Made-in-China is all over the place

Last week I popped into the American Girl store in Manhattan, the giant consumer temple that sells wholesome “all-American” dolls and clothes. As I queued to buy 6in replicas of a cheerleader costume and football suit, I could not help but chuckle: between the red, white and blue, there was a tag saying “Made in China”. Those American Girls were not so “American” after all.

US: States Pass Budget Pain to Cities

The state budget squeeze is fast becoming a city budget squeeze, as struggling states around the nation plan deep cuts in aid to cities and local governments that will almost certainly result in more service cuts, layoffs and local tax increases.

BlackBerry yanks DUI-stop apps

BlackBerry users no longer will be able to pinpoint police drunken-driving checkpoints, following a request Tuesday from four Democratic senators, Ontario, Canada-based Research In Motion.

China delays smoking ban to start May 1

China’s delayed ban on smoking in all indoor public venues will start May 1, state media said Thursday, as the nation that is home to one in five of the world’s smoking deaths tries to cut back.

Imax signs 75-theatre deal with China’s Wanda Cinema

Imax Corp , which operates a chain of big-screen movie theatres, said it has signed a 75-theatre joint revenue-sharing deal with China’s Wanda Cinema Line Corp, marking the Canadian firm’s largest international deal.

In Libyan Conflict, Is Endgame A Stalemate?

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and the forces loyal to him are still getting pounded. Since Operation Odyssey Dawn began last Saturday, more than 160 cruise missiles have been launched and jet fighters from at least four countries have dropped bombs on targets all across Libya. But is the operation achieving its goals? Not yet.

Netanyahu in Russia after Israel bus blast

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday arrived in Moscow for talks with the Russian leadership after a deadly bus bombing in Jerusalem threatened an escalation of Middle East violence.

US: With Few Jobs, an Unmarried Pastor Points to Bias

Like all too many Americans, Mark Almlie was laid off in the spring of 2009 when his workplace downsized. He has been searching for an appropriate position ever since, replying to more than 500 job postings without success.

Study: Design can offset gas woes

Some cities in the USA are better positioned to deal with rising gas prices than others because of their design and transit systems, according to a national non-profit group that works to build stronger cities.

Growing relations with India will not come at China’s expense

The U.S. has said that its civil nuclear cooperation with India will go ahead despite radiation crisis in Japan.