For millions of unemployed Americans, the news about China’s surging export market isn’t necessarily cause for celebration, even if it might be a harbinger for global recovery. Chinese exports surged 50% in May from a year earlier, easily trouncing expectations for a 32% increase, according to a Reuters report citing a leaked statement from a Chinese official. This information is an... 

President Obama has secretly sanctioned a huge increase in the number of US special forces carrying out search-and-destroy missions against al-Qaeda around the world, with American troops now operating in 75 countries. The dramatic expansion in the use of special forces, which in their global span go far beyond the covert missions authorised by George W. Bush, reflects how aggressively the President... 

The salvaged South Korean 1,200-tonne corvette Cheonan North Korea must face international consequences for torpedoing a South Korean warship, Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, warned on Friday. As international diplomatic negotiations began over how to punish Pyongyang for the sinking of the 1,200 tonne warship Cheonan, Mrs Clinton’s remarks heaped further pressure on China to back... 

The Emirates Airlines plane on which Faisal Shahzad was arrested seen on the tarmac at JFK International Airport in New York, May 4, 2011. Pakistani-born U.S. citizen was hauled off a plane about to fly to the Middle East and arrested in the failed attempt to explode a bomb-laden SUV in Times Square, authorities said Tuesday. One official said he claimed to have acted alone. Faisal Shahzad was on board... 

Malaysia’s former prime minister accused America’s “Jewish lobby” of preventing President Obama from ending the war in Afghanistan. Local Malaysian media reported that Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, who ruled the Muslim nation between 1981 and 2003, told the Conference for the Support of Al-Quds on Jan. 21 that AIPAC was hindering two of Obama’s key election promises: ending the war in Afghanistan... 

Are you seeing more and more food from China in your supermarket? Have you noticed you can’t buy a single package of fish that isn’t from Asia? Do you think your food from those countries is processed in a sanitary manner, and thus safe to eat? Unlike the U.S., Canada, and Europe, China does not have laws regulating food processing. Many companies are using Hong Kong addresses for products... 

Russian Oil Pipeline Over the next few days, Russia will change the world. It has completed a new oil pipeline and port complex that sets Russia up to become a more powerful oil exporter than Saudi Arabia. The ramifications for Europe and Asia are profound: The shape of the global economy—and the global balance of power—will be altered forever. December 28 was a big day of ceremony in Russia. Prime... 

A neodymium magnet, commonly used in motors, loudspeakers and other appliances. Neodymium is a rare earth element. Neodymium is one of 17 metals crucial to green technology. There’s only one snag – China produces 97% of the world’s supply. And they’re not selling. Britain and other Western countries risk running out of supplies of certain highly sought-after rare metals that are vital to a... 

That perennial and uniquely Australian debate – are we an Asian country or not – has finally been settled. By the Chinese. A Lowy Institute poll of Chinese public opinion on world affairs, to be released today, shows Australia is accepted as an Asian nation, with an important role to play in regional organisations, attractive values and a good political system. But the Chinese are wary... 

Africans are learning the hard way that in China the consequences for drug smuggling are more grave than a stained criminal record or a long sentence behind bars. Drug smugglers face a life penalty, but not in prison. Despite increasing diplomatic relations on the continent, when it comes to sentencing African nationals for drug offenses, China is showing no mercy. Those convicted are being sentenced...