victory in the face of lackluster engagement by the United States. “Senior U.S. foreign policy officials are distracted by the upcoming summit with North Korea, while those assigned to push back against Iranian influence are solely focused on re-imposing sanctions – failing to appreciate the significance of this potential turning point for Tehran’s regional influence.”
Japanese workers are signing up for second jobs in record numbers to earn extra cash as wages stagnate, stirring hopes of a rise in consumer spending but adding to fears of overwork in a society notorious for long hours. For more world at work stories.
The oil industry will face the biggest squeeze on its spare production capacity in more than three decades if OPEC and its allies agree next week to hike crude output, leaving the world more at risk of a price spike from any supply disruption.
Christian Louboutin’s battle to protect his trademark red soles was given a lift when the European Union’s top court said they did not consist exclusively of a shape, which are usually not protected under EU trade mark law.
