Planet Watch
Obama and the KXL-TPP contradiction
Obama nixed the Keystone XL pipeline a day after announcing he will sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership—which includes mechanisms for challenging the KXL cancellation.
Tag: FTAs
The Andes
Peru: La Oroya protests turn deadly
One worker was killed before laid-off employees of the idled Oroya smelting complex lifted their strike as Peru's government pledged to reach a deal with the facility's creditors.
The Andes
Ecuador: general strike, indigenous march on Quito
An indigenous March for Life and Dignity arrived in Quito just as a general strike was launched to press Ecuador's President Rafael Correa on economic and environmental demands.
East Asia
Taiwan: protesters occupy Education Ministry
Student protesters are occupying the Education Ministry grounds in Taipei to demand an end to planned textbook revisions that emphasize the "One China" view of history.
East Asia
Protests as Japan moves toward remilitarization
Despite a massive nationwide protest campaign, the ruling bloc in the Diet's lower house pushed through a law "reinterpreting" Japan's constitution to allow combat missions.
Southeast Asia
Vietnam tilts to US in Pacific ‘Great Game’
Vietnam's paramount leader Nguyen Phu Trong meets with Obama at the White House, as the US and China play a dangerous game of chicken over disputed islands.
The Amazon
China pushes trans-Amazon railway project
China's Premier Li Keqiang, on a tour of South America, is plugging a transcontinental railway project that would cut through the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
Central America
Honduras: AFL-CIO blames trade policies for crisis
The AFL-CIO once backed US government meddling in Honduras, but a new report from the labor federation is a scathing indictment of US "security" and "free trade" policies.
Central America
Central America: US pushes new ‘Plan Colombia’
The US is now seeking $1 billion from Congress for its plan to step up the failed "war on drugs" and failed neoliberal economic programs in Central America.
Watching the Shadows
Obama’s sixth year: a World War 4 Report scorecard
World War 4 Report offers its annual annotated assessment of Obama's moves in dismantling, continuing or escalating the apparatus of the Global War on Terrorism.
Central America
Central America: refugee ‘crisis’ plan gets a debut
Using the pretext of last spring's uptick in immigration by Central American children, the US is pushing for still more of its failed "drug war" and "free trade" policies.
Central America
Latin America: GAO reports on FTA labor violations
The US has been requiring its "free trade" partners to meet certain labor standards. A US government report raises questions about the policy's effectiveness.