Browsing: International

     During National Stalking Awareness Month, we shine a light on the insidious crime of stalking, recommit to protecting survivors, and reaffirm that every American deserves to live free from fear, intimidation, and threats to their physical safety and emotional well-being.      Studies show that more than 3 million people aged 16 or older are…
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Today, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. is granting full pardons to six individuals. Gary Parks Davis – Yuma, ArizonaGary Parks Davis is a 66-year-old man who pleaded guilty to use of a communication facility (a telephone) to facilitate an unlawful cocaine transaction at age 22. Mr. Davis served his six-month sentence on nights and weekends…
The post Clemency Recipient List appeared first on The White House.

     Every January, our Nation celebrates the dedicated mentors whose wisdom, guidance, and positive examples set our children on a sound path and help prepare them to succeed.      The events of the past few years have taken their toll on many of our Nation’s young people.  The isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic has hampered…
The post A Proclamation on National Mentoring Month,<span class=”dewidow”> </span>2023 appeared first on The White House.

The Brazilian soccer great died on Dec. 29, 2022 at the age of 82. His record as a goal-scorer – and the delight he gave millions – means he will go down as one of the greatest.

On Thursday, December 29, 2022, the President signed into law: H.R. 2617, the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023,” making consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, and for providing emergency assistance for the situation in Ukraine, and for other purposes. Thank you to Representative DeLauro, Speaker Pelosi, Senators Leahy and Shelby, Majority Leader…
The post Bill Signed: H.R.<span class=”dewidow”> </span>2617 appeared first on The White House.

Today, Israel’s Knesset voted to ratify a new Israeli government under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has been my friend for decades, to jointly address the many challenges and opportunities facing Israel and the Middle East region, including threats from Iran. The United States is working to promote a region that’s increasingly…
The post Statement from President Joe<span class=”dewidow”> </span>Biden on the New Government of the State of<span class=”dewidow”> </span>Israel appeared first on The White House.

By Ambassador Susan E. Rice I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling ‘22. The past year undoubtedly brought its share of daunting challenges—from Putin’s brutal war in Ukraine, to devastating hurricanes along the Atlantic Coast and fires in the West, to stubbornly high inflation around the globe. Yet, 2022 also yielded remarkable progress for…
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Monday, November 7, 2022

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Office of the Spokesperson
The following joint statement was released by the Governments of Canada and the United States of America on the meeting of the Canada-United States Joint Action Plan on Opioids Steering Committee.
Begin text:
Canada and the United States continue to face an ongoing crisis of opioid overdose deaths, fueled by a toxic illegal drug supply. This crisis is devastating and has taken a tragic toll on the families, loved ones and communities of all those lost. Canada and the United States continue to work closely together through the Joint Action Plan on Opioids (OAP) to find solutions to this shared challenge and help save lives. 
Senior officials from both countries met in Ottawa to address substance use disorder and the opioid overdose crisis and discuss progress in the areas of law enforcement, border security and public health since the last meeting of the Steering Committee in May 2021.  The governments also set priorities for the year ahead to disrupt and dismantle the trafficking of opioids, including illegal fentanyl, and expand access to public health strategies.
Key Milestones in 2022:

Health: Published a joint white paper, Substance Use and Harms During COVID-19 and Approaches to Federal Surveillance and Response, that examines rapid and innovative approaches used by both countries to monitor substance use trends during the pandemic. The paper includes information on substance use harms and deaths in Canada and the United States, the impact of COVID-19 on the opioids crisis, and policy responses to address substance use from the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic to September 2022;
Law Enforcement: Shared more than 275 samples of seized controlled substances since the OAP’s inception. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police shares such samples with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for supplemental analysis that provides additional insight into drug trafficking trends and routes; and,
Border Security: Improved information sharing and collaboration between the Canada Border Services Agency and the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations to target the trafficking of precursor chemicals used in the production of deadly synthetic opioids like illegal fentanyl;
Postal Security: Continued implementation of the successful Canada-U.S. Postal Security Action Plan, including information sharing, high-level meetings, and joint training exercises to address the opioid overdose crisis.

The 2021 Roadmap for a Renewed Canada-U.S. Partnership, by Prime Minister Trudeau and President Biden, reaffirmed our commitment to work together to find effective approaches to shared challenges, including those related to substance use and drug trafficking. 
In its third year, the OAP remains an effective bilateral mechanism to address the opioid overdose crisis in both countries, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the coming year, Canada and the United States will continue to build on these advancements and explore opportunities for further exchanges of important information, lessons learned, and ultimately continue collaboration to address substance-related harms in both countries.
End text.

By Office Management Specialist Veronica Marquez, U.S. Embassy San Jose Regional Security Office
Run. Hide. Fight. These three words are drilled into anyone learning how to respond to an active threat situation.
From July 25-29, 2022, a team of agents from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) traveled to Costa Rica to train first responders, law enforcement officials, teachers, and school staff on how to respond quickly and effectively to an active threat scenario. Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) special agents in the Regional Security Office (RSO) at the U.S. Embassy in San Jose organized the training, which was held at Costa Rica’s National Police Academy, a longtime partner of the RSO team, and at five schools that host U.S. government children.
Hundreds of participants signed up for USDA’s Law Enforcement Response to Active Threat training – more than 50 first responders from Costa Rican law enforcement agencies and over 300 teachers and administrators, including those who instruct the children of personnel working at the embassy. To make sure that the participants received appropriate instruction based on their job function, the USDA trainers and RSO team split the classes. First responders received two sessions over a period of two days. At the same time, USDA instructors provided a separate active threat response session to teachers and administrators.
According to Regional Security Officer Justin Smith, the USDA’s training equips participants with the knowledge and skills required to successfully react to an active threat event.
“Active threat situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly,” said Smith. “This course trained first responders from multiple agencies on how to form ad hoc teams and work together to intervene at a moment’s notice to stop an active threat incident.”
According to the UDSA instructors, the “Run, Hide, Fight” principles prepare and empower administrators, teachers and students to react both mentally and physically if they are faced with an active threat scenario. The USDA instructors are well-equipped to provide the training, as they are responsible for active threat response training at more than 4,500 USDA locations.
Although Costa Rica is known as a relatively safe country, it is now the largest transshipment point of narcotics between the United States and Europe. Additionally, gun violence and threats against schools are on the rise, with more than 70 threats of violence against schools in Costa Rica this year.
Prior to the training, none of the schools or Costa Rican law enforcement agencies had a plan for dealing with an active threat situation.
A key function of DSS is to partner and train with host nation law enforcement entities, who assist with responding to threats against U.S. missions and personnel. However, the organization’s core duty is to protect people, facilities, and information at more than 270 State Department missions around the globe. and that includes the children of U.S. diplomats at missions overseas.
“The entire U.S. mission in Costa Rica is grateful for the USDA team’s willingness to help our schools and the host nation,” said Smith. “This cooperative effort was diplomacy at its finest and helped strengthen key relationships. Most importantly, this training increased participants’ ability to respond to a potential crisis, which will help keep our children and teachers safer.”