Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 4, 2012. Index for Today’s Briefing DEPARTMENT Foreign Affairs Day World Press Freedom Day / Sri Lankan Journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda CHINA Update on Chen Guangcheng Case Importance of Cooperation on Syria Readout of 4th Strategic and Economic Dialogue EGYPT Concerns of Ongoing Violence / Electoral Process PAKISTAN Secretary[Read More…]

Beijing, China–(ENEWSPF)–May 4, 2012. MS. NULAND: Thank you all for joining us this evening. As you know, the two Secretaries made statements a little bit earlier with their Chinese counterparts. So we’ll have four questions this evening – two from each side. And our first question goes to AP, Matt[Read More…]

NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–4 May 2012.  Stressing the need for an integrated response to terrorism, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today he hoped Member States will decide to create the position of a UN Counter-Terrorism Coordinator to promote better coordination, collaboration and cooperation among all players. “By working together – from strengthening law enforcement[Read More…]

BERLIN–(ENEWSPF)–4 May 2012.  NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen stressed the importance of this month’s Chicago Summit to the future of the Alliance and its mission in Afghanistan, in talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on 4 May 2012. Mr. Fogh Rasmussen praised Germany’s steadfast support for the[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–May 4, 2012.  Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the April 2012 Employment Situation report released today: “Our nation’s labor market added 130,000 private sector jobs in the month of April, while the unemployment rate fell to 8.1 percent, its lowest level in three years.[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—May 4, 2012.  Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 115,000 in April, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 8.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment increased in professional and business services, retail trade, and health care, but declined in transportation and warehousing. Household Survey[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 3, 2012 – 5:12 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Hola, hola! (Applause.) Gracias y bienvenidos. I am honored to welcome you to Cinco de Mayo at the White House. (Applause.) Even though it’s only tres de Mayo. We just like to get the fiesta started early around here. (Laughter.) [Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 3, 2012.   On this World Press Freedom Day, the United States honors the role of a free press in creating sustainable democracies and prosperous societies. We pay special tribute to those journalists who have sacrificed their lives, freedom or personal well-being in pursuit of truth and justice.[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 3, 2012. Index for Today’s Briefing DEPARTMENT World Press Freedom Day / Khadzhimurad Kamalov of Russia CHINA Chen Guangcheng / Human Rights Issues / U.S.-China Relationship RUSSIA Cooperation on Missile Defense NORTH KOREA Sanctions MACEDONIA Arrests Made in Connection with Murders EGYPT Electoral Process / Status of NGOs[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 3, 2012.  SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending April 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 365,000, a decrease of 27,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 392,000. The 4-week moving average was 383,500, an increase of 750 from the previous week’s revised[Read More…]