China Construction Bank has stopped doing business with two North Korean banks, the Chosun Ilbo daily reported May 9, citing diplomatic sources in Beijing.

Turkish police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators gathered in central Istanbul on May Day, Reuters reported May 1.

An Iranian workers' union urged Tehran to increase salaries and battle inflation May 1, AFP reported, citing a report from the Iranian Labor News Agency.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered across Europe on May Day to protest austerity measures, Reuters reported May 1.

Several thousands workers have gathered in front Indonesia's Presidential Palace in Jakarta to commemorate May Day, Antara News reported May 1.

Cyprus' parliament has approved a 10 billion euro ($13 billion) bailout from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, BBC reported April 30.

Egypt will raise the fees paid by ships passing through the Suez Canal on May 1, a Suez Canal Authority official said, Reuters reported April 30.

Georgian authorities are holding talks with Moscow about easing visa regulations for Georgian businessmen, Georgian Agriculture Minister David Kirvalidze said April 22, RIA Novosti reported April 23.

China has confirmed six new cases of H7N9 bird flu, including five in Zhejiang and one in Jiangsu, Xinhua reported April 21.

The International Monetary Fund reached an agreement with Tunisia on a two-year, $1.75 billion loan, AFP reported April 20.