Tag Archives: Biden

U.S.-Brazil Cooperation / A Regional Response in Libya / Blending Indian Dance Styles

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President Obama heads to Latin America as the United States and Brazil are partnering on regional and global issues.  The Obama administration wants a regional response to the violence in Libya. Vice President Biden meets with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Meet Coca-Cola’s global clean water advocate. The United States, Canada, Norway and others join a health care initiative for poor mothers and their children. And, finally, two of India’s most respected dancers blend traditionally styles.

For U.S. and Brazil, a Partnership of Global Significance
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President Obama’s visit to Latin America comes as Brazil and the United States are cooperating closely on regional issues and global challenges that run the gamut from security and economic prosperity to food security, clean energy and global inequality. “Brazil and the United States seek to promote open and accountable government, civil rights, a vibrant civil society and social inclusion,” says Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

A Regional Response to Libya Violence
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The Obama administration wants regional participation in any potential military response to the political violence in Libya, and also says it has been in direct contact with a variety of opposition groups that have de facto control over much of the eastern part of the country. National Security Advisor Tom Donilon says any military action by NATO, such as the enforcement of a no-fly zone, “would need to respond to a demonstrable need and have a sound legal basis.”

Biden, Putin see Improved U.S.-Russian Relations
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Vice President Biden and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin welcome the improved relationship between Russia and the United States following the 2009 “reset” in relations. Speaking with Putin in Moscow, Biden says he and President Obama “agree 100 percent on the need to continue to establish a closer and closer relationship.”

On Water and Sugar Mills
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Joe Rozza travels the world on behalf of Coca-Cola Company to oversee water and wastewater management projects initiated by the Water and Development Alliance, a partnership between his employer and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Saving Mothers and Babies
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The United States, Canada, Norway and other partners join in a development initiative – Saving Lives at Birth — to commit science and technology to saving more lives in rural, under-developed villages around the world. “It is simply unacceptable that millions and millions of people, women and children, die from conditions that we know how to prevent,” says Secretary Clinton.

A Blend of Indian Dance Styles
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The appearance by two of India’s most respected dancers and teachers — Alarmel Valli and Madhavi Mudgal — highlights a 20-day festival of Indian dance, music, theater, film, arts and crafts at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. At right, Valli, left, and Mudgal, right, in a production called Samanvaya: A Coming Together.

Locke Named U.S. Ambassador to China / Biden on Russia WTO Bid / Women of Courage

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Commerce Secretary Gary Locke is tapped to be the next U.S. ambassador to the People’s Republic of China. The United States supports Russia’s bid to join the World Trade Organization. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton discusses the common interests of APEC nations. A top U.S. national security advisor offers praise for American muslims. The United States honors 10 women of courage.

Locke Named Ambassador to China
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President Obama announces the appointment of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to become the next U.S. ambassador to the People’s Republic of China and, if approved by the Senate, he would become the first Chinese-American to hold the post in U.S. history. Locke would succeed Ambassador Jon Huntsman, the former Republican governor of Utah who recently asked to step down.

U.S. Supports Russia’s WTO Bid
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Vice President Biden says the United States is a strong supporter of Russia’s bid to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Obama administration also wants to end Soviet-era restrictions on bilateral trade. “The primary purpose of my visit is to explore how we can resolve the remaining challenges in our economic relationship,” Biden says.

APEC Economies’ Common Interests
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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the 21 economies in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) share a common interest in increasing business opportunities across the region, and urged members to embrace long-term strategies that will benefit everyone. Speaking in Washington March 9, Clinton says the United States and its partners in APEC are all looking for more opportunities to do business with each other. “We are well positioned to rise together, to achieve greater prosperity in partnership, to offer all of our people a chance at a better future,” she says.

Praise for American Muslims
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Denis McDonough, the president’s deputy national security advisor, travels to one of the country’s largest mosques to talk about President Obama’s approach to combating terrorism and to praise American Muslims for their contributions to strengthening America. “The bottom line is this — when it comes to preventing violent extremism and terrorism in the United States, Muslim Americans are not part of the problem; you’re part of the solution,” he says.

Women of Courage
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Ten women have been honored by first lady Michelle Obama and Secretary Clinton for their exceptional courage in advocating for women’s rights and empowerment, often at great personal risk. At left, First lady Michelle Obama, Women of Courage winner Eva Abu Halaweh of Jordan and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

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Gates in China / Clinton in Yemen / An Indian Novelist

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Defense Secretary Robert Gates praises China for helping to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Progress to rebuild Haiti is on track one year after the devastating earthquake. Speaking in Yemen, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the United States seeks “a broad relationship” with both Yemen’s leadership and the Yemeni people. The United States is pleased with the progress of the referendum on southern Sudan’s self-determination. Vice President Biden says the Taliban’s momentum has slowed in Afghanistan. And finally, meet the Indian novelist and blogger Chandrahas Choudhury.

Robert Gates with Chinese President HuChina Playing Key Role in Korean Peninsula
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Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Chinese leadership has played a vital role in the last several months to dampen tensions on the Korean Peninsula. “What I think we would like to see are some concrete actions by North Korea that show that they’re serious about moving to a negotiation and an engagement track,” Gates says in Beijing. Right, Gates meets with China’s President Hu Jintao.

One Year Later: Haiti on Track
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U.S. officials and leaders say progress to rebuild Haiti is on track one year after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake devastated the country, with international efforts contributing significantly to sustainable development.

Clinton in Yemen
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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said that the Obama administration is committed to providing Yemen with economic, social and political assistance as well as cooperation against violent extremists.

Good Progress in Sudan
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Senior State Department officials say they are pleased with the progress of the referendum on southern Sudan’s self-determination and praised leaders from both northern and southern Sudan for their cooperation in the process. “We could now be at the very cusp of seeing the end of one of Africa’s longest wars and longest tragedies,” says Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson.

Breaking the Taliban’s Momentum
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The United States, its allies and Afghan security forces are breaking the momentum of the Taliban insurgents working to regain control over portions of Afghanistan, Vice President Biden says. “It’s fair to say we have largely arrested the Taliban momentum here in some very important areas,” Biden says at a joint press conference in Kabul with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Chandrahas Choudhury at podiumMeet Indian Writer Choudhury
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Novelist, critic and blogger Chandrahas Choudhury, who lives in Mumbai, recently joined 37 other writers from 32 countries for International Writing Program at the University of Iowa. Along with exposure to the work of a diverse group of international poets and writers, the conference allowed Choudhury, right, to examine the contrasts and similarities between Indian and American literary culture.

Progress in Afghanistan / Lifting Sanctions on Iraq / Carbon Capture Challenges

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The United States is making progress toward its strategic goals in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Sanctions on Iraq are lifted. The United States urges action against child labor. Trade talks between the United States and China are yielding progress. Obama denounces a terrorist attack in Iran. And it’s going to take more than cap-and-trade to reduce greenhouse gases.

Progress in Afghanistan, Pakistan
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The United States is making progress toward its core goal of disrupting, dismantling and defeating violent extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan, President Obama says. The annual review of administration policy shows more Afghans are reclaiming their communities from the Taliban, says Obama, center at right, with Vice President Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Iraq Sanctions Lifted
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In a meeting chaired by Vice President Joe Biden, the U.N. Security Council voted to lift three key international sanctions on Iraq to acknowledge the “significant steps Iraq has taken” toward fulfilling its international obligations.

Eradicating Child Labor
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Governments around the world should take urgent and effective steps to eradicate child labor practices in their countries, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis says.

U.S.-China Make Trade Progress
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The just-concluded 21st session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade makes progress on intellectual property rights, open markets and government procurement restrictions.

Obama Denounces Iran Attack
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President Obama denounces a bombing attack targeting Iranian civilians in Chabahar as “disgraceful and cowardly” and says those who carried out the attack “must be held accountable.”

The Challenge of Carbon Capture
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Cap-and-trade and renewable energy alone likely won’t be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, governments and companies are increasingly looking for new and unconventional solutions to the climate problem. Ten major demonstration projects are underway, along with more than 50 smaller projects, with the goal to bring between five and 10 commercial projects online by 2016.