Tagged with barack obama
WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) — The U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Dennis Blair announced his resignation on Thursday afternoon as media reports cited “intelligence failures” involving the Fort Hood shooter incident, the failed Christmas Day bombing, and the failed Times Square bombing.
After a discussion on Thursday afternoon between President Obama and Blair in the Oval Office about the best way forward, Blair offered to resign, ABC News reported.
“It is with deep regret that I informed the President today that I will step down as Director of National Intelligence effective Friday, May 28th,” said Dennis Blair in a statement.
“I have had no greater honor or pleasure than to lead the remarkably talented and patriotic men and women of the Intelligence Community.”
“Dennis Blair has a remarkable record of service to the United States, and I am grateful for his leadership as Director of National Intelligence,” said President Barack Obama after Blair’s statement.
“Over the course of many decades, Admiral Blair has served with great integrity, intellect, and commitment to our country and the values that we hold dear,” Obama added.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
WASHINGTON D.C. (BNO NEWS) – U.S. President Barack Obama expressed his views regarding the vote on the financial reform that took place on Thursday in the Senate, the White House announced.
“Over the last year, the financial industry has repeatedly tried to end this reform with hordes of lobbyists and millions of dollars in ads,” Obama said. “I think it’s fair to say that these efforts have failed. Today, Democrats and a handful of Republicans in the Senate have voted to break the filibuster and allow a final debate and vote on financial reform – reform that will protect consumers, protect our economy, and hold Wall Street accountable.”
The Obama Administration has been telling the American people that the recession suffered since last year was primarily caused by a lack of responsibility and accountability from Wall Street to Washington. In order to stop and prevent this from happening again, Obama introduced the bill called the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010.
The proposed bill promotes the financial stability of the United States by improving accountability and transparency in the financial system, to protect the American taxpayer by ending bailouts, to protect consumers from abusive financial services practices, and for other purposes.
After Thursday’s results, a final vote on the bill requiring a majority of 51 votes must take place in the next 30 hours, before handing the bill to the President so he can sign it into law. “Because of Wall Street reform, we’ll soon have in place the strongest consumer protections in history,” Obama declared.
“From now on, every consumer will be empowered with the clear and concise information that you need to make financial decisions that are best for you,” Obama said. “It will simply bring predictable, responsible, sensible rules into the marketplace.”
Obama also referenced the Wall Street’s mistakes which caused a severe recession across the nation. He said that with this bill the government will have the tools to overcome any financial crisis without endangering the broader economy.
“As we continue to emerge from this recession, this reform is one important step that will strengthen our economy. And despite the ups and downs associated with a recovery, that economy is getting stronger by the day. It’s an economy that’s growing again.” Obama concluded.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
(Eds: Adds statement from British Foreign Secretary Hague.)
SEOUL (BNO NEWS) — A South Korean-led investigation on Thursday concluded that a torpedo from the North sank a South Korean naval ship in late March, killing 46 sailors in the South’s worst military disaster since the 1950s.
An international team – which was comprised of American, Australian, British, Swedish, and South Korean experts – investigated the wreckage of the ROKS Cheonan, a South Korean patrol ship. Evidence included torpedo fragments with North Korean engravings, key evidence which led to the North as the prime suspect.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is expected to assemble an emergency meeting of his top security advisers on Friday to discuss ‘countermeasures’ against North Korea’s attack, the Yonhap news agency reported.
North Korea immediately rejected the findings of the investigation, saying its navy did not fire a torpedo at the ROKS Cheonan. The North Korean National Defense Commission, in a statement on state radio, called South Korean President Lee Myung-bak a “traitor”, according to Yonhap.
The country’s state-run news agency, KCNA, said North Korea would send an inspection group to South Korea to investigate the sinking. It also warned that any punishment and sanctions toward the country would result in ‘tough measures’, including an all-out war.
Meanwhile in Washington, President Barack Obama expressed his ‘deep sympathy’ to President Lee and the Korean people for the loss of its 46 sailors. “The United States strongly condemns the act of aggression that led to their deaths,” said Robert Gibbs, the White House Press Secretary.
Gibbs said the report issued on Thursday reflects an ‘objective and scientific review’ of the evidence, and said it points overwhelmingly to the conclusion that North Korea was responsible for the attack. “This act of aggression is one more instance of North Korea’s unacceptable behavior and defiance of international law,” Gibbs said. “This attack constitutes a challenge to international peace and security and is a violation of the Armistice Agreement.”
Obama spoke with Lee in a phone call on Monday and said the United States ‘fully supports’ South Korea, both in effort to secure justice for the 46 service members who were killed in the attack as well as South Korea’s national defense against any further acts of aggression.
“North Korea must understand that belligerence towards its neighbors and defiance of the international community are signs of weakness, not strength,” Gibbs said. “Such unacceptable behavior only deepens North Korea’s isolation. It reinforces the resolve of its neighbors to intensify their cooperation to safeguard peace and stability in the region against all provocations.”
Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague said its experts have been working with South Korean and international partners on the report. “They have been impressed with the objectivity and rigour of the investigative work,” Hague said. “The UK experts are in no doubt as to the veracity of the investigation’s findings.”
Hague said North Korea’s actions will further deepen the international community’s mistrust. “The attack demonstrates a total indifference to human life and a blatant disregard of international obligations,” he said. “I spoke to my Korean colleague, Yu Myung-hwan, on 19 May and expressed my deep condolences for the lives lost in the sinking of the Cheonan.”
Further, Hague said Britain and international partners are committed to working closely with South Korea as they consider an appropriate multilateral response to this “callous act.”
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon learned of the findings with “heavy heart and serious concern.” “The Secretary-General appreciates the restrained and patient efforts of the Government of the Republic of Korea to investigate this incident in an objective and scientific manner by both domestic and international experts,” said Martin Nesirky, a spokesman for Ban. “The facts laid out in the report are deeply troubling,” he added.
The ROKS Cheonan was launched in late November 1989 and its primary mission was coastal patrol. On March 26, an explosion struck the ship which caused it to break in two and sink. A total of 46 crew members were killed.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
SEOUL (BNO NEWS) — A South Korean-led investigation on Thursday concluded that a torpedo from the North sank a South Korean naval ship in late March, killing 46 sailors in the South’s worst military disaster since the 1950s.
An international team – which was comprised of American, Australian, British, Swedish, and South Korean experts – investigated the wreckage of the ROKS Cheonan, a South Korean patrol ship. Evidence included torpedo fragments with North Korean engravings, key evidence which led to the North as the prime suspect.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is expected to assemble an emergency meeting of his top security advisers on Friday to discuss ‘countermeasures’ against North Korea’s attack, the Yonhap news agency reported.
North Korea immediately rejected the findings of the investigation, saying its navy did not fire a torpedo at the ROKS Cheonan. The North Korean National Defense Commission, in a statement on state radio, called South Korean President Lee Myung-bak a “traitor”, according to Yonhap.
The country’s state-run news agency, KCNA, said North Korea would send an inspection group to South Korea to investigate the sinking. It also warned that any punishment and sanctions toward the country would result in ‘tough measures’, including an all-out war.
Meanwhile in Washington, President Barack Obama expressed his ‘deep sympathy’ to President Lee and the Korean people for the loss of its 46 sailors. “The United States strongly condemns the act of aggression that led to their deaths,” said Robert Gibbs, the White House Press Secretary.
Gibbs said the report issued on Thursday reflects an ‘objective and scientific review’ of the evidence, and said it points overwhelmingly to the conclusion that North Korea was responsible for the attack. “This act of aggression is one more instance of North Korea’s unacceptable behavior and defiance of international law,” Gibbs said. “This attack constitutes a challenge to international peace and security and is a violation of the Armistice Agreement.”
Obama spoke with Lee in a phone call on Monday and said the United States ‘fully supports’ South Korea, both in effort to secure justice for the 46 service members who were killed in the attack as well as South Korea’s national defense against any further acts of aggression.
“North Korea must understand that belligerence towards its neighbors and defiance of the international community are signs of weakness, not strength,” Gibbs said. “Such unacceptable behavior only deepens North Korea’s isolation. It reinforces the resolve of its neighbors to intensify their cooperation to safeguard peace and stability in the region against all provocations.”
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon learned of the findings with “heavy heart and serious concern.” “The Secretary-General appreciates the restrained and patient efforts of the Government of the Republic of Korea to investigate this incident in an objective and scientific manner by both domestic and international experts,” said Martin Nesirky, a spokesman for Ban. “The facts laid out in the report are deeply troubling,” he added.
The ROKS Cheonan was launched in late November 1989 and its primary mission was coastal patrol. On March 26, an explosion struck the ship which caused it to break in two and sink. A total of 46 crew members were killed.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
SEOUL (BNO NEWS) — A South Korean-led investigation on Thursday concluded that a torpedo from the North sank a South Korean naval ship in late March, killing 46 sailors in the South’s worst military disaster since the 1950s.
An international team – which was comprised of American, Australian, British, Swedish, and South Korean experts – investigated the wreckage of the ROKS Cheonan, a South Korean patrol ship. Evidence included torpedo fragments with North Korean engravings, key evidence which led to the North as the prime suspect.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is expected to assemble an emergency meeting of his top security advisers on Friday to discuss ‘countermeasures’ against North Korea’s attack, the Yonhap news agency reported.
North Korea immediately rejected the findings of the investigation, saying its navy did not fire a torpedo at the ROKS Cheonan. The North Korean National Defense Commission, in a statement on state radio, called South Korean President Lee Myung-bak a “traitor”, according to Yonhap.
The country’s state-run news agency, KCNA, said North Korea would send an inspection group to South Korea to investigate the sinking. It also warned that any punishment and sanctions toward the country would result in ‘tough measures’, including an all-out war.
Meanwhile in Washington, President Barack Obama expressed his ‘deep sympathy’ to President Lee and the Korean people for the loss of its 46 sailors. “The United States strongly condemns the act of aggression that led to their deaths,” said Robert Gibbs, the White House Press Secretary.
Gibbs said the report issued on Thursday reflects an ‘objective and scientific review’ of the evidence, and said it points overwhelmingly to the conclusion that North Korea was responsible for the attack. “This act of aggression is one more instance of North Korea’s unacceptable behavior and defiance of international law,” Gibbs said. “This attack constitutes a challenge to international peace and security and is a violation of the Armistice Agreement.”
Obama spoke with Lee in a phone call on Monday and said the United States ‘fully supports’ South Korea, both in effort to secure justice for the 46 service members who were killed in the attack as well as South Korea’s national defense against any further acts of aggression.
“North Korea must understand that belligerence towards its neighbors and defiance of the international community are signs of weakness, not strength,” Gibbs said. “Such unacceptable behavior only deepens North Korea’s isolation. It reinforces the resolve of its neighbors to intensify their cooperation to safeguard peace and stability in the region against all provocations.”
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon learned of the findings with “heavy heart and serious concern.” “The Secretary-General appreciates the restrained and patient efforts of the Government of the Republic of Korea to investigate this incident in an objective and scientific manner by both domestic and international experts,” said Martin Nesirky, a spokesman for Ban. “The facts laid out in the report are deeply troubling,” he added.
The ROKS Cheonan was launched in late November 1989 and its primary mission was coastal patrol. On March 26, an explosion struck the ship which caused it to break in two and sink. A total of 46 crew members were killed.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
SEOUL (BNO NEWS) — A South Korean-led investigation on Thursday concluded that a torpedo from the North sank a South Korean naval ship in late March, killing 46 sailors in the South’s worst military disaster since the 1950s.
An international team – which was comprised of American, Australian, British, Swedish, and South Korean experts – investigated the wreckage of the ROKS Cheonan, a South Korean patrol ship. Evidence included torpedo fragments with North Korean engravings, key evidence which led to the North as the prime suspect.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is expected to assemble an emergency meeting of his top security advisers on Friday to discuss ‘countermeasures’ against North Korea’s attack, the Yonhap news agency reported.
North Korea immediately rejected the findings of the investigation, saying its navy did not fire a torpedo at the ROKS Cheonan. The North Korean National Defense Commission, in a statement on state radio, called South Korean President Lee Myung-bak a “traitor”, according to Yonhap.
Meanwhile in Washington, President Barack Obama expressed his ‘deep sympathy’ to President Lee and the Korean people for the loss of its 46 sailors. “The United States strongly condemns the act of aggression that led to their deaths,” said Robert Gibbs, the White House Press Secretary.
Gibbs said the report issued on Thursday reflects an ‘objective and scientific review’ of the evidence, and said it points overwhelmingly to the conclusion that North Korea was responsible for the attack. “This act of aggression is one more instance of North Korea’s unacceptable behavior and defiance of international law,” Gibbs said. “This attack constitutes a challenge to international peace and security and is a violation of the Armistice Agreement.”
Obama spoke with Lee in a phone call on Monday and said the United States ‘fully supports’ South Korea, both in effort to secure justice for the 46 service members who were killed in the attack as well as South Korea’s national defense against any further acts of aggression.
“North Korea must understand that belligerence towards its neighbors and defiance of the international community are signs of weakness, not strength,” Gibbs said. “Such unacceptable behavior only deepens North Korea’s isolation. It reinforces the resolve of its neighbors to intensify their cooperation to safeguard peace and stability in the region against all provocations.”
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon learned of the findings with “heavy heart and serious concern.” “The Secretary-General appreciates the restrained and patient efforts of the Government of the Republic of Korea to investigate this incident in an objective and scientific manner by both domestic and international experts,” said Martin Nesirky, a spokesman for Ban. “The facts laid out in the report are deeply troubling,” he added.
The ROKS Cheonan was launched in late November 1989 and its primary mission was coastal patrol. On March 26, an explosion struck the ship which caused it to break in two and sink. A total of 46 crew members were killed.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) — President Barack Obama on Wednesday stressed that the international community continues to have concerns about Iran’s nuclear program in a phone call with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, just days after Iran signed a nuclear fuel-swap deal with Turkey.
Obama acknowledged the efforts of Turkey and Brazil, which helped broker the nuclear fuel-swap deal, and noted that the United States and the international community awaits a formal and authoritative message from Iran to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
“The President stressed the international community’s continuing and fundamental concerns about Iran’s overall nuclear program as well as Iran’s failure to live up to its international obligations,” the White House said in a statement. Obama told Erdogan that negotiations on a new U.N. Security Council resolution will continue, noting that Iran’s ‘persistent refusal’ to meet with the P5+1 on Iran’s nuclear program and recent refusal to halt enriching uranium to nearly 20 percent, do not build confidence.
Monday’s agreement between Iran and Turkey comes after mediation talks in Tehran with Turkish and Brazilian leaders. Under the deal, Iran will ship 1,200kg (2,645lb) of low-enriched uranium to Turkey, in return for fuel for a research reactor.
Western countries suspect that Iran’s nuclear program is aimed at making nuclear weapons, but Tehran has rejected that charge on numerous occasions.
The President and Prime Minister also discussed the ongoing government formation process in Iraq and the need to advance peace in the Middle East.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) — President Barack Obama on Wednesday stressed that the international community continues to have concerns about Iran’s nuclear program in a phone call with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, just days after Iran signed a nuclear fuel-swap deal with Turkey.
Obama acknowledged the efforts of Turkey and Brazil, which helped broker the nuclear fuel-swap deal, and noted that the United States and the international community awaits a formal and authoritative message from Iran to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
“The President stressed the international community’s continuing and fundamental concerns about Iran’s overall nuclear program as well as Iran’s failure to live up to its international obligations,” the White House said in a statement. Obama told Erdogan that negotiations on a new U.N. Security Council resolution will continue, noting that Iran’s ‘persistent refusal’ to meet with the P5+1 on Iran’s nuclear program and recent refusal to halt enriching uranium to nearly 20 percent, do not build confidence.
Monday’s agreement between Iran and Turkey comes after mediation talks in Tehran with Turkish and Brazilian leaders. Under the deal, Iran will ship 1,200kg (2,645lb) of low-enriched uranium to Turkey, in return for fuel for a research reactor.
Western countries suspect that Iran’s nuclear program is aimed at making nuclear weapons, but Tehran has rejected that charge on numerous occasions.
The President and Prime Minister also discussed the ongoing government formation process in Iraq and the need to advance peace in the Middle East.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
(Eds: Will be updated shortly.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) — The White House on Wednesday evening released the following readout of a call between President Barack Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan.
President Obama spoke with Prime Minister Erdogan today by phone. The President acknowledged the efforts of Turkey and Brazil and noted that the United States and the international community await a formal and authoritative message from Iran to the International Atomic Energy Agency. The President stressed the international community’s continuing and fundamental concerns about Iran’s overall nuclear program as well as Iran’s failure to live up to its international obligations. Further, he indicated that negotiations on a new U.N. Security Council resolution will continue, noting that Iran’s persistent refusal to meet with the P5+1 on Iran’s nuclear program and recent refusal to halt enriching uranium to nearly 20 percent, do not build confidence. The President and Prime Minister also discussed the ongoing government formation process in Iraq and the need to advance peace in the Middle East.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
President Felipe Calderón and President Barack Obama today reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the United States and Mexico and underscored their commitment to improve the lives of all citizens in both our countries, building upon our deep ties, and working with mutual respect and mutual responsibility across a broad arc of issues. The Presidents discussed [...]
