An increasing number of people, including families with children and the elderly, have encountered deadly ambushes as they try to escape areas controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Photo: UNAMI GENEVA–(ENEWSPF)–22 February 2016 – The top United Nations humanitarian official in Iraq has said she[Read More…]

Suva, Fiji, ahead of Cyclone Winston’s landfall. The cyclone was upgraded to a category 5 on Friday 19 February as it made its way across the Pacific region, having already impacted Tonga. Photo: UNICEF/UN010591/Clements GENEVA–(ENEWSPF)–21 February 2016 – In the wake of Tropical Cyclone Winston that struck the island nation[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 20, 2016 Hi, everybody.  This week, we made it official—I’m going to Cuba. When Michelle and I go to Havana next month, it will be the first visit of a U.S. president to Cuba in nearly 90 years.  And it builds on the decision I made more than a year[Read More…]

Photo Source: Vatican News Agency Vatican City—(ENEWSPF)–9 February 2016 – As is customary in his apostolic trips, the Pope answered questions posed by journalists during the return flight to Rome, on his visit to Mexico and his encounter in Havana, Cuba with the Patriarch Kirill. The Holy Father addressed a[Read More…]

Greek volunteer life-guards help a young child out of a boat that reached the shores of Lesbos, having crossed the Aegean sea from Turkey. Photo: UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis GENEVA–(ENEWSPF)–19 February 2016 – Two children have drowned every day on average since September 2015 as their families try to cross the eastern[Read More…]

President Barack Obama greets a young guest during a reception celebrating African American History Month in the East Room of the White House, Feb. 18, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 18, 2016- 4:51 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody!  (Applause.)  Well, it is so good[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 18, 2016 – 12:54 P.M. EST MR. EARNEST:  Good afternoon, everybody.  Nice to see a good crowd here today.  I have joining me at the briefing the Deputy National Security Advisor, Ben Rhodes.  As many of you know and have covered, Ben was instrumental in implementing the President’s[Read More…]

KANSAS CITY, Kan. —(ENEWSPF)–February 18, 2016.   Kansans trying to register to vote at their state Department of Motor Vehicles offices are illegally being forced to provide additional documentation of citizenship, according to a new lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union. As a result, more than 30,000 potential[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 18, 2016.  President Obama and the First Lady will travel to Cuba on March 21st and 22nd and Argentina on March 23rd and 24th.  In Cuba, the President will work to build on the progress we have made toward normalization of relations with Cuba – advancing commercial and people-to-people ties[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 17, 2016 – 1:06 P.M. EST MR. EARNEST:  Good afternoon, everybody.  Nice to see you all.  Welcome back from California, those of you who traveled with the President.  Let me do one quick announcement before we get started — it’s an update to the President’s schedule today. Today,[Read More…]