Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 28, 2014. Index for Today’s Briefing DEPARTMENT Readout of Secretary Kerry’s Telephone Conversation with Ugandan President Museveni UKRAINE / RUSSIA Secretary Kerry’s Discussion with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov / Syria, Middle East Peace, Russian Military Activities in Crimea Discussed / Encourage Ukraine to Take Positive Steps Regarding Economic[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 28, 2014 – 5:05 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. Over the last several days, the United States has been responding to events as they unfold in Ukraine.  Throughout this crisis, we have been very clear about one fundamental principle: The Ukrainian people deserve the opportunity to[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 28, 2014 – 4:11 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT:  Hello.  My name is Shelly Ortiz — oh, wrong page.  (Laughter.)  I was just teasing.  I knew I wasn’t Shelly Ortiz.  (Laughter.)  Everybody give Shelly a big round of applause for the great work.  (Applause.)  Thank you so much.  Thanks[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 28, 2014. ASSISTANT SECRETARY JACOBSON: Well, good morning, everyone. Buenos dias, bienvenido. I hope that everybody’s here ready to work. I’m delighted this morning to inaugurate, to kick off this next round of the high-level partnership dialogue that we have with Colombia in which we have many working[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—February 28, 2014. Today, the Justice Department released a new tool to help state and local courts assess and improve their language assistance services for limited English proficient (LEP) litigants, victims and witnesses who need access to court services. With over 25 million LEP persons in the United States,[Read More…]

Announces $400 million in new private sector commitments toward ConnectED goal WASHINGTON, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 28, 2014.  Today, President Obama will host the first ever White House Student Film Festival, an event that will showcase the power of technology to boost learning and the Administration’s commitment to bringing America’s classrooms into the[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 28, 2014.  United States Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Martin Heinrich (D- N.M.) yesterday issued the following joint statement in response to reports that a large number of individuals, including Americans, may have had private online webcam videos intercepted in bulk by British intelligence agencies.[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—February 28, 2014. In 2013, annual average unemployment rates declined in 43 states and the District of Columbia, rose in 2 states, and were unchanged in 5 states, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment-population ratios decreased in 28 states, increased in 17 states and the District[Read More…]

Bill Would Provide States With Greater Flexibility and Control of Highway Financing; Would Lift Limit on Current Program Caps WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–February 28, 2014.  U.S. Senators Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) yesterday introduced the Highway Innovation Act of 2014, which would provide states with greater flexibility and control of highway[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–February 28, 2014.  U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced that a new report on the state of America’s transportation infrastructure, 2013 Status of the Nation’s Highways, Bridges and Transit: Conditions and Performance, confirms that more investment is needed to maintain and improve the nation’s highway and transit systems.  Earlier[Read More…]