Japanese Prime Minister shinzo abe has confirmed he intends to delay a planned consumption tax hike by another two and a half years, and he vowed to do it without dissolving the lower house for a snap election. Abe told his plans to senior members of his liberal Democratic Party and its Coalition Partner komeito on monday. The tax is supposed to rise from 8 to 10 in april, but the government will need to pass another bill to approve the delay. He also met with finance minister taro aso, who had until now taken a cautious stance on the idea, and had called for an election to get the approval of voters. But he eventually accepted abes plan. Abe will hold a News Conference on wednesday at the earliest to explain his decision. The leaders of four opposition parties, though, charge the pushback means abes Economic Policy dubbed abenomics has failed. They say he bears the responsibility. They plan to jointly submit a no confidence motion against abes cabinet to the lower house on tuesday and
Islands. And taking to the skies. One of japans top car makers is using Lessons Learned from selling cars to push a new plane. In a move that could raise tension, the United States says china has deployed an advanced surfacetoair Missile System on one of the disputed islands in the South China Sea. According to the u. S. , the Chinese Military deployed the system on woody island, part of the paracel island chain. China claims the island and it is also claimed by vietnam and taiwan. Fox news reports that civilian satellite images show surfacetoair missile launchers and a radar system there. Also in the South China Sea, beijing has been constructing artificial islands by claiming several reefs in the disputed spratly islands. One of the airstrips is already in use and can accommodate military aircraft. The reports come just as u. S. President obama called on leaders of Southeast Asian nations to cooperate in maintaining security in the disputed waters. We discussed the need for tangible
Cincinnati observatory to learn how it became the first public observatory in the western hemisphere. John this is the Cincinnati Observatory Center, situated in the city of cincinnati, approximately six miles east of downtown cincinnati. We call ourselves the birthplace of american astronomy. The founder of the observatory, ormsby mcknight mitchell, was essentially what we call the call sagan of the day. He was the popularizer of astronomy at that particular period. The first observatory of significance in the country and definitely the first public observatory at that time. He was a west point graduate and he was teaching at the Cincinnati College and in 1842 there was a group in town, the society for the promotion of useful knowledge. They offered to mitchell an opportunity to lecture the citizens. He started his lecture in this lecture hall, overflowed that, so they moved it to a chapel that seated 1200 people and does they ended the lecture, they said, why couldnt we, the citizens
Quorum call mr. Sanders mr. President . The presiding officer the senator from vermont is recognized. Mr. Sanders i ask that the quorum call be vitiated. The presiding officer without objection, so ordered. Mr. Sanders mr. President , i wanted to inform the members about an important hearing that was held this morning at the Senate Veterans committee. And i also want to thank the members of the senate who in the midst of a very partisan environment last month voted with 93 votes, overwhelming support to pass a very significant piece of legislation to help the men and women who put their lives on the line to defend our country, the legislation that was written by senator mccain and myself. And i thank him very much for his help in this effort. One of the important provisions in that legislation was an understanding that the needs of our veterans are a cost of war. They are a cost of war quite as much as guns and tanks and planes and missiles are a cost of war. It seems to me to be fairl
King abdullah of saudi arabia passed away. King abdullah was a powerful alwry of u. S. Ally of u. S. Degrade and defeat i. S. I. L. The battle against i. S. I. L. Is not confined within the borders of iraq and syria. Its a huge task with no short cuts. 13 killed in donetsk after shelling hit a bus. The regions airport falling no the hands of prorussian rebels. Its a blatant land grab. The numbers of whim edge murdered is women murdered is happening fast. Grieving families of dead women is stunned that little is justice. Sometimes the sword a mightier than the pen. There are times the freedom of speech is mightier than the sword we begin with the death of saudi king abdullah. He passed away after a lengthy hospital visit. He was a powerful ally of the United States and a reformer. He opposed the arab springs. President obama praised the king writing the president continued the kings 79yearold brother will take over the throne. King abdullah will be laid to rest form. Lets bring in berna