Some U.S. officials are voicing increasing concern about the burgeoning cost of American military involvement in simultaneous wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and now Libya. By various government and private accounts, the U.S. has spent more than $1 trillion over the last decade on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and already more than $700 million […]
For the U.S., a Slack Economy, but Growing War Costs
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 2:36 am (UTC-5)
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Japan’s Ruling Party Seeks 70-Day Extension of Parliament
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 2:14 am (UTC-5)
Leaders of Japan’s ruling party say they will seek to extend the current parliamentary session until the end of August, giving themselves time to pass key legislation before the expected resignation of Prime Minister Naoto Kan. Mr. Kan has still not set a date for his departure, which he announced at a party meeting early […]
South Korea to Build Second North Korean Refugee Center
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 1:50 am (UTC-5)
South Korea says it will build a new resettlement center to handle the growing number of North Korean defectors and help them adjust to life in the capitalist country. A spokesman for the Unification Ministry says the new facility will accommodate about 500 people at a time. She said ground-breaking will take place in town […]
Zimbabwe Teachers Set to Strike Wednesday
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 1:30 am (UTC-5)
A union spokesman in Zimbabwe says teachers at state run schools are planning to strike Wednesday, primarily over demands for better pay. The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe is calling on the government to increase teacher salaries from $200 a month to $500. The union also wants the government to review housing and transport allowances […]
ADB Urges Asian Nations to Boost Clean Energy Investments
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 1:30 am (UTC-5)
The head of the Asian Development Bank is calling for governments in the region to take “radical steps” to increase energy efficiency and invest in renewable energy. ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda said Wednesday that a failure to address the need for energy security could cost Asia its hard-won progress in reducing poverty. Speaking in Manila, […]
Industry Pressure Blamed for China’s “Shameful” Milk Safety Standards
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 1:10 am (UTC-5)
Chinese state media say pressure from powerful dairy interests is to blame for China having the weakest milk safety standards of any major country. The Communist Party-controlled Global Times reported Wednesday that the allowable bacteria count in Chinese milk is 20 times higher than in the United States or Europe. It also says protein requirements […]
Second Night of Violence in N. Ireland
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 12:45 am (UTC-5)
Violence has erupted for a second straight night in Northern Ireland between Protestants and Catholics. Police say approximately 500 people were involved in Tuesday fighting that saw both sides throw rocks and gasoline bombs. Police officers in east Belfast struggled to keep the two sides apart. Riots Monday night left two people shot in the […]
Argentine President Announces Bid for Reelection
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 12:30 am (UTC-5)
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has ended speculation about her political future, announcing Tuesday that she will run for reelection in October. Although many polls suggest she is likely to win a second term, it had been unclear whether she would run because of recent health problems. President Fernandez cancelled a visit to Mexico […]
Kachin Exiles Accuse Burmese Forces of Systematic Rape
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 12:20 am (UTC-5)
A Burmese exile group is accusing government forces of systematically raping and sometimes killing women during its advance on strongholds of an ethnic rebel group. In a press release issued late Tuesday, The Kachin Women’s Association Thailand says at least 18 women and girls were gang-raped in a nine-day period after the offensive began on […]
Australian Military Aiming to Shift Forces North
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 12:05 am (UTC-5)
Australia has begun a review of its defense forces which could lead to a shift of resources and personnel to the country’s resource-rich northwestern coast. Defense Minister Stephen Smith told reporters Wednesday the review will consider how best to defend the growing oil and natural gas exploration projects in the area, as well as the […]
