27 August 2008 Russia's G8 Partners Condemn Its Role in Georgia Crisis  Russia's Group of Eight (G8) partners unanimously condemn its military incursion into Georgia and reject Moscow’s attempt to recognize the independence of the emerging South Caucasus democracy’s two separatist regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
 • Foreign Ministers' Joint Statement on Georgia

26 August 2008 U.S. Rejects Russia's Recognition of Georgian Separatists  Russia's move to officially recognize the independence of Georgia's separatist regions South Ossetia and Abkhazia is a "regrettable" violation of international peace-building efforts that Moscow itself once helped shape, says Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, joining in widespread international condemnation of Moscow’s latest action in the ongoing Georgia crisis.
 • President Bush Condemns Actions Taken by Russian President in Regards to Georgia

25 August 2008 Russia Still Violating Cease-fire in Georgia, Says White House  Russia has reduced its troop presence in Georgia, but still is violating a cease-fire deal brokered by the European Union following Moscow’s strike on the South Caucasus democracy, says White House spokesman Tony Fratto.

26 August 2008 European Missile Defense System Is Limited, No Threat to Russia  The development of a limited ballistic missile defense system in Europe creates an important capability for NATO allies that poses no threat to Russia, says a senior U.S. diplomat. "It can defend against all long-range missile launches" from a rogue state, but for example, the system would not be able to protect against shorter-range missile launches from the same state, John Rood, acting under secretary of state for arms control and international security, said at an August 25 briefing.

26 August 2008 Remarks by Secretary Rice, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas  Discuss Jerusalem refugees, borders, settlement, water and security.

26 August 2008 Remarks by Secretary Rice, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni  Leaders discuss Israeli and Palestinian peace talks.

25 August 2008 Secretary Rice’s Remarks en Route to Tel Aviv, Israel   Sec. Rice will discuss situation on the ground and ongoing negotiations.

27 August 2008 Cheney: U.S. Will Keep Afghanistan, Iraq Commitments  The U.S. will maintain its commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of its offensive strategy to defeat global terrorism, Vice President Richard B. Cheney told American Legion members in Phoenix today.

Absentee Voting for U.S. Citizens The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) grants U.S. citizens overseas the right to vote in federal elections in the United States. Federal elections include primaries, as well as general and special elections for the President, Vice President, U.S. Senators, and U.S. Representatives to Congress.

From the Democratic Convention!
Join James Greenhalgh, a Member of the Youth Parliament for Staffordshire as he blogs about his impressions from the Democratic Convention in Denver ... jump to the blog.

26 August 2008 U.S. Election Helping America's Image Worldwide  The U.S. presidential race, with "the spectacle of democracy at work," is a great thing for America's image worldwide, and historically has given a boost to U.S. public diplomacy, Nicholas Cull, a professor of public diplomacy, tells America.gov.

25 August 2008 Barack Obama Selects Delaware Senator Joe Biden as Running Mate  Presumed Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has selected Delaware Senator Joe Biden to be his running mate, saying, “Joe won't just make a good vice president -- he will make a great one.”

25 August 2008 New U.S. President Unlikely to Alter U.S. Policy Toward Europe  Although Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain differ significantly on such national security issues as Iraq, the two presidential candidates’ positions on Europe fall within the broad consensus that historically has marked U.S. policy in the region. Their differences lie in nuance and points of emphasis.

21 August 2008 Ask America Will Chat Live from the 2008 Political Conventions  “Rolling” webchat August 11-September 8 with various guests

21 August 2008 ACS Chief André Goodfriend on American Citizen Services Former American Citizen Services Chief André Goodfriend talks about the function and types of services offered to American citizens.

Last chance to see:
Richard Prince exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery. Richard Prince is one of the world's most celebrated artists. His first major exhibition in a UK gallery, includes new works together with highlights of an extraordinary 30-year career in painting, photography and sculpture. The exhibition finishes on 7 September.

Cy Twombly exhibition at the Tate Modern finishes on the 14 September.

For more new and upcoming UK cultural events which feature significant American input, can be found on the Cultural Affairs Calender at london.usembassy.gov/culture/index.html

The Benjamin Franklin House at 36 Craven Street in the heart of London, is a heritage 'gem.' The world's only remaining home of Benjamin Franklin, Franklin lived and worked there for sixteen years on the eve of the American Revolution. The house holds a special place in Anglo-American history.