Full Coverage: United States

30.07.2004

What we think of Russia

Since 1997 when the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives exchanged a series of letters with the chairman of the Russian Duma, the dialogue between American and Russian legislators continues till the present with the creation of a study group – the only official exchange between both legislatures.

30.07.2004 Civil rights experts believe released offenders face “strong structural disadvantages” that impede against their chances of rehabilitation into the workforce. While several states restrict ex-offenders from public employment and licensed occupations, federal law bans them from welfare programs and public housing that could improve their chances of getting private jobs because employers only hire individuals with fixed address.

30.07.2004 In an apparently self-contradictory move, the U.S. military this week conferred “protected status” on members of an Iranian armed group that is listed as foreign terrorist organization by U.S. authorities. With this new status, members of the People’s Mujahideen (Mujahedin-e Khalq) cannot be extradited from their current base in Iraq to face trial in Iran and are protected by the Fourth Geneva Convention.

30.07.2004 The UN Security Council will vote on the final draft of the U.S. resolution on Sudan this week. The resolution does not mention sanctions but threatens economic measures against Sudan if its government fails to disarm the Janjaweed militia.

29.07.2004 It’s unlikely, though, that Kerry will take up Clinton’s strong advocacy of free trade as a force for global economic development, political liberalization, and U.S. economic growth and modernization. Unlike Clinton, Kerry is not a free trade ideologue and true believer. But like Clinton, and in contrast to Bush, Kerry is likely to be a stronger advocate for social clauses in trade agreements, if for no other reason than to placate labor and environmentalist constituencies.

29.07.2004

Indígena chiapaneca

A delegation of staff, friends and associates of a U.S.-based civic organization will travel to Chiapas, Mexico from October 9 to 16 this year. The trip is part of the group’s programs which support the indigenous women of Chiapas with human rights trainings, reproductive health workshops and income-generating projects.

29.07.2004

Man with child in floodwaters, Bangladesh © CARE International UK

In India, Bangladesh and Nepal, floods and landslides produced by heavier than normal monsoon rains have forced millions of people to abandon their homes. With rains unlikely to abate throughout July, an international humanitarian group is now distributing basic relief supples such as food, medicines and temporary shelters to survivors.

29.07.2004

Dollar bills

Though “the day of reckoning” is still far off, financial analyst David Francis believes that there are concrete indications - - such as decreased interest in U.S. bonds and stocks, and the sliding value of the dollar - - that foreign investors are less enthusiastic about the American economy. If the U.S. trade deficit continues to rise at its current rate, there will come a point when foreigners will decide not to hold their dollar assets, a situation that will likely raise interest rates and hurt economic expansion in the U.S.

29.07.2004

India Pakistan Summit 2001 © Radio Netherlands Wereldomroep

There are many indications that the United States is losing its influence in South Asia, says Ahmad Faruqui. From the worsening situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, through Washington’s lukewarm relations with India’s new government, to the disappointment of Pakistanis at the Bush administration’s continued support for the repressive government of General Musharraf, U.S. policy in the region is clearly under pressure.

29.07.2004

© ENS

The results of a recent poll conducted by the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) showed that most Americans support sending U.S. troops to protect civilian population in Darfur provided other nations contribute 75 per cent of the forces necessary.

29.07.2004 A new report on the circumstances of children issued last week by UNICEF and the Afghan Ministry of Labor and Social Services recommends foster care arrangement for orphaned children in Afghanistan. Although about 8,000 children live in 36 orphanages in Afghanistan, years of conflict have destroyed support structures and social services for them.

28.07.2004 BOSTON, Massachusetts, (ENS) - The Democrats celebrated at Boston's FleetCenter this week with confetti made from recycled paper and biodegradable balloons. Renewable energy powered the entire Democratic National Convention, and greenhouse gas reduction projects offset the carbon dioxide emitted by delegates, speakers and media as they travel to Boston and home again.

28.07.2004 BOSTON, Massachusetts, (ENS) - The environment was not forgotten as 35,000 people from across the country gathered at the FleetCenter for the Democratic National Convention Monday - delegates, media, official guests and foreign dignitaries.

28.07.2004 Oakland, CA. The Climate Justice Corps, a group of young activists ages 18 to 28, who have been chosen by the Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative, are working with communities impacted by climate change and its sources to fight against the political and industrial causes of climate change. Following the success of last year's original class, the Climate Justice Corps has expanded to include 12 Corps members and several new sites across the country.

28.07.2004 With most hospitals in the country down to only a one or two-day supply of blood since the beginning of July, the American Red Cross is calling on eligible individuals who are 17 years or older to give blood, the gift of life.

28.07.2004 Recognizing the fact that many countries’ concerns about environmental protection are overshadowed by their need to alleviate poverty, a project by a U.S.-based international aid agency emphasizes the need to run economic interventions side-by-side with strong conservation education for longer-term benefits. Working with the East Africa Wildlife Society, the project has already succeeded in getting 16 areas set aside for conservation purposes.

28.07.2004

Daughters in Guatemala © CARE USA

Women in Alta Verapaz and other villages in the Polochic Valley of Guatemala are improving their economic status by setting up joint ventures with the support of U.S.-based civic groups. More than 800 women have started corn mills and market gardens in the past year alone. Women from five more villages are expected to develop their own enterprises this year.

28.07.2004

Member of Children's Pressline conducting an interview

Children’s Pressline (CPL) is a group of young, accredited reporters (ages 8 to 13) who are working with their editors (ages 14 to 18) to cover this week’s Democratic convention in Boston. These young reporters explain their jobs and the process that got them credentialed to be on the floor of the Fleet center in Boston.

28.07.2004

Afghanistan's Taliban ruler Mullah Omar © Radio Netherlands Wereldomroep

With the recent captures of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar’s brother-in-law as well as the Taliban commander of western and southern Afghanistan, Afghan and U.S. intelligence officials are convinced that they are getting close to nabbing Omar, the fugitive head of the Taliban organization.

27.07.2004 In an interview with Benjamin Dangl, contributor to Latinamerica Press, Hardt talks about the roles of major Latin American leaders, the recent US military intervention in Haiti and the coordination of activist movements in Latin America and the United States.