US hits NKorea in the wallet, targeting private Asian banks in effort to restart nuclear talksWASHINGTON — The Obama administration’s push to settle a tense nuclear standoff with North Korea is being spearheaded not by soldiers on a battlefield or big-name diplomats but by government officials knocking on the doors of banks throughout Asia. Almost half of Americans think Obama sneaking ciggis into the White House!WASHINGTON - While US President Barack Obama continues to enjoy high job approval ratings, there is a view among almost half of the Americans polled, that he has not kicked the smoking habit, and is sneaking them into the White House. Philip Morris International 1st-quarter profit falls 12 percent on strong dollar, revenue dipsRICHMOND, Va. — Philip Morris International Inc., which makes Marlboro and other cigarettes for sale overseas, said Thursday that the strong dollar battered its first-quarter profit, which fell 12 percent. Taiwan bans indoor smokingTAIPEI - Taiwan Sunday banned smoking in all indoor public places, becoming the 17th country in the world and the second in Asia to take the move to protect people’s health. |