World dateline briefs

Australia: Whaling

CANBERRA — Australia has announced it will take Japan to the International Court of Justice in a bid to prevent it whaling in the Antarctic Ocean. Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Attorney General Robert McClelland say it underlines the government's "commitment to bring to an end Japan's program of so-called scientific whaling" in the southern seas. They announced the decision to take Australia's important trading partner to the court in The Hague in a joint statement today.

Canada: Security

TORONTO — Canada's Conservative government says the nearly $1 billion it plans to spend on security at the G8 and G20 summits next month is worth it. Canada has budgeted up to $930 Canadian ($885 million U.S.) for the summits. By comparison, the stated amount spent by Pittsburgh on security for last September's G20 summit was $12.4 million. London's stated amount for the G20 last year was $10.9 million. Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said Thursday the cost is expensive but the security "worth it." Toews argues that hosting separate summits back-to-back is unprecedented.

Congo: Rebel taxes

UNITED NATIONS — U.N. experts say rebel groups in eastern Congo are illegally imposing taxes on trucks and pedestrians and receiving local, regional and international support in violation of U.N. sanctions. In an interim report circulated to the Security Council on Thursday, the five-member panel says it also obtained documented evidence of "United Nations certificates" being forged to facilitate the sale of Congolese gold to buyers in regional countries.

Liberia: U.S. praise

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is praising Liberia's progress against poverty and corruption, saying its neighbors can learn from its emerging dedication to democracy. Obama welcomed President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Thursday for an Oval Office visit, praising her for leading Liberia after its brutal civil war. She took office in 2006, the first and still the only woman elected head of state in Africa. Obama noted new elections are set for next year and said countries like Guinea and Niger can learn from them.

India: Train derails