Jun232017

Press Releases: Coordinator for Cyber Issues and U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy To Participate in the U.S.-Kenya Cyber and Digital Economy Dialogue

United States • Democrats • OECD – United States • Republicans • White House

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

June 22, 2017

Christopher Painter, the Secretary’s Coordinator for Cyber Issues, and Julie Zoller, Acting U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy, will travel to Nairobi, Kenya from June 22-23 to discuss cyber and digital economy policy issues with government officials, the private sector, and civil society as part of the U.S.-Kenya Cyber and Digital Economy Dialogue.

During their visit to Nairobi, Coordinators Painter and Zoller will engage with senior Kenyan leaders to discuss policies related to cybersecurity, cybercrime, and legal cooperation as well as digital economy regulatory and commercial policies, cooperation at the International Telecommunication Union, and other cyber and internet policy issues.

To learn more about this trip or other cyber policy efforts at the Department of State, please follow us on Twitter @State_Cyber and @StateCIP.

To learn more about the Department of State’s efforts in economic matters, including communications and information policy issues, follow us on Twitter @EconatState or at the EconAtState Facebook page.



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Jun232017

Secretary Price Hosts Listening Session with Obamacare Victims

United States • Democrats • OECD – United States • Republicans • White House

On Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, M.D., hosted a listening session at the White House with Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Seema Verma to hear from individuals who are facing a lack of choice in healthcare plans due to insurers pulling out of Obamacare marketplaces.

Secretary Price holds a listening session with Obamacare victims

Citizens from Ohio, Iowa, and Missouri shared real-life stories of how Obamacare has negatively impacted themselves, their families, their businesses, and their communities. These real-life examples show the extremely limited options of healthcare plans that are available, and the consequences of such high premiums and deductibles.

Secretary Price holds a listening session with Obamacare victims

A small business owner from Missouri spoke of his inability to keep employees because of the advantage Obamacare gives to large corporations. An insurance agent from Missouri spoke of her guilt as she was unable to help her friends and neighbors, and was forced to deny them insurance due to the high costs. A doctor from Iowa spoke of his children, both diagnosed with a terminal disease, and his struggle as he was forced to choose between his practice and his children’s medical care.

Secretary Price holds a listening session with Obamacare victims

These examples, among countless others, demonstrate the tolls Obamacare has taken on the American people. The American people are frustrated with Obamacare, and they are looking for change.

“This is about real folks; this is about real people’s lives. And the stories that we’ve heard at this table and around the country have been remarkably moving.”

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price


Secretary Price reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to reduce Obamacare’s burdens by providing the American people with the highest quality healthcare system.

Jun232017

President Trump Visits Kirkwood Community College

United States • Democrats • OECD – United States • Republicans • White House

Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump visited Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to address his efforts to foster agriculture innovation. He spoke about the value of farming to the Nation’s economy and ensured the Administration would continuously embrace the challenge to rebuild rural America. 

“We have to make sure American farmers and their families, wherever they may be, wherever they may go, have the infrastructure projects that they need to compete and grow. And I mean grow against world competition, because that’s who you’re up against now.”

President Trump


For the past two weeks, the Administration has been working extensively on vocational education, infrastructure, and technology. The President declared he would push for increased rural internet access in his proposed infrastructure plan.

“American farmers and ranchers are the best — absolute best at what they do. And they can compete anywhere if they are given a level playing field.”

President Trump


Watch President Trump’s remarks: 

Jun232017

Draft aims to preserve respect for national anthem

East Asia

Students look at exhibits about the history of China’s national anthem at an exhibition in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, in April last year. [Photo/Xinhua] 

People who distort or disrespect China’s national anthem, such as maliciously changing the lyrics, could face up to 15 days in detention if a new law is approved.

A draft of the country’s national anthem law, which was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on Thursday for first reading, also bans the use of the song in advertisements, as background music and at private funerals.

It states that the song should be played during important diplomatic or sporting events, and that people should stand and face the national flag when the song is played, and military officials should salute.

March of the Volunteers was composed in 1935 by Nie Er, with lyrics from poet Tian Han.

“It’s a key symbol in the Constitution,” said Shen Chunyao, director of the committee’s Legislative Affairs Committee, who introduced the draft law. “It’s good to regulate its use, as it will increase citizens’ awareness of patriotism and uphold national dignity.”

The draft is being discussed at the bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, which lasts until Tuesday. It follows similar laws on China’s national flag and national emblem.

Zhang Wenxian, deputy director of the China Law Society, applauded the draft, saying it is necessary to regulate how to play the song “because some people sang or recomposed it, I think, in an entertainment-oriented fashion”.

“I also felt uncomfortable when I saw some people running back and forth while the song was being broadcast. They were not serious enough about it,” he said.

In addition to regulating the use of the national anthem, he added that popularizing it is also important. The draft says the official version of the song should be on the website of the State Council, and that it should be taught in primary school.

Jun232017

News story: Female engineers play a vital role in Britain’s transport industry

HM Government

Transport Minister John Hayes met with female engineers at Waterloo Station to mark International Women in Engineering Day and to discuss their vital role in Britain’s transport industry.

The minister met 7 engineers working across a number of Network Rail projects to find out about their work and their experiences in the industry.

Today (23 June 2017) is International Women in Engineering Day, which aims to raise the profile of women in engineering around the world and focus attention on the exciting career opportunities available to women in the industry.

Transport Minister John Hayes said:

At a time when we need more skills to make our transport infrastructure the best in the world, just 12% of people in the UK engineering industry are women. This is unacceptable and means we are missing so much talent and so much potential in this crucial field.

So to meet women who are so enthusiastic about their careers in the transport industry is as inspiring as it is meaningful. Female engineers can and will play a vital role as we deliver unprecedented investment in transport infrastructure over the coming years.

I am determined to draw on female talent in the transport sector because it is right to attract the best and brightest people. We need more high calibre women to join, and I encourage young women to rise to this challenge; to choose an exciting career in engineering. They will build Britain’s future.

Charlotte Cove, Engineer at Network Rail said:

I got into engineering because my dad encouraged me. I went to an all girl’s school and didn’t have much support when it came to considering the right GCSE and A level choices to become an engineer — I was very lucky to have my dad and his engineering contacts.

I know that there is a perception among girls that engineers get dirty and wield spanners and screwdrivers all day — that’s not what I do, I’m more likely to have a pen and calculator in my hand.

I would strongly recommend engineering as a profession to all girls, simply because it’s such a fulfilling career; it’s stable, well-paid and you get so much respect from your colleagues. It fulfils your creative side as well.

The minister discussed the upcoming Year of Engineering campaign, which begins next year and will showcase the breadth of careers available to young people in engineering, as well as highlight the government’s focus on encouraging more girls to become engineers.

The Network Rail engineers spoke with the minister about their paths into the transport sector; including what inspired them to pursue careers in engineering and their experiences at school and university. They advocated the diverse range of work, and the daily opportunities to be creative and problem-solve. They also discussed what could be done across the sector to encourage more women to pursue engineering roles, such as increasing liaison with schools to raise the profile of engineering with girls at a young age.