Bush to Promote Peace, Regional Dialogue During Visit to Mideast
12 May 2008

Washington -- President Bush will mix symbolism and substance during a five-day, three-nation trip to the Middle East that will place considerable emphasis on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and an array of issues from Lebanon to Iraq and Afghanistan.

First U.S. Disaster Aid Shipment Arrives in Burma
May 12, 2008

Washington -- U.S. humanitarian assistance began arriving for the people of Burma as authorities finally allowed the first of three American C-130 cargo planes to deliver supplies, and the United States pledged an additional $13 million for communities ravaged by Cyclone Nargis more than a week ago. (more)

Ellis Island Honors Immigrants to United States
May 9, 2008

Washington -- Some 40 percent of Americans can trace their ancestry to immigrants who passed through the Ellis Island immigration center between 1892 and 1954.

Among those immigrants were the songwriter Irving Berlin, who arrived from Russia in 1893 when he was 5, and Bob Hope, who emigrated from England in 1908 at age 4. (His birth name was Leslie Hape.) (more)

Bush Asks Congress to Approve $770 Million More in Food Aid
May 2nd, 2008

Washington -- President Bush has called on Congress to approve an additional $770 million to support food aid and agricultural development programs in fiscal year 2009.

With the administration's release of $200 million worth of emergency food reserves from a special humanitarian trust in April, America would spend a total of nearly $1 billion in new funds to bolster food security in poor nations, Bush said May 1 at the White House. The trust is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (more)

World Press Freedom Day Supports Journalists Facing Threats
May 1st, 2008

Washington -- Global events marking World Press Freedom Day May 3 will spotlight repression against independent journalists and murders of members of the media, many of which go unpunished, press freedom advocates tell America.gov. (more)