Nato is 'fundamental bedrock' for US: Mattis

BRUSSELS • New Pentagon chief James Mattis said yesterday that Nato is a "fundamental bedrock" for the United States as he tried to reassure allies concerned about President Donald Trump's commitment.

"The alliance remains a fundamental bedrock for the United States and for all the transatlantic community, bonded as we are together," Mr Mattis said as he met his counterparts in Brussels for the first time.

The two-day Nato defence ministers' meeting ends today.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

UN study links working remotely to more woes

GENEVA • Working outside an office may spare you from commutes but it also makes you more vulnerable to unpaid overtime, the UN said yesterday.

A report from the United Nations' International Labour Organisation (ILO) studied the impact of working remotely with technological advances changing conceptions of the workplace.

Based on data taken from 15 countries, the ILO found that employees were more productive while outside of a conventional office but noted it also brought risks of "longer working hours, higher work intensity and work-home interference".

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Trio charged over terror plot in France

PARIS • Two men and a 16-year-old girl were charged in southern France on suspicion of planning a terror attack that the authorities believe was imminent, judicial sources said.

The three were arrested last Friday near the coastal city of Montpellier and later indicted for "criminal association in connection with a criminal terrorist enterprise", the sources said.

Two of them were also charged with making and possessing explosives in an organised group.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE