Ireland requests billions in euro loans from EU

Ireland has requested "billions" of dollars in loans from both the IMF and the European Union.  Ireland has significantly struggled economically ever since the stock market crisis in 2008.  The Irish government had continually put off formal loan requests from the IMF and European Union despite their faltering economic status.  According to the article, it is highly likely that Ireland's request for funds will be met by the international community.  Interestingly enough, both the UK and Sweden have considered offering loans to Ireland on their own behalf.  With the Euro now being the most commonly accepted form of currency in Europe, it is critical for member countries of the European Union to keep all Euro representative countries afloat economically. 

By: Cameron Adams

Israeli PM: Iran the world's biggest threat

Recently while speaking at the Jewish Federations of North America's annual gathering, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Iran "the biggest threat to his country and the world."  During the speech Prime Minister Netanyahu also commended President Obama for supporting increased sanctions on Iran.  During the speech 5 protesters had to be forcefully removed.  "The first requirement of any living organism, of the people of any collective body, is to identify danger in time," Netanyahu said. "The greatest danger facing Israel and the world is the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran."


By: Cameron Adams

Japanese prime minister faces tests at home and abroad

This past weekend the Prime Minister of Japan Naoto Kan conducted his first interview with an international media outlet (CNN).  In the interview several topics were talked about, but far and away the most prevalent topic of discussion was Japan's plan to keep peace with neighboring rival China.  Also in the interview, Prime Minister Kan discussed the recent incident where Chinese fishermen were caught in Japanese waters, though China claims the waters belong to them.  In response to the issue at hand P.M. Kan had this to say; "There is no territorial issue connected to the Sengaku islands. In fact, the Senkaku islands are the inherent territory of Japan. That is recognized in our history and also by international law."  Naoto Kan is the 4th Prime Minister in 5 years in Japan, so it will be interesting to see how the Japanese people react to his administration and policies.

By: Cameron Adams 

Death toll rises in Mexican border city shooting

The death toll from the recent shooting in Juarez, Mexico has risen to 14 people.  The shooting took place at an apparent party Friday when gunmen stormed the house and began opening fire.  It's being reported that 14 others were also injured during the incident.  The victims of the shooting ranged from ages 7-30.  During a press conference deputy interior minister Juan Marcos Gutierrez stated "We are here to address this deplorable and condemnable acts, and to ensure full support to local authorities investigating these unfortunate events."

By: Cameron Adams 

Afghanistan clarifies rules for private security companies

The Afghan government has recently decided to allow private security operators to continue working in Afghanistan.  There was an outcry after President Hamid Karzai ordered the dissolution of all private contractors currently working in Afghanistan. Generally, the private security firms are in charge of protecting foreign diplomats when visiting Afghanistan and protecting embassy's.  Hamid Karzai's administration initially stated that foreign private contractors were compromising the sovereignty and security of the state.  A spokeswoman for the U.S. embassy in Kabul names Caitlin Hayden stated, "While we are encouraged by elements of the statement made today by the Afghan government, there are still details to clarify and work out, notably on how this will impact our development assistance and the implementing partners who help deliver that assistance." We'll have to wait and see if the Afghan government stays true to their word.

By: Cameron Adams

Ecuador extends state of emergency in capital

In response to the recent attack on Ecuador President Rafael Correa, Ecuadorian authorities have decided to extend the state of emergency in the capital city of Quito.  The police officers were apparently provoked to attack President Correa because of a new law they suspected would considerably cut bonuses and reduce compensation.  According to the article, the state of emergency in Quito was expected to expire this past Friday.   Interestingly, a congressman from an opposing party suggested the entire ordeal was staged.  "Everything was staged by the president to hide the extreme corruption and to hide the poverty, hunger and unemployment that have risen to an alarming level." Hopefully for the sake of Ecuador this conflict can be resolved quickly.


By: Cameron Adams

14 Injured in Mexican Grenade Attack

Late Saturday evening a grenade blast rocked Mexico City injuring 14 people, 8 of which were minors.  Fortunately, as of Sunday there were no reported fatalities.  According to the article, two gunmen stopped near a building, exited their vehicle, walked up to the building and threw the grenade in an area where families were walking by.  Mexican authorities suspect a drug cartel was in on the attack.  Drug cartel violence in Mexico continues to escalate on almost a daily basis.  The Mexican government has a huge crisis on it's hands to somehow try to eliminate the ongoing drug related violence.     



By: Cameron Adams

Jewish boat sets sail to Gaza with aid

It's being reported that a Jewish boat has set sail and intends to land on the Palestinian controlled Gaza strip and deliver aid.  Ever since modern day Israel was created following World War II, there has been a constant, steady conflict between the Palestinians and the Jews.  One of the reasons there has been so much tension in the area is because Israel's Jerusalem serves as a center point for three of the worlds major religions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism).  Fighting over who should have control of the city is just one of the many conflicts currently taking place.  This act of genorosity from the Jewish people serves as a reminder that their are still those who think peace is a possibility between these two groups of people.  Richard Kuper from the group Jews for Justice for Palestinians said "Israeli government policies are not supported by all Jews", "We call on all governments and people around the world to speak and act against the occupation and siege."  Who knows, maybe this effort could spark a potential peace effort from the Jews and Palestinians.  

By: Cameron Adams

American detained more than a year in Iran arrives in United States

After 410 days of Iranian captivity, American citizen Sarah Shourd was released from an Iranian prison where she was being held.  Just a little over a year ago Shourd and others were hiking along the Iraq-Iranian border when they mistakenly wandered into Iran.  The Iranian government captured the group and accused them of being American spies.  They were taken to Iran's Evin prison where they were questioned and held by government officials of Iran.  Two of the hikers still remain in Iranian captivity with no timetable for a potential release date.  Upon Shourd's return she said, "It is my deepest hope that the world will not let this humanitarian gesture ... go unrecognized. I believe this decision is a step in the right direction for all of us."  She also praised the Iranian government for her release but also mentioned that she doesn't deserve to be out of prison anymore than the two remaining Americans.  It's my hope that the Iranian government comes to its senses and releases the other two captives so they may return home to their families and friends.


By: Cameron Adams

Iranian president: 9/11 was 'big lie'

According to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 were nothing more than a "big lie" intended to "pave the way for the invasion of a war-torn nation." Ahmadinejad's comments come just two days before his scheduled arrival in Afghanistan. Ahmadinejad thinks the attacks were used as an excuse to pursue the extermination of terrorist networks and to invade Afghanistan. This isn't the first time Iran's president has denied significant historic events; Ahmadinejad has also denied the existence of the Nazi holocaust during World War II. I suppose we should just expect the Iranian president to continue making outrageous remarks towards the west so long as he remains in power.

By: Cameron Adams

Storm batters Europe, at least 55 dead

A winter storm by the name "Xynthia" smashed into Western Europe on Sunday. The storm was said to have hit France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and England with deaths being reported in all nations. According to the report France was hit the hardest of the affected countries. There are 55 deaths being reported initially and that number could very well rise in the coming days. The death toll in France sits at 45 right now, with most of the victims dying from drowning. French Prime Minister Francois Fillon declared the storm a "national catastrophe." He also went on to add, "now the priority is to bring all the people left homeless and still threatened by the rising waters to safety, all services are mobilized to reach that goal as soon as possible."

By: Cameron Adams

Iranian president warns against tougher sanctions

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appears to be stirring up controversy yet again today as he warned the United States and other countries not to place tougher sanctions on Iran for it's nuclear ambitions. When President Ahmadinejad was asked about the possibility of tougher sanctions being placed on Iran he replied, "We prefer that they move in the spirit of cooperation. It won't put us in trouble. They themselves will get into trouble." Ahmadinejad's comments come just a day after United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Saudi Arabian officials expressed concern over Iran's nuclear program. Yesterday Clinton addressed Iranian officials admitting they have enriched uranium to a level of 20%, she said, "This has only deepened the international community's doubts about Iran's nuclear intentions, along with the Iranian government's own isolation." Ahmadinejad continues to make provoking comments that suggest Iran is developing its nuclear program for more than just civilian purposes, and I think it has become a legitimate cause for international concern.

By: Cameron Adams

North Korea "Not Eager" to Restart Nuke Talks

Well this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who's been following the North Korea nuclear weapons fiasco. According to a report a UN envoy to the country put it best saying North Korea is "not eager" to restart talks about eliminating their nuclear arsenal. Last year China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the United States began talks with North Korea about them giving up their nuclear weapons. The talks were ended shortly and North Korea remained firm on their stance of remaining a nuclear state. It now appears the U.S. is attempting to get the talks going again, but North Korea isn't having it. Because North Korea continues to not cooperate in talks, the UN continues to mandate sanctions on the already impoverished nation. The article makes it clear that North Korea is not very appreciative of these sanctions. Hopefully it's enough to resume talks and perhaps convince North Korea to give up their weapons.

By: Cameron Adams

Costa Rica elects first woman President

Today the country of Costa Rica has elected it's first ever woman President. Laura Chinchilla of the National Liberation Party assumed victory after her opponent Otton Solis conceded his party's defeat earlier in the evening. According to the article, poll results showed Chinchilla recieving roughly 46.8 % of the vote with Solis only recieving 25 % of the vote. In Chinchilla's victory speech graced the woman population of Costra Rica and thanked them for their vote. She was quoted as saying "I want to thank the pioneering women who years ago opened the doors of politics in Costa Rica, my government will be open to all Costa Rican's of good faith." Truly this is a historic moment for the country of Costa Rica but is probably more historic for the women of Costa Rica and the role they are beginning to play in politics.

By: Cameron Adams

13 dead, 13 injured in Juarez shooting

A group of unidentified gunmen randomly opened fire at a party today in Juarez, Mexico. The attack killed 13 people, and injured at least 13 more. It was said the gunmen arrived at the location of the party, blocked off all the nearby streets and exits, and opened fire on the innocent bystanders. It's being suspected that the attacks were drug related according to initial reports. Juarez is a key location for drug cartels to distribute narcotics into the United States because of its close proximity to the border. In the past few years Mexico has become ridiculed with drug cartels which has led to a huge increase in murder rates within the country. According to the article, with this attack included, there have been over 160 murders in city of Juarez alone since the new year. Unfortunately, so long as drug cartels are going to have territory clashes, we can expect stories like this on a fairly frequent basis coming out of Mexico.

By: Cameron Adams

U.S. seeks charges against former Guatemalan President

The United States is looking extradite and try former Guatemalan President Alfonso Portillo on money laundering charges. Portillo, who served as Guatemalan President from 2000 to 2004 is accused of funneling money into Caribbean and European accounts via United States banks. Portillo is most notably remembered for promising to clean up corruption in the Guatemalan government, however it was later found that his political stint was just as corrupt as previous administrations. As of Sunday night, Guatemalan police had conducted four raids, all of which came up unsuccessful in locating Portillo. As the search continues we should remember this isn't the first time the United States has gone after a foreign leader, and certainly won't be the last.

By: Cameron Adams

Three Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrike

Well this shouldn't surprise anyone, there is yet another Israeli-Palestinian conflict to report from the Middle-East. According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, three Palestinian men were killed by Israeli Defense Forces as they were preparing to fire rockets into southern Israel. It's being reported that up to 20 rockets have been fired into Israel from Gaza just this week. Clearly, Israeli and Palestinian relations have digressed in the past year with an estimated 1,166 deaths as a result of fighting. Netanyahu insists that so long as Palestinian forces instigate the state of Israel with these attacks there will be retaliation, terrorist acts will simply not be tolerated. He also adds "this is not how peace is made. Peace is made by educating towards reconciliation, by encouraging good neighborly relations and by developing mutual respect." For this regions sake, lets hope both sides take this advice to heart.

By: Cameron Adams