But the Alliance party, which controls the balance of power on Belfast council, said the designated days option was in line with the recommendation from Northern Ireland's Equality Commission as an approach that would promote good relations between both sides.

BBC: Northern Ireland

But she did attempt to limit the damage to the newly warming relations between trustbusters on both sides of the Atlantic.

ECONOMIST: Oracle and Sun Microsystems

"We don't intend to worsen relations between Japan and China, " he said, adding that both sides "need to share the recognition that having good relations is in the national interests of both countries".

BBC: Japan election: LDP's Shinzo Abe vows tough China line