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Diversity Visa Lottery for 2011 Is Open Until November 30

Louise Fenner — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:22:54 -0400

Registration for the 2011 Diversity Visa Lottery is open from October 2 to November 30, 2009. The government annually makes 50,000 permanent residence visas (“green cards”) available through the Diversity Immigrant Visa program. Applicants are selected through a computer-generated, random lottery.

Obama Wins Nobel Prize for Nuclear Disarmament, Multilateralism

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:49:36 -0400

Only nine months after he took office, President Obama has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee says it based its decision on the president’s work to rid the world of nuclear weapons, and for creating “a new climate” in global politics by emphasizing multilateralism.

Congressional Complexities Challenge Climate Change Efforts

Carlyn Reichel — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:39:15 -0400

While President Obama pledged a U.S. commitment to lead the campaign against the dangers of climate change through global partnerships, a complicating factor confronting such sweeping international efforts is the need to obtain approval from sometimes reluctant national legislatures.

Remaking the U.S. Health System Takes More than Presidential Will

Bridget Hunter — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:39:00 -0400

President Obama urges passage of health care legislation in a televised address to a joint session of Congress. To be successful in his efforts to reform the U.S. health care system, he will need support from Congress and the American people, just as some of his famous predecessors did.

Obama Urges Congress to Pass Health Care Reform

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:39:11 -0400

In a nationally televised address to a joint session of Congress, President Obama implores representatives and senators to overcome doubts and considerable misinformation that has plagued debate on health care reform legislation and support his proposals.

Senate’s Liberal Lion Mourned by Political Friends and Foes

Bridget Hunter — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:28:56 -0400

Everyday Americans join political leaders past and present in bidding farewell to a legendary statesman and orator. Edward Kennedy is mourned in Massachusetts, Washington and across the nation as his body makes its final journey to join those of his brothers at Arlington National Cemetery.

Senator Edward Kennedy Dies at 77

Bridget Hunter — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:07:39 -0400

Edward Kennedy, lauded by President Obama as “the greatest United States senator of our time,” loses his battle with cancer, ending a lifetime of public service and a remarkable career. Although never elected to the presidency, Kennedy profoundly affected U.S. policy, domestic and international.

Obama Reappoints Bernanke as Federal Reserve Chairman

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:09:59 -0400

Amid the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s, President Obama reappoints economist Ben Bernanke to a second term as chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, the nation’s central bank. Bernanke’s reappointment will have to be approved by the U.S. Senate.

Obama Creates New Unit to Handle High-Level Interrogations

Stephen Kaufman — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:31:24 -0400

The Obama administration announces a new group that will handle interrogation of high-level suspects with ties to violent extremist groups. The White House says the group’s operations will be consistent with the Geneva Conventions, explicitly prohibiting torture and inhumane or degrading treatment.

Sotomayor Confirmed as Newest U.S. Supreme Court Justice

Stephen Kaufman — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:43:02 -0400

President Obama says he is “pleased and deeply gratified” that U.S. lawmakers have approved Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be the 111th justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, the highest level of the judicial branch of the U.S. government. Sotomayor will be the first Hispanic American to serve on the court.

Blogs Help Put a Human Face on Government Bureaucracy

Jane Morse — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:22:08 -0400

Blogs can put a human face on government bureaucracies. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Transportation Security Administration, among other U.S. agencies, have developed blogs on their Web sites to connect government employees with the public.

Foundation Helps Citizens Find Government Information

Jane Morse — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:22:24 -0400

The Obama administration has committed itself to putting government data on the Internet and accessible to the general public. Nonprofit organizations like the Sunlight Foundation are working to ensure that the data is not just accessible, but understandable and useable.