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The rebranding of Barack Obama

WASHINGTON: Barack Obama bills himself as a new brand of leader poised to drain Washington’s swamp of political cynicism. But despite spellbinding calls for “Change We Can Believe In” the Democratic hopeful is not shirking from cold-eyed positioning to boost his hopes of victory over Repu ...
Glimmers of change in Myanmar

BANGKOK, Thailand: The cyclone that devastated Myanmar’s heartland has also roiled a political landscape dominated by the military for more than four decades. Buddhist monks are regrouping after the battering they took nine months ago, civil society groups are emerging and foreign aid wor ...

Japan-US to start joint cargo screening against N-terrorism

TOKYO: Japan and the United States on Thursday announced a joint project to screen nuclear and other radioactive materials on cargo vessels as a measure to prevent nuclear terrorism.The Mega ports Initiative commits the two governments to set up the screening project at Japan’s central Yokoh ...

France fetes Betancourt’s release

PARIS: France celebrated on Thursday the release of Ingrid Betancourt, whose six-year hostage ordeal in a Colombian jungle turned her into a cause celebre, championed by President Nicolas Sarkozy and grassroots groups. The French-Colombian politician was to return to France on Friday with ...
Philippines' uncovers new plot against Arroyo

MANILA: Philippine authorities have foiled a fresh plot to oust President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, arresting an opposition lawyer, three retired colonels and a former police officer, the national police chief said on Thursday.Avelino Razon said the group was also trying to extort up to $10 m ...
China sticks to its guns on emissions

BEIJING: China said on Thursday it was eager to discuss “long-term” goals on fighting climate change at the G-8 summit but stuck to its position that rich nations must lead on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. “We are ready to discuss the establishment of a long-term global goal to cope ...