In Northern Ireland, investments by U.S. corporations are paying off. A top U.S. lawman calls for action on intellectual property crime. The United States wants to know if China is unfairly boosting its green technologies industries. And cleanup volunteers reach the beach in Hong Kong.

Investing in Northern Ireland
New investments in Northern Ireland by U.S. corporations bring new jobs and opportunities, particularly for young people, says Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Clinton, right with Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuiness, says, “fostering economic growth in Northern Ireland will do more than provide much-needed paychecks. A stronger economy in Northern Ireland will help secure a lasting peace.”

Protecting Intellectual Property
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder calls for greater international law enforcement cooperation to combat intellectual property piracy that robs industry of billions of dollars annually and endangers the safety of consumers worldwide.

U.S. Probing China’s Green Tech
The United States is investigating China’s practices affecting trade and investment in green technologies, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk says. The investigation was initiated in response to a petition filed by the United Steelworkers union that alleges China unfairly supports its domestic producers of green technologies.

Good News For Costa Rican Trees
Costa Rica’s trees again will benefit from an innovative U.S. program to promote conservation of the world’s tropical forests. The governments of the United States and Costa Rica, the Central Bank of Costa Rica and the U.S.-based nonprofit Nature Conservancy have concluded agreements that will provide more than $27 million over the next 15 years for conservation of tropical forest.

A Makeover for Hong Kong Beaches
Volunteer teams in Hong Kong have joined the 25th International Coastal Cleanup sponsored by the U.S.-based nongovernmental organization Ocean Conservancy. “We want to put Hong Kong on the world map in terms of the conservation effort,” says Nissa Marion, project director for EcoVision’s Hong Kong International Coastal Cleanup Challenge. At right, volunteers collect trash from a Hong Kong beach.