Norfolk, Virginia - The Military Sealift Command hospital ship, USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), departed Naval Station Norfolk today and is now underway and making final preparations to support relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

Washington, DC - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong co-chaired the first U.S.-China Social and Cultural Dialogue (SCD) September 28, 2017, in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping launched the SCD in April 2017, at Mar-a-Lago. With a focus on seven cooperative areas – education, social development, science and technology, health, subnational, arts and culture, and environment and conservation – the SCD aims to advance our social and cultural relations consistent with the results-oriented approach of the new Comprehensive Dialogue Mechanism.

Washington, DC - Over the past several months, 21 U.S. Embassy employees have suffered a variety of injuries from attacks of an unknown nature. The affected individuals have exhibited a range of physical symptoms, including ear complaints, hearing loss, dizziness, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues, and difficulty sleeping. Investigators have been unable to determine who is responsible or what is causing these attacks.

Washington, DC - Professional football fans were treated to some relief last Thursday evening as the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears stood arm in arm for the singing of the National Anthem. People in the stands either did likewise or put their hands over their hearts. Americans felt proud but mostly relieved. 

Washington, DC - Today, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced that partners in its Better Buildings, Better Plants Program have saved about $4.2 billion in cumulative energy costs across nearly 3,000 facilities that represent about 12 percent of the U.S. manufacturing energy footprint. In addition, DOE is recognizing the achievements of nine partners who have met their energy or water savings goals this year and welcoming 12 new partners who have joined the program.

Washington, DC - Construction on the eight wall prototypes began Tuesday in San Diego with four of the prototypes made of concrete, while the other four will be constructed of alternate or “other materials”.