WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama says he’s deployed 47 U.S. troops to South Sudan amid a worrisome outbreak of fighting there.
Obama tells Congress in a letter that the troops arrived Tuesday and are tasked with protecting U.S. personnel working in South Sudan, the U.S. Embassy in Juba and American property in the country. He says they’ll stay until the security situation improves enough that they’re not needed.
The president says the troops are “equipped for combat.”
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Nearly every U.S. governor pledged Wednesday to combat the opioid crisis that is leaving a trail of overdose deaths and misery in their states.
At least 45 state governors signed on to the Compact to Fight Opioid Addiction committing to fight the epidemic, fueled by the overprescribing of prescription pain relievers.
The National Governors Association released the compact ahead of its summer meeting, which starts Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa. On Friday, governors are expected to hear from experts about the crisis and further discuss how they are responding.
The compact calls on the governors to stop the inappropriate prescribing of painkillers, raise awareness about the problem and encourage treatment and recovery for those already addicted.
Roughly 78 Americans die every day from overdoses of opioids, including prescription pain relievers, heroin and fentanyl, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
TOKYO – Japan’s Emperor Akihito has expressed his intention to retire and relinquish his title in the next few years, rather than reduce his duties as he ages, the country’s public television reported Wednesday.
The 82-year-old Akihito in recent years has referred to his old age and admitted to making small mistakes at ceremonies, and the Imperial Household Agency has suggested reducing his duties, while giving more responsibility to Crown Prince Naruhito.
The NHK report, citing unidentified agency sources, said Akihito has told palace officials that he doesn’t wish to cling to his title with drastically reduced responsibility or by arranging a substitute. Kyodo News agency carried a similar report quoting government officials.
Associated Press
