United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Britain’s Michael Keating as his new Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan. In a statement Wednesday, the U.N. mission in Afghanistan said Keating brings extensive experience in managing humanitarian emergencies and post-conflict recovery programs in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa. He replaces Robert Watkins of Canada, who has […]
Disease Forces Closure of Jamaican Citrus Farms
Posted July 6th, 2011 at 1:25 am (UTC-5)
The Jamaican government has shut down the nation’s citrus nurseries in an effort to contain a dangerous disease that threatens the island’s valuable citrus industry. Jamaica’s ministry of agriculture said Tuesday that it ordered the closure of the nurseries and banned the sale of all citrus plants in order to protect the $43 million industry […]
Australian Parliament Gets World’s Toughest Anti-Tobacco Bill
Posted July 6th, 2011 at 1:20 am (UTC-5)
Australia’s government has formally introduced to parliament what it says are the world’s toughest laws on cigarette packaging. Health Minister Nicola Roxon introduced the legislation Wednesday, saying the government will not be deterred by the threat of legal action from major tobacco companies. She said the laws are designed to remove “the last vestige of […]
Japan to Run Stress Tests on Nuclear Power Plants
Posted July 6th, 2011 at 1:05 am (UTC-5)
The Japanese government says it will conduct stress tests on all the country’s nuclear reactors to determine whether they can withstand a natural disaster. Trade Minister Banri Kaieda told reporters Wednesday that tests will be conducted on all 54 operational reactors to ensure there will be no problems with power supplies. The decision follows a […]
Chinese Firms Demands CNN Apology for Century Egg Slur
Posted July 6th, 2011 at 12:35 am (UTC-5)
China’s largest egg processing company says it is demanding an apology from a U.S.-based television network for describing a traditional Chinese dish as the world’s most disgusting food. Chinese broadcast and print media said Wednesday the demand was issued by the chairman of the Hubei Shendan Healthy Food Company on behalf of his 3,000 workers. […]
