NewsRack: newstrust/US/Foreign-Policy

Obama could give these striking low-wage workers the raise they need - NewsTrust Yahoo Pipes Feed

rss@dailykos.com (Laura Clawson) — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

“The truth is, I’m ready. I’m not scared,” janitor Vilma Martinez told The Nation in Spanish last night. “Fear fades away, especially in the face of the unfair treatment we get here.” Martinez, who’s worked at Union Station for the past 19 years, said that the federal contractor ICC Cleaning pays her $8.75 an hour. She said she’s supposed to get regular check-ups for a serious heart condition, but only sees a doctor when she goes back to El Salvador, because she’s uninsured. [...] Martinez told The Nation that if she could talk to the president, “I would ask him to help us get a decent salary, and respect on the job, and health insurance, so we don’t have to go back to our countries to get treated.” “With the help of god, and the help of my co-workers,” said Martinez, “I’m hopeful that at the end of the day we’ll be triumphant.” 10:06 AM PT : According to organizers, the strike has shut down about half the food court at the Ronald Reagan building and the McDonald's at the Air and Space ...

Anderson most skillful fast bowler in the world: England bowling coach David Saker - New Kerala: World News

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

London, May 21: England's bowling coach David Saker has described Jimmy Anderson as the most skillful bowler in the world, following the latter's astounding display during the Lord's Test against New Zealand.

Obama's Africa tour leaves ancestral homeland of Kenya as loser - The Guardian -- World Latest

David Smith — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

US president will be on diplomatic mission to make up for lost time, and some say the strategic neglect will cost America And the winners are: Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania. Each will be rewarded for its democratic virtues next month when Barack Obama embarks on his first major presidential tour of Africa. The biggest loser? Kenya. Not even a relatively peaceful election earlier this year is enough to tempt Obama back to his ancestral homeland. The big problem is the winner, Uhuru Kenyatta, who is facing charges of crimes against humanity at the international criminal court (no matter that the US is yet to sign up to the ICC). At least the president will avoid jibes from Donald Trump about returning to his birthplace. Rubbing salt in Kenya's wound will be Obama's patronage of neighbouring Tanzania, which compares favourably in terms of ethnic harmony. Senegal, a key francophone ally for the US, also gets the presidential nod after a smooth democratic transition last year that was ...

National Security Brief: DOD To Take Over Some CIA Drone Programs - Think Progres

ThinkProgress — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

National Security Brief: DOD To Take Over Some CIA Drone Programs

Obama Stops Championing Treaty That Gives the Blind Better Access to E-Books - Wired Top Stories

David Kravets — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Obama Stops Championing Treaty That Gives the Blind Better Access to E-Books

Russia’s Lavrov on Solving Syria through Diplomacy (Text of Interview) - Informed Comment

Juan Cole — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

The USG Open Source Center translates an interview by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov from Russian, treating Syria and Palestine. Russian Foreign Minister Discusses Syria, Palestinian Question in Interview to Lebanese TV Transcript of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview to Lebanese Television: “Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s Interview to Lebanese TV Channel Al-Mayadin, Moscow, [...]

EU parliament to debate tax evasion - BBC: Front Page

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

The European Parliament is to meet to debate ways to tackle tax evasion, as the EU aims to stem the huge flow of funds lost to member states.

Palestinians hold off on UN agency membership - Twincities.com: Nation

The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

UNITED NATIONS—A top official says Palestinians have done all the legal work necessary to join 63 U.N. agencies, conventions and treaties, but

A Waltz in the world of power - Hindu: Home

Arun Mohan Sukumar — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

There is much to learn from his exposition of realism, his lasting legacy to international relations theory, and its limitations

Palestinians hold off on UN agency membership - Boston Globe: Latest

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Palestinians hold off on UN agency membership

Ireland gives 'positive response' to PCB's tour request - New Kerala: World News

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Karachi, May 20 : Ireland has given hope of reviving international cricket in Pakistan after it reportedly agreed to consider visiting the country to reciprocate Pakistan's one-day international (ODI) tour of Ireland.

Abu Qatada to remain in prison until he returns to Jordan - The Guardian -- World Latest

Alan Travis — Sun, 19 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Judge turns down cleric's bail request, saying he remains a threat to national security The radical Islamist cleric Abu Qatada has been refused bail and will remain in Belmarsh high-security prison until he returns to Jordan to stand trial on terror charges, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) has ruled. Mr Justice Irwin said Abu Qatada, who has been repeatedly detained as an international terror suspect in prison in Britain over the past 12 years, remained a threat to national security with a wide support network and could not be trusted not to abscond. Abu Qatada informed the home secretary, Theresa May, earlier this month that he was willing to return voluntarily to Jordan after she reached a "fair trial" treaty with Jordan. Siac was told that the British ambassador in Amman expected the Jordanian parliament to ratify the "mutual legal agreement" within weeks. The decision to refuse bail follows evidence to Siac that jihadist material and videos produced by "the ...

Leaders of China, India say peace between Asian giants crucial for stability - Star Tribune: World

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Abu Qatada expects to be acquitted of terror charges in Jordan, lawyers say - The Guardian -- Front Page

Alan Travis — Sun, 19 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Treaty between UK and Jordan makes acquittal more likely over 'tainted charges', court hears Abu Qatada, the radical Islamist cleric, expects to be acquitted of "tainted" terror charges when he voluntarily returns to Jordan, his lawyers have told a court hearing. Danny Friedman, for Abu Qatada, told the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) on Monday that the new treaty between Britain and Jordan ensuring he will not face a trial based on evidence obtained by torture "substantially raises the prospect of acquittal in what we say are tainted charges". Abu Qatada faces a re-trial on terror charges on his return to Jordan in connection with two bombing attacks dating back to the late 1990s for which he has been convicted in absentia. The radical cleric, who has been described as at the centre of al-Qaida-linked activities in Britain, is challenging a decision to detain him in Belmarsh maximum security prison pending the ratification of the new treaty secured by the home secretary, ...

Rights group criticizes Sri Lanka's rights record - Boston Globe: Latest

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Rights group criticizes Sri Lanka's rights record

Vettori in line for NZ Test return - BBC: World

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

New Zealand's Daniel Vettori could play in the second Test against England after Bruce Martin is ruled out with injury.

Abu Qatada appeals for family time - BBC: Front Page

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Radical cleric Abu Qatada is a proud man who wants to spend time with his family before leaving the UK, an immigration tribunal hears.

Rights, liberties threatened in Sri Lanka, says rights body - New Kerala: World News

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Colombo, May 20 : Respect for basic rights and liberties has declined in Sri Lanka in the four years since the government defeated the Tamil Tigers, Human Rights Watch said Monday.

Ivory Coast's reconciliation under threat from victor’s justice – video - The Guardian -- World Latest

Henrietta Williams, Hugo Williams — Sun, 19 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Atrocities were committed on both sides during Ivory Coast's post-election conflict two years ago, and few face justice. What impact will this have on long-term reconciliation?

Henrietta Williams

Hugo Williams

PM warns overseas territories on tax - BBC: Business

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

David Cameron has called on British overseas territories to "get their house in order" and sign up to international treaties on tax.

Abuse of power - Salt Lake Tribune

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Published May 19, 2013 05:27PM MDT I totally agree with Rep. Jason Chaffetz that whoever is found guilty of abusing their power at the Internal Revenue Service should be prosecuted and sentenced to prison (“IRS officials should be jailed for tea party scandal, Chaffetz said,” Tribune, May 14). I suggest that Chaffetz begin legal proceedings against former President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for war crimes, lying to the American people and starting a needless war that has cost our country and the world untold... ...

Russian military to make inspection flights over US - New Kerala: India News

Sat, 18 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Moscow, May 19 : A group of Russian military observers will carry out two inspection missions over the US under the Open Skies Treaty between May 19 and June 3, the Russian defence ministry said.

Analysis-Airline Emissions Deal May Not Come Before EU Deadline - International Herald Tribune: Americas

By REUTERS — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Analysis-Airline Emissions Deal May Not Come Before EU Deadline

Is Kagame Africa's Lincoln or a tyrant exploiting Rwanda's tragic history? - The Guardian -- World Latest

Chris McGreal — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

In the second part of his special report, Chris McGreal meets President Paul Kagame in Kigali – and finds him angry Paul Kagame is angrier than I've ever seen him. Rwanda's president is famously direct with his critics. His contempt for governments he's crossed swords with, led by the French, is only marginally less vitriolic than his view of human-rights groups daring to lecture him, the rebel leader whose army put a stop to the 1994 genocide of 800,0000 Tutsis. But now even friends are regarded with suspicion to the point of hostility. Take London and Washington accusing Rwanda of perpetuating the interminable and bloody conflict across the border in Congo and flagging up concerns that Kagame is constructing a de-facto one-party state. They are hypocrites, blind to their own histories, says Rwanda's president. "Who are these gods who police others for their rights?" he says in an interview with the Observer at the presidential office in Kigali. "One of the things I live for is to ...

Paul Kagame: I asked America to kill Congo rebel leader with drone - The Guardian -- World Latest

Chris McGreal — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

In an exclusive interview with Chris McGreal in Kigali, Rwanda's president denies backing an accused Congolese war criminal and says challenge to senior US official proves his innocence Rwanda's president, Paul Kagame, has rejected accusations from Washington that he was supporting a rebel leader and accused war criminal in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by challenging a senior US official to send a drone to kill the wanted man. In an interview with the Observer Magazine , Kagame said that on a visit to Washington in March he came under pressure from the US assistant secretary of state for Africa, Johnnie Carson, to arrest Bosco Ntaganda, leader of the M23 rebels, who was wanted by the international criminal court (ICC). The US administration was increasing pressure on Kagame following a UN report claiming to have uncovered evidence showing that the Rwandan military provided weapons and other support to Ntaganda, whose forces briefly seized control of the region's main city, Goma. ...