Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) released a staff report Thursday urging Mexican President-elect Enrique Peña Nieto to reform the country's justice system and police forces in order to reduce drug-related violence. Read more...

Julius Genachowski, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), issued a statement late Wednesday slamming Russia for passing a bill that would allow the government to blacklist certain websites.

He said the country had moved in a "troubling and dangerous direction."

"The world’s experience with the Internet provides a clear lesson: a free and open Internet promotes economic growth and freedom; restricting the free flow of information is bad for consumers, businesses, and societies," he said.

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Your morning global affairs speed-read

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee this morning weighs U.S. ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which the advocacy community hopes can be passed in the Senate this month. The treaty covers rights such as equal treatment and non-discrimination in access to justice, health, education, employment and rehabilitation.

Advocates argue it wouldn't create substantial new burdens for the United States but rather would reaffirm the nation's commitment to the 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) while expanding its protections and opportunities worldwide. “Increasing access in the global community for people with disabilities is particularly important because of the increasingly global marketplace in which workers must compete,” the United Spinal Association said in calling for Senate passage in time for the ADA's anniversary on July 26. “Without international commitment to equal access, wheelchair users, disabled veterans and other U.S. citizens with disabilities may be unable to travel, live, work or study abroad.”

The treaty has bipartisan support. Later in the morning, Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) will hold a press conference with advocates for people with disabilities to urge ratification. The two senators will also testify before the Senate panel, along with officials from the departments of State and Justice and several others.

Spotlight on Africa: U.S. policy in Africa comes under the microscope in the Senate today as the Foreign Relations panel considers four of President Obama's nominees for ambassadorships. 

The campaign said Republicans are "scared" of the Venezuelan president and "acting like he's 10 feet tall."

The National Rifle Association said there will be "no compromise" on excluding civilian arms from the international agreement.

Thirty senators have pledged to oppose the treaty. Thirty-four no votes could kill it. 

Read more...

The White House is formally easing sanctions on Burma, opening a door long-closed for U.S. business investment there. 

President Obama said Wednesday that Burma, also known as Myanmar, was making strides in its transition toward democracy and reducing restrictions would allow U.S. companies to responsibly do business in the Southeast Asian nation.

"President Thein Sein, Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma continue to make significant progress along the path to democracy, and the government has continued to make important economic and political reforms," Obama said in a statement. 

"Easing sanctions is a strong signal of our support for reform, and will provide immediate incentives for reformers and significant benefits to the people of Burma."

“It is disturbing to see him downplaying the threat posed to U.S. interests," Romney said.