Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2011.  U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke formally resigned today and was sworn in by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as the next U.S. Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China. “It has been the honor of a lifetime serving as Commerce Secretary for President Obama.  I’m proud[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2011.   Summary The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated the impact on the deficit of the Budget Control Act of 2011, as posted on the Web site of the House Committee on Rules on August 1, 2011. The legislation would: Establish caps on discretionary spending through[Read More…]

UNIFIL Peacekeeper patrols the “Blue Line” that demarcates the border between Lebanon and Israel NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)-1 August 2011. The United Nations said it has opened an investigation into the exchange of fire that occurred early Monday morning between Lebanese and Israeli forces along their common border. The incident between the[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2011.   As Ramadan begins, Michelle and I would like to send our best wishes to Muslim communities in the United States and around the world.  Ramadan is a festive time that is anticipated for months by Muslims everywhere.  Families and communities share the happiness of gathering[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2011.  The debt deal announced yesterday is a victory for bipartisan compromise, for the economy and for the American people. The agreement: Removes the cloud of uncertainty over our economy at this critical time, by ensuring that no one will be able to use the threat of[Read More…]

NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2011.  The American Civil Liberties Union and cooperating attorneys will be in court today arguing that a federal judge should hold the CIA in contempt for brazenly violating his orders by destroying videotapes showing the torture of two detainees, Abu Zubaydah and Abd Al-Rahim Al-Nashiri. The ACLU[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2011 – 8:40 P.M. EDT President Obama announced that a deal had been reached to raise the national debt limit while reducins government spending and the deficit, avoiding default. THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. There are still some very important votes to be taken by members of Congress, but[Read More…]

NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–31 July 2011.  Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced his deep concern over reports from Syria that hundreds of protesters have been killed or injured in the city of Hama and other towns across the country during the weekend. He strongly condemned the use of force against civilians and called on[Read More…]

NAPLES—(ENEWSPF)—30 July 2011. Statement by the Spokesperson for NATO Operation Unified Protector, Colonel Roland Lavoie, regarding air strike in Tripoli A few hours ago, NATO conducted a precision air strike that disabled three ground-based Libyan state TV satellite transmission dishes in Tripoli. The strike, performed by NATO fighter aircraft using[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–July 30, 2011.   Today, I’d like to speak with you about the ongoing and urgent efforts to avoid a first-ever default and get our fiscal house in order. Republicans in the House of Representatives just spent precious days trying to pass a plan that a majority of Republicans[Read More…]