Across the World: United States

War funding sought

President Barack Obama asked the US Congress on Thursday for an extra $83.4 billion to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan this year, citing threats from Al-Qaida and a resurgent Taliban.

"We face a security situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan that demands urgent attention," he said in a letter, urging lawmakers to approve his request. Almost 95 percent of the funding would go to support military efforts to stabilize Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

(China Daily 04/11/2009 page11)