En Route New York, New York–(ENEWSPF)–May 5, 2011 – 10:27 A.M. EDT MR. CARNEY:  Good morning.  I don’t have any announcements, so let’s get started. Q    What does the President want to do today?  What does he want to see? MR. CARNEY:  Well, the President believes it’s appropriate and fitting to[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.—(ENEWSPF)—May 5, 2011.  More than 170,000 refugees have fled Côte d’Ivoire – mostly to Liberia – and hundreds of thousands more have been internally displaced as a result of the recent political unrest and violence. In response, the United States is pleased to announce an additional pledge of $8.5[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.—(ENEWSPF)—May 5, 2011.  Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased at a 1.6 percent annual rate during the first quarter of 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The gain in productivity reflects increases of 3.1 percent in output and 1.4 percent in hours worked. (All quarterly percent changes[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–May 5, 2011. SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending April 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 474,000, an increase of 43,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 431,000. The 4-week moving average was 431,250, an increase of 22,250 from the previous week’s revised[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–May 5, 2011.   The President welcomed His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to the White House yesterday, affirming the strength and depth of the alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom.  The President thanked His Royal Highness for the important contributions that British forces are[Read More…]

Rome, Italy–(ENEWSPF)–May 5, 2011.  FOREIGN MINISTER FRATTINI: (Via interpreter) Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to once again renew my warm welcome to the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is a dear friend as well as a colleague. It is, for us, a true pleasure to host[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–May 3, 2011.  Four U.S. lawmakers today introduced landmark legislation in both the House and Senate to increase American focus on human rights and democracy in Iran. The Iran Human Rights and Democracy Promotion Act of 2011, sponsored by Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in the[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.—(ENEWSPF)—May 4, 2011.  At today’s White House Press Briefing, Press Secretary Jay Carney announced that President Obama has decided not to release any of the photographs of the deceased Osama bin Laden. Carney provided the language the President used when he was interviewed today by Steve Kroft for CBS[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–May 4, 2011 – 2:10 P.M. EDT MR. CARNEY:  Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.  Before I take your questions I’d just like to say to you that the President has made the decision not to release any of the photographs of the deceased Osama bin Laden.  And rather than[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–May 4, 2011.   Index for Today’s Briefing LIBYA Condemn Qadhafi Regime Attacks on Misrata / Urging of Ceasefire / Allow International Refugee Organizations to Provide Relief / Evacuate Third-Country Nationals Additional $6.5 Million for Refugee Operations Contact Group Meeting / ICC / Human Rights Abuses CHINA Special Briefing[Read More…]