Posted: 4:40 am ET
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We’re guessing the State Department’s deputy spox was already thinking of vacation when he did his briefing on Thursday. Still he was not on the beach yet, but on the podium when this happened.
Transcript via DPB, August 4, 2016:
MR TONER: Hi guys. Happy Thursday.
QUESTION: Thank you.
MR TONER: And what makes it even more special is it’s a Thursday in August, which means tomorrow – everybody want to join with me?
QUESTION: No briefing —
MR TONER: True to our tradition, there will be – thank you, Matt – no briefing.
QUESTION: There will be one.
MR TONER: What was that, Said?
QUESTION: There will be a briefing. An old one.
MR TONER: An old briefing. (Laughter.) Anyway, welcome to the State Department. I think we have some interns in the back. Welcome. Good to see you in this exercise in transparency in democracy. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: Is that what it is? (Laughter.) I thought it was a —
MR TONER: Sorry, I didn’t mean to break out in laughter. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: I thought it was an exercise in spin and obfuscation.
MR TONER: All right. Can you tell this is my last briefing before vacation?
Folks, he needs that vacation, so give him a break, hookay?
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Posted: 3:20 am ET
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Are you planning a trip to Cuba? Here are five things you should know before you go; put together by US Embassy Havana:
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Posted: 1:32 am ET
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Below is a video from U.S. Embassy Warsaw featuring one of our consular officers driving around Poland in his Maluch, a Fiat 126 which was introduced at the Turin Auto show in 1972. The car was manufactured in Poland until 2000 and was exported to many Eastern bloc countries. In Poland, it is called called Maluch, which means “small one”, baby or toddler. It is known as kispolszki (“little Polish”) in Hungary, Bolha (“flea”) in Slovenia, Bambino in Germany, “Polaquito” in Cuba and Peglica (“little iron”) in Serbia.
This guy’s a natural, hey! The video has walk on parts by other embassy employees, as well as the Ambassador to Poland Paul Jones. We don’t speak Polish but it looks like he’s having fun explaining why he loves his red “baby.” Apparently the Poles love him–the video is all over the local news outlets. Already interviewed on the morning news, sounds like his language skills are also impressive. Luv the matching jacket, Dan!
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Posted: 2:35 am ET
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Via USCG Karachi/YouTube:
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Posted: 3:13 pm ET
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This is a video posted on March 23 by the State Department’s DGHR with the following description: “Ambassadors from around the world gathered in Washington, D.C. on March 14 and 15, 2016. When asked whose picture they would like to see on a redesigned U.S. banknote.” Sounds fun enough, okay. But. Why? How is this useful to DGHR or the State Department? The video currently has 524 views on YouTube.
Anyone thought about cost versus return or is this one of those “the intern did it” stuff?
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Posted: 12:58 am EDT
Updated: 12/23/15 @ 10:31 pm PDT
Updated 8:34 pm PDT
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For the rest of the holiday videos from U.S. embassies and consulates, please check out those from US Embassy Phnom Penh, US Embassy Bishkek, US Embassy Rome, US Consulate General Naples, US Consulate General Jerusalem, and US Embassy Helsinki.
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Posted: 2:49 pm EDT
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These are fantastic productions! The videos are not focused on a principal officer or a couple but includes the mission staffers, who all look like they’re having a great time. Perhaps more importantly, the videos are used not just to send holiday greetings but also as a reminder of accomplishments throughout the year. In at least three of them, the videos were also use to plug a charity; for instance, in 2012, to support the victims of Superstorm Sandy. There is purpose beyond just having a video out there, and they’re all creative and inspired!
The British Consulate General in New York wishes you a very happy holiday season and a GREAT 2016. We hope you enjoy this affectionate tribute to Adele’s “Hello”. The video is dedicated to the memory of our colleague and friend Stephanie Ruley. We hope you will consider making a donation to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation at http://www.youcaring.com/stephandholly
The British Consulate in New York wishes you a very happy holiday season and a GREAT 2015. This adaptation of “Christmas Don’t Be Late” celebrates everything we’ve done this year with our wonderful partners and friends.
The British Consulate General New York remakes the music video for Wham!’s “Last Christmas”. If you enjoyed this video, please consider a donation to the Red Cross. http://www.redcross.org/ny/new-york/
Watch the original here to compare: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gmAR…
If you enjoyed this video, please consider a donation to the American Red Cross to support victims of Superstorm Sandy: http://www.nyredcross.org/
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Posted: 11:20 pm EDT
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Ahead of the official flag raising at the US Embassy in Havana with Secretary Kerry this Friday, the State Department released the following 8:36 minute video featuring three former U.S. Marines assigned to Embassy Havana in 1961. The video is narrated by Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis, our Charge d’Affaires to Cuba.
On January 4, 1961, U.S. Marines Jim Tracy, F.W. “Mike” East, and Cpl. Larry C. Morris assigned to U.S. Embassy Havana lowered the American flag outside the embassy for the last time. For 54 years, the soldiers’ warm affection for the Cuban people never wavered. And neither did their belief that, one day, they would reunite to raise the flag again. On August 14, 2015, these three U.S. Marines reunite and join Secretary of State John Kerry to re-open the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba.
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Posted: 00:50 EST
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