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Obama: North Korea “Recklessly Challenging The International Community”
President Obama released a statement at about 2 a.m. ET, on North Korea’s claimed nuclear test. “By acting in blatant defiance of the United Nations Security Council, North Korea is directly and recklessly challenging the international community,” Obama said. “North Korea’s behavior increases tensions and undermines stability in Northeast Asia. Such provocations will only serve to deepen North Korea’s isolation. It will not find international acceptance unless it abandons its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.”

Obama’s Day Ahead: Memorial Day Observance
President Obama is having breakfast with Gold Star Families this morning, at 9 a.m. ET in the State Dining Room. At 11 a.m. ET, he will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He will speak at 11:15 a.m. ET, from the Memorial Amphitheater.

Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden is spending the day in Wilmington, Delaware, and will be having private meetings. He does not have any scheduled public events.

Pelosi Visiting China To Discuss Climate Change
Nancy Pelosi spent the day in Shanghai, China, in a visit focused on clean energy and climate change. “Climate change provides a crucial opportunity for dialogue between our two nations,” Pelosi said in a statement. One subject that did not come up — at least not publicly — was human rights.

State Dept. Set To Extend Benefits To Gay Couples
The Washington Post reports that Sec. of State Hillary Clinton will soon announce domestic-partner benefits for unmarried domestic partners of State Department employees, after the Bush Administration had previously resisted efforts to extend benefits to same-sex partners. Such benefits include paid travel to and from overseas posts, emergency travel to visit ill or injured partners, evacuation in case of emergency, and others.

Power Industry Seeks To Expand Definition Of “Renewable Energy”
The New York Times reports that the energy industry is mounting a serious lobbying effort to classify certain power sources as renewable or advantageous to the environment in order to meet requirements — with some seemingly curious choices: “They include nuclear power plants and the burning of garbage and even the waste from coal mines.”

Small Business Group Builds Bridge To The Dems
CQ reports that the National Federation of Independent Businesses, traditionally a Republican ally, has gone to extra lengths now to work with Democrats on issues such as health care and credit-card reform. “We are working hard to find things we can agree on. Main Street is neither red nor blue,” said NFIB president Dan Danner. He then added, realistically: “It’s a fact that the Democratic Party controls the House, the Senate and the White House. They are in charge of bringing issues to the floor. And we are determined to do what we can to make small business a priority.”

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