Diabetes doesn't recognize international boarders, it just plows on through. Although much has been made of the rampant rise of type 2 diabetes here in the US, it is a growing problem in Asia as well. A study in the Journal of American Medicine Association highlights how in Asia the age range of people affected by diabetes is significantly younger than the West. In western countries the disease Read more

Defying the world, North Korea launched a rocket Sunday, demonstrating that the country is getting closer to being able to fire a nuclear warhead. Japan, the United States, and China, among other countries, had urged North Korea to forgo the test launch. The rocket traveled over Japan into the Pacific Ocean, and was not intercepted. In front of 20,000 people in Prague today, President Obama Read more

Hillary Clinton has kicked off her trip to Asia (and her first trip as Secretary of State) after arriving in Japan Monday. When she landed in Tokyo, Hillary wasted no time in emphasizing the importance of the US-Japanese alliance. One Asian country not on the itinerary — North Korea — will surely be discussed during her trip. This week the isolated country hinted at its intention to launch a Read more

Back in 1993 when first lady Hillary Clinton visited the great Buddha on the outskirts of Tokyo, hundreds of people greeted her at the train station. Now, when she returns sixteen years later on her first overseas mission as Secretary of State, we'll find out if the Japanese still have love for Hillary. Hillary's appointment received a mixed reaction in Japan, as some voiced concerned over her Read more

Protesters in Bangkok, Thailand, fired guns and beat government supporters today, manifesting violent opposition to Thai prime minister Somchai Wongsawat. At least six people were injured, and the protesters forced the cancellation of a crucial session of Parliament, blocked traffic to the airport, and cut electricity from police headquarters. — New York Times The US Commerce Department Read more

If you wish you could see into the future, US intelligence officials are here to hand you a crystal ball. The National Intelligence Council just released Global Trends 2025, an unclassified intelligence report put out every four years, and assesses the opportunities and problems that lie ahead in the next 15 years. One tip: Americans might need to start practicing being humble, because by 2025 Read more

The ex-president of Taiwan was detained by his country's police on charges of corruption and money laundering today. The defiant Chen Shui-bian raised his handcuffed hands above his head while shouting “Long live Taiwanese independence."— New York Times In his White House meeting with Barack Obama, President Bush indicated that he would support another economic stimulus package, which Read more