Political Web - A Senior Source for Political News: Sept 2015

Showing posts with label Sept 2015. Show all posts

20170214

A Chance to Help:

Earlier this year, a Syrian father of eight received a text message.
It informed him that the stipend he had been receiving each month to buy food for his family was being cut from $19 to $13.50 per person. This was half of what he had been receiving the year before -- when his family first reached Lebanon from the war-torn Syrian city of Raqqa -- and would not be enough to feed his kids.
With that amount, he told a reporter, "You can't even get bread."
Across the region, refugees fleeing the brutality of the Assad regime and ISIL have received similar news of declining support. Just this month, 229,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan learned they would no longer receive any food assistance.
There are ways you can help. Find out how at AidRefugees.gov
Nearly 12 million Syrians have been forced from their homes by Syria's devastating conflict, four million of whom have fled their country. Syrians given refuge in neighboring countries are safe from the barrel bombings, chemical attacks, and deadly sieges they faced at home. But with few opportunities to work, most must rely on the international community to meet their most basic needs: a roof over their heads, food on their table, a classroom for their children.
This morning, President Obama spoke to the United Nations about American leadership. As the President said, America is the strongest nation in the world, and one of the ways we have always demonstrated that strength is through our compassion for people who are less fortunate.
Syria is no exception. Our government leads the world in contributions to the Syrian crisis, having given $4.5 billion to assist those in need. We have also significantly increased the number of refugees we will admit to the United States, including Syrians. And we continue to work tirelessly towards the political solution that will bring the bloodshed to an end and allow displaced Syrians to return home, as so many wish to do.
But the profound challenges faced by these families cannot be tackled by governments alone. Americans understand this, and many are asking what they can do.
We encourage you to visit AidRefugees.gov and see how you can use your skills, resources, and energy to help Syrians and other refugees in need.
Thank you,
Samantha Power
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

The President Speaks at the 70th U.N. General Assembly

Follow Along: The President's Day

All times are Eastern Time (ET)

10:00 AM: The President addresses the United Nations General Assembly; The First Lady also attends Tune in live
11:00 AM: The President holds a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi of India
1:15 PM: The President attends a luncheon hosted by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
2:45 PM: The President participates in the Peacekeeping Summit family photo
3:00 PM: The President chairs the United Nations Peacekeeping Summit Tune in live
5:05 PM: The President holds a bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia
7:30 PM: The President and the First Lady host a reception for visiting Heads of State and Government

From the Photo Office

President Obama Delivers Remarks at the United Nations

President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the Closing Session: Post-2015 Development Agenda, in General Assembly Hall at the United Nations in New York, N.Y. Sept. 27, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Get live updates here

What You Can Do for Syrian Refugees, 62 Million Girls, and Citizen Scientists:

Follow Along: The President's Day

All times are Eastern Time (ET)

9:45 AM: The President holds a bilateral meeting with President Raul Castro of Cuba
10:30 AM: The President chairs the Leaders' Summit on Countering ISIL and Countering Violent Extremism Watch here
12:10 PM: The President holds a bilateral meeting with President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan
1:25 PM: The President and the First Lady depart New York en route Joint Base Andrews
2:20 PM: The President and the First Lady arrive Joint Base Andrews
2:35 PM: The President and the First Lady arrive the White House

From the Photo Office

President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry Talk With President Putin of Russia

President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry talk with President Vladimir Putin of Russia after a bilateral meeting at the United Nations in New York, N.Y. Sept. 28, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

See more from our "Photo of the Day" Gallery here

20160727

What did you learn in school?

Hi everyone --
Right now, more than 62 million girls worldwide are out of school.
Many of them simply can't afford the school fees, or the nearest school is miles away and they don't have safe transportation to get there -- or maybe there's a school nearby, but it doesn't have adequate bathroom facilities for girls. And for many girls, the obstacles they face aren't just about resources, but about cultural norms and traditions that deem girls unworthy of an education.
That's why yesterday, along with Girl Rising, we announced a new education campaign called 62 Million Girls -- and we need you to join right now:
Share a photo of yourself on Twitter or Instagram, and tell the world what you learned in school using #62MillionGirls.

The First Lady launches 62 Million Girls campaign

Those photos will be posted to Girl Rising's yearbook at 62MillionGirls.com, and you'll help us raise awareness about all the girls who aren't in school and show the power of education to transform their lives.
This is a serious moral crisis -- and it's also an urgent economic issue: Girls who go to school earn higher salaries, and sending more girls to school can even help boost a country's entire economy. Girls' education is a health issue as well, because studies show that educated girls raise healthier families and have lower rates of HIV and maternal mortality.
That's why earlier this year, the President and I launched an initiative called Let Girls Learn. Working with the Peace Corps, businesses and organizations, and countries across the globe, we're helping adolescent girls worldwide go to school. Now, the 62 Million Girls campaign is working to raise awareness for this cause and for these girls.
As I've traveled the world, I have met so many of these girls -- and they are so bright, so determined and so eager to learn.
I see myself in these girls. I see my daughters in these girls. These girls are our girls, and I simply cannot walk away from them.
So I'm looking forward to seeing what you learned in school to help us make sure 62 million girls get that chance.
Thanks.
First Lady Michelle Obama

Weekly Address: Dispose of Your Expired and Unwanted Prescription Drugs

Featured

Weekly Address: Dispose of Your Expired and Unwanted Prescription Drugs
In this week's address, on "National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day," the President spoke about the importance of preventing and treating substance use disorders. Overdoses from prescription pain medications kill thousands of Americans every year, and more often than not, those drugs come from the family medicine cabinet. In addition, many heroin users started out by misusing prescription drugs. That's why it's important to take advantage of the DEA's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day and safely, conveniently, and responsibly dispose of expired and unwanted prescription drugs at collection sites throughout your community—no questions asked.
The prescription pain medication and heroin epidemic is claiming the lives of too many men, women, and young people. You can help protect yourself and your loved ones from prescription drug misuse, heroin use and related overdoses. Find out how.
Watch the President's Weekly Address.

The U.S.-China Official State Dinner

Follow Along: The President's Day

All times are Eastern Time (ET)

9:00 AM: The President, the First Lady, the Vice President and Dr. Biden welcome President Xi and Madame Peng Liyuan to the White House Tune in Live
10:00 AM: The President holds a restricted bilateral meeting with President Xi; the Vice President will also attend
11:05 AM: The President holds an expanded bilateral meeting with President Xi; the Vice President will also attend
12:00 PM: The President and President Xi hold a joint press conference

Tune in Live

3:20 PM: The President delivers remarks

Tune in Live
7:00 PM: The President and the First Lady welcome President Xi and Madame Peng Liyuan at the State Dinner Tune in Live
7:30 PM: The President and the First Lady take an official photo with President Xi and Madame Peng Liyuan
8:40 PM: The President and the First Lady attend the State Dinner with President Xi and Madame Peng Liyuan; the President and President Xi each deliver a toast; the Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden also attend Tune in Live
10:00 PM: The President and the First Lady attend the State Dinner Reception with President Xi and Madame Peng Liyuan

From the Photo Office

Flashback Friday: President Obama Meets With President Xi Jinping on November 12, 2014

President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping of China have a bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Nov. 12, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

See more from our "Photo of the Day" gallery here

Preparing for tonight's State Dinner:

As the White House Social Secretary, it's my job to help plan and execute all the White House's official social events.
Which makes me pretty busy right about now -- because tonight, the President and the First Lady are welcoming His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, and Madame Peng Liyuan to the White House for a State Dinner.
State Dinners are one of the most formal, involved events that we host here at the White House. And for the next couple hours, the Social Office team and the many other folks across the White House will be finalizing and double-checking everything -- from the floral arrangements and decor, to the menu, to the guest list. The calligraphers will be finishing up the cards for the place settings. We'll be working out final seating arrangements. We'll make sure Ne-Yo (the entertainment for the evening) is ready and rehearsed. We'll be working to handle last-minute dietary restrictions.
We want you give you a sense of what goes into planning one of these things. Follow along with our day here.
All day long, we'll be showing you snapshots of what goes into preparing for a State dinner, from the perspectives of a variety of staff from across the building.
It's always a beautiful moment when all of the planning and hard work comes together, and this is it.
We're looking forward to sharing it with you.
Stay tuned (and wish us luck) --
Deesha
Deesha Dyer
Social Secretary
The White House

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