Ahmadinejad

Iran's leader got backing in friendly Bolivia. He inaugurated an Iranian-funded hospital and two milk-processing plants on Tuesday in a goodwill visit in which his leftist host defended Iran's "peaceful" nuclear aspirations. Ahmadinejad and Bolivian President Evo Morales signed an agreement in which Iran committed itself to help Bolivia investigate industrializing lithium. That is the lightweight metal used in electric car and other batteries. Bolivia is a poor country but they possess half of the world's know lithium reserves. No wonder Ahmadinejad is so nice to Bolivia.

Japan Seeks New Ties With India

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has stressed the need for a strategic and global partnership with India to strengthen ties between the two countries. He told the Indian parliament that Japan had rediscovered India as a partner and friend. Mr. Abe is also due to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and will sign a series of major agreements, mainly aimed at doubling bilateral trade.