U.S. and the World
U.S. Consumer Safety Commission Opens First Overseas Office…in China
In an attempt to be more proactive with China over its exports of dangerous goods, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is opening its first overseas office, in Beijing.
The decision comes after numerous recalls in recent years... read more
New Military Bill Orders Pentagon to Buy Solar Panels from U.S. Firms Only
The U.S. military from now on will be able to only “buy American” when it comes to the purchase of solar energy panels—a move that may upset the government of China.
During the closing days of Congress last month, lawmakers inserted language... read more
Environmental Activist Trial Canceled after Undercover Cop Goes Public
Prosecutors in the United Kingdom have given up on a criminal case against environmental activists after an undercover police officer responsible for gathering incriminating evidence exposed his identity and expressed regret for his actions.
... read more
How Would You Spend $11.6 Billion? How about on Afghan Security Forces?
As the deadline approaches for pulling out troops, the United States and its European allies are preparing to spend more money than ever on improving Afghanistan’s police and military, in the hopes they can take over the country’s security. The ... read more
Bush Administration Bullied Europeans over Genetically Modified Crops
The State Department under President George W. Bush aggressively promoted genetically modified (GM) foods overseas, and discussed threats of economic retaliation against European countries that banned the importation of such crops.
Cables re... read more
Obama Administration Pushed Hard to Protect Bush Torture Lawyers
Shortly after the his 2009 inauguration, President Barack Obama and his administration turned to two leading Republican politicians to help key subordinates of President George W. Bush who faced criminal prosecution in Spain for orchestrating th... read more
Deporting to the Land of Cholera
Humanitarian and civil rights organizations are protesting the U.S. government’s decision to resume deportations to Haiti, which was ravaged by an earthquake in January.
Advocates are upset over the move by the Immigration and Customs Enforc... read more
China Cuts Rare Earth Minerals Exports; Mine in California Reopens after 8 Years
The United States can’t reopen its last operating rare-earth-minerals mine fast enough, now that China has again cut its exports of the highly valuable minerals. After slashing exports in October by 70% over the previous year, the Asian giant deci... read more
Mexican Town Loses Last of 8 Police Officers…to Kidnapping
The small Mexican town of Guadalupe, only two miles from the border with Texas, now has no police force after gunmen kidnapped the last remaining officer, Erika Gándara.
Guadalupe, caught in the middle of a drug war between two cartels, had ... read more
DEA Serves as Worldwide Spy Organization
Where the CIA and other U.S. agencies have failed overseas, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has succeeded in forging close ties, even with governments that mistrust or downright hate Washington. In the process of becoming an important ... read more
Drone Victim Tries to Sue CIA
Having lost both his legs, one eye and three relatives in an airstrike conducted by the CIA, 17-year-old Sadaullah Wazir is intent on suing the spy agency in a Pakistan court for wrongful death. Wazir’s attorney, Shahzad Akbar, admits there is l... read more
ATF Asks for Emergency Order to Report Sales of Assault Weapons on Mexican Border
Seeking to slow the sale of assault rifles to Mexico’s drug cartels, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) wants an emergency regulation adopted by January that would require certain gun dealers along the southwestern bor... read more
House Republicans Defeat Bill Opposing Child Marriage
Legislation intended to end the practice of child marriage worldwide was defeated last week in the U.S. House by Republicans, much to the astonishment of the bill’s supporters.
The bipartisan International Protecting Girls by Preventing Chil... read more
10 Worst Countries for Forced Labor
The list of goods coming out of Asia that were produced using forced labor is a long one, and is mostly the product of two countries: China and Burma. These two nations, which have received plenty of criticism for their human rights records, lea... read more
Halliburton Pays Nigeria $250 Million to Drop Charges against Dick Cheney
Nigeria has agreed to drop corruption charges against former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney and other corporate executives accused of bribing the government to secure a profitable natural gas deal. In exchange for the case’s dismissal, Hallibur... read more
Obama Reverses Bush Refusal to Support UN Natives Rights Declaration
The United States will no longer be the sole holdout on signing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, now that President Barack Obama has announced his decision to support the agreement.
Three years ago, Preside... read more