U.S. Independence Day a Civic and Social Event

Washington - The United States celebrates its Independence Day on July 4, a day of patriotic celebration and family events throughout the country. In the words of Founding Father John Adams, the holiday would be “the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.” The Fourth of July holiday is a major civic occasion, with roots deep in the Anglo-American tradition of political freedom.   More...

United States, Brazil Agree to Expanded Air Services

Washington, D.C., June 30, 2008 - The United States and Brazil have concluded an agreement that will provide for a nearly 50 percent increase in passenger flights between the two countries as well as eliminate restrictions on the number of airlines that can provide U.S.-Brazil air service, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters announced today.“This agreement will help air carriers meet the growing demand for passenger and cargo services between the United States and Brazil,” said Secretary Peters. More...

Youth Ambassador wins scholarship for a summer course at Phillips Academy – Andover

Brasília, June 19, 2008 – The Youth Ambassador from Ceará State, Talíta de Freitas Alves, 17, is the first Youth Ambassador to receive a full scholarship to attend the Phillips Academy summer course in Andover, one of the most prestigious schools in the U.S. The institution is well-known for its prominent alumni, including President George W. Bush and his father, President George H.W. Bush.  More...

Latin American Countries Should Develop New Business Sectors

Washington -- Latin American countries need to improve their overall business climates and encourage new industries if they expect to continue to thrive in the global, knowledge-based economy. So says Dominique Strauss-Kahn, managing director of the International Monetary Fund.  He joined political and business leaders from throughout the Western Hemisphere in Washington May 6-7 for the 38th annual meeting of the Council of the Americas to discuss promotion of open markets, democracy and rule of law. More...

Voting in the November Presidential Election

On November 4th, 2008, the United States will vote to elect its Forty-Fourth President. The Primary season is officially over, meaning that you do not need to be a member of a political party in order to vote for President in November. Eligible U.S. citizens residing or traveling abroad at the time of the election can vote for President in their state of residence via absentee ballot. Because registering as an absentee voter, receiving the ballot, and sending the ballot overseas takes a considerable amount of time, it is important that eligible U.S. citizens traveling or residing abroad start the process as early as possible. More...

Western Hemisphere Meeting Showcases Progress in Colombia

Washington -- At a June 1-3 meeting in Medellín, Colombia, top officials of the Americas adopted pledges aimed at improving life for the Western Hemisphere’s 800 million people. Participants in the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), which included many of the region’s foreign ministers, adopted the Declaration of Medellín in which they pledged to promote greater opportunities for young people in the Western Hemisphere. More...

International Satellite Will Monitor Global Sea-level Rise

Washington -- A satellite that will help scientists better monitor and understand rises in global sea level, study ocean circulation and its links to climate and improve weather and climate forecasts. The mission will extend into the next decade the continuous recording of sea-surface height measurements begun in 1992 by the NASA-French space agency TOPEX/Poseidon mission and extended by the NASA-French space agency Jason 1 mission in 2001.  More...