Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2013.  PRESIDENT OBAMA:  I want to welcome President Hadi to the White House.  This visit I think reinforces the strong partnership and cooperation that’s developed between the United States and the government of Yemen. President Hadi obviously faces enormous challenges, but because of his leadership, he’s been[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2013 – 12:46 P.M. EDT MR. CARNEY:  Welcome to the White House today for your daily briefing.  And before I take your questions, let me make a bit of a statement.  Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Patricia Millett’s nomination to be a judge on the U.S.[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2013. Index for Today’s Briefing RUSSIA U.S.-Russia Relationship Snowden / Continuing Discussions with Russian Government DEPARTMENT Embassy Closures ZIMBABWE Election AFGHANISTAN Bilateral Security Agreement CHINA U.S.-China Human Rights Dialogue PAKISTAN Secretary Kerry Comments / Counterterrorism IRAN Sanctions / Legislation President-Elect Rohani COLOMBIA FARC MEPP Timeframe / Parties[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2013. President Obama called Palestinian Authority President Abbas to commend him for his leadership and courage in resuming final status negotiations with Israel.  The President reaffirmed that the United States stands ready to support the parties in achieving a just and lasting peace based on the two[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2013. President Obama called Prime Minister Netanyahu today to commend his leadership and courage in resuming final status negotiations with the Palestinians.  The President underscored that while the parties have much work to do in the days and months ahead, the United States will support them fully[Read More…]

President Obama reaffirms his commitment to closing Guantanamo Bay detention facility Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2013.  In their meeting today at the White House, President Barack Obama and President Abdo Rabu Mansour Hadi of Yemen affirmed their desire to broaden and strengthen the U.S.-Yemen relationship.  President Obama reiterated the United States’[Read More…]

Coalition Led by Electronic Frontier Foundation Crowdsources Demand Letters San Francisco–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2013.  The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and a coalition of organizations and law schools yesterday launched the newest tool in the fight against patent trolls: Trolling Effects (trollingeffects.org). The online resource aims to unite and empower would-be victims[Read More…]

100+ Organizations Sign Thirteen Principles to Protect Human Rights San Francisco–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2013.  More than 100 organizations from across the globe – including Privacy International, Access, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) – are taking a stand against unchecked communications surveillance, calling for the governments around the world to follow[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2013.  Yesterday, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley sent a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee outlining his priorities in a potential reform of the tax code. In the letter, Senator Merkley made clear that our tax code should help rebuild and strengthen[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2013.  U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and John Thune (R-S.D) today introduced legislation, the Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act, to make permanent the existing ban on Internet access taxes and on multiple and discriminatory taxes on e-commerce. The Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA), originally enacted in 1998[Read More…]