Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 16, 2014- 12:12 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Let me say something to these folks real quick so we can eat our burgers in peace.  And excuse me, my voice is a little hoarse — I had a cold at the beginning of the week.  In addition to coming[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—May 16, 2014. President Obama spoke with French President Hollande today about the situation in Ukraine.  The Presidents underscored that Russia will face significant additional costs if it continues its provocative and destabilizing behavior.  President Obama praised the Ukrainian government’s efforts to unify the country by holding free and[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—May 16, 2014. Tomorrow marks 60 years since the Supreme Court handed down its landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, the first major step in dismantling the “separate but equal” doctrine that justified Jim Crow.  As we commemorate this historic anniversary, we recommit ourselves to the long struggle[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—May 16, 2014. Tomorrow, as we commemorate the 10th annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, we recommit ourselves to the fundamental belief that all people should be treated equally, that they should have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, and that no one should face violence or[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—May 16, 2014. Regional and state unemployment rates were generally lower in April. Forty-three states had unemployment rate decreases, two states had increases, and five states and the District of Columbia had no change, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia[Read More…]

General Motors agrees to pay maximum $35 million penalty for violating federal safety laws in Chevrolet Cobalt investigation WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–May 16, 2014.  The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced that General Motors (GM) has agreed to pay a record $35 million civil penalty and to[Read More…]

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND–(ENEWSPF)–May 16, 2014.  The international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) today confirmed that five of its staff members held in Syria have been safely released. The organization strongly condemns this abduction, which has forced the permanent closure of one of its hospitals and two health[Read More…]

Seeks Public Input over the Next Four Months to Find Most Viable Approach Washington, D.C–(ENEWSPF)–May 15, 2014.  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today launched a rulemaking seeking public comment on how best to protect and promote an open Internet. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted today poses a broad range[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 15, 2014. Index for Today’s Briefing DEPARTMENT Secretary Kerry in London, Under Secretary Sherman in Vienna/Travel Updates FRANCE/RUSSIA French sail of Warships to Russia SYRIA London 11 Communique/Increasing Support for Moderate Opposition VIETNAM Protests Spreading/Reaction to Conflict with Chinese JAPAN Review Panel on Collective Self-Defense/Impact on Regional Security[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—May 15, 2014. Testimony of Robert P. Jackson, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Subcommittee on African Affairs: Chairman Coons, Ranking Member Flake, and Members of the Committee, thank you for inviting me to update you about U.S. efforts to address the[Read More…]