Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 24, 2011.  THE PRESIDENT: Hi everyone. As you gather with family and friends this weekend, Michelle, Malia, Sasha and I – and of course Bo – want to wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.   THE FIRST LADY:  This is such a wonderful time of year. [Read More…]

NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–23 December 2011.  Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced grave concern over the escalating violence in Syria, including today’s explosions in the capital, Damascus, which resulted in more deaths and injuries, and reiterated his call for an immediate end to the bloodshed. “The Secretary-General urges the need for a credible, inclusive[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 23, 2011.  The United States condemns in the strongest terms the bombings today in Damascus. We extend our sympathies to the families of the victims. There is no justification for terrorism of any kind and we condemn these acts wherever they occur. For nine long months the Assad[Read More…]

WASHINGTON, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)-December 23, 2011. Today, Vice President Biden announced that Kathleen S. Tighe will chair the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board (RATB), replacing Earl Devaney, who will retire on December 31st, 2011.  “Under Earl Devaney’s leadership, the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board became a model for government oversight – ensuring[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 23, 2011 – 1:25 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  I know you’re all looking forward to spending time with their families over the holidays, but we did have one last piece of business to finish up.  I said it was critical for Congress not to go[Read More…]

NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–22 December 2011.  The United Nations envoy for Iraq has strongly condemned today’s bomb attacks that caused a large number of deaths and injuries in the capital, Baghdad, and urged all of the country’s leaders to unite and bring the violence to an end. “These horrendous crimes being committed[Read More…]

NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–22 December 2011.  The United Nations and its humanitarian partners are seeking an additional $28.6 million to what was already requested earlier this month to support victims of the Sendong tropical storm in southern Philippines. The emergency revision of the Philippines (Mindanao) Humanitarian Action Plan 2012 aims to provide[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 22, 2011  – 1:00 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, everybody.  (Applause.)  Please have a seat.  Good afternoon to all of you.  Merry Christmas.  Happy holidays. We’ve been doing everything we can over the last few weeks to make sure that 160 million working Americans aren’t hit with[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 22, 2011.  We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks against innocent Iraqis, which serve no agenda other than murder and hatred.  We offer our condolences to those whose loved ones were lost or wounded.  Attempts such as this to derail Iraq’s continued progress will fail.  Iraq has suffered heinous[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 22, 2011.    As we enter the season of giving and renewal, more than 13.3 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia remain in urgent need of humanitarian assistance amid the worst drought the region has seen in 60 years.  The heartbreaking accounts of lives lost and of[Read More…]