Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 18, 2011.   I am deeply concerned by reports of violence in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen. The United States condemns the use of violence by governments against peaceful protesters in those countries and wherever else it may occur. We express our condolences to the family and friends of[Read More…]

WASHINGTON—(ENEWSPF)—February 18, 2011.  A welcome bill to narrow an overbroad Patriot Act provision was introduced Thursday in the Senate by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). The House approved legislation early Thursday extending three problematic provisions of the Patriot Act, including the provision addressed in Sen. Wyden’s bill, through May 27.  The[Read More…]

CHARLESTON, SC –(ENEWSPF)–February 18, 2011.   A federal court yesterday dismissed an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit filed against former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other current and former government officials for their roles in the unlawful detention and torture of U.S. citizen Jose Padilla. In a troubling 32-page ruling,[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–February 18, 2011.  Last night, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution condemning Iran’s crackdown on pro-democracy activists and expressing support for the Iranian people.  The resolution, sponsored by U.S. Senators Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Lindsey Graham[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 17, 2011.   INDEX: DEPARTMENT Secretary Clinton’s Remarks on the Hill on Bahrain First Trial of Those Detained for Involvement in December 19th Protest in Belarus Lithuanian Foreign Minister / Chairman of Community of Democracies Tourist Boat Accident in Halong Bay, Vietnam / Death of Two Americans State[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 17, 2011 – 12:47 P.M. EST  See below for an answer to a question (marked with an asterisk) posed in the briefing that required follow up. MR. CARNEY:  At this rate there will be like 10 people here by next week.  (Laughter.)  How is everybody this morning —[Read More…]

NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–17 February 2011 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for an immediate end to violence against peaceful protesters in Bahrain and said he would be contacting leaders in the Middle East and North Africa to urge them to institute bold reforms, not repression. “I am disturbed by all these[Read More…]

WASHINGTON, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 17, 2011.  At today’s Recovery Act Cabinet Meeting, Vice President Joe Biden and Members of the Cabinet will discuss ways the Administration plans to build on the success of the Recovery Act’s Race to the Top program by applying the competitive-based model to new education, infrastructure and energy[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 17, 2011.   Good morning – and thank you all for being here.   Today, I’m joined by several key leaders and partners in the U.S. government’s fight against health care fraud: Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, FBI Executive Assistant Director Shawn Henry, Assistant[Read More…]

WASHINGTON—(ENEWSPF)—February 17, 2011.  The American Civil Liberties Union submitted testimony for a hearing today of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security that will examine a troubling proposal by the Obama administration to expand its ability to conduct invasive surveillance online. The administration has argued that it[Read More…]