tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77504727024183771552024-03-13T22:09:57.237+05:30USA Update NewsJack Henryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12974776082743107967noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-19773450926045164132012-03-06T11:27:00.004+05:302012-03-06T11:47:43.208+05:30President Barack Obama Speaks at the AIPAC Policy Conference<div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span><b><a href="http://usa-update-news.blogspot.in/search/label/USA%20update%20News" title="USA Update News">USA Update News :</a> President Obama</b> addressed the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington. Where he reaffirmed the strength of our Nation’s individual bond with Israel. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryKHMgVdxdkHnmhgerapsOfwlzi6mxsjEULI5xvRYfpRdwPJrCabJ5rvyC_s9Mls24Qj4RzDohLB-ESOcLzoclNU7vewaieCkxMUHUfESvfgO1Z7d9qz78QUrZyejUB4dz5vQ67yTzbA/s320/Barack-Obama.png" border="0" alt="Barack-Obama" title="Barack-Obama" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716663695110197618" /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Tomorrow, <b><a href="http://usa-update-news.blogspot.in/search/label/Obama" title="President Obama">President Obama</a></b> will hold a joint meeting with <b>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</b> at the <b><a href="http://usa-update-news.blogspot.in/search/label/Whitehouse%20News" title="White House">White House</a></b>.</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">During his notes today, the President discussed the actions his Administration has taken to carry Israel:</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">But as you examine my promise, you don’t just have to count on my words. You can look at my actions. Because more than last three years, as President of the <b><a href="http://usa-update-news.blogspot.in/search/label/United%20States%20of%20America" title="united states america">United States</a></b>, I have kept my commitments to the state of Israel. </span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Four years before, I stood before you and said that “Israel’s security is revered. It is non-negotiable.” That belief has guided my events as President.</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">The reality is, my Administration’s commitment to Israel’s security has been record. Our military and intelligence cooperation has never been faster. </span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Our joint exercises and training have never been healthier. Despite strong budget surroundings, our security assistance has enlarged every year. </span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">We are investing in new capabilities. We are providing Israel with more advanced technology the type of products and systems that only go to our closest friends and allies.</span></div></div><br /><p style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><b>You Might like this :</b></p><ul style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><li><a href="http://usa-update-news.blogspot.in/search/label/Whitehouse%20News" title="White House News">White House News</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://usa-update-news.blogspot.in/search/label/USA%20update%20News" title="USA Update News">USA Update News</a></li><br /></ul>Jack Henryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12974776082743107967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-22733798956257287772011-03-28T15:17:00.000+05:302011-03-28T15:17:41.813+05:30American students ‘safe and well' in Syria<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #38761d; text-align: justify;"><b>USA update News:The father of an American student who moved out in Syria said Saturday his son "is safe and well," but remains in the hands of Syrian authorities.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Tik Root, 21, of Ripton, Vermont, left March 18 in Damascus, his father, Tom, told CNN's "In the Arena" Friday night.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
The young man attends Middlebury College, also in Vermont, which published a report from Tom Root.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
"We received some great reports this morning from the Syrian Embassy and officials from Damascus, conveyed to me by Senator Leahy and others," Root wrote.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
The Father of an <b style="color: #cc0000;">American student</b> who left in Syria said Saturday his son "is safe and well," but remains in the hands of Syrian authorities.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Tik has been situated, and we appreciate that he is safe and well. He runs in the hands of the Syrian authorities, who are currently responsible for him. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Moustapha is Syria's messenger to the <a href="http://usa-update-news.blogspot.com/search/label/United%20States%20of%20America">United States</a>.<br />
</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-53615299945284876162011-02-01T18:16:00.000+05:302011-02-01T18:16:50.564+05:30Weekly Address: Out-Innovating, Out-Educating & Out-Building Our Competitors<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #38761d;">The <b style="color: #cc0000;">President </b>discusses his visit to a company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and how it exemplified his agenda for America to “win the future” spelled out in the State of the Union Address.</div><br />
<div align="center"><object height="250" width="380"><param name="movie" value="http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x2.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="282828"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><param name="flashvars" value="config=http://www.whitehouse.gov/xml/video/25713/config.xml&path_to_plugins=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/modules/wh_multimedia/wh_jwplayer/plugins&path_to_player=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x2.swf"></param><embed src="http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x2.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="300" flashvars="config=http://www.whitehouse.gov/xml/video/25713/config.xml&path_to_plugins=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/modules/wh_multimedia/wh_jwplayer/plugins&path_to_player=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x2.swf&share_url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2011/01/29/weekly-address-out-innovating-out-educating-out-building-our-compe"></embed></object></div></div><br />
Visit : <a href="http://www.usa-update-news.blogspot.com/">usa update news, </a><a href="http://sports-update-news.blogspot.com/">sports update news </a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-39913423909415076662011-01-28T17:26:00.000+05:302011-01-28T17:26:48.140+05:30West Wing Week: "To Build Stuff and Invent Stuff"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #38761d;"><b>Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.</b></div><br />
This week, the <b style="color: #cc0000;">President </b>delivered his State of the Union Address, focused on jobs and the economy, and he took those ideas on the road traveling to Upstate <b style="color: #cc0000;">New York</b> and Wisconsin.<br />
<div align="center"><br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="300" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x2.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="282828"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><param name="flashvars" value="config=http://www.whitehouse.gov/xml/video/25557/config.xml&path_to_plugins=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/modules/wh_multimedia/wh_jwplayer/plugins&path_to_player=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x2.swf"></param><embed src="http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x2.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="300" flashvars="config=http://www.whitehouse.gov/xml/video/25557/config.xml&path_to_plugins=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/modules/wh_multimedia/wh_jwplayer/plugins&path_to_player=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x2.swf&share_url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2011/01/28/west-wing-week-build-stuff-and-invent-stuff"></embed></object></div></div></div><br />
Visit: <a href="http://sports-update-news.blogspot.com/">Sports update news ,</a><a href="http://usa-update-news.blogspot.com/">Usa update news</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-89082026016381008372011-01-27T09:57:00.001+05:302011-01-27T09:59:07.785+05:30NASA memorials mark 25th anniversary of Challenger disaster<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">On January 28, 1986, space shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into flight, killing all seven crewmembers on board. It was the first time NASA had lost astronauts during a spaceflight. </span></b><br />
<br />
Few who were alive 25 years ago can forget that day, nor the iconic footage and photographs of the pale, corkscrewing plumes in the sky where Challenger had just been. The failure of a pressure seal in one of the two solid-rocket boosters was later identified as the cause of the shuttle's breakup.<br />
<br />
The disaster must have been especially personal for Charles Bolden, now <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">NASA</span></b>'s chief, who was a member of the astronaut corps at the time. In fact, he had just concluded a shuttle mission 10 days prior to Challenger's launch in 1986. Bolden and NASA deputy administrator <b style="color: #cc0000;">Lori Garver</b> will honor the Challenger crew as part of NASA's annual Day of Remembrance by laying a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on the morning of January 27. Similar events are planned for Kennedy Space Center in <b style="color: #cc0000;">Florida </b>and Johnson Space Center in <b style="color: #cc0000;">Houston</b>.</div></div><br />
<a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=nasa-memorials-mark-25th-anniversar-2011-01-26" rel="no follow">Read more :</a><br />
<br />
Visit :<a href="http://sports-update-news.blogspot.com/"> sports update news,</a><a href="http://usa-update-news.blogspot.com/">Usa update news</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-50297441023670652862011-01-06T17:28:00.001+05:302011-01-06T17:28:50.798+05:30U.S. send 1,400 extra troops to Afghanistan<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, “The United States plans to send 1,400 additional Marines to Afghanistan to boost its struggle forces ahead of the spring fighting season".</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YTrWhel9N3y5fy_goQkp28McEhtdqoJ1TRu8ONW2tkTg3boG63j69DZJ-fenFEafGFUYkblyTQtlzymN1TzrflkOAFWb1ixU0EAYZXPKYI3AY-sOAwjV2k0jND7pYHqqbHydzI5J5tQ/s1600/US-Marine-battalion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YTrWhel9N3y5fy_goQkp28McEhtdqoJ1TRu8ONW2tkTg3boG63j69DZJ-fenFEafGFUYkblyTQtlzymN1TzrflkOAFWb1ixU0EAYZXPKYI3AY-sOAwjV2k0jND7pYHqqbHydzI5J5tQ/s320/US-Marine-battalion.jpg" title="Us Marine battalion" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
The <b style="color: #cc0000;">United States,</b> which lead a 2001 attack of Afghanistan that toppled the <span style="color: black;">Taliban,</span><b style="color: #cc0000;"> </b>has about 100,000 troops in the country, and <b style="color: #cc0000;">President Barack Obama</b> is under stress to show results so he can begin a promised withdrawal this year.<br />
"The Marine battalion could start arriving on the ground as early as mid January. The forces would mostly be deployed in the south, around Kandahar, where the U.S. has determined troops over the past several months." the paper said. It cited unidentified officials.<br />
The <b style="color: #cc0000;">Taliban </b>are at their strongest since they were ousted form power, while operations against the insurgency have intensified since 2008. More than 700 foreign troops were killed in Afghanistan last year, and civilian wounded were at record levels.<br />
Obama said last month, that enough progress was being made in the operation to meet his pledge to start withdrawing U.S. troops by July and hand over security to Afghan forces by 2014.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-79321412516915080542010-08-31T03:20:00.000+05:302010-08-31T03:20:24.001+05:30Agent Orange and Veterans: A 40-Year Wait<div style="text-align: justify;">With the unwavering support of <b>President Obama, </b>VA is transforming to meet its 21st Century responsibilities. Advocacy, on behalf of every generation of Veterans, is central to this transformation.<br />
<br />
Agent Orange was a blend of herbicides used by the <b>U.S. military,</b> during the <b>Vietnam conflict, </b>to deny concealment to enemy forces. More than 19 million gallons of herbicides were sprayed to remove foliage and undergrowth. The most common, Agent Orange, was sprayed in all four military zones of South Vietnam.<br />
<br />
Heavily sprayed areas included the inland forests near the Demilitarized Zone; inland forests at the junction of the borders of <b>Cambodia,</b> <b>Laos, and South Vietnam</b>; inland forests north and northwest of Saigon; mangrove forests on the <b>southernmost peninsula of Vietnam</b>; and mangrove forests along major shipping channels <b>southeast of Saigon</b>.<br />
<br />
The issue of Agent Orange’s toxic effects on Veterans, who served in Vietnam, has simmered for decades. Its insidious impact on those exposed to it has become increasingly apparent. That growing awareness has resulted in the <b>Congress</b>’, this Department’s, and the Institute of <b>Medicine’</b>s previous validations of some 12 diseases, which, to date, have been granted presumption of service connection for those exposed to Agent Orange.<br />
<br />
Last October, based on the requirements of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 and the Institute of <b>Medicine</b>’s report, “<b>Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2008</b>,” I determined that the evidence provided was sufficient to support presumptions of service connection for three additional diseases: Parkinson’s Disease, Hairy Cell and other <b>Chronic B-Cell Leukemia,</b> and <b>Ischemic Heart Disease</b>. After a public rulemaking process, we are now issuing a final regulation creating these new presumptions.<br />
<br />
This action means that Veterans who were exposed to herbicides in service and who suffer from one of the “<b>presumed</b>” <b>illnesses </b>do not have to prove an association between their medical problems and their <b>military</b> service. This action helps Veterans to overcome the evidentiary requirements that might otherwise make it difficult for them to establish such an association in order to qualify for healthcare and other benefits needed as a result of their diseases. The “<b>Presumption</b>” simplifies and accelerates the application process and ensures that Veterans will receive the benefits they deserve.<br />
<br />
As many as 150,000 Veterans may submit Agent Orange claims in the next 12 to 18 months. Additionally, VA will review approximately 90,000 previously denied claims from Vietnam Veterans for service connection for these three new diseases. All those who are awarded service-connection, and who are not currently enrolled in the VA health care system, will become eligible for enrollment.<br />
<br />
Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam, including its inland <b>waterways</b>, between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, are presumed to have been exposed to <b>herbicides</b>. If you know a Veteran who may have been exposed to herbicides in service and who suffers from one of the diseases that may be presumptively service connected, the Veteran or the Veteran's family can visit our website to find out how to file a claim for presumptive conditions related to herbicide exposure, as well as what information is needed by VA to determine disability compensation or survivors’ benefits. Additionally, <b>VA’s Office </b>of Public Health can answer questions about Agent Orange and VA’s services for Veterans exposed to it.<br />
<br />
This rule is long overdue. It delivers justice to those who have suffered from Agent Orange’s toxic effects for 40 years. I have been invited to testify before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on 23 September to explain these decisions, and I am happy to do that. It was the right decision, and the President and I are proud to finally provide this group of Veterans the care and benefits they have long deserved.<br />
<br />
VA is committed to addressing the health care needs of Veterans from all eras. Forty years from today, a future Secretary of VA should not be adjudicating presumptive disabilities associated with our current conflicts. Change is difficult for any good organization, but we are transforming this Department to advocate for Veterans. We will not let our Veterans languish without hope for service-connected disabilities resulting from their service.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-17239942044767988712010-08-28T03:34:00.000+05:302010-08-28T03:34:24.781+05:30More than 600,000 White House Visitor Records Online<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtk9XnS7ESpsJruNQsnM8sws52LTK4NK7rumNgE2HykHfdMtyHp2sgaV0b6BZs3ppkg5gOEgSqovJJI2vTaa1Pd9tfHWYWfHNRiF7zGIvgH97Ur13rlmgov9VLBwshl39QIx4J6oM0YI/s1600/White-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtk9XnS7ESpsJruNQsnM8sws52LTK4NK7rumNgE2HykHfdMtyHp2sgaV0b6BZs3ppkg5gOEgSqovJJI2vTaa1Pd9tfHWYWfHNRiF7zGIvgH97Ur13rlmgov9VLBwshl39QIx4J6oM0YI/s320/White-house.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In September 2009, the <b>President </b>announced that – for the first time in history – the <b>White House</b> would routinely release <b>visitor records</b>. Today, the White House releases visitor records that were created in May 2010. Today’s release also includes several visitor records created prior to <b>September 16, 2009</b> that were requested by members of the public during July 2010 pursuant to the White House voluntary disclosure policy. This release brings the grand total of records that this White House has released to over <b>600,000 records.</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-40318411728184486602010-08-28T03:28:00.000+05:302010-08-28T03:28:48.394+05:30Improving America's Disaster Reaction<div style="text-align: justify;">As we approach the fifth anniversary of <b>Hurricanes Katrina</b> and <b>Rita, </b>it’s important to note how far our nation has come in improving our ability to respond to and recover from <b>disasters </b>and the progress we’ve made in helping our <b>Gulf Coast</b> recover from one of the worst <b>natural disasters</b> in our country’s history. <br />
Since taking office, the <b>Obama</b> administration has made Gulf Coast rebuilding a top priority. Over the past 20 months, we’ve obligated more than $2.5 billion in funding for new schools and <b>universities,</b> fire houses, police stations, and critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, hospitals, and public health assets across the Gulf.<br />
Earlier this week, we announced an additional $25 million in newly approved funding for rebuilding projects in <b>Louisiana </b>and <b>Mississippi</b>, the latest in a series of Gulf Coast recovery projects. These resources are helping revitalize communities, cut through red tape, and get long-delayed construction projects off the ground.<br />
We’ve also made tremendous progress since Katrina and Rita in improving our country’s ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from major disasters of all kinds.<br />
An example of this progress is the recovery efforts this summer following the worst flooding in over a century in <b>Nashville,</b> Tenn. These floods took the lives of more than 30 individuals, devastated communities, and threatened the safety and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of residents. Despite this historic damage, our swift and effective response demonstrated what a difference preparation, coordination between federal, state, and local governments, and the quick deployment of resources to local communities can make.<br />
The <b>Federal Emergency Management Agency</b> (FEMA), an agency within the Department of Homeland Security, played a key role in the government’s response. But as our <b>FEMA </b>Administrator Craig Fugate would be the first to say, preparing for – and responding to – disasters truly is a shared responsibility. While we continue to strengthen and streamline efforts to prepare for disasters at the federal level, citizens, families, communities, faith organizations, and businesses all have an important role to play in our collective response to emergencies.<br />
As we remember the tragic events along the Gulf Coast five years ago, please take a moment to visit ready.gov – learn how to prepare an emergency kit, develop a plan for reuniting with family members after a disaster, and ensure you have plans in place for caring for family and friends. <br />
As the residents of Nashville can attest, we’ve made tremendous progress since August 2005. Working together, we will continue building a stronger and more resilient nation than ever before.<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-87113844632505898002010-08-28T03:20:00.000+05:302010-08-28T03:20:40.342+05:30California Health Insurance Replace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42iqxNRNneZnp_vEDMRHcSOqivMFWGek2brA19p9S-VPuR-v_FEW63YwA87kusJeR-FksuPA56SxGWl2CiSMCIrT40ixAJ_wT_Ii0pu25kAQqyzSD6FtJX8T6-6XkohlWAbFh3DK08t0/s1600/Arnold-Schwarzenegger+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42iqxNRNneZnp_vEDMRHcSOqivMFWGek2brA19p9S-VPuR-v_FEW63YwA87kusJeR-FksuPA56SxGWl2CiSMCIrT40ixAJ_wT_Ii0pu25kAQqyzSD6FtJX8T6-6XkohlWAbFh3DK08t0/s320/Arnold-Schwarzenegger+.jpg" title="Arnold Schwarzenegger"/></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">Small Business <b>California </b>is influence <b>Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger</b> to sign two related bills creating a state<b> health insurance exchange,</b> the single most important component of <b>healthcare </b>improvement for small businesses. <br />
The California government this week passed two landmark <b>health insurance exchange bills,</b> SB 900 and AB1602. This legislation will work to lay the base for <b>California's Health Benefit Exchange</b>. One of the bills establishes the <b>governance </b>of the exchange. It consists of an independent agency with a five person board. The second bill creates the policy that apply inside and outside the exchange. In California, 3 million small businesses will be eligible to purchase insurance through the exchange. This will create maximum competition, improve excellence, increase choice and lower costs. <br />
"It will be the main vehicle for making healthcare reasonable and accessible for California's 3 million small businesses and their <b>employees </b>including 2 million self-employed entrepreneurs," said <b>Scott Hauge,</b> <b>president of Small Business California</b>. <br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-70466943964693259062010-08-27T03:19:00.001+05:302010-08-27T03:20:10.569+05:30200,000 Homes Weatherized Under the improvement ActToday <b>Vice President Biden</b> announced that 200,000 homes have been weatherized under the revival Act. <b>Cathy Zoi, Assistant Secretary</b> for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy shares her feelings:<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><object height="385" width="440"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q2yJyZ4ioeQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q2yJyZ4ioeQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="440" height="385"></embed></object></div><br />
We're We're still discussion about Weatherization on <b>Facebook and Twitter</b>. Ask questions, share your feelings and we’ll follow-up with tips and answers from our experts in the coming days.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-409251424964044792010-08-27T03:06:00.003+05:302010-08-27T03:11:49.162+05:30What You Missed: Open Questions for 90th Anniversary of Women’s Right To VoteIn respect of this year’s Women’s Equality Day and the 90th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, I did a live web chat with Shireen Mitchell from the BlogHer community. Shireen and I had a great conversation, in which Shireen asked me a mixture of questions from online participants. Watch the full video or use the links below to jump to the topics that attention you most:<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><object height="300" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x2.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="282828"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><param name="flashvars" value="config=http://www.whitehouse.gov/xml/video/19810/config.xml&path_to_plugins=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/modules/wh_multimedia/wh_jwplayer/plugins&path_to_player=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x2.swf"></param><embed src="http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x2.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="300" flashvars="config=http://www.whitehouse.gov/xml/video/19810/config.xml&path_to_plugins=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/modules/wh_multimedia/wh_jwplayer/plugins&path_to_player=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x2.swf"></embed></object></div><br />
<br />
<br />
The discussion left me keyed up about the progress women have made, but focused on the challenges in front. There are countless opportunities for the public’s engagement in politics and government. The value of voting and other forms of public participation in government is the foundation of our country. As the Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls, I am arrogant to remember Women’s Equality Day and the 90th anniversary of the 19th Amendment in such an inclusive way.<br />
A special express gratitude you to Shireen Mitchell, the BlogHer community, and all of those who participated for providing me this opportunity.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-41160488092959650002010-08-24T02:24:00.000+05:302010-08-24T02:24:49.654+05:30Muslim Miss USA: shift mosque from ground zero<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjw5gRrRXSkJkmOWB2UNTcHCRSuqccyQM1NC5WaXt5lWv88k18tfrDPcNfu5hZSWWvnTwoI95JPgcoNw1ybYT478L3xq1rMqRF3S_EmmjhqszaWNh9NcAhomOY3Ju4aK44O_aTu8UyRMQ/s1600/Rima-Fakih-MissUSA-2010,.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjw5gRrRXSkJkmOWB2UNTcHCRSuqccyQM1NC5WaXt5lWv88k18tfrDPcNfu5hZSWWvnTwoI95JPgcoNw1ybYT478L3xq1rMqRF3S_EmmjhqszaWNh9NcAhomOY3Ju4aK44O_aTu8UyRMQ/s320/Rima-Fakih-MissUSA-2010,.jpg" title="Rima Fakih, Miss USA 2010"/></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of the <b>United States</b> most discernible <b>Muslim-Americans</b> has taken sides in the debate on whether to build a 13-story community center and <b>mosque </b>near the site of the former <b>World Trade Center</b> in <b>New York City</b>. Lebanese-born, New York-raised <b>Miss USA Rima Fakih</b> said she is beside the plan. <br />
Following <b>President Obama</b>’s remark in favor of the proposed mosque project last week, Fakih was asked her opinion on the hot national debate by a reporter for “<b>Inside Edition.</b>” <br />
“I totally agree with President Obama with the declaration on constitutional rights of <b>freedom of religion,</b>” Fakih, 24, said from Las Vegas, where she is listed to represent the <b>USA </b>at the <b>Miss Universe</b> pageant tonight.<br />
However, she added: “I also agree that it shouldn’t be so close to the World Trade Center. We should be more worried with the tragedy than <b>religion</b>.”<br />
In New York City, sides have been divided — with tempers infrequently flaring — over the future <b>mosque</b> and community center, which would be located just two blocks north of the site of the worst domestic horror attack in the <b>nation</b>’s history.<br />
While New York City mayor <b>Michael Bloomberg</b> and a selection of religious organizations have backed the mosque plan, President Obama weighing in on the issue has stirred the debate nationally. <br />
A recent <b>Time magazine</b> poll showed 61 percent of those polled were against a mosque being erected near ground zero. The poll also in particular had 24 percent of respondents believing the <b>president </b>himself is <b>Muslim</b>.<br />
While Miss USA Fakih disagrees with the president on the issue, she’s made it clear she is however a big <b>Obama </b>fan. She showed off a gold lame costume depicting the <b>golden eagle</b> on the presidential fasten that she plans to wear at the Miss Universe competition tonight.<br />
“The imagery of this costume is a tribute to your work to bring peace to the world,” Fakih said in a promotional video for the <b>Miss Universe pageant</b>. <br />
Fakih is believed to be the <b>first Muslim </b>to be crowned Miss USA after winning the pageant in May. She was born in <b>Lebanon </b>and migrated with her family to New York City when she was 8. When she twisted 18, the family relocated to the large <b>Arab-American community</b> in <b>Dearborn, Mich.</b><br />
Within days of winning Miss USA, Fakih lit a argument of her own when footage showing her claiming first place at a “Stripper 101” pole dancing contest in a <b>Michigan nightclub in 2007</b> surface. Pageant officials took no corrective action against Fakih, however, and she continues to represent the<b> U.S</b>. as Miss USA.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-85595709591949819672010-08-12T04:44:00.000+05:302010-08-12T04:44:09.572+05:30183,000 Manufacturing Jobs as a result future<div style="text-align: justify;">From the opening, the <b>Obama administration</b>’s highest priority has been to rescue and rebuild the <b>economy</b>. Few areas were hit as hard as <b>developed </b>– not just in this downturn, but going back years. Investing in <b>21st century</b> built-up has been a cornerstone of the <b>President</b>’s plan to rebuild the economy stronger than before. And in the past seven months, we have seen the strongest manufacturing job growth in more than a decade -- adding <b>183,000 jobs </b>so far this year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The trends are talented and the President wants to keep that way. That’s why today, he is signing a bill into law that will make it cheaper and easier for <b>American </b>manufacturers and workers to do what they do best: build great products and sell them around the world. When the mechanized Enhancement Act of 2010 becomes a law today, it will create more jobs, help <b>American companies</b> compete, and strengthen manufacturing as a key driver of our recovery.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-60717541972352805582010-08-12T04:30:00.000+05:302010-08-12T04:30:43.670+05:30Situation Room on Iraq<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gsQ1qxOTpF-50z9AVO74MfBiPOqAxnfUgOsl795wVPZyDJc2rtP0aEugLWYBxzp3tERIxm8ugWoscZtQB5Uq2ekPayWPQwvjJ8WhIwyjFTl1_yU1L_byPwht3Yo_bZViCb8FkRheFDA/s1600/Situation-Room-Iraq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gsQ1qxOTpF-50z9AVO74MfBiPOqAxnfUgOsl795wVPZyDJc2rtP0aEugLWYBxzp3tERIxm8ugWoscZtQB5Uq2ekPayWPQwvjJ8WhIwyjFTl1_yU1L_byPwht3Yo_bZViCb8FkRheFDA/s320/Situation-Room-Iraq.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As the end of <b>combat operations</b> in <b>Iraq </b>approaches, and the massive drawdown of troops continues, a photo of the <b>President</b> and his <b>national security team</b> meeting on Iraq in the <b>Situation Room</b>.<br />
<b>President Barack Obama</b> and Vice President Joe Biden meet with the national security team on Iraq in the Situation Room of the <b>White House,</b> Aug. 11, 2010.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-9133524236636130092010-08-12T04:20:00.000+05:302010-08-12T04:20:15.404+05:30Another pace for American Manufacturing<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div align="center"><object height="300" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x1.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="282828"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><param name="flashvars" value="config=http://www.whitehouse.gov/xml/video/19473/config.xml&path_to_plugins=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/modules/wh_multimedia/wh_jwplayer/plugins&path_to_player=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x1.swf"></param><embed src="http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x1.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="300" flashvars="config=http://www.whitehouse.gov/xml/video/19473/config.xml&path_to_plugins=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/modules/wh_multimedia/wh_jwplayer/plugins&path_to_player=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x1.swf"></embed></object><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Before signing the <b>Manufacturing Enhancement</b> Act, the <b>President </b>took a step back to talk about his vision and commitment to <b>American manufacturing. </b>That commitment has helped manufacturing become one of the surprisingly bright spots of the <b>economic </b>recovery. A sector that lost 3,864,000 between 2000 and 2008 has turned around and gained 183,000 jobs so far this year</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-30522426123041948592010-08-12T04:11:00.000+05:302010-08-12T04:11:19.349+05:30US Researchers:Repeated Ear Infections Seem to Plague White Kids, Poor Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24eet4qJcVxtWpTe61sM2Wl10hHGRqh6qOk-E2PEj368T73gggCTukE9e-3TVTC4pVGgQWcKf2ziYp_AGndEBbkahL87WDmTUJfzitkQAxLAEB9lHxrdAS_tC8NtoNLZ-kKN1uWh0je4/s1600/Ear-infections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24eet4qJcVxtWpTe61sM2Wl10hHGRqh6qOk-E2PEj368T73gggCTukE9e-3TVTC4pVGgQWcKf2ziYp_AGndEBbkahL87WDmTUJfzitkQAxLAEB9lHxrdAS_tC8NtoNLZ-kKN1uWh0je4/s320/Ear-infections.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>White children</b> and those in poor families are more likely to have repeated <b>ear infections</b> than other children, <b>U.S. researchers</b> have found.<br />
Ear infection (also called <b>otitis media</b>) is one of the most common<b> health problems</b> in <b>children</b>. By the age of 3, more than 80 percent of children have had at least one ear <b>infection</b>. The cost of <b>medical and surgical treatment </b>of these infections is $3 billion to $5 billion a year in the <b>United States.</b><br />
About <b>4.65 million U.S. children</b> suffer frequent ear infections each year, defined as more than three infections over 12 months, according to background information in the study by <b>University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA</b>) and <b>Harvard University researchers.</b><br />
The research team analyzed 1997-2006 data from the <b>U.S. National Health Interview Survey</b> and found that the rates of frequent ear infections were 7 percent for white children, 6.2 percent for <b>Hispanic children,</b> 5 percent for black children, and 4.5 percent for children of other racial or ethnic groups. The average age of the children in the study was 8.5 years.<br />
The study authors also found that the rate of frequent ear infections among children in households below the poverty line was higher (8 percent) than that for those in families above the poverty line.<br />
"The <b>racial </b>and <b>ethnic </b>disparity was somewhat surprising," study co-author Dr. Nina Shapiro, director of pediatric otolaryngology at <b>Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA</b>, said in a UCLA news release.<br />
"We are not certain why these gaps exist, but possible explanations could include anatomic differences, cultural factors or disparate access to health care. It could also be that white children are overdiagnosed and non-white children are underdiagnosed," she said.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-53128562565034541792010-08-10T17:31:00.000+05:302010-08-10T17:31:27.902+05:30USA President Obama on Higher edification in Austin: "We Are Not Playing for Second Place"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTA4V1XJ2jmByrv1_9BMHFPen1qi0PeeklrlbeKuF2RLp1dQtIaV98O5D3gd9R45CkXDj1TTMSX1jlM9x39mqXLfQb4BOmn8NbwjPPXcyExxFBT4Efxz_AWTynY2JJj_Kn1bbZ0Ip9dnU/s1600/austin_highered_MG_6297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTA4V1XJ2jmByrv1_9BMHFPen1qi0PeeklrlbeKuF2RLp1dQtIaV98O5D3gd9R45CkXDj1TTMSX1jlM9x39mqXLfQb4BOmn8NbwjPPXcyExxFBT4Efxz_AWTynY2JJj_Kn1bbZ0Ip9dnU/s320/austin_highered_MG_6297.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The <b>President </b>rattled off a couple campaign promises fulfilled -- like ending the <b>War in Iraq</b> and passing <b>health reform </b>– then turned to the <b>economy</b>:<br />
<br />
And I said we need an economy that puts <b>Americans </b>back to work, an economy that’s built around three simple words --<b> Made in America</b>. Because we are not playing for second place. We are the <b>United States of America,</b> and like the <b>Texas Longhorns</b>, you play for first -- we play for first.<br />
<br />
From there he honed in even further to his primary focus for the day – <b>education</b>:<br />
<br />
I’ve called for doubling our exports within the next five years, so that we're not just buying from other countries, I want us to sell to other <b>countries</b>. We've talked about doubling our nation’s capacity to generate <b>renewable energy by 2012</b>, because I'm actually convinced that if we control the clean energy future, then our <b>economic future </b>will be bright -- building <b>solar panels</b> and wind <b>turbines </b>and <b>biodiesel</b>. And I want us to produce 8 million more college graduates by 2020, because <b>America</b> has to have the highest share of graduates compared to every other nation.<br />
<br />
But, Texas, I want you to know we have been slipping. In a single generation, we’ve fallen from first place to 12th place in college graduation rates for young adults. Think about that. In one generation we went from number one to number 12. <br />
<br />
Now, that’s unacceptable, but it’s not irreversible. We can retake the lead. If we’re serious about making sure <b>America’s workers</b> -- and America itself -- succeeds in the <b>21st century</b>, the single most important step we can take is make -- is to make sure that every one of our young people -- here in Austin, here in Texas, here in the United States of America -- has the best education that the <b>world</b> has to offer. That’s the number one thing we can do.<br />
<br />
Now, when I talk about education, people say, well, you know what, right now we’re going through this tough time. We’ve emerged from the worst recession since the Great Depression. So, Mr. President, you should only focus on jobs, on economic issues. And what I’ve tried to explain to people -- I said this at the <b>National Urban League </b>the other week -- education is an economic issue. Education is the <b>economic </b>issue of our time.<br />
<br />
It’s an economic issue when the unemployment rate for folks who’ve never gone to college is almost double what it is for those who have gone to college. Education is an economic issue when nearly eight in 10 new jobs will require workforce training or a higher education by the end of this decade. Education is an economic issue when we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that countries that out-educate us today, they will out-compete us tomorrow.<br />
<br />
He touched on his innovative efforts to challenge states to live up to their potential in K-12 education through Race to the Top, then spoke passionately about higher education:<br />
<br />
And this isn’t some abstract policy for me. I understand this personally, because <b>Michelle </b>and I, we had big loans to pay off when we graduated. I remember what that felt like, especially early in your career where you don’t make much money and you’re sending all those checks to all those companies. And that’s why I'm absolutely committed to making sure that here in America, nobody is denied a college education, nobody is denied a chance to pursue their dreams, nobody is denied a chance to make the most of their lives just because they can’t afford it. We are a better country than that, and we need to act like we’re a better country than that.<br />
<br />
He spoke about the <b>landmark </b>reforms of student loans passed earlier this year that will cut out big banks as middlemen and redirect those resources to our students:<br />
<br />
So as a result, instead of handing over <b>$60 billion</b> in subsidies to big banks and financial institutions over the next decade, we’re redirecting that money to you, to make college more affordable for nearly 8 million students and families across this country. Eight million students will get more help from financial aid because of these changes.<br />
<br />
He spoke about <b>Pell Grants,</b> which so many students have come to rely on:<br />
<br />
We’re tripling how much we’re investing in the largest college tax credit for our middle-class families. And thanks to Austin’s own <b>Lloyd Doggett</b> that tax credit is now worth $2,500 a year for two years of college. And we want to make it permanent so it’s worth $10,000 over four years of college -- $10,000.<br />
<br />
He spoke about community colleges and <b>HBCUs:</b><br />
<br />
So that’s why we’re upgrading our community colleges, by tying the skills taught in our classrooms to the needs of local businesses in the growth sectors of our economy. And we’re giving companies an assurance that the workers they hire will be up to the job. We’re giving students the best chance to succeed. We’re also that way giving America the best chance to thrive and to prosper. And that’s why we’re also reinvesting in our HBCUs and <b>Hispanic Serving Institutions</b> like <b>Huston-Tillotson</b> and <b>St. Edwards.</b><br />
<br />
And finally, he spoke about lifting graduation rates:<br />
<br />
Over a third of America’s college students and over half of our minority students don’t earn a degree, even after six years. So we don’t just need to open the doors of college to more Americans; we need to make sure they stick with it through graduation. That is <b>critical</b>. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-36160939048372290362010-08-10T17:21:00.000+05:302010-08-10T17:21:51.586+05:30Korea to go behind Iran but not as hard as US wants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdLbuCoxbua7Nc6eKd-W2HnqfA4YxQn1MPQ43flCc5SjjMR919le3sw1-Qoy6rwklvy6nry_mVwhbp9lmW3n5IW9DTOtNU1ExCxmEXgq1pkJfKpx3EASR0UOPbIeeHnAH05zKYVufxRc/s1600/Southkorea-Iran-relations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdLbuCoxbua7Nc6eKd-W2HnqfA4YxQn1MPQ43flCc5SjjMR919le3sw1-Qoy6rwklvy6nry_mVwhbp9lmW3n5IW9DTOtNU1ExCxmEXgq1pkJfKpx3EASR0UOPbIeeHnAH05zKYVufxRc/s320/Southkorea-Iran-relations.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>South Korea</b> finds itself required to make a choice between two equally competing priorities over Iran. At the instant, it looks to be a matter of time before it goes after the branch of an <b>Iranian </b>bank in<b> Seoul.</b><br />
<br />
Seoul has establish evidence of wrongdoing at the Seoul branch of Bank Mellat, <b>Iran’s state commercial bank</b>, but is biding its time over punishing the Iranian bank, an official at the f<b>inance ministry </b>said. <br />
The <b>United States</b> has provided useful information to <b>Korean auditors, </b>the administrator said. In return, Korea notified the United States what it found during the <b>audit</b>. But it is not going to use the result to <b>punish Bank Mellat</b> right now. <br />
<br />
“The United States wants us to follow their lead to impose strong <b>sanctions</b>, but we told them that the <b>evidence </b>is not well-built enough to order a shutdown,” he said.<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-35809466950763066502010-08-08T14:56:00.004+05:302010-08-09T14:59:44.201+05:30Medicare formally Safer After Health Reform<div align="center"><object height="300" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x1.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="282828"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><param name="flashvars" value="config=http://www.whitehouse.gov/xml/video/19335/config.xml&path_to_plugins=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/modules/wh_multimedia/wh_jwplayer/plugins&path_to_player=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x1.swf"></param><embed src="http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x1.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300" flashvars="config=http://www.whitehouse.gov/xml/video/19335/config.xml&path_to_plugins=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/modules/wh_multimedia/wh_jwplayer/plugins&path_to_player=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x1.swf"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The <b>USA President</b> discusses a new <b>Medicare Trustees</b> report viewing Medicare to be on much stronger footing as a result of the reforms in the reasonable Care Act. In count, seniors are also already getting help with instruction <b>drug costs</b> when they fall into the infamous “<b>donut hole</b>.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-11485538917017513082010-08-06T05:25:00.002+05:302010-08-06T05:28:12.430+05:30US-UAE BlackBerry talks More<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3swq0njF6VqhesDkQTiCATY-cEkzdln46YVEORsO-YzMFof09Th8yNCikrjO7fEdSXACPflUTWpaomL45-W5EKIeBErRQrcUnQ30CCKsDVGfnXf2qthfhDy5cdOrbQg4tbBKWpMQ9Rw/s1600/Hilary-Clinton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3swq0njF6VqhesDkQTiCATY-cEkzdln46YVEORsO-YzMFof09Th8yNCikrjO7fEdSXACPflUTWpaomL45-W5EKIeBErRQrcUnQ30CCKsDVGfnXf2qthfhDy5cdOrbQg4tbBKWpMQ9Rw/s320/Hilary-Clinton.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
WASHINGTON - US SECRETARY of State <b>Hillary Clinton</b> said, on Thursday the <b>United States </b>and the <b>United Arab Emirates</b> will seize talks on <b>BlackBerry </b>use as she moved to ease a row over a <b>UAE </b>ban on key services. <br />
'We are taking time to check with and analyse the full range of interests and issues at stake because we know that there is a <b>legitimate security</b> concern,' Mrs Clinton told reporters. <br />
'But there is also a <b>lawful </b>right of free use and access. So I think we will be pursuing both technical and expert discussions as we go forward,' the<b> chief US envoy </b>said. The UAE, a <b>Gulf business center</b>, said on Sunday it will halt <b>BlackBerry messenger,</b> web browsing and email services that breach laws and raise security concerns. The delay would start on Oct 11 and last until a legal solution was reached. <br />
The row centres on concerns that BlackBerry's encrypted services - which engage data being routed through secure servers in <b>Canada </b>where manufacturer <b>Research in Motion</b> (<b>RIM</b>) is based - could be used by militants or <b>criminals</b>.<br />
<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-2102346819187089562010-08-05T05:07:00.000+05:302010-08-05T05:07:58.241+05:30New Report: 74% of Oil in BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill has been enclosed or Mitigated<div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhfxyA3V5EyBhdwX7tT_o38qETvL03fKyMgH57ZLYRgQIKqUn5uTSFQefmgHdiY8_VFhg1lAHRvK47vVdvEE5K3-FsxPJG9kCuHkR7fGU4OuC42gbHuluxRuH4MMs2XxXi9KBu6C_NTg/s1600/Deepwater-Oil-Budget.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhfxyA3V5EyBhdwX7tT_o38qETvL03fKyMgH57ZLYRgQIKqUn5uTSFQefmgHdiY8_VFhg1lAHRvK47vVdvEE5K3-FsxPJG9kCuHkR7fGU4OuC42gbHuluxRuH4MMs2XxXi9KBu6C_NTg/s320/Deepwater-Oil-Budget.jpg" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">Today, a panel of <b>government scientists </b>released a report which said that the vast majority of the oil from the <b>Deepwater Horizon oil spill</b> has either evaporated or been burned, skimmed, recovered from the <b>wellhead </b>or dispersed much of which is in the process of being degraded. A significant amount of this is the direct result of the federal government’s aggressive response to the spill.<br />
<br />
The <b>chart </b>below outlines the breakdown of what has happened to the oil released into the <b>Gulf of Mexico since the oil spill began in April:</b></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-40705854878204135982010-08-04T15:53:00.001+05:302010-08-04T15:54:02.704+05:30President Obama Signs the Fair Sentencing Act in the Oval Office<div align="justify"><br />
<br />
<div align="justify"><br />
</div>This morning the <b>President </b>signed the Fair Sentencing Act, which reduces the disparity in the amounts of <b>powder cocaine</b> and <b>crack cocaine</b> required for the imposition of mandatory minimum sentences and eliminates the mandatory minimum sentence for simple possession of crack cocaine. It also increases monetary penalties for major drug <b>traffickers</b>.<br />
<b>Press Secretary Robert Gibbs</b> was asked about the legislation in his <b>daily </b>press briefing and responded:<br />
<br />
</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdElSp1AlWCSSdidlrQbnYKSofuC9EDwOkNn7uFIRfzrgsv8UjauLNuNWCZao244ie3YgAIfWldL2Lu8OGyTdf28BUUNEw4DdH6CXbvnA_rTuwfEA7XEcg_LKCeKKlrHoEY7yW5QVIApI/s1600/fair-sentencing_PS-0143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdElSp1AlWCSSdidlrQbnYKSofuC9EDwOkNn7uFIRfzrgsv8UjauLNuNWCZao244ie3YgAIfWldL2Lu8OGyTdf28BUUNEw4DdH6CXbvnA_rTuwfEA7XEcg_LKCeKKlrHoEY7yW5QVIApI/s320/fair-sentencing_PS-0143.jpg" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><br />
<div align="justify"><br />
<b>MR. GIBBS:</b> Well, let me see if there’s any guidance on it. I will say this, April, I think the signing of today’s bill into <b>law</b> represents the hard work of <b>Democrats and Republicans</b> coming -- this is a good example -- of coming together and making <b>progress </b>on something that people had identified as a glaring blight on the law.<br />
<br />
Look, I think if you look at the people that were there at that signing, they’re not of the <b>political</b> persuasions that either always or even part of the time agree. I think that demonstrates the, as I said, the glaring nature of what these <b>penalties </b>had -- the glaring nature of what these penalties had done to people and how unfair they were. And I think the President was proud to sign that into law.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-75340781547869079142010-08-04T15:47:00.001+05:302010-08-04T15:48:25.010+05:30President Obama the Young African Leaders: "50 Years From Now, When You Look Back."<div align="center"><br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="300" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x1.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="282828"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><param name="flashvars" value="config=http://www.whitehouse.gov/xml/video/19147/config.xml&path_to_plugins=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/modules/wh_multimedia/wh_jwplayer/plugins&path_to_player=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x1.swf"></param><embed src="http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x1.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300" flashvars="config=http://www.whitehouse.gov/xml/video/19147/config.xml&path_to_plugins=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/modules/wh_multimedia/wh_jwplayer/plugins&path_to_player=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player5x1.swf"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div align="justify">This afternoon the <b>President </b>held a town hall with 115 young <b>leaders </b>from more than <b>40 countries </b>across <b>Africa </b>-- it was the kind of White House event under this President that surprises you, catching you off guard with its honesty.<br />
<br />
For those interested in Africa and its development, or for that matter this President's engagement with not just heads of state, but with people all over the world, the video is well worth watching (for info on <b>America</b>'s diplomatic progress see our fact sheet as well). Here's the transcript of the <b>final Q&A:</b><br />
<br />
Q Good afternoon, Mr. President, your excellencies. I am from <b>Somalia</b>. I came all the way here with one question, and that is, living in conflict in a <b>country </b>that has confused the whole <b>world</b>, and being part of the diaspora that went back to risk our lives in order to make Somalia a better place, especially with what we’re going through right now -- how much support do we expect from the <b>U.S</b>.? And not support just in terms of financially or aid, but support as an ear, as a friend, as somebody who hears and listens to those of us who are putting our <b>lives </b>and our families at risk to defend <b>humanity</b>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfhZSR-b9ofaS_i0wry5lPQ5Yd6myrtLtBFJ5mFrdfq9lbUmqLbnYLuVPuqvl4bOjl30nnX41OxLuJeZhyhujbgYN2FKgImtEouDVKABsVSDnRczo6W9ebqqpouP4GGGPPyVdhmyeg8g/s1600/Africa+Event1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfhZSR-b9ofaS_i0wry5lPQ5Yd6myrtLtBFJ5mFrdfq9lbUmqLbnYLuVPuqvl4bOjl30nnX41OxLuJeZhyhujbgYN2FKgImtEouDVKABsVSDnRczo6W9ebqqpouP4GGGPPyVdhmyeg8g/s320/Africa+Event1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think you will have enormous support from the people of the <b>United States</b> when it comes to trying to create a structure and framework in Somalia that works for the <b>Somali people.</b><br />
<br />
Now, the history of Somalia over the last 20 years has been equally <b>heartbreaking, </b>if not more so. You have not had a effective, functioning <b>government </b>that can provide basic services. It’s been rife with conflict. And now the entire region is threatened because of radical extremists who have taken root in Somalia, taking advantage of what they perceive to be a failing state, to use that as a base to launch attacks, most recently in <b>Uganda</b>.<br />
<br />
And obviously the United States expresses its deepest condolences to the lives that were lost in <b>Kampala </b>-- at the very moment of the <b>World Cup</b>. And it offered two contrasting visions. You have this wonderful, joyous celebration in <b>South Africa</b> at the same time as you have a <b>terrorist </b>explosion in Kampala.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgQvXSdypYIEmlnx2xcTSaBFAQIxIabNRe89U3o_z2pMXpozB37ylNxd9XLwVOk4H5-pLNv4F5FD4E9NtA9uK5Kn08_iwx6kUF4_Yu9Acg5n4lhLrX-KZJ-GNpeSifFcbDvBVNvGL-VU/s1600/Africa+Event2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgQvXSdypYIEmlnx2xcTSaBFAQIxIabNRe89U3o_z2pMXpozB37ylNxd9XLwVOk4H5-pLNv4F5FD4E9NtA9uK5Kn08_iwx6kUF4_Yu9Acg5n4lhLrX-KZJ-GNpeSifFcbDvBVNvGL-VU/s320/Africa+Event2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
So we desperately want Somalia to succeed. And this is another example of where our interests intersect. If you have extremist organizations taking root in Somalia, ultimately that can threaten the United States as well as Uganda, as well as <b>Kenya</b>, as well as the entire region.<br />
<br />
So right now you’ve got a transitional government that is making some efforts. I don’t think anybody expects Somalia anytime in the next few years to suddenly be transformed into a <b>model democracy. </b>Whatever <b>governance </b>structures take place in Somalia have to be aware of the tribal and traditional structures and clan structures that exist within Somalia. But certainly what we can do is create a situation where people -- young people are not carrying around rifles, shooting each other on the streets. And we want to be a partner with Somalia in that effort, and we will continue to do so. <br />
<br />
And some of it is financial, some of it is developmental, some of it is being able to help basic infrastructure. In some cases, we may try to find a portion of the country that is relatively stable and start work there to create a model that the rest of the country can then look at and say, this is a different path than the one that we’re taking right now. <br />
<br />
But in the end, I think that this metaphor of the success of the World Cup and the bombing shows that each of you are going to be confronted with two paths. There’s going to be a path that takes us into a direction of more conflict, more bloodshed, less <b>economic </b>development, continued <b>poverty</b> even as the rest of the world races ahead -- or there’s a vision in which people come together for the betterment and development of their own <b>country</b>.<br />
<br />
And for all the great promise that’s been fulfilled over the last 50 years, I want you to understand -- because I think it’s important for us to be honest with ourselves -- Africa has also missed huge opportunities for too long. And I’ll just give you one example.<br />
<br />
When my father traveled to the United States and got his degree in the early ’60s, the GDP of Kenya was actually on partner, maybe actually higher than the <b>GDP </b>of South Korea. Think about that. All right? So when I was born, Kenya per capita might have been wealthier than South Korea. Now it’s not even close. Well, that’s 50 years that was lost in terms of opportunities. When it comes to <b>natural resources,</b> when it comes to the talent and potential of the people, there’s no reason why Kenya shouldn’t have been on that same trajectory.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-p_RvvZ8AbZYom3NR-S55PKZ6urjBBrAwDiQYjmPIYUy1xwesTSrFw-x5t51yWfPxVKiPKRdE3fqKrFemD1e20j1Qfuxs4hRG98bQjKK8xbszgbjFssqzYEfjNOM5SoWPgNFXjIFtOA/s1600/Africa+Event3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-p_RvvZ8AbZYom3NR-S55PKZ6urjBBrAwDiQYjmPIYUy1xwesTSrFw-x5t51yWfPxVKiPKRdE3fqKrFemD1e20j1Qfuxs4hRG98bQjKK8xbszgbjFssqzYEfjNOM5SoWPgNFXjIFtOA/s320/Africa+Event3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
And so 50 years from now, when you look back you want to make sure that the continent hasn’t missed those opportunities as well. We want to make sure of that as well. And the United States wants to listen to you and work with you. And so when you go back and you talk to your friends and you say, what was the main message the President had -- we are rooting for your success, and we want to work with you to achieve that success, but ultimately success is going to be in your hands. And being a partner means that we can be there by your side, but we can’t do it for you. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7750472702418377155.post-91101358845233343852010-08-03T05:04:00.000+05:302010-08-03T05:04:19.827+05:30How the Recovery Act is Effecting Small Business Innovation<div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">We invest in our country’s small businesses because small businesses invest back in our <b>economy</b>. With small businesses creating nearly two out of every three net new jobs, you probably have a <b>friend, neighbor </b>or <b>family member</b> who makes their livelihood by working for a <b>small business.</b> These employees enter an environment that supports innovation and ingenuity, as small businesses invest in research and new programs to spur economic growth and reduce our country’s energy usage.<br />
<br />
Last week, I wrote about our<b> Phase III awards,</b> $30 million in funding available to be awarded to help qualified small businesses bring their ideas to the marketplace. Today, we are showcasing the results of our <b>Phase II awards </b>- over 200 awards totaling $188 million have been awarded to qualified small businesses in <b>34 states</b>. These awards will be used to develop clean <b>energy technologies</b> that have the potential to be commercialized, thus continuing to allow the small businesses to create new jobs in their communities. These awards will provide funding at a key stage in the <b>technology development cycle</b>, helping innovators develop prototype technologies that can then be manufactured, creating clean energy jobs and <b>economic opportunity</b>.<br />
<br />
Awards include an investment in a <b>Colorado small business </b>working towards creating a smarter “<b>smart grid,</b>” a <b>California </b>small businesses making new strides in solar power usage, and a small business in a small <b>town in Massachusetts</b>, developing a <b>CO2 </b>monitor that can help companies change the way they use carbon.<br />
<br />
The 201 small businesses selected today, which include <b>$73 million</b> in Recovery Act investments, are now among many past <b>SBIR</b> and <b>STTR </b>recipients who have successfully scaled their innovations to market. For example, past SBIR recipient A123 Systems has grown into a leading manufacturer of cutting-edge lithium-ion batteries and is now expanding its manufacturing base in <b>Michigan</b>, and another past SBIR winner, <b>Amonix</b>, is growing its concentrating PV manufacturing capacity in <b>Nevada</b>, which is expected to employ hundreds of workers. The goal of DOE’s SBIR program is to help innovative small businesses succeed. In keeping with the goals of the Recovery Act, the Department’s SBIR efforts have incorporated a fast-track process for applications, increased emphasis on job creation and commercialization potential in the review and selection process, and provided business incubator funding.<br />
<br />
The $188 million will have a long-lasting impact on the work of these qualified innovative small businesses. The 201 award selections will support the development of prototype and pilot operations for new technologies that have already passed the Phase I proof of concept stage. These Phase II awards cover 76 technology areas – including advanced renewable energy sources, cleaner fossil power, energy-efficient buildings, high performance computing and industrial energy use.</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0