China

May 1, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement in support of the Fair Currency Act, S.796. Obama is a cosponsor of the measure.

"It is long past time for the United States to confront the issue of unfair trade with China. The Chinese Government must play by the rules and act as a positive force for balanced global progress.    » read more »

April 24, 2008 --WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

CPSC Recall Alert: Waxcessories Recalls Electric Simmer Pots

Name of Product: Electric Simmer Pots

Units: About 830,000

Importer: Waxcessories® Inc., of Dracut, Mass.

Hazard: The simmer pots have wire connections that can become loose, posing a risk of fire and electric shock to consumers.    » read more »

28 April 2008 -- Chinese officials say at least 66 people were killed and hundreds injured when two passenger trains collided Monday in eastern China.

The official Xinhua news agency says the trains collided before dawn near the city of Zibo, in Shandong province. The agency said more than 400 people have been hospitalized, with about 70 listed in critical condition.

Xinhua cited officials who said human error caused an express from Beijing to the eastern city of Qingdao to derail and hit the second train, traveling from the city of Yantai in Shandong to Xuzhou in Jiangsu province. Both trains were reportedly traveling at full speed.

Authorities said they ruled out terrorism.

Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang has been dispatched to the area to oversee rescue efforts.    » read more »

Alleged Dumping by Overseas Competitors is Costing Midwestern Jobs

April 24, 2008 -- MADISON - Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today urged the U.S. Department of Commerce to protect jobs in Wisconsin by stopping the flow of artificially low-priced lightweight thermal paper to the U.S. from overseas competitors. Appleton Papers, the largest domestic manufacturer of lightweight thermal paper, which is used for ATM receipts and many other applications, has major operations in Wisconsin.    » read more »

Tainted Heparin Linked To 81 Deaths; Blood Thinner Originating From China Contained Deadly Contaminant

April 22, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC--U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) announced Tuesday he will introduce legislation this week establishing a modern track-and-trace system for all prescription drugs sold in the United States, a move he said would cut down on the contamination of popular patient medicines like the embattled blood thinner, heparin.

Heparin syringe: Photo by flaviab (CC)    » read more »

April 18 , 2008 -- Chicago – Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan today announced her office alerted the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to dangerous lead levels detected in hip-charm keychains manufactured exclusively for Wal-Mart stores. As a result, the CPSC and Wal-Mart issued a recall this morning, and the company has removed the product from store shelves.

Attorney General Madigan urged parents to take away the “No Boundaries Hip Charm” keychain from their children immediately. Consumers can call 1-800-WAL-MART for additional information, including instructions on how to obtain a refund.    » read more »

April 16, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Push Toys Recalled by Santa’s Toy Corp. Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Name of Product: Western Rider Push Toys

Units: About 9,000

Importer: Santa’s Toy Corp., of Los Angeles, Calif.

Hazard: Surface paint on the glove, shirt, and pants of rider toy contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

4/14/2008 -- Hillary Clinton attended a forum hosted by the Alliance for American Manufacturing and unveiled a new set of proposals to strengthen trade enforcement and crack down on China's unfair trade policies. At the "Forum on Manufacturing" in Pittsburgh, Hillary criticized the Bush administration for failing American workers by not aggressively enforcing trade laws and articulated how she would ensure that trade laws are followed.

Hillary Clinton: Photo by Daniella Zalcman (CC)    » read more »

Cheyenne, Wyoming - In two separate meetings with Chinese officials in Beijing today, Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal discussed future opportunities in tourism, energy and in particular, coal bed methane development.

“I thank both officials for their gracious reception and am encouraged by the substantive nature of the discussions,” Freudenthal said.

Coalbed methane discharge point: Photo by USGS    » read more »

April 10, 2008 -- ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain today issued the following statement on China and the Olympic Games:

"Our relationship with China is important, and we value our ability to cooperate with the Chinese government on a wide variety of strategic, economic, and diplomatic fronts. But the Chinese government needs to understand that in our modern world, how a nation treats its citizens is a legitimate subject of international concern.

Beijing Olympics protesters in New York: Photo by Avi Flax (CC)    » read more »

13 April 2008 -- The Dalai Lama has threatened to resign as leader of Tibet's exiled government if violence in his homeland spirals out of control.

The Nobel Peace laureate made the comment Sunday at a news conference in Seattle, Washington, where he has been attending a five-day "Seeds of Compassion" conference.

Dalai Lama: Photo by kermitlab (CC)

The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader denied Chinese claims that he has called for Tibet to split from China and that he is behind the recent turmoil. The Dalai Lama said the whole world knows that he is seeking autonomy for the region.    » read more »

April 10, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Michaels Stores Recalls Seasonal Writing Pens Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Name of Product: Flower Writers; Christmas Writers; Easter Writers; and Spooky Writers Seasonal Writing Pens

Units: About 310,000

Distributor: Michaels Stores Inc., of Irving, Texas

Hazard: The seasonal writing pens' surface coating contains high levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.    » read more »

April 10, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

FUNTASTIC Recalls Fake Teeth Due To Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Name of Product: Hillbilly Teeth

Units: About 26,000

Importer: FUNTASTIC, of Houston, Texas

Hazard: The gray surface paint on the teeth contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

11 April 2008 -- The Olympic torch has arrived in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, after a flight from San Francisco.

Argentine police whisked the flame away to a secret location on Thursday. The torch will reappear on Friday morning, when football legend Diego Maradona carries it at the opening of the relay through Buenos Aires.

Protesters during the Olympic torch relay in Paris: Photo by Greg Daly (CC)    » read more »

NANJING, CHINA -- While in China this week on a business and trade mission, Governor Bob Riley is promoting efforts to link scientists from Huntsville with Chinese health agencies to improve public health and food safety.

The Governor and Dr. Jian Han of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology have met with the leaders of public health agencies in the cities of Shanghai and Nanjing.

Alabama Governor Riley discusses food safety in China: Dr. Jian Han of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology (pointing) and Gov. Bob Riley tour laboratories at the Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control in Nanjing, China. Photo courtesy Alabama Governor's office.    » read more »