State Department

New data shows that incidents of terrorism around the world continue to decline as police forces gain the upper hand

Joe Oliver v. American billionaires

No pipeline if there is a net increase in emissions

Two weeks ago, officials from the U.S. State Department and the United Nations expressed concern about Julian Fantino’s comments about Haiti. In an interview with the Vaughan Citizen, Mr. Fantino responds.

(This post last updated at 6:57pm.)

Obama’s base turns up the heat on the oil sands pipeline

Adam Chapnik explains the wisdom of dysfunction at the United Nations.

While the U.S. State Department was careful yesterday not to say who the United States voted for at the United Nations, the Foreign Affairs Minister is less diplomatic.

As the Star notes, the U.S. State Department has released its annual human rights reports for the countries of the world, including Afghanistan.

In spring 2007, the Globe’s Graeme Smith conducted 30 interviews with detainees and documented various allegations of abuse after they were transferred from Canadian to Afghan authorities. Paul Koring subsequently reported that the Harper government was warned of mistreatment. Months later, Smith reported that Canada had lost track of at least 50 detainees due to poor record-keeping. In November of that year, Canada temporarily halted transfers.

What happens when the State Department asks about Question Period

For some months now, the Prime Minister’s Office has been conducting periodic briefings for reporters—usually bureau chiefs, but generally one representative from each of the major media outlets. John, Paul and I have regularly attended (except when we don’t get the note). The topics discussed typically range from the Prime Minister’s itinerary to upcoming government action to the PMO’s spin on whatever happens to be making news at the moment.