News From Washington

• Ambassadorial Nominee to Syria Pledges “Straight Talk” - Robert Ford, the Obama administration’s nominee to be the first U.S. ambassador to Syria since 2005, says if confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he will engage the government of President Assad in “unfiltered, straight talk” over areas of U.S. concern and on areas where there may be mutual interest.
• Quiet Corruption Harmful to Africa’s Long-Term Development - “Quiet corruption” can be just as detrimental to a country’s overall economic growth and development as large corruption and bribery scandals that receive much sensational press play and media attention, warns a just-released World Bank report.
• Climate Change Impact on Water Already Affects Nations Worldwide - Experts characterize climate change in terms of a projected rise in global average temperature over the 21st century. People worldwide are feeling that heat now through their water supplies, as a warming planet alters the land-sea-atmosphere cycle of water that makes life on Earth possible.
• Obama Reschedules Asia-Pacific Trip to June - President Obama is postponing his planned weeklong trip to Guam, Indonesia and Australia until June so he can be in Washington when the U.S. Congress gives final consideration to domestic health care legislation, the White House announces.
• Hong Kong Performers Share Cultural Heritage - Actors and production staff from Hong Kong’s Arts with the Disabled Association thrill audiences with their original interpretation of a Chinese classic. The performers, most of whom are hearing impaired, break down cultural and language barriers with their creative and expressive talents.