Condoleezza Rice, Gov. Bentley and Others Welcome Japanese Business Leaders to Birmingham
Japanese business leaders met Monday at the historic Alabama Theater in Birmingham with delegates from a handful of southern states for a conference aimed at strengthening cultural ties and expanding commercial opportunities.
Governor Robert Bentley played host to the group at the South East U.S. – Japan Conference, which included Governor Bill Haslam of Tennessee and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Rice spoke about growing up in Birmingham, her time as Secretary of State during 9/11 and her support of the Trans Pacific Partnership, or TPP. She says the plan will only strengthen the U.S. trade relationship with Japan and she expects Congress to vote in favor of the agreement.
Rice also talked about an urgent need to deal with ISIS, noting that many members of the group hold European and American passports, making them a security threat here in the U.S. as well as abroad.
Governor Bentley boasted the who’s who of Japanese businesses call Alabama home, including Honda and Toyota. Since 1999, Japanese firms have invested more than $4.8 billion in the state, creating nearly 16,000 jobs.
Death, love, sex, mistakes, marriage and ‘More.’ Pulp is back after 2 decades
Pulp was the wittiest, bitterest star in the Britpop constellation. On More, the band's first new album in 24 years, singer Jarvis Cocker is learning to trust his feelings.
Vance voices loyalty to Trump but says he ‘understands’ Musk’s frustration
As the Trump-Musk feud escalated, JD Vance signaled loyalty to Trump during a recent podcast appearance. At the same time, the vice president said he understands Musk's frustration.
Coco Gauff wins the French Open to claim her 2nd Grand Slam title
The 21-year-old American star battled back over three sets to defeat the world's top-ranked player, Aryna Sabalenka. Gauff is the first American to win at Roland-Garros since Serena Williams in 2015.
Israel says it has retrieved the body of a Thai hostage in Gaza
Israel said it had retrieved the body of Nattapong Pinta, who was abducted during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war. He had come to Israel to work in agriculture.
A former police chief who escaped from an Arkansas prison is captured
A former police chief and convicted killer known as the "Devil in the Ozarks" was captured by law enforcement 1.5 miles from the prison he escaped from following a nearly two-week-long manhunt.
Should federal rental aid come with a time limit? Here’s how it works in one place
The Trump administration wants to allow a cutoff date for housing subsidies. The plan is deeply controversial, but Delaware offers a potential model for success.
