Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–January 11, 2013. Index for Today’s Briefing SYRIA Deputy Secretary Burns Meetings in Geneva with JSR Brahimi and Russian DFM Bogdanov Syrian Opposition Coalition Progress in Preparing to Maintain State Functions Post-Assad Taftanaz Air Base Reports of Uranium in Syria MALI Condemn Recent Aggressive Acts / French Offer of[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–January 11, 2013.  At the invitation of President Obama, President Karzai and his delegation visited Washington January 8-11, 2013.  President Karzai’s visit comes at an important juncture for both our nations, as we take steps to further strengthen an enduring partnership as sovereign nations, and based upon recognition of[Read More…]

NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–11 January 2013 – The United Nations Security Council has expressed grave concern over the reported military movements and attacks by terrorist and extremist groups in northern Mali, in particular their capture of the city of Konna. “This serious deterioration of the situation threatens even more the stability and[Read More…]

Three-Year Contract Would Provide Improved Wages, Job Protection to Thousands WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–January 11, 2013. The Teamsters Union has reached a tentative agreement with Costco that keeps the warehouse club’s workers as among the highest-paid retail employees in the country with the best benefits.  The tentative three-year agreement provides for an improved[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–January 10, 2013. Index for Today’s Briefing RUSSIA Status of Adoption Law/Pending Adoptions SYRIA Joint Special Envoy Brahimi’s Work/3 B’s Meeting JORDAN/SYRIA Ambassador Ford’s Trip/ Syrian Refugee Camps in Jordan SYRIA Loss of Taftanaz Airbase PALESTINIANS/SYRIA Refugee Issue/Palestinian Neighborhoods in Syrian Crossfire PALESTINIANS/ISRAEL Hamas/Palestinian Authority/Reconciliation FRANCE Shooting of Three[Read More…]

NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–January 10, 2013.  The investigation into the gunning down of three Kurdish women activists in Paris must be prompt and thorough, Amnesty International said. Sakine Cansız, a founder of the armed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Fidan Doğan and Leyla Söylemez were found shot dead at the “Kurdistan Information Office”[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–January 10, 2013.  Mr. President, it has been a privilege to serve in your Administration these last four years.  I am honored and grateful that you invited me to do this.  I am very proud of what my colleagues at Treasury and your economic team were able to help you[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–January 10, 2013 – 1:40 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  Please have a seat.  A little more than four years ago, I stood with Mr. Tim Geithner and announced him as my first nominee to my Cabinet.  We were barely two months into the financial crisis.  The[Read More…]

NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–January 10, 2013. Any future transitional government in Syria should make the protection of minority groups its top priority, Amnesty International said today as an international conference in the UK planning for the Syrian government’s possible collapse drew to a close. Opposition leaders and worldwide Syria experts holding private[Read More…]

Beverly Hills, CA–(ENEWSPF)–January 10, 2013 – Nominations for the 85th Academy Awards® were announced today (Thursday, January 10) by this year’s Oscar host, Seth MacFarlane, and actress Emma Stone. MacFarlane and Stone announced the nominees at a 5:38 a.m. PT live news conference attended by more than 400 international media[Read More…]