Tag Archives: country

Brown: Afghanistan is ‘crucible of terror’

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown reiterated the UK’s commitment to the war in Afghanistan during a surprise visit to the country and warned that a "crucible of terrorism" existed in the Taliban-dominated border region with Pakistan. Brown held talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul on Monday after earlier visiting British troops fighting as part of the NATO-led international coalition in Helmand province. Brown said the UK’s 8,300-strong troop deployment would be temporarily raised to 9,000 during Afghan elections due to be held in August.

Share

Countries take steps to prevent swine flu outbreak

As more cases of swine flu are reported in various parts of the world, governments and health officials have scrambled to take precautions to prevent the outbreak from entering their borders. The World Health Organization urged countries worldwide to look out for “unusual” outbreaks of flu following an emergency meeting. It said it will decide on Tuesday whether to raise the pandemic alert level

Share

Sri Lanka ends combat operations

Sri Lanka has ordered an end to combat operations against Tamil Tiger rebels in the country’s north, the president’s office said Monday. “Our security forces have been instructed to end the use of heavy-caliber guns, combat aircraft and aerial weapons which could cause civilian causalities,” according a statement from the Presidential Secretariat.

Share

Swine Flu: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Outbreak

Concern that the world could be on the brink of the first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years escalated Sunday as France, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Spain reported potential new cases in which people had been infected with swine flu and Canada confirmed several new cases. In the U.S., where 20 such infections have been confirmed, federal health officials declared a public-health emergency and are preparing to distribute to state and local agenciesa quarter of the country’s 50 million-dose stockpile of antiviral drugs. Meanwhile, in hard-hit Mexico, where more than 80 people have died from what is believed to be swine flu, the government closed all public schools and canceled hundreds of public events in Mexico City.

Share

What Happens If You’re on Gay Rights’ ‘Enemies List’

Ever since a slim majority outlawed gay marriage in California, opponents have waged national protests and petitions, urging the judicial system to reconsider the results of the Nov. 4 referendum. While the court weighs whether or not to get back into the fray, the civil unrest ignited by the ban shows no sign of abating.

Share

Ecuador’s Correa claims re-election win

President Rafael Correa of Ecuador claimed re-election victory Sunday minutes after the polls closed, calling his apparent win "a day of joy" in which "we have made history." Officials results were not expected until later Sunday night.

Share

Sri Lanka rejects Tamil Tigers cease-fire

Sri Lankan officials rejected a proposed cease-fire from the Tamil Tiger rebels Sunday, warning instead that government troops intended to continue a new offensive until the group surrenders, a senior government official said. “The government is firm that (the rebels) lay down their arms and surrender. We do not recognize this so-called offer,” said Lakshman Hulugalle, director of Sri Lanka’s Media Center for National Security.

Share

The Portuguese Experiment: Did Legalizing Drugs Work?

Pop quiz: Which European country has the most liberal drug laws? Although its capital is notorious among stoners and college kids for marijuana haze–filled “coffee shops,” Holland has never actually legalized cannabis — the Dutch simply don’t enforce their laws against the shops. The correct answer is Portugal, which in 2001 became the first European country to officially abolish all criminal penalties for personal possession of drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine

Share