Friday, August 23, 2013

Syria: A Big Event of Grave Concern


Obama said the United States, along with United Nations inspectors, were gathering information on the attack, but that preliminary signs point to a "big event of grave concern."
"It is very troublesome," he said. "That starts getting to some core national interests that the United States has, both in terms of us making sure that weapons of mass destruction are not proliferating, as well as needing to protect our allies, our bases in the region."
CNN Exclusive Obama: Syria will 'require America's attention' 

Syrian Forces Bomb Area of Alleged Chemical Attack
BEIRUT August 22, 2013 (AP)

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Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York 21 August 2013

Secretary-General, ‘Shocked’ by Reports from Syria, Reiterates that Any Use of Chemical Weapons Would Violate International Humanitarian Law


The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
The Secretary-General is shockedto hear the reports of the alleged use today of chemical weapons in the suburbs of Damascus.
Professor Åke Sellström and his team are currently in the Syrian Arab Republic to investigate the alleged use of chemical weapons reported by the Government of Syria at Khan al-Assal, as well as two other allegations of the use of chemical weapons reported by Member States.  According to the agreement reached in Damascus in July, the two parties are discussing, in parallel, other allegations and their related sites.
The United Nations mission to investigate allegations of chemical weapons use in Syria is following the current situation in Syria carefully, and remains fully engaged in the investigation process that is mandated by the Secretary General.  Professor Sellström is in discussions with the Syrian Government on all issues pertaining to the alleged use of chemical weapons, including this most recent reported incident.
The Secretary-General is aware that a number of Member States, the Arab League and the European Union have expressed grave concern about the most recent reports of the possible use of chemical weapons in Syria.  The Secretary-General reaffirms his determination to ensure a thorough investigation of the reported alleged incidents that are brought to his attention by Member States.
The Secretary-General reiterates that any use of chemical weapons by any side under any circumstances would violate international humanitarian law.

**Please note to have a translation of above video press play and on the toolbar click CC and use new Beta Caption Translator
 PARIS — As Western powers pressed Syria to allow United Nations inspectors to examine the site of a possible poison gas attack outside the capital, Damascus, France said on Thursday that outside powers should respond “with force” if the use of chemical weapons was confirmed.The allegations of a gas attack were particularly jarring because a team sent by the United Nations is already in Damascus to investigate chemical strikes reportedly waged earlier in the war. The United States, the European Union and other world powers called for the investigators to visit the site of Wednesday’s attack, which news reports said took place only a 15-minute drive from the inspectors’ hotel...
In Paris, Mr. Fabius’s remarks were made a day after diplomatic moves at the United Nations Security Council in New York produced a limited response to the claims by opposition forces on Wednesday. Their charges that scores if not hundreds of people had perished in the attack were supported by copious, if unverified, video images.
In an emergency session, the Security Council called for a prompt investigation of the allegations and a cease-fire in the conflict, but it took no further action. Mr. Fabius said that if the Security Council could not reach a decision, then action would have to be taken “in other ways,” which he did not identify.
France Urges Force in Syria if Chemical attacks are Confirmed

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Efforts for a Healthier America

Organizers behind a hip-hip music video featuring a cameo by Michelle Obama hope the first lady’s appearance will help encourage kids to get active.
The song featured in the video is one of 19 on an album from the Partnership for a Healthier America, in collaboration with Hip Hop Public Health. The two organizations teamed up with celebs to produce songs they hope will motivate children to exercise and be more physically active.

Songs for a Healthier America


As seen on “Dr. Oz,” Songs for a Healthier America is brought to you by Hip Hop Public Healthand the Partnership for a Healthier America. We hope these songs get your whole family moving to the beat! Download “Everybody” featuring Jordin Sparks, Doug E.Fresh, Dr.Oz and the Hip Hop Doc below, and make sure to check back soon for downloadable versions of all of the songs listed below.
The single was released in June and can be downloaded on PHA’s website for free. The full 19-track album, which will feature a combination of pop and hip-hop songs, also will be available for free when it is released on Sept. 30. Other artists featured on the album include Ashanti, Doug E Fresh, DMC, and Hip Hop MD.


The (above) project is not part of the first lady’s Let’s Move! initiative, but supports the program’s goals of finding ways to reduce the national childhood obesity rate. Read full article from the Today show here
From the Let's Move About Section:
"In the end, as First Lady, this isn’t just a policy issue for me. This is a passion. This is my mission. I am determined to work with folks across this country to change the way a generation of kids thinks about food and nutrition."
First Lady Michelle Obama
CLICK HERE to See: Let’s Move! milestones and collaborations in 2012
Let’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Sure, this is an ambitious goal. But with your help, we can do it.
Combining comprehensive strategies with common sense, Let’s Move! is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools. Ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food. And, helping children become more physically active.
At the launch of the initiative, President Barack Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum creating the first-ever Task Force on Childhood Obesity to conduct a review of every single programs and policies relating to child nutrition and physical activity and develop a national action plan to maximize federal resources and set concrete benchmarks toward the First Lady’s national goal. The Task Force recommendations focus on the five pillars of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative:
  1. Creating a healthy start for children
  2. Empowering parents and caregivers
  3. Providing healthy food in schools
  4. Improving access to healthy, affordable foods
  5. Increasing physical activity
Everyone has a role to play in reducing childhood obesity, including parents and caregivers, elected officials from all levels of government, schools, health care professionals, faith-based and community-based organizations, and private sector companies. Your involvement is key to ensuring a healthy future for our children.