James Kilpatrick, syndicated columnist and wordsmith who appeared on ‘60 Minutes,’ dies at 89

Columnist, wordsmith James Kilpatrick dies at 89

Background on the President’s Event in Wisconsin

Today the President will travel to Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, where he will tour ZBB Energy Corporation and deliver remarks to workers.   ZBB Energy Corporation is a Wisconsin manufacturer that is expanding production of advanced zinc bromide flow batteries and intelligent power control platforms for renewable energy storage with the help of a $1.3 million Recovery Act State Energy Program loan.  The company is using the Recovery Act loan to help fund a $4.5 million factory renovation that they anticipate will triple their capacity to manufacture flow batteries and power systems.  The company has already been able to retain nearly a  dozen workers as a result of the project and has begun initial hiring of new manufacturing technicians as well.  Over time, the company estimates they will hire about 80 new workers as a result of the project. 
 
Intelligent battery storage systems like ZBB’s are critical components of building a smart energy grid and expanding commercialization of electric vehicles because it allows users to cut costs by shifting energy use to off-peak hours and bank intermittent sources of energy like the sun and wind for future use. 
 
ZBB established operations in Wisconsin in 1994 and today exports its renewable power and storage systems around the globe to clients ranging from utility companies and renewable energy generation facilities to corporations and military installations.  The $1.3 million loan they received is part of the $55.5 million in Recovery Act State Energy Program funding the state of Wisconsin is using to transform its industrial sector through targeted investments in clean energy manufacturing.  Wisconsin’s Recovery Act SEP funding – which Governor Jim Doyle decided to direct entirely to support clean energy manufacturing – will according to recipients create 775 jobs over the life of their projects, while saving nearly 5,000 jobs.
 
Beyond the direct public-private investment in the expansion of manufacturing capability at the existing facility, the company is also beginning to see an indirect impact from Recovery Act smart grid and electric vehicle investments and has secured a $14.68 million Recovery Act 48c Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit to construct a new manufacturing facility in Southeastern Wisconsin as the company grows.  President Obama has called on Congress to extend the 48c tax credit, including an additional $5 billion, so that more companies can take advantage of this important incentive to invest in America’s clean energy manufacturing capacity.
 
*Backgrounder on Recovery Act Investments in Wisconsin (www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/Recovery_Act_in_Wisconsin.pdf) and the surrounding area attached.
 
Tour Guide
 
Eric Apfelbach began his role as President and CEO of ZBB Energy in January 2010.  Apfelbach’s experience prior to ZBB includes: Founding CEO of Virent Energy Systems, Co-founder of Alfalight, and General Manager at Planar Systems, Inc.  Apfelbach began his career working as an engineer in the global semiconductor industry, rising to senior management at Applied Materials. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
 
Elected Officials Expected to Attend
 
Governor Jim Doyle
US Senator Herb Kohl, D-WI
US Senator Russ Feingold, D-WI
US Representative Gwen Moore, D-WI

UAE to open more diplomatic missions abroad

Abu Dhabi, Aug 16 (IANS/WAM) The UAE, which has 77 embassies across the world, is aspiring to expand its diplomatic network in East Africa and Latin America by opening new missions in Kenya, Uganda and Chile, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Mohammed Gargash said Monday.

Press Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton Aboard Air Force One en route Wisconsin

En Route Milwaukee, Wisconsin

9:58 A.M. EDT

MR. BURTON:  Before we start, I just want to call your attention to something that I read in The New York Times this weekend.  It is a quote from Republican Leader Mitch McConnell about his views on what he wished he could have done this past year. 

Remarks by the President on Gulf Coast Recovery in Panama City, Florida

Panama City, Florida

12:00 P.M. CDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  It is a privilege to be here in Panama City Beach with the men and women of the United States Coast Guard.  I wanted to come here personally and express my gratitude to you for the effort that you’ve waged in response to the BP oil spill.  And I know Michelle wanted to do the same, so we’re looking forward to having a chance to shake hands with you and thank you personally for this great work that you’ve been doing day in, day out.

Statement on the National Elections in Rwanda

We congratulate the people of Rwanda on their national election on August 9. We note reports from the National Electoral Commission that official results have been tallied and President Paul Kagame won reelection with roughly 93% of the vote.

US defence secretary to quit next year

WASHINGTON - US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said he will quit his job next year.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he plans to retire in 2011

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Readout of President Obama’s Video Teleconference with President Karzai

President Obama spoke with President Karzai today via video teleconference.  The two leaders spoke for one hour and discussed a number of topics, including the successful Kabul Conference, the upcoming Afghan parliamentary elections, renewal of the U.S.-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Declaration, anti-corruption efforts, civilian casualties, and regional relations. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry and General David Petraeus also participated in the video teleconference from Kabul.

Mexico seeks India’s support for positive outcome at Cancun

Taliban stone young couple to death for adultery in northern Afghanistan, officials say

Taliban stone couple for adultery in Afghanistan

Who owns ‘David?’ Florence spars with state over moneymaking Michelangelo masterpiece

Florence and state spar over ‘David’

ROME — Florence’s mayor is defending his city’s ownership of Michelangelo’s marble masterpiece “David” after the Culture Ministry reportedly asserted that the treasure belongs to the central government in Rome.

Sonia expected to be re-elected Congress chief

PM sets up National Innovation Council

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