Headlines Archive

2009

NASA Plays audio "Time Capsule" of historic Apollo 11 Mission - July 16-24
HOUSTON -- NASA will provide a unique audio "time capsule" in observance of the 40th anniversary of the first human landing on the moon. Audio from the entire Apollo 11 mission will be replayed and streamed on the Internet at exactly the same time and date it was broadcast in 1969.

The audio retrospective will begin at 6:32 a.m. CDT Thursday, July 16, two hours before the spacecraft launched. The audio will continue through splashdown of the mission at 11:51 a.m. CDT Friday, July 24, and recovery of the crew shortly afterward. The Web stream will feature the communications between the astronauts and ground teams, and commentary from Mission Control at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

To listen to the replay, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/

For historical information about Apollo 11, visit:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/

NASA's Apollo 40th anniversary Web site:
http://www.nasa.gov/apollo40th

Where were you on July 20, 1969? How did this momentous event impact your life? Record your comments and impressions here!

8 July 09
Halifax Consul General Foster and his spouse pose with the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes and Drums at the Halifax International Tattoo. There had not been a U.S. band play at the Halifax Tattoo in several years.

President Obama's 4th of July Message
Today, we are called upon to remember not only the day our country was born, but also the indomitable spirit of the first American citizens who made that day possible. We are called to remember how unlikely it was that our American experiment would succeed at all; that a small band of patriots would declare independence from a powerful empire; and that they would form, in the new world, what the old world had never known - a government of, by, and for the people. [more]

17 June 09
NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow
On June 17, 2009 the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow made an unscheduled stop in St. John’s, NL. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ship Henry B. Bigelow is the second of four new fisheries survey ships to be built by NOAA, representing a significant achievement in NOAA’s efforts to modernize its fleet of fisheries, oceanographic, and hydrographic survey ships. [more] [View Photo on FlickR] .

04 June 09
A New Beginning - Engaging the Muslim World President Obama's June 4 Speech in Cairo, Egypt
I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt’s advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamu alaykum. [more] [fact sheet]

01 June 09
Consul General twitters about WHTI
On June 1, U.S. Consul General Harold Foster travelled to the Maine/New Brunswick border to see for himself how the first day of the new document requirements for land and sea travel went. Things went very smoothly all along the Maine border that day. He also toured the U.S. Port of Entry at Calais, ME, which will open this fall. You can find out more about how his trip went on Twitter at http://twitter.com/usconshalifax [View Photos on FlickR] .

29 May 09
Consul General Foster travelled to Truro, NS to address a group of high-school students from the Cobequid Educational Centre
On May 29th, Consul General Foster travelled to Truro, NS to address a group of high-school students from the Cobequid Educational Centre. Three of the students had sent letters asking questions about climate change, Cuba, and capital punishment. CG Foster decided to travel to Truro so he could answer their letters in person. [View Photos on FlickR] .

26 May 09
Visit by U.S. Speaker Marco Vicenzino
On May 25th the Consulate hosted Marco Vicenzino, the Founder and Director of the Global Strategy Project to talk about Afghanistan and development. [View Photos on FlickR] .

25 May 09
Memorial Day 2009
On U.S. Memorial Day, the U.S. Consul General and U.S. Navy Exchange Officers honored those who gave the ultimate sacrifice with a small ceremony on Deadman’s Island in Halifax. Historians have concluded that nearly 200 American Prisoners of the War of 1812 died while confined on Melville Island and are buried on Deadman’s Island. The ceremony was attended by members of the general public and the U.S. and Canadian military and honored American and Canadian armed forces personnel. [View Photos on FlickR] .

20 May 09
Collaborating across Borders Conference
U.S. Consul General, Harold Foster brought welcoming remarks to the Collaborating across Borders Conference organized by Dalhousie University. This conference brought together hundreds of healthcare educators from the United States and Canada to discuss how to improve healthcare education in both countries. [Photo] .

H1N1 Influenza (Flu)
The United States, Canada and Mexico continue to work together with international organizations in actively monitoring the H1N1 flu outbreak. For additional and latest information, please see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: www.cdc.gov [travel alerts][President Obama's remarks]

17-19 April 09
The Fifth Summit of the Americas was held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on April 17-19, 2009.
The theme of the Fifth Summit of the Americas, "Securing Our Citizens' Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability" was developed in close consultation with member countries and partner institutions of the Summit Process.

Remarks by Secretary Clinton at Digital Town Hall of the Americas - View Video / Read Transcript

Obama Praises Constructive Talks at Summit of the Americas
Washington — President Obama said the United States entered the fifth Summit of the Americas in equal partnership with the nations of the Western Hemisphere based on mutual respect, common interests and shared values, and leaves after three days of constructive talks with what he called a good first step. [more]

[5th Summit website] [townhall.america.gov]

27 March 09
A New Strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan
"Good morning. Today, I am announcing a comprehensive, new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan," began the President today. "This marks the conclusion of a careful policy review that I ordered as soon as I took office." The President stressed the perilous position we find ourselves in there, and the threat that would arise should safe havens on Pakistan go unchallenged or should the government in Afghanistan fall to the Taliban again. He also noted that 2008 was the deadliest year to date in that war.[more] [full remarks].

27 March 09
Summit of the Americas
Jeffrey Davidow, White House Advisor on the Summit of the Americas, was formerly U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela and Mexico. He discusses the U.S. agenda for the Fifth Summit of the Americas, to take place in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, April 17-19. [more].

20 January 09
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 2009
On Tuesday, January the 20th the U.S. Consulate General in Atlantic Canada marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the occasion of the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States by making a donation of books to Nelson Whynder Elementary School in Preston, Nova Scotia. Deputy Consul General Elizabeth Schwefler gave remarks and donated fifty books on African-American history and culture and a wall display on Rosa Parks to the library. The Halifax Consulate General also presented each student with an information booklet on Martin Luther King Jr. The children thanked her by performing a rap they wrote about what Barack Obama means to them. [View Slideshow].

2008

22 December 08
Statement on AbitibiBowater
We are aware of media reports that the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador has taken action, including passing legislation, to take control of assets relating to AbitibiBowater’s operations in the province. We are currently in the process of collecting more information regarding the matter, and have been in contact with federal, provincial, and company officials. We are always concerned whenever U.S. companies operating overseas encounter difficulties, whether commercial or legal, and we are following closely the action that the provincial government appears to have taken in this case. [more] .

Web Chat with the Ambassador on December 11, 2008

U.S. Ambassador to Canada David H. Wilkins has devoted the last three and a half years to building up and enriching what he considers to be the best and most productive bilateral relationship in the world, that between Canada and the United States. As he prepares to leave the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa to return to his home in the United States, Ambassador Wilkins was pleased to participate in a web chat in order to answer questions and engage in discussion on Canada - U.S relations during his tenure as well as in terms of what he foresees for the future.

05 November 08
Barack Obama Elected 44th President of United States
Barack Obama, unknown to most Americans just four years ago, will become the 44th president and the first African-American president of the United States. Obama, a senator from Illinois, and his running mate Joe Biden will take the oath of office on January 20, 2009. [more] [america.gov blog].

4 November 08
Staff at the U.S. Consulate General in Halifax spent election day giving media interviews, speaking to students, and hosting a results watching reception at the Consul General’s residence. [View Slideshow].

27-28 October 08
Ambassador Wilkins New Brunswick Visit
Ambassador Wilkins visited New Brunswick (NB) in late October. During his visit he addressed students, faculty, and members of the general public at Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB; took a tour of the Moosehead brewery in Saint John, NB; and met with Premier Graham in Fredericton, NB. [View Slideshow] [Read Journal].

7-8 October 08
Ambassador Wilkins - “Farewell to Nova Scotia” visit.
On October 7th and 8th Ambassador Wilkins was in Halifax for what will likely be his “Farewell to Nova Scotia” visit.[View Slideshow]

29 September 08
The Consulate General in Halifax was pleased to host Dr. Amin Tarzi, Director of the Middle East Program at the Marine Corps University, for a program at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton on September 29th . Dr. Tarzi discussed his recent trip to Afghanistan and his thoughts on the need for continued engagement in Afghanistan by NATO countries.

22 September 08
On September 22, the Consulate hosted Dr. Costas Panagopoulos who discussed the upcoming U.S. Presidential election with students and faculty at Mount Saint Vincent University and Saint Mary’s University.

17 September 08
On September 17, 2008 the U.S. Consulate General in Halifax hosted a vin d'honneur to commemorate the 175th Anniversary of the granting of exequatur by His Majesty King William IV for the establishment of the U.S. Consulate in Halifax, Nova Scotia on September 17, 1833. The event was attended by the Premier and Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia and several honorary consuls. The U.S. Consulate General in Halifax is the oldest diplomatic post in what is now Canada. [View Slideshow]

16 September 08
Ambassador Wilkins attended the New England Governor’s and eastern Canadian Premiers Conference in Bar Harbor, Maine. [View Photos]

9-12 September 08
Major James Scott Taylor, the Deputy Director of the Combating Terrorism Centre at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, was in Fredericton, NB and Halifax, NS to speak to the media and university audiences about terrorism.
[View Slideshow]

04 July 08
July 4 Charlottetown, PEI.
On July 4th, Consul General Harold Foster joined over 150 American ex-pats, to celebrate the 232nd birthday of the U.S.A. in Charlottetown, PEI, the “Birthplace of Canada.” This is the third year that Americans in Charlottetown have arranged the celebration and the second year the Consulate has participated. The Consul General included the President’s July 4 Proclamation in his remarks and reminded U.S. citizens of their right to vote in the upcoming federal election and provided information on obtaining absentee ballots. [View Photos]

02 July 08
Double Celebration.
On July 2nd the U.S. Consulate General in Halifax celebrated the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Consulate and the 232nd birthday of the United States of America. The event was co-hosted by Consul General Harold Foster and Commander Fred Pyle, Commanding Officer of the USS Winston S. Churchill. Over four-hundred guests were treated to a traditional Independence Day celebration -- complete with BBQ, jazz band, and ice cream sundaes -- on the jetty between the USS Winston S. Churchill and HMCS Charlottetown. Both ships were recently deployed together in the Arabian Sea. The theme of the event was “Salute to the Military.” Guests at the event included the Lieutenant Governors of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the Premier of Nova Scotia, U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, The Canadian Consul General from Boston, Canadian MPs and Senators, several provincial cabinet ministers, and leadership from the Canadian Forces and the RCMP. [View Slideshow]

28 June 08
Release of a Juvenile Bald Eagle.
Consul General Harold Foster was the special guest at the release of a juvenile bald eagle. The bird was rehabilitated by the Hope for Wildlife Society of Nova Scotia. The event was in honor of Canada Day and U.S. Independence Day and highlighted the efforts Canada has made to help the United States re-establish its bald eagle population. [View Photos]

28 May 08
Memorial Day 2008 - Deadman's Island, Halifax.
On U.S. Memorial Day, the U.S. Consul General and U.S. Navy Exchange Officers honored those who gave the ultimate sacrifice with a small ceremony on Deadman’s Island in Halifax. Historians have concluded that nearly 200 American Prisoners of the War of 1812 died while confined on Melville Island and are buried on Deadman’s Island. The ceremony was attended by members of the U.S. and Canadian military and honored American and Canadian armed forces personnel. In preparation for the ceremony, work crews from the USS Donald Cook and USS Barry with support from the city of Halifax performed clean–up duties on the island. [View Slideshow]

22 April 08
Earth Day in Moncton, New Brunswick.
Consul General Harold Foster celebrated Earth Day in Moncton, New Brunswick. He spoke to children at Birchmount School about the first Earth Day in 1970 and the importance of learning good recycling habits early. He also presented the school with the U.S. Department of State’s 2008 Earth Day poster. [Photos]

18 February 08
U.S. Recognizes Kosovo as an Independent State
Secretary Rice (Feb. 18): The United States has today formally recognized Kosovo as a sovereign and independent state. We congratulate the people of Kosovo on this historic occasion. President Bush has responded affirmatively to a request from Kosovo to establish diplomatic relations between our two countries. The establishment of these relations will reaffirm the special ties of friendship that have linked together the people of the United States and Kosovo.
Full Text.  |  Briefing by Under Secretary Burns.

28 January 08

President outlines priorities for final year in State of the Union address. “Our foreign policy is based on a clear premise: We trust that people, when given the chance, will choose a future of freedom and peace,” President Bush says in his final State of the Union address. Bush also is seeking a boost in U.S. foreign aid funding to help developing countries realize democracy’s benefits. [Full transcript]

17 January 08
The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa would like to remind travelers that beginning January 31, 2008, individuals crossing the border will be asked to present documents denoting citizenship and identity when entering the United States through land and sea ports of entry. This change primarily affects American and Canadian citizens, who have previously been permitted entry by oral declaration alone, and marks the transition toward standard and consistent documents for all travelers entering the United States. [More] [What documents are needed?] [FAQs]

9 January 08

To celebrate the Consulate’s 175th anniversary the Consulate will be presenting U.S. Flags and letters of congratulations from the Consul General to all children who receive their U.S. basic citizenship document at the Consulate in 2008. The first child to receive their Consular Report of Birth Abroad document at the Consulate this year was 10-month old Edith.

7-8 January 08

The U.S. Consulate General in Halifax and the Bluenose BoSox Brotherhood (BBB) welcomed the Boston Red Sox and the World Series Trophy to Halifax. U.S. Consul General Harold Foster was happy to assist the BBB with their bid to bring the World Series Trophy to Halifax. The event marked the first time the World Series Trophy has visited Halifax and was a great way to open the Halifax Consulate’s 175th season. Photo courtesy of the government of Nova Scotia.