New Zealand will send one of its largest ever prime ministerial delegations to India next week in a concerted charm offensive designed to boost trade and security ties with the fast-growing economic giant.

A menu of mishaps means the government's school lunch provider is now facing new performance measures - including providing daily evidence of what it is serving up.

Syria's leader has vowed to hunt down the perpetrators of violent clashes pitting loyalists of deposed President Bashar al-Assad against the country's new Islamist rulers.

Fighting between M23 rebels and pro-Congo militias was underway in Nyabiondo, about 100km north of Goma in eastern Congo, residents said.