CLOSE to 600 journalists, TV crew members and international commentators are expected to focus the world’s attention on Ireland during voting on the Lisbon treaty referendum in six week’s time.

Toyota Motor Corp is reportedly halting plans to build new factories in Thailand and Russia to cope with faltering demand amid a global recession.

South Korea's government and private analysts questioned media reports that North Korea was poised to make an important announcement possibly concerning the health of its leader, Kim Jong Il, or a power shift in the communist nation.

North Korea will make an “important announcement” tomorrow amid speculation over the health of its leader Kim Jong Il, a Japanese newspaper reported today.

The US and Japan both urged North Korea to suspend preparations for a test-launch of a long-range missile today, and called on it to return to stalled talks on dismantling its nuclear weapons programme.