View Video MR. WOOD: Okay. Well, good morning, everyone. Good morning in Zimbabwe. Ambassador McGee, welcome. This is Robert Wood, the Deputy Spokesman. Ambassador McGee is here and he’s going to talk to you all about the political situation in Zimbabwe. To learn more, use the link.

Following is a joint statement by the United States and Brazil announcing the expansion of cooperation on biofuels to advance security and promote sustainable development. Begin Text: Today, the U.S. and Brazilian governments announced an expansion of cooperation on biofuels under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2007 to advance their shared goals of energy security, sustainable development, and environmental protection. Read the whole article for full details

SECRETARY OF STATE RICE: 10:15 a.m.   Bilateral with His Excellency Samuel Lewis Navarro, Vice President of the Republic of Panama. (CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)   1:30 p.m.    Bilateral with His Excellency Javier Solana, Secretary General of the Council of the European Union and High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy. Read more about this news.

The United States congratulates the government and people of Guinea-Bissau on their successful November 16 legislative elections. The voters’ example should serve as an encouragement for democracies throughout Africa and around the world. U.S. Jump to this feature by clicking the title.

Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Goli Ameri and the Fulbright Association will co-host a ceremony honoring Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu on Friday, November 21, 2008, at 11 a.m. in the Dean Acheson Auditorium of the U.S. Use the link in the article title to view the entire news article.

U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe James D. McGee will brief reporters on the current political impasse in the power-sharing talks between Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF and Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change, as well as that country’s dire humanitarian situation. Get more information on this topic by clicking on the link.

We are pleased with the outcome of the International Conference on the Return and Reintegration of Afghan Refugees, co-hosted by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This conference brought together the key participants supporting close to three million refugees, primarily in Pakistan and Iran. If you find this of interest, please read the full feature.

Dr. Osama Awadelkarim, Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics at Pennsylvania State University, will speak on “Physical, Material Sciences, and Engineering – Science Diplomacy with African Nations” on Friday, November 21, 2008, from 11:00 a.m. Use the link in the article title to view the entire news article.

Date: 11/18/2008 Description: Secretary Rice signs the Say No to Violence Against Women Pledge in the Secretary's inner office. One year ago, the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) began its global campaign to advocate among publics and governments for an end to violence against women. If you find this of interest, please read the full feature.

SECRETARY OF STATE RICE: 10:00 a.m.    Keynote address for the 23rd Annual Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Briefing, in the Dean Acheson Auditorium. (OPEN PRESS COVERAGE) Final access for all press:  9:00 a.m. from the 23rd Street entrance Press Contact:  Sarah Rosetti, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, (571) 345-2507   11:00 a.m. To learn more, use the link.