U.S. Congress Moves Toward Full Trade Embargo on Iran Jim Lobe WASHINGTON, 23 May (IPS) - The U.S. Congress moved closer here Wednesday to imposing a full trade embargo against Iran and pledged its support to Israel if it felt compelled to attack Tehran’s nuclear programme in self-defence. more...   Myanmar’s President Makes Historic, Divisive Visit to White House Carey L. Biron WASHINGTON, 20 May (IPS) - Myanmar’s President Thein Sein on Monday became the first leader of that country in almost a half-century to pay a call on the White House, a visit that has simultaneously highlighted a series of monumental changes seen in Myanmar in recent years as well as a reforms process that many are warning may have stalled. more...   Kyrgyz Officials Outline Restructuring Plan for Lucrative Gold Mine David Trilling BISHKEK, 16 May (IPS) - As officials in Kyrgyzstan prepare to negotiate with their country’s largest investor in Bishkek this week, new details are emerging about how the Kyrgyz government wants to restructure the agreement covering operations at the country’s flagship gold mine. more...   U.S. Retailers Holding Out on Bangladesh Safety Agreement Katelyn Fossett WASHINGTON, 15 May (IPS) - Labour groups here are stepping up pressure on U.S. firms to sign a binding building safety agreement for Bangladeshi factories after 10 major European garment companies signed onto the landmark agreement. more...   U.S. Gov't Accused of “Corporate Diplomacy” for Biotech Industry Carey L. Biron WASHINGTON, 14 May (IPS) - A consumer protection group here is accusing U.S. diplomats of engaging in a concerted and at times forceful advocacy campaign on behalf of genetically modified seeds and even specific biotechnology companies, particularly aiming to influence governments in developing countries. more...   U.S. Relationship with Pakistani Military Must “Broaden” Carey L. Biron WASHINGTON, 14 May (IPS) - With this weekend’s national election in Pakistan seeing historic high turnout resulting in an overwhelming vote for a single party, foreign policy observers here are suggesting that the United States will need to finally redefine its longstanding relationship with the Pakistan Army. more...   Obama Issues Landmark “Open Government” Rules Carey L. Biron WASHINGTON, 9 May (IPS) - President Barack Obama has initiated a potential sea change in U.S government accountability, unveiling Thursday an executive order mandating all federal agencies to make openness and public accessibility the default methods for handling official data. more...   Critics Slam California “Forest Offset” Plan Katelyn Fossett WASHINGTON, 7 May (IPS) - More than two dozen environmental organisations are urging California Governor Jerry Brown to disregard recommendations from a United Nations task force to include so-called forest “offsets” in the state’s new emissions-trading scheme. more...   Rich Countries Drag Feet at Climate Talks Stephen Leahy UXBRIDGE, Canada, 7 May (IPS) - Another week of international climate negotiations ended in Bonn, Germany last Friday, but there was little mid-level bureaucrats could do when world leaders remain in thrall to the fossil fuel industry, say environmentalists. more...   Few Meaningful Changes in Wake of Dhaka Factory Collapse Katelyn Fossett WASHINGTON, 3 May (IPS) - Worker advocacy groups here are calling on some of the most high-profile U.S.-based clothing companies to make drastic reforms to their international labour practices in the wake of the factory collapse that killed more than 420 workers in Dhaka last week. more...