Global Politics

Senate Blocks Global Gag Rule

A bipartisan majority in the Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amendment that repeals the anti-abortion “Global Gag Rule” and restores $600 million in funding for international family planning and reproductive health services. Republican Senator Mark Kirk (IL) and GOP Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined Senate Democrats in passing the amendment. The […]

Global Politics

Senate Narrowly Approves of Vote for Fast Tracking the TPP

The Senate voted this morning to advance consideration of trade promotion authority, also known as “fast track” authority, for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), barely getting the 60 votes necessary to continue the bill. The cloture vote, which was needed in order to proceed with a vote on fast track authority for the TPP, was narrowly […]

Activism Global Politics

Groups Hold National Day of Action to Oppose “Fast Tracking” of TPP

Activist groups are hosting a National Call-in Day of Action today, asking individuals across the nation to call their Representatives in the U.S. House and urge them to oppose Trade Promotion Authority, or “Fast Track”, for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a sweeping trade agreement that has raised serious human rights concerns and threatens US jobs. Fast […]

Afghanistan Global Womens Rights

President Ghani Confirms: Four Women Ambassadors to be Appointed in Afghanistan

Ashraf Ghani, President of Afghanistan, announced that at least four women will be appointed as foreign diplomats, as well as made other promises for appointments of female government officials at varying levels of Afghanistan’s government. Last week, the Office of the President of Afghanistan tweeted that “at least four women ambassadors will be appointed to represent […]

Global Labor Rights

Murder Charges in Rana Plaza Garment Factory Collapse

Bangladeshi officials have charged 41 people with murder for the April 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse that killed at least 1,127 workers, many of whom were young women. Those charged include Sohel Rana, the owner of Rana Plaza, as well as at least a dozen government officials. Another individual was charged with building code violations. The multi-story […]