Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 7, 2012. Index for Today’s Briefing DEPARTMENT Ambassador Robert Ford Receives the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award CHINA Chen Guangcheng U.S.-China Consultation on Middle East Affairs SERBIA National Elections / OSCE FRANCE President-elect Hollande / Discussions at G-8 and NATO EUROPEAN UNION Economy PAKISTAN Warren Weinstein[Read More…]

Kolkata, India–(ENEWSPF)–May 7, 2012. MS. DUTT: Good morning, everybody. Good morning ladies and gentlemen of Kolkata, but especially good morning to all the young students and the young voices of Kolkata who are here this morning to listen to a very, very exciting and important guest. Our guest this morning[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 7, 2012. President Obama called President Sarkozy to thank him for his strong leadership and for his friendship and partnership in challenging times.  He expressed his appreciation for the valued cooperation that has characterized the relationship between the two leaders since January 2009.   President Obama said that he[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 7, 2012. Last Japanese Nuclear Facility Closes—For Now Industry/Regulatory/Political Hokkaido Electric Power Co.’s Tomari 3, Japan’s last operating commercial nuclear reactor, shut down for regular inspections March 5, marking the first time in 42 years that Japan has not had a reactor generating electricity. Japan has 50 operable commercial[Read More…]

Provides Big Gains in Patient Care, Economic Improvements Tampa, FL–(ENEWSPF)–May 7, 2012.  Registered nurses at 10 Florida hospitals that are a part of the nation’s largest for profit hospital chain, Nashville-based HCA, have achieved their first collective bargaining contract with important improvements in patient care protections and enhanced professional and[Read More…]

WASHINGTON, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–May 7, 2012.  Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, chaired a field hearing today examining the impact of Ohio’s new voting law, HB 194, which restricts early voting, eliminates the requirement that poll workers direct[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 6, 2012. President Obama called President-elect Francois Hollande of France to congratulate him after the results of the French election were announced today.  President Obama indicated that he looks forward to working closely with Mr. Hollande and his government on a range of shared economic and security challenges. [Read More…]

KABUL, Afghanistan–(ENEWSPF)–May 6 — During an Afghan and coalition security force operation in Almar district, Faryab province Friday, two Taliban commanders and three insurgents were killed following a battle with the security force.  Mehdi, the senior Taliban commander in Faryab province in charge of 50 Taliban fighters, was killed during[Read More…]

Dhaka, Bangladesh–(ENEWSPF)–May 6, 2012. MS. SAHA: Welcome and good morning. Please welcome our honorable guest here, Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton. SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. MS. SAHA: Welcome. (Applause.) I’d like to start our show. We call it our Conversation with Bangladesh. Bangladesa sange Adda. And I’d like to now introduce[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 5, 2012. This week, I traveled to Afghanistan—to thank our troops serving far from home, and to sign an historic agreement that will help us complete our mission and end the war.  As Commander-in-Chief, nothing is more humbling or inspiring than the chance to spend some time with[Read More…]