US Admiral Concerned Over China Military Buildup

A U.S. Navy admiral expressed new concern over China’s military buildup and urged Beijing to be clearer about its intentions. With China’s military growing at an “unprecedented rate,” the U.S. wants to ensure that expansion doesn’t destabilize the region, Rear Adm. Kevin Donegan told reporters on a visit to the Chinese territory of Hong Kong.

Donegan referred to China’s expanded weaponry. His remarks echoed the concerns of other U.S. military leaders who have said the growth in China’s military spending up almost 15 percent in the 2009 budget — raises questions about how Beijing plans on deploying its new power.

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Global Crisis By 2030

Growing world population will cause a “perfect storm” of food, energy and water shortages by 2030, the UK government chief scientist has warned.

By 2030 the demand for resources will create a crisis with dire consequences, Prof John Beddington said.

Demand for food and energy will jump 50% by 2030 and for fresh water by 30%, as the population tops 8.3 billion, he told a conference in London.

Climate change will exacerbate matters in unpredictable ways, he added.

‘Complacent’

“There’s not going to be a complete collapse, but things will start getting really worrying if we don’t tackle these problems.”

Prof Beddington said the looming crisis would match the current one in the banking sector.

“My main concern is what will happen internationally, there will be food and water shortages,” he said.

“We’re relatively fortunate in the UK; there may not be shortages here, but we can expect prices of food and energy to rise.”

The United Nations Environment Programme predicts widespread water shortages across Africa, Europe and Asia by 2025.

The amount of fresh water available per head of the population is expected to decline sharply in that time.

The issue of food and energy security rose high on the political agenda last year during a spike in oil and commodity prices.
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South Korea’s Navy On Alert After North Issues Warning Of Conflict

North Korea issued another warning on Sunday, threatening South Korea of a possible military conflict as the former try to restructure its foreign policies against South Korea amid mounting tension in the Korean Peninsula.

The reports on Sunday said the South Korean Defense Ministry officials have indicated that the country’s navy will remain on high alert along the western sea border.

The Communist country warned that it will abandon all the peace agreements with its southern neighbor, adding that he is confident that it’s army has grown to be “invincible”

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) claimed that the South Korean government has been responsible for worsening ties between the two nations.

South Korean president had pledged to reduce tensions by resuming food aid after the talks between the two sides, which accepted truce after 1950-1953 conflict but have not agreed on a peace treaty.

But with Friday’s warning by the North, the political analysts fear that the tension may lead to inevitable military conflict and a war.

“The KPA (Korean People’s Army)… has grown to be the invincible revolutionary ranks all members of which devotedly defend the Party and the leader” the North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted Kim Jong-Il as saying, without giving a date for the visit, according to AFP.

The state media has blamed the South Korea’s president for trying to avoid his personal responsibility for the two sides’ strained relations by reviving previous bilateral summit accords.

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