BELGIUM–(ENEWSPF)–3 May 2012.  NATO’s Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, called for close cooperation between NATO and Russia on missile defence to help bolster security against future common threats at a Moscow conference on 3 May 2012. Ambassador Vershbow said in a speech delivered to the Moscow Missile Defence Conference[Read More…]

BELGIUM–(ENEWSPF)–3 May 2012.  NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen discussed the security transition in Afghanistan and other key issues on NATO’s agenda in the run-up to this month’s Chicago Summit with David Cameron, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in London on 3 May 2012. Mr. Fogh Rasmussen praised[Read More…]

Motion Seeks to Bar Government from Keeping Statements about Torture and Abuse Under Wraps NEW YORK –(ENEWSPF)–May 3, 2012.  The American Civil Liberties Union has asked the Guantanamo Bay military commission to reject the government’s attempts to censor any statements by defendants in the 9/11 military commission proceedings about their[Read More…]

New Jersey-(ENEWSPF)- From CNN: A New Jersey mother pleaded not guilty Wednesday to child endangerment charges after being accused of illegally allowing her 6-year-old daughter to tan at a salon, according to prosecutors. Patricia Krentcil, 44, was arrested on April 24 and later released on $25,000 bail following the alleged[Read More…]

Despite 750,000 Annual Marijuana Possession Arrests, Teens Consistently Report That Marijuana is Easier to Obtain Than Alcohol Teen Cigarette Smoking Continues Dramatic Decline — Demonstrating Success of Non-Criminal, Public Health-Based Approach NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–May 2, 2012.  The 23rd annual Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) was released today, showing an increase in[Read More…]

Misapplied exemption resulted in pay violations; nearly $464,000 assessed in penalties WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–May 2, 2012.  Wal-Mart Stores Inc., headquartered in Bentonville, Ark., has agreed to pay $4,828,442 in back wages and damages to more than 4,500 employees nationwide following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 2, 2012. Index for Today’s Briefing DEPARTMENT Free the Press Campaign / Journalist Cesar Ricaurte from Ecuador CHINA Chen Guangcheng / Human Rights SYRIA Ongoing Violence / Lack of Cease-fire / Extremist Groups VENEZUELA Inter-American Commission on Human Rights BOLIVIA Nationalization of Transportadora de Electricidad EGYPT Violence Against[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 2, 2012. I am pleased that we were able to facilitate Chen Guangcheng’s stay and departure from the U.S. Embassy in a way that reflected his choices and our values. I was glad to have the chance to speak with him today and to congratulate him on being[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 2, 2012.  Today, Secretary Solis will join Mayor Nutter at Philadelphia’s City Hall to announce that the Administration has secured additional commitments from 95 companies and non-profits, three cities, two federal agencies and the White House to provide 110,000 new summer jobs and other employment opportunities for low-income[Read More…]

AFGHANISTAN–(ENEWSPF)–May 1, 2012 – 2:05 A.M.AFT. Via Conference Call SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Hi, everyone. Thanks for joining us here — or there; we’re here. This is on background — senior administration officials. Once we’re completed with the briefing, there’s no embargo so you can use it from there. I’ll turn[Read More…]