Washington, DC - Secretary of State John Kerry: "I extend my warmest congratulations and that of the entire U.S. Department of State to Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos for his selection as this year’s winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace. President Santos is being recognized for his tireless effort to negotiate a definitive end to the conflict between his government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

Gaithersburg, Maryland - Researchers at the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) celebrated Manufacturing Day (link is external) today by launching the Smart Manufacturing Systems (SMS) Test Bed. The test bed is an innovative model factory that will facilitate the advanced manufacturing technology known as the “digital thread” and help manufacturers cut costs, shorten production time, reduce errors and provide higher quality goods.

West Lafayette, Indiana - Understanding how plants sense and cope with harsh conditions such as drought, too much salt in the soil or extreme temperatures could help researchers develop tougher crops - an essential step to improving agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability and global food security.

Washington, DC - Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez has issued the enclosed statement following the release today of the Federal Communications Commission’s Fact Sheet on Broadband Consumer Privacy Proposal:

Washington, DC - The USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion has released the MyPlate, MyState toolkit for teachers looking to introduce their classes to the interrelationship between nutrition and agriculture. The toolkit is available in connection with National Farm-to-School Month, which continues throughout October.

Ames, Iowa - It’s said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but it hardly feels like a compliment to fashion designers when their work is copied or sold as a cheap knockoff.