Tag: politics & society
Texas Democrats discussing prospects for turning state blue -- or at least purple
Texas is one of just four states that are majority minority -- and its the only one that is Republican. But Democrats see those changing Demcorats as providing an opening, and an opportunity to turn one of the brightest red states more purple -- if not outright blue....
China's one-child policy increasingly being questioned
Decades ago, China decided it had too many people and instituted a policy that allowed most couples just one child. While the policy has been loosened some, it's still largely in place. But many hope that as more people question the morality of the policy, it will be rescinded entirely....
Obama still trying to get green team in place
President Barack Obama is still trying to get his second-term cabinet nominees in place. A number of those still to be confirmed focus on the environment, including Energy Secretary nominee Ernest Moniz and EPA administrator nominee Gina McCarthy. Moniz and McCarthy both recently had confirmation hearings....
Iranian American dismayed to learn State Department no longer wants his services
Amir Mohammed Estakhri has spent nearly a dozen year working with the State Department as an Iranian-language translator. But, recently, he's learned his services are no longer needed -- and he thinks it may be because he translated for Iranian officials in the U.S. as well....
Thatcher's legacy includes activists songwriters who challenged her tenure
Margaret Thatcher was controversial in her life. As the world contemplated her legacy, a number of musicians who composed songs opposing Thatcher's time as British prime minister recalled how they felt and the songs they wrote while she was in office....
Advocates seeking to reclaim Irish language for Catholics and Protestants
The Irish language has often been viewed as a weapon by Irish Catholic and an enemy tongue by the country's Protestants. But no longer, if some Irish have their way. They're trying to reclaim the language for both sides, and take the politics out of it....
Senate moves to allow votes on bills to reform immigration, increase gun background checks
Republicans in the U.S. Senate this week have indicated they'll allow votes on two bills — one that would reform the country's immigration system and another that would provide for background checks in all commercial gun sales. Whether they'll pass, though, remains to be seen....
Obama's nominee to D.C. appeals court has implications for environmental policy
President Barack Obama nominated Sri Srinivasin to be the newest judge on the Washington, D.C., Court of Appeals. Srinivasin, should he be confirmed, and all of the rest of the D.C. judges play an outsized role in the country's environmental policy....
Families of Filipino World War II vets largely still waiting for visa, dozen years later
Filipinos make us the second largest group of immigrants to the United States. Many came after serving in the U.S. military during World War II. But because there are so many, getting visas to bring adult family members to the United States can be nearly impossible -- with the wait for most stretching a dozen years or more....
Around the world, people remember Britain's Margaret Thatcher, dead at 87
Margaret Thatcher was a controversial figure in life and was similarly so in death. While world leaders, especially conservative ones, praised her accomplishments, some liberals panned the Iron Lady's legacy while recognizing the impact she had on the world in 11 years as Britain's prime minister....
