Topic: U.S. Congress

Gabrielle Giffords to attend State of Union before stepping down (+video)

Gabrielle Giffords will attend President Obama's State of the Union Tuesday before resigning from Congress. Gabrielle Giffords vows to return to work for Arizona after her recovery.

Five major SOPA supporters

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and its Senate counterpart, the Protect IP Act or PIPA, would allow the US government to seek a court order and even shut down websites that contain content or links “committing or facilitating online piracy.”  Moreover, advertisers and Internet service providers would be banned from doing business with violators.

However, payment and advertising networks, search engines or service providers that take voluntary action to redress detected violations – by terminating businesses with transgressor sites or comply with the law – will be granted immunity from liability charges.

On Sept. 22, 2011, more than 350 trade associations, professional and labor organizations, and businesses signed a letter urging Congress to enact legislation to stop “rogue sites” from copyright infringement.

Here are five key SOPA and PIPA supporters:

SOPA blackout: How to get around the Wikipedia protest

Wikipedia imposed a SOPA blackout today, redacting its English encyclopedia in protest of the US bill. Don't worry. Here are five ways to get around the blackout.

Aid groups: With new Africa drought looming, donors must speed response

Aid groups warned that a drought was coming to the Horn of Africa in 2011, and say now that a late response by donor nations unnecessarily cost thousands of lives. 

What Guatemala's new president wants from the US

Former Gen. Otto Perez Molina, who will be inaugurated as Guatemala's president today, plans to push for renewed US military aid, raising concerns among critics of his legacy from Guatemala's civil war.

Supreme Court justices face tangled mess with Texas redistricting plan

Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments Monday over competing plans for redrawn legislative districts in Texas amid allegations the state Legislature was diluting Latino political power.

Fidel Castro death rumor shows paradoxes in Cuba

As 2012 kicks off, blogger Anya Landau French weighs in on the Cuban economic and social developments that she will assess as she visits Havana next week.

US 'deeply concerned' after Egypt raids NGO offices

The US said it was 'deeply concerned' after a series of raids by Egypt's ruling military today on nongovernment organizations promoting democracy and human rights, some US-funded. 

Latest leader to redefine term limits: Senegal's President Wade

Protesters in Senegal have been pressing President Wade to drop his bid for a third term. Now other nations are voicing concerns too.

Taxes: 2011 Lump of Coal Award goes to ...

Taxes were frequently in the spotlight in 2011, and not it a good way. Here are my Top 10 worst moment in fiscal policy and taxes.

Secret US-Taliban talks reach turning point

Negotiations between the US and Taliban in Afghanistan have reached a critical juncture, with a potential breakthrough of future peace talks.

Vaclav Havel: playwright, poet, president, advocate for 'the individual' (Video)

Vaclav Havel not only led a peaceful 'Velvet Revolution' in Czechoslovakia, but inspired similar revolutions around the world with ideas that still resonate today.  Vaclav Havel passed away on Sunday.

Hezbollah, terrorist financing, and Venezuela: Don't panic

Ayman Joumaa was indicted in Virginia this week for laundering Hezbollah money and helping smuggle drugs out of Latin America.  Blogger James Bosworth argues this is not a reason to worry.

Prohibition: India's and America's shared lessons in fight against alcohol

This week's death toll of more than 100 in the Indian state of West Bengal point to India's well-intentioned motives but mixed record in restricting the sale of alcohol.

How WTO membership made China the workshop of the world

China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) a decade ago primed it for high-speed growth. Other countries have seen benefits as well – but say China has also become adept at getting around the rules.

How the House spending bill could prove a lump of coal for Cuban-Americans' holidays

A provision into the omnibus spending bill being negotiated in Congress this week could present a terrible quandary for thousands of Cuban-Americans, warns guest blogger Anya Landau French.

Is the US dragging its feet on a climate deal?

Some countries and advocacy groups are saying that the United States is seeking to delay the start of a legally binding climate change deal until after 2020, a charge that the US climate envoy denies. 

As Egypt votes, eyes on the presidency (VIDEO)

Egypt's parliamentary election began today, but the real prize is the presidency. Top candidate Amr Moussa recently offered his vision for Egypt in an interview.

Good Reads: So Western nations have failed to cut spending. What's next?

With a US Congress 'super committee' unable to cut spending and Britain's government also struggling, the West is looking like a wastrel; and Cairo's Tahrir Square seethes once more. 

Super committee failure threatens key tax breaks

Super committee deal would have made it easier for Congress to extend temporary tax breaks that are buoying the economy. The likely debacle of the super committee could trim growth by ending those tax breaks.

The LRA and the most popular Africa legislation in recent US history

US Congress passed legislation in 2010 aimed at bringing an end to the Lord's Resistance Army. What is the status of that effort? 

Europe can improve upon US's 'conflict minerals' legislation: ICG

The European Union is debating how best to handle the issue of conflict minerals. International Crisis Group says it should not merely follow in the United States' footsteps, but go further.

Trade deals: South Korea finally wins FTA with the US, but hurdles remain

Trade deals with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama were ratified last night. The FTA with South Korea highlights a key moment in US-Korean relations, but the deal still faces obstacles in South Korea.

Unemployment benefits, trade data point to improvement

Unemployment benefits claims dipped by 1,000, just below expectations for unemployment benefits claims. Trade balance report confirms US avoided third-quarter recession.

Trade deals: US-Colombia FTA ratified, but will it help Colombian workers?

Trade deals with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea were ratified last night. Progress to protect Colombian trade union members has been made, but the murder rate of Colombian workers remains high.