Food fads and taboos exert an increasing influence on our dietary habits, whether inspired by religion, health, compassion, global marketing or any permutation of those factors.

ECONOMIST: Food in history

Lobbyists argue they play a vital role in improving policy and legislation but their critics claim they are hired by companies to exert an unhealthy influence on the political process.

BBC: Call for info on lobbyist meetings with Welsh ministers

Any new instability in the Pyongyang government also could require other nations to count more on China as an intermediary, while opening the door for Beijing to exert more influence in the region.

WSJ: Korean Dictator's Health Is Questioned