Japan posts record trade deficit

Grappling with its worst economic crisis since World War II, Japan posted a record $10.1 billion trade deficit in January, the Ministry of Finance reported Wednesday. It was the fourth straight month of deficits as exports of vehicles, auto parts, electronics and semiconductors slumped.

Share

Apparent rebellion hits Bangladesh force

Shots continued to ring out from inside the headquarters of Bangladesh’s border security force in the capital, Dhaka, hours after a gunbattle began Wednesday morning. In his first speech to a joint session of Congress, Obama said it’s time to act boldly not just to revive the economy, but “to build a new foundation for lasting prosperity.” “While the cost of action will be great, I can assure you that the cost of inaction will be far greater,” he said. The president struck an optimistic tone, asserting that “we will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before.” Obama focused on the three priorities of the budget he will present to Congress later this week: energy, health care and education

Share

Obama outlines ambitious agenda for ‘lasting prosperity’

President Obama on Tuesday outlined an ambitious agenda that requires "significant resources," even as he aims to halve the deficit by the end of his first term. In his first speech to a joint session of Congress, Obama said it’s time to act boldly not just to revive the economy, but “to build a new foundation for lasting prosperity.” “While the cost of action will be great, I can assure you that the cost of inaction will be far greater,” he said. The president struck an optimistic tone, asserting that “we will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before.” Obama focused on the three priorities of the budget he will present to Congress later this week: energy, health care and education

Share

Obama outlines budget priorities in speech

In his first speech to a joint session of Congress, President Obama outlined the three priorities of the budget he will present later this week: energy, health care, and education. The president said he sees his budget as a “vision for America — as a blueprint for our future,” but not something that will solve every problem or address every issue.

Share

20 alleged Hispanic gang members indicted in Colorado

Twenty alleged members of a Hispanic gang believed to be one of the nation’s largest and most violent have been indicted in Colorado on drug and firearm charges, authorities said Tuesday. Of the 20 alleged MS-13 members named in two indictments, eight were arrested Tuesday morning in Denver and in Los Angeles, California, authorities said. Another eight were already in custody, according to a news release from the U.S

Share

India calls for Sri Lanka civilian safe zones

India made a renewed plea Tuesday for the safe evacuation of civilians caught in Sri Lanka’s war zone in fighting between government forces and Tamil rebels. “Full-scale preparations are underway at a satellite launch site,'” a North Korean space committee spokesman said through the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The Kwangmyongsong-2 satellite would launch on the Eunha-2 rocket, he said

Share

N. Korea: Ready to launch satellite

North Korea announced Tuesday it was preparing to launch a satellite from its northeastern coast, denying recent intelligence suggesting it was ready to test a long-range missile. “Full-scale preparations are underway at a satellite launch site,'” a North Korean space committee spokesman said through the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The Kwangmyongsong-2 satellite would launch on the Eunha-2 rocket, he said

Share