New Zealand boosts air surveillance capabilities

WELLINGTON • New Zealand has agreed to buy four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol planes, Defence Minister Ron Mark said yesterday, strengthening its surveillance capabilities. Mr Mark said the aircraft were acquired from the US through its foreign military sales programme and would cost NZ$2.34 billion (S$2.17 billion), including training costs. They would be operational in 2023.

REUTERS

Germany, China reaffirm multilateralism pledge

BERLIN • Germany and China are committed to multilateralism and a rules-based global trade order, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said at a joint news conference with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang yesterday.

The two leaders spoke after a joint government meeting at which a raft of economic cooperation agreements between German and Chinese companies were signed.

REUTERS

Danone to probe baby formula milk complaints

LONDON • French food giant Danone has said it is investigating complaints made by hundreds of parents in Britain that its revised Aptamil baby formula is making their babies sick, the BBC reported yesterday.

The report interviewed several mothers who said their babies experienced upset stomachs after they were fed the new version of Aptamil First Infant Milk powder (stage 1).