usdemocrats.com political news ticker/weblog
Saturday April 4 2009 for yesterday's ticker entries click here



Saturday
April 4, 2009

make sure to refresh the page to view the most current updates

click here to search ticker archives by keyword or go to the weblog archive index

 

    

      

        

        CNN
        Cable TV LIVE FEED
 
      
      

        

        www.usdemocrats.com
 
      
      

        

        politicalwire.com
 
      
      

        

        CNN
        Political Ticker
 
      
    

    
VIDEO:
    Pres. Obama Weekly Address

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    In this weeks address, Pres. Obama gave his weekly Internet address
    aboard Air Force One; in which he talked about his discussions
    with world leaders on the global economy, nuclear nonproliferation
    and counterterrorism strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan. 

    Length: 5 min.

    
Published: Today at 10am (ET)

    




    Report
    from the G-20, and the Man Who May Lead Britain

    
President
    says US needs to lead and compromise

    
from AP Top Political News At 5:39 a.m.
    EST 

    STRASBOURG, France (AP) -- President Barack Obama says he's willing
    to listen and compromise with European partners and other countries....

    
Obama:
    development aid key to Pakistan's struggle

    
from AP Top Political News At 5:39 a.m.
    EST 

    STRASBOURG, France (AP) -- President Barack Obama says NATO is
    committed to strengthening Pakistan's ability meet the needs
    of its people....
 

    
Judge
    indicted, state to review cases he dismissed

    
from AP Top U.S. News At 3:24 a.m. EST


    EL PASO, Texas (AP) -- A prosecutor in Texas is promising to
    review about 100 drug cases that were dismissed by a state judge
    who has been indicted on federal charges....

    
Leaders
    push for Chrysler Fiat deal

    
from BBC News | Video and Audio | World
    Edition 

    President Barack Obama says he wants Chrysler to sign a deal
    with Fiat before he offers any more money in aid.

    
Pakistani
    group frees US hostage

    
from BBC News | Latest Published Stories
    | World Edition 

    Militants in Pakistan free an American UN worker they snatched
    in Balochistan province two months ago.
 

    
UK:
    Catholic Church names new leader

    
from BBC News Player | UK 

    The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham,
    is to become the new Archbishop of Westminster.

    
Obama
    and Merkel on Nato's Afghan role

    
from BBC News Player | World 

    US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel
    have spoken about Nato's future role in Afghanistan.

    
UN
    appoints Gaza war-crimes team

    
from BBC News | Middle East | World Edition


    The United Nations appoints South African judge Richard Goldstone
    to lead a fact-finding mission to the Gaza Strip.
 

    
ISRAEL:
    Livni: New government's behaviour shows it is not a force for
    peace

    
from BBC News | Middle East | World Edition


    Israel's former chief peace negotiator Tzipi Livni says the new
    government's behaviour shows it is not a force for peace.

    CSMS#
    09-000159 - March 2009 Trade Account Owner Update 

    Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:44:13 -0500

    
Obama
    says he's impressed by European leadership

    
from AP Top Political News At 5:39 a.m.
    EST 

    STRASBOURG, France (AP) -- President Barack Obama says political
    maneuvering in Europe is about the same as it in the United States....
 

    
Pentagon
    Plans Major Changes

    
from washingtonpost.com - Today's Highlights
    by R. Jeffrey Smith and Ellen Nakashima

    Defense chief to propose shift in focus and spending from large-scale
    war to counterinsurgency efforts

    UN
    SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON DECOLONIZATION TO HOLD REGIONAL SEMINAR
    IN SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS, 12-14 MAY

    UN
    COMMITTEE MONITORING COMPLIANCE WITH CIVIL, POLITICAL RIGHTS
    COVENANT CONCLUDES THREE-WEEK NEW YORK SESSION
 

    UN
    SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY DISTRESSED AT ONGOING CIVILIAN CASUALTIES,
    CONFINEMENT IN VANNI REGION OF SRI LANKA, REMINDS GOVERNMENT
    OF RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT

    UN
    SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES ANNOUNCEMENT OF SUDAN'S NATIONAL ELECTIONS
    IN FEBRUARY 2010, PLEDGES UNITED NATIONS READINESS TO ASSIST

    UN
    SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RUSSIAN FEDERATION-UNITED STATES COMMITMENT
    TO NEW DISARMAMENT TREATY, SAYS THEIR LEADERSHIP VITAL TO NUCLEAR-WEAPON-FREE
    WORLD
 

    ACTIVITIES
    OF SECRETARY-GENERAL IN UNITED KINGDOM, 1-3 APRIL

    UN
    COMMISSION ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT CONCLUDES SESSION BY
    ADOPTING GUIDELINE FOR INTERNATIONAL ACTION OVER NEXT FIVE YEARS

    
DoD
    News Briefing with Maj. Gen. Formica From Kabul

    
from Transcript - U.S. Dept. of Defense


    News Transcripts document all DoD news briefings and significant
    interviews
 

    
Secretary
    Robert Gates Interview with Afghan TV

    
from Transcript - U.S. Dept. of Defense


    News Transcripts document all DoD news briefings and significant
    interviews.

    
Swearing-In
    of Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn (Washington, D.C.)

    
from Speech - U.S. Dept. of Defense 

    As Delivered by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, Washington,
    D.C., Monday, March 30, 2009

    
Iraq's
    Basra Police Receive Human Rights Training

    
from Rferl.org 

    A human rights campaign for police forces in the southern Iraqi
    city of Basra began this week in response to citizens' complaints
    of human rights abuses by security forces, RFE/RL’s Radio
    Free Iraq (RFI) reports.
 

    
Afghan
    leader orders review of Shi'ite law

    
from Reuters: Top News 

    STRASBOURG, France (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai
    has ordered a review of a new law for Afghanistan's Shi'ite minority
    after Western nations raised concerns over its impact on women's
    rights, Western officials said on Saturday.

    
Obama,
    NATO pressure Karzai over law on women

    
from Reuters: Top News 

    STRASBOURG, France (Reuters) - President Barack Obama piled pressure
    on Afghan leader Hamid Karzai on Saturday to scrap an "abhorrent"
    law which critics say would legalize marital rape.

    
US
    bill would boost hedge fund, private equity tax

    
from Reuters: Private Equity 

    WASHINGTON, April 3 (Reuters) - Legislation that would boost
    the tax rate paid by many hedge fund and private equity fund
    managers was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives
    by Democratic Rep. Sander Levin, an aide to Levin said on Friday.
 

    
Obama
    says does not see NATO operating in Pakistan

    
from Reuters: Politics 

    BADEN-BADEN, Germany (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama
    said on Friday he did not expect NATO troops to have to enter
    Pakistan, but said allies should do more to help Islamabad root
    out safe havens for Islamist militants.

    
U.S.
    says open to bilateral talks with North Korea

    
from Reuters: Politics 

    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said on Friday it is
    open to bilateral contacts with North Korea, while urging the
    communist state not to launch a long-range missile and return
    to six-nation nuclear negotiations.

    

    
Obama
    to abolish limits on U.S.-Cuba family ties

    
from Reuters: Politics 

    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a move that could herald better ties
    between Cold War foes, the Obama administration is planning to
    abolish limits on family travel and cash remittances between
    the United States and Cuba, the Wall Street Journal reported
    on Friday.
 

    
Russia
    says to start nuclear talks with U.S. in April

    
from Reuters: Politics 

    MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia and the United States will start talks
    on a new deal to cut nuclear warheads before the end of the month,
    Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as
    saying on Saturday.

    
U.S.
    lawmakers in Cuba for talks with top officials

    
from Reuters: Politics 

    HAVANA (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers said they would meet with Cuba's
    foreign minister on Saturday during a fact-finding mission that
    came amid hopes of a thaw in relations between Washington and
    the communist-ruled island.

    
NATO
    back Obama Afghan plan, but troops short-term

    
from Reuters: Politics 

    STRASBOURG (Reuters) - President Barack Obama won NATO backing
    on Saturday for his new approach to Afghanistan but his European
    allies stopped short of offering long-term troop deployments
    for the war effort.
 

    
EU
    ministers upbeat in Prague

    
from Reuters Video: Latest Videos US 

    Apr 3 - European finance ministers hold talks in Prague following
    the G20 summit in London , and ahead of a US-EU Summit in the
    Czech capital.

    
Obama
    greeted warmly in France

    
from Reuters Video: Latest Videos US 

    Apr 3 - U.S President Barack Obama is greeted by cheering crowds
    of supporters in Strasbourg, France.

    
adsense

    





    
Obama
    to visit Turkey

    
from Reuters Video: Latest Videos US 

    Apr. 3 - President Barack Obama continues his trip overseas and
    will head to Turkey for meetings on Monday and Tuesday.

    
VIDEO:
    MacroScope: The Fed and the economy

    
from Reuters Video: Latest Videos US 

    Benn Steil, director of international economics at the Council
    on Foreign Relations, joins Markets Correspondent Pedro da Costa
    and Carrie Lee to discuss the Fed's balance sheet and the U.S.
    economy.

    
Pelosi
    vows global warming bill by 2010

    
from Politico.com: congress by Patrick
    O'Connor

    Measure will seek to reduce carbon emissions and possibly impose
    a cap and trade system.
 

    
Obama-era
    goodwill for Rice at U.N.

    
from Politico.com: Politics by Ben Smith

    For Susan Rice, openness doesn't mean weakness and engagement
    can be combative.

    
CANADA-BC
    PARTNERSHIP TO EXPAND TRANSIT & CREATE JOBS

    
from Office of the Premier NEWS 

    VANCOUVER –Lower Mainland transit users will benefit from
    SkyTrain and West Coast Express enhancements, thanks to a partnership
    between the Government of Canada, the Province of B.C. and TransLink.

    
CANADA,
    BC, PARTNERS DELIVER NEW INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING

    
from Office of the Premier NEWS 

    VANCOUVER – The Government of Canada, The Province of British
    Columbia, Port Metro Vancouver, TransLink, local municipalities,
    and the private sector are partnering to invest in excess of
    $225 million in five infrastructure improvements on the North
    Shore.
 

    Governor
    Schwarzenegger's Office Releases Detailed Federal Economic Stimulus
    Funding Estimates for California

    Governor
    Schwarzenegger Creates Federal Economic Stimulus Task Force

    
Governor
    Schwarzenegger Launches Website to Increase Government Transparency

    
from OCIO - Highlights 

    April 2, 2009

    


    New
    York Fed purchases $2.672 billion in agency coupons

    
Obama's
    Meeting with President Hu of China

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The China MiPAL has been updated with a White House statement
    detailing the agenda of the President's meeting with President
    Hu of China, the President's remarks with the President of China,
    White House briefings on the advancement of U.S.-China relations,
    a joint statement by the Secretary of State and the Secretary
    of the Treasury on the establishment of the U.S.-China Strategic
    and Economic Dialogue, a Center for American Progress report
    assessing the impact of China's purchase of U.S. treasuries,
    a Department of Defense briefing on the 2009 report on the military
    power of the People's Republic of China, and a Henry L. Stimson
    Center report evaluating China's perspective on nuclear disarmament.
    Please see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest
    on this country - the newest updates are in bold.

    
Cargo
    and Container Security

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Homeland Security MiPAL has been updated with Congressional
    testimony by Department of Homeland Security officials concerning
    cargo and container security, a series of Congressional hearings
    assessing the future of fusion centers and examining emergency
    preparedness capabilities in the Southwest, a special briefing
    and a Department of Homeland Security press statement detailing
    the administration's new border security policy, and a report
    from the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector
    General evaluating the challenges to REAL ID implementation.
    Please see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest
    on this topic - the newest updates are in bold.
 

    
The
    Future of U.S.-India Relations

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The India MiPAL has been updated with the Deputy Secretary of
    State's remarks on the future of U.S.-India relations, a transcript
    of a Brookings Institution event evaluating the U.S.-India nuclear
    agreement, a series of articles from the Center for the Advanced
    Study of India evaluating the Dalit group's perspectives on economic
    reform and assessing the state of governance reform in India,
    and a Henry L. Stimson Center report detailing India's perspective
    on nuclear disarmament. Please see the Recently Added Documents
    section for the latest on this country - the newest updates are
    in bold.

    
A
    New Strategy for Pakistan

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Pakistan MiPAL has been updated with a State Department statement
    detailing U.S. assistance for displaced Pakistanis, a Congressional
    hearing on the U.S. strategy in Pakistan, a Center for American
    Progress article arguing for increased attacks on terror networks
    within Pakistan's borders, President Obama's remarks on a new
    strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, the White Paper of the
    Interagency Policy Group's Report on U.S. Policy toward Afghanistan
    and Pakistan, briefings on the new strategy by the special envoy
    for Afghanistan and Pakistan and the Under Secretary of Defense
    for Policy and by the National Security Advisor, and a White
    House Press Release outlining what's new in the strategy. Please
    see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this
    country - the newest updates are in bold.

    
Obama's
    Meeting with Russian President Medvedev

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Russia MiPAL has been updated with the President's remarks
    with the President of Russia regarding the future of U.S.-Russia
    strategic relations, a joint statement between President Obama
    and President Medvedev regarding further reductions in strategic
    offensive arms, a series of White House background briefings
    detailing the President's meeting with the Russian President,
    and a Centre for European Reform report evaluating Russia's partnership
    with the European Union 


    
Albania
    and Croatia Join NATO and the United Kingdom's Latest Strategy
    for Countering International Terrorism

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Europe and Eurasia Regional Policy Overview has been updated
    with remarks by the President and the Prime Minister of the United
    Kingdom regarding U.S.-U.K. cooperation in meeting global threats,
    the Deputy Secretary of State's remarks on the acceptance of
    the instruments of accession of Albania and Croatia to the North
    Atlantic Treaty Organization, a joint press statement detailing
    the agenda of the Adriatic-Baltic-Atlantic Meeting of Ministers
    of Foreign Affairs, and the United Kingdom's latest strategy
    for countering international terrorism. Please see the Recently
    Added Documents section for the latest on this region - the newest
    updates are in bold.

    
U.S.
    Strategy in Afghanistan

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Afghanistan MiPAL has been updated with Congressional hearings
    on U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, featuring testimony by the Commander
    of the U.S. Central Command, the Under Secretary of Defense for
    Policy, and the Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command,
    and the Secretary of State's remarks at the International Conference
    on Afghanistan at the Hague. Please see the Recently Added Documents
    section for the latest on this country - the newest updates are
    in bold.

    
Switzerland:
    Census

    
from Law Library of Congress: Global Legal
    Monitor 

    Census - On January 20, 2009, Switzerland promulgated a Census
    Regulation that became effective on February 1 (Volkszahlungsverordnung,
    Dec. 19, 2008, Amtliche Sammlung des Bundesrechts 241 (2009),
    available at http://www.admin.ch/ch/d/as/2009/index0_3.html (click
    on page 241)). The Census Regulation... The Global Legal Monitor
    from the Law Library of Congress covers legal news and developments
    worldwide.
 

    
Russian
    Federation: Criminal Liability for Selling Alcohol to Minors

    
from Law Library of Congress: Global Legal
    Monitor 

    Criminal Law - On March 3, 2009, a bill on amendments to the
    Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure was introduced
    in the State Duma (legislature) of the Russian Federation. The
    bill provides for the establishment of... The Global Legal Monitor
    from the Law Library of Congress covers legal news and developments
    worldwide.

    
Russian
    Federation: Groups of Police Volunteers May Be Established

    
from Law Library of Congress: Global Legal
    Monitor 

    Police - In an interview given to the Russian government-owned
    daily newspaper ROSSIISKAIA GAZETA on March 10, 2009, the Minister
    of Internal Affairs (police) of the Russian Federation stated
    that his Ministry has drafted and introduced to the... The Global
    Legal Monitor from the Law Library of Congress covers legal news
    and developments worldwide.

    
Russian
    Federation: No Criminal Liability for Medical Errors

    
from Law Library of Congress: Global Legal
    Monitor 

    Criminal Law - On March 10, 2009, the State Duma (legislature)
    of the Russian Federation adopted amendments to article 124 of
    the country's Criminal Code, which establishes the punishment
    for refusal to provide assistance to a sick person. An... The
    Global Legal Monitor from the Law Library of Congress covers
    legal news and developments worldwide.
 

    
Uruguay:
    National Institution of Human Rights

    
from Law Library of Congress: Global Legal
    Monitor 

    Human Rights - Uruguay# Vazquez signed a law on December 24,
    2008, that creates the Institucion Nacional de Derechos Humanos
    (National Institution of Human Rights); it is designed to defend,
    promote, and protect the human rights recognized... The Global
    Legal Monitor from the Law Library of Congress covers legal news
    and developments worldwide.

    
Israel:
    Supreme Court Approves Demolition of Terrorist Home

    
from Law Library of Congress: Global Legal
    Monitor 

    Terrorism - On March 18, 2009, the Supreme Court of Israel approved
    the demolition of the house of a suicide terrorist who killed
    three and injured scores of random Israeli passersby on a main
    street in Jerusalem. He... The Global Legal Monitor from the
    Law Library of Congress covers legal news and developments worldwide.

    
Somalia:
    Restrictions on Sale of Khat

    
from Law Library of Congress: Global Legal
    Monitor 

    Narcotics and Drug Abuse - It was reported on March 25, 2009,
    that a law imposed by Al Shebaab, a group that controls Baidoa
    and other major towns in southern Somalia, banning the sale of
    Khat inside the city limits of... The Global Legal Monitor from
    the Law Library of Congress covers legal news and developments
    worldwide.
 

    
Nigeria:
    Initiative to Regulate Hazardous E-Products

    
from Law Library of Congress: Global Legal
    Monitor 

    Environment - The Nigerian Senate recently passed resolutions
    urging federal agencies, including the National Environmental
    Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the
    Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), to take the necessary
    steps to regulate the influx of... The Global Legal Monitor from
    the Law Library of Congress covers legal news and developments
    worldwide.

    
Tajikistan:
    New Law on Religious Organizations

    
from Law Library of Congress: Global Legal
    Monitor 

    Religion - On March 26, 2009, the President of Tajikistan, Emomali
    Rachmon, signed into law a recently adopted bill on freedom of
    conscience and religious organizations. Preserving the status
    of Tajikistan as a secular state, the new law... The Global Legal
    Monitor from the Law Library of Congress covers legal news and
    developments worldwide.

    
China:
    Food Safety Law Passed

    
from Law Library of Congress: Global Legal
    Monitor 

    Health and Safety - On February 28, 2009, the People's Republic
    of China Food Safety Law was passed by the Standing Committee
    of the National People's Congress. Effective from June 1, 2009,
    the new Food Safety Law, containing 104 articles,... The Global
    Legal Monitor from the Law Library of Congress covers legal news
    and developments worldwide.
 

    
Obama
    asks for 'peace and partnership' in town hall meeting in France

    
from L.A. Times - Middle East 

    President urges Europeans to shed anti-American sentiment and
    assist U.S. in addressing common challenges, including campaign
    in Afghanistan and reaching out to Muslims.

    
In a town hall-styled meeting in Strasbourg,
    Obama called on Europeans today to set aside a "casual"
    but "insidious" anti-American sentiment, to commit
    to his strategy in Afghanistan and to reach out to Muslims in
    all nations to work for "peace and partnership." 

    World
    Briefing

    from L.A. Times - Middle East 

    Gaza Strip: Judge named to head war crimes inquiry / Thailand:
    10-year jail sentence for editing royals' photos / Malaysia:
    New PM frees 13 detainees / Sweden: 'Ferrari guy' in trouble
    again 

    
Britain
    says U.S. doesn't object to efforts to engage Hezbollah

    
from L.A. Times - Middle East 

    An official likens the British attempt to London's outreach to
    the Irish Republican Army. The Bush administration had criticized
    the idea of approaching the Lebanon-based Shiite Muslim group.

    
The Obama administration is "comfortable"
    with the British government's attempts to engage Hezbollah, the
    Iranian-backed group that the U.S. labels a terrorist organization,
    a senior British diplomat asserts. 


    
RUSSIA:
    ANNOUNCEMENT-VISIT-ITALY-BERLUSCONI

    
from Kremlin.Ru: Unified Wire Service 

    Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi will make a working
    visit to Russia on April 6-7.

    
RUSSIA:
    CONVERSATION-ISRAEL-PRIME MINISTER

    
from Kremlin.Ru: Unified Wire Service 

    Dmitry Medvedev had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister
    of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu.

    
RUSSIA:
    MEETING-SECURITY COUNCIL

    
from Kremlin.Ru: Unified Wire Service 

    Dmitry Medvedev held a meeting with the Security Council members.
 

    
RUSSIA:
    Press Conference on the Results of the G20 Heads of State Meeting

    
from Kremlin.Ru: Presidential Speeches
    and Addresses 

    “All the decisions that were made in regard to financial
    support, stabilisation of our national markets, protectionism,
    individual states’ responsibility for their macroeconomic
    policies, and the future of financial institutions – all
    these are fully specific, serious resolutions addressing the
    future.”

    
RUSSIA:
    Meeting with Students and Staff of the London School of Economics
    and Political Science

    
from Kremlin.Ru: Presidential Speeches
    and Addresses 

    “Twenty five years ago, it would have been hard to imagine
    that the leaders of such different countries with such different
    economies and historical and political traditions could get together
    so rapidly and make concrete decisions.”

    
Beginning
    of Russian-Chilean Talks in an Expanded Format

    
from Kremlin.Ru: Presidential Speeches
    and Addresses 

    “We have interesting joint projects - in energy sector,
    mining industry and agriculture, and I propose that we review
    these projects during our expanded-format talks. All these issues
    need to be addressed - addressed specifically.”
 

    
NATO
    leaders pick over new sec. -gen

    
from JPost Front Page Top Stories 

    Danish PM Rasmussen picked after Turkish concern over his position
    on Muhammad cartoons assuaged.

    
ISRAEL:
    PM will reportedly appoint health minister

    
from JPost Israel 

    Israel Radio: Netanyahu reverses strategy, will appoint minister
    above UTJ Deputy Minister Moses.

    
Livni:
    FM acted against our interests

    
from JPost Israel 

    Opposition leader says Lieberman "wiped out in 20 seconds"
    years of efforts made to advance peace.
 

    GAO-09-471SP,
    Bid Protests At GAO: A Descriptive Guide (Ninth Edition, 2009),
    April 3, 2009

    GAO-09-148SP,
    Export Promotion: States' Export Promotion Agency Survey (GAO-09-148SP),
    an E-Supplement to GAO-09-144, March 4, 2009

    
GAO-09-144,
    Export Promotion: Commerce Needs Better Information to Evaluate
    Its Fee-Based Programs and Customers, March 4, 2009

    
from GAO Reports 

    Federal and state trade promotion activities are intended to
    help U.S. firms compete successfully in foreign markets. Small
    and medium-sized enterprises (SME)--firms with fewer than 500
    employees--represent a key segment of exporting firms. GAO was
    asked to determine (1) the relationship between the Department
    of Commerce's (Commerce) U.S. Commercial Service (CS) and states'
    trade offices' export promotion programs, (2) CS's methodology
    ...
 

    
Kohn,
    Policies to Bring Us Out of the Financial Crisis and Recession

    
from FRB: Speeches 

    Speech at the Forum on Great Decisions in the Economic Crisis,
    College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio

    
Bernanke,
    The Federal Reserve's Balance Sheet

    
from FRB: Speeches 

    Speech at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond 2009 Credit Markets
    Symposium, Charlotte, North Carolina

    
April
    3, 2009 TREASURY TAX AND LOAN

    
from FMS Publications 

    Updated 4/3/2009: April 3, 2009 TREASURY TAX AND LOAN INVESTMENT
    PROGRAM NOTICE OF TRANSFERS Action Percentage 1/Balance Date
    Due Date Amount (Millions) C Call 38% 04-03-2009 04-03-2009 $
    1,057 A Call 100
 

    
April
    3, 2009 TREASURY TAX AND LOAN

    
from FMS Publications 

    Updated 4/3/2009: April 3, 2009 TREASURY TAX AND LOAN INVESTMENT
    PROGRAM RESULTS OF TRANSFERS Action Percentage 1/Balance Date
    Due Date Amount (Millions) C Call 37% 04-02-2009 04-02-2009 $
    1,039 1/Actions based on known balances are reported as dollars
    and listed here as N/A. Actions that refer to future balances
    are

    DTS:
    April 02 2009

    from FMS Publications 

    Updated 4/3/2009: 1 DAILY TREASURY STATEMENT PAGE: 1 Cash and
    debt operations of the United States Treasury Thursday April
    02, 2009 (Detail, rounded in millions, may not add to totals)
    _ TABLE I Operating Cash Balance | _ |

    
DTS:
    April 02 2009

    
from FMS Publications 

    Updated 4/3/2009: DAILY TREASURY STATEMENT Cash and debt operations
    of the United States Treasury Thursday, April 2, 2009 (Detail,
    rounded in millions, may not add to totals) TABLE I—Operating
    Cash Balance Type of account Closing balance today Opening balance
    Today This month This fiscal year Federal Reserve Account
 

    
Summary
    Status of FACTS II Submissions by Agency Reports

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/3/2009: A new report, Summary Status of FACTS II Submissions
    by Agency, is now available on the FACTS II Web site. This report
    displays the number of TAFS (Treasury Account Fund Symbols) assigned
    to each agency and the status of TAFS (as submitted or not submitted).
    The report also is accessible through the OMB Web site: www.

    
Regulations
    and Guidance: FACTS I: Programs and Systems

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/2/2009: I TFM 2-4700: Agency Reporting Requirements
    for the Financial Report of the United States Government

    
Overview:
    GFRS/FACTS I/IFCS: Programs and Systems

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/2/2009: These resources provide guidance on operations
    and development issues associated with Federal Agencies' Centralized
    Trial-Balance System (FACTS I) reporting in preparation of the
    Financial Report of the United States Government
 

    
Reclassified
    Balance as of September 30

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/2/2009: Reclassified Balance Sheet as of September
    30, 2009, and 2008 Assets: Fiscal 2009 Fiscal 2008 Non-Federal
    Cash and other monetary assets X X Accounts and taxes receivable
    X X Loans receivable X X Inventory and related property X X Property,
    plant, and equipment X X Securities and investments X X Inv

    
Statement:
    Balance Debit/Credit) Reclass Entry No. F/N Agency Line Item

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/2/2009: Statement: Balance Sheet Debit/Credit) Reclass
    Entry No. F/N Agency Line Item Agency Amount F/N Closing Package
    Line Item Reclassified Amount Variance R-1 F Fund Balance With
    Treasury 6,766,494) F Fund Balance With Treasury 6,766,494 0
    R-2 F Investments 17,083) F Federal Investments 17,083 0 R-3
    F A

    
Federal
    Trading Partner Department Codes for the Governmentwide Financial
    Report

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/2/2009: Federal Trading Partner Department Codes for
    the Governmentwide Financial Report System (GFRS) and Federal
    Agencies’ Centralized Trial-Balance System I (FACTS I) The
    following crosswalk provides Federal trading partner codes required
    for GFRS and FACTS I. These codes are used to facilitate the
    prepa
 

    
Reciprocal
    Categories Crosswalk to Financial Statements

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/2/2009: Reciprocal Categories Crosswalk to Financial
    Statements The chart below lists the reciprocal categories agencies
    use to prepare the Closing Package financial statements in the
    Governmentwide Financial Report System (GFRS) The financial statement
    line items contained in the Closing Package financial

    
Federal
    Intragovernmental Transactions Categories of Reciprocal US

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/2/2009: Federal Intragovernmental Transactions Categories
    of Reciprocal U.S. Standard General Ledger Proprietary Accounts
    Category Category Name Pairing of Accounts Receiving Agency Providing
    Agency USSGL Account USSGL Account Title USSGL Account USSGL
    Account Title 01 Federal Investments/Debt 1610F(20) Inv

    
Agency
    Name Four-Digit Agency Code INSTRUCTIONS: Next

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/2/2009: Agency Name Four-Digit Agency Code INSTRUCTIONS:
    Next to each category enter "Yes, "No, or "N/A"
    to indicate whether criteria has been met. Briefly describe reasons
    for exceptions. Provide an electronic file copy of the CFO Representations
    for Federal Intragovernmental Activity and Balances along wi
 

    
Budget
    Subfunction (BSF) Codes Code Name 051

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/2/2009: Budget Subfunction (BSF) Codes Code Name 051
    Department of Defense–Military 053 Atomic Energy Defense
    Activities 054 Defense-Related Activities 151 International Development
    and Humanitarian Assistance 152 International Security Assistance
    153 Conduct of Foreign Affairs 154 Foreign Information and E

    
Quarterly
    Agency IRAS Data File Submission

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/2/2009: Quarterly Agency IRAS Data File Submission
    - Description and Formats Beginning 3rd Quarter, FY 2009, agencies
    are required to submit a full ATB text file. This file must include
    all of the nonfederal as well as federal accounts (See section
    4706.30b) In an effort to streamline FMS quarterly agency I

    
Fiscal
    2009 USSGL Account Attributes Required for..

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/2/2009: Fiscal 2009 USSGL Account Attributes Required
    for FACTS I Reporting USSGL Account USSGL Attributes No. USSGL
    Account Title Normal Bal. Ind. Debit (D) Credit (C) Adjusted
    Trial-Balances Federal (F) Non-Federal (N) Both (Y) Trading Partner
    Yes (Y) Exchange (X) Nonexch. (T) Both (Y) Budget Subfunction
 

    
Section
    4701 Scope and Applicability All agencies must..

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/2/2009: Section 4701—Scope and Applicability All
    agencies must provide FMS with required fiscal yearend data that
    will be used to prepare the FR. All verifying agencies (see Figure
    1) must submit their financial data using the Closing Package
    process via GFRS and FACTS I. All nonverifying agencies must
    subm

    
Summary
    of Changes TFM Chapter Section Item

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/3/2009: Summary of Changes TFM Chapter Section Item
    Revision Change Note: The following terms used in this document
    are described below: Updated –The information has been changed
    to reflect the current period. Revised – The information
    has been modified from the prior-year’s presentation. Deleted
    – The info

    
Overview
    of the FR Notes Layout

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/3/2009: Overview of the FR Notes Layout The FR Notes
    are directly linked to the amounts that have been reclassified
    in the Closing Package and not necessarily to the notes in the
    agencies’ audited financial statements. Thus, agencies must
    enter a reference to their agency financial statement notes in
    the “A
 

    
Other
    Financial Report (FR) Notes Data

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/3/2009: Other Financial Report (FR) Notes Data and
    Instructions Other FR Notes Data includes stewardship information,
    supplemental information, and all other disclosures required
    for the FR not collected in the FR Notes. In the Governmentwide
    Financial Report System (GFRS) the information in Other FR Notes

    
Overview
    of the Other FR Notes Layout

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/3/2009: Overview of the Other FR Notes Layout The Other
    FR Notes Data are necessary for capturing additional information
    to the footnotes in the agencies audited financial statements.
    Agencies must enter a reference to their agency financial statement
    notes in the “Agency Notes” field. This reference should

    
Regulations
    and Guidance: FACTS I: Programs and Systems

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/3/2009: I TFM 2-4700: Agency Reporting Requirements
    for the Financial Report of the United States Government
 

    
Financial
    Report (FR) Notes and Instructions Agencies

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/3/2009: Financial Report (FR) Notes and Instructions
    Agencies are required to submit FR Notes based on amounts shown
    in the reclassified non-Federal line items on the Closing Package
    Balance Sheet. Additional notes are required based on disclosure
    standards (for example, dedicated collections, commitments,

    
Financial
    Institution Information Financial Institution Name Routing/Transit

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/3/2009: Financial Institution Information Financial
    Institution Name Routing/Transit Number Address City/State/Zip
    Phone Attendees (Attach a separate sheet for more attendees)
    Name Title E-mail Name Title E-mail Check here if you require
    special services/access. Please attach a written description
    of need.

    
Commissioner
    Judith R. Tillman Retires: Press Release

    
from FMS Press Releases 

    Updated 4/3/2009: Press Release
 

    
Overview:
    News from the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs

    
from FMS Press Releases 

    Updated 4/3/2009: The Financial Management Service's (FMS) Office
    of Legislative and Public Affairs serves as the Financial Management
    Service’s liaison with congress, the public and the news
    media. FMS provides central payment services for federal program
    agencies, operates the federal government's collections and deposit
    systems, prov

    
Press
    Materials: Legislative & Public Affairs

    
from FMS Press Releases 

    Updated 4/3/2009: The Financial Management Service's (FMS) Office
    of Legislative and Public Affairs serves as the Financial Management
    Service’s liaison with congress, the public and the news
    media. FMS provides central payment services for federal program
    agencies, operates the federal government's collections and deposit
    systems, prov

    
Secretary
    Salazar will Join Governor Jon Corzine and U.S. Senator Robert
    Menendez at Tour of New Jersey Wind Farm

    
from DOI News Releases 

    Monday, April, 6, 2009. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
    will join New Jersey Governor John Corzine and U.S. Senator Robert
    Menendez on a tour of the New Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm in Atlantic
    City where the Secretary will be briefed on the wind turbine
    system at the facility.
 

    
New
    USGS Study Documents Rapid Disappearance of Antarctica’s
    Ice Shelves

    
from DOI News Releases 

    Antarctica’s glaciers are melting more rapidly than previously
    known because of climate change, according to a new U.S. Geological
    Survey report prepared in close collaboration with the British
    Antarctic Survey.

    DNI
    Appoints New Inspector General

    
Obama
    engages allies

    
from CNN.com - Video 

    Ed Henry reports how Obama is building relationships with other
    countries.
 

    
VIDEO:
    Obama briefs nation on G-20

    
from CNN.com - Video 

    Pres. Barack Obama gives his post G-20 address to the nation.

    
Carville:
    Obama has best day as president

    
from CNN.com - Politics 

    If a statesman is one who looks to the next generation and a
    politician one who looks to the next election, a political consultant
    must be one who looks to the next tracking poll. Well, I'll go
    one better and just look at today -- April 2, 2009.

    
U.S.,
    Europe need to drop attitudes, Obama says

    
from CNN.com - Politics 

    President Obama on Friday called on Europe and the United States
    to drop negative attitudes toward each other and said "unprecedented
    coordination" is needed to confront the global economic
    crisis.
 

    
Intelligence
    chief replaces inspector general

    
from CNN.com - Politics 

    The Director of National Intelligence is replacing the agency's
    inspector general just days after the public release of a blistering
    report critical of the DNI's office.

    
CIA
    World Factbook Updates - April 3, 2009

    
from CIA Library 

    April 3, 2009 - In addition to regular country updates, The World
    Factbook has adjusted the statistics for GDP at purchasing power
    parity and now presents three years worth of data, in 2008 US
    dollars.

    

    
VIDEO:
    Kevin Hall, McClatchy Newspapers, National Economics Correspondent

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Kevin Hall discusses the financial agreement reached yesterday
    by G20 leaders at the London summit that calls for an additional
    $1 trillion to aid the world economy. These funds will be made
    available through the International Monetary Fund, the World
    Bank, and other institutions as part of an extensive package
    of measures to overcome the global financial and economic crisis.


    Length: 29 min.

    
Published: Friday at 7am (ET)
 

    
VIDEO:
    Joint Economic Cmte. Hearing

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Keith Hall goes over
    the recent developments in the labor market before the Joint
    Economic Cmte. The new BLS report is expected to show job loss
    numbers than originally forecasted.

    Length: 1 hr. 9 min.

    
Published: Friday at 9:30am (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    State Department Press Briefing

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Acting Spokesman Robert Wood conducted a daily briefing at the
    State Department. Mr. Wood answered reporters' questions about
    the ongoing threat of a missile test launch by North Korea. 

    Length: 24 min.

    
Published: Friday at 11am (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Pres. Obama Town Hall in Strasbourg, France

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Following the G20 Economic Summit in London, Pres. Obama headed
    to Strasbourg, France, for a NATO Summit and memorial events.
    While in Strasbourg, the president spoke at a town hall meeting
    to local residents about international issues.

    Length: 1 hr. 5 min.

    
Published: Friday at 8:15am (ET)
 

    
VIDEO:
    House Armed Services Cmte. Hearing on the Strategy for Afghanistan
    and Pakistan

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) holds a hearing on the new strategy
    for Afghanistan and Pakistan and developments in U.S. Central
    Command and Special Operations Command. Gen. David Petraeus,
    U.S. Central Command, commander gives testimony on issues including:
    an exit date and/or exit strategy for Afghanistan; how the new
    strategy will address corruption in Afghanistan; and funding
    for U.S. initiatives in Pakistan.

    Length: 2 hr. 41 min.

    
Published: Thursday at 5pm (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    House Transportation Submte. Hearing on Washington DC Disaster
    Readinessfrom C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) chaired a House Transportation
    & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public
    Buildings, and Emergency Management hearing to examine disaster
    response readiness for the national capital region. Officials
    from FEMA and local emergency response agencies testified before
    the subcommittee.

    Length: 4 hr. 11 min.

    
Published: Friday at 10am (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    ACA Pres. & CEO Matthew Polka, Comcast Chairman Brian Roberts
    & NBC Pres. Bonnie Hammer

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    The Communicators went on location to the NCTA show to interview
    cable television industry leaders. First, Comcast Chairman Brian
    Roberts discusses future technologies that Comcast will be using.
    Next, Bonnie Hammer, president of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment
    talks about how NBC Universal is responding to changes TV's business
    models. Then, American Cable Association Pres. & CEO Matthew
    Polka explains how federal regulations affect smaller cable operations.


    Length:

    
Published: Today at 6:30pm (ET)
 

    
VIDEO:
    A&C: Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts talked about
    on his administrative duties as Chief, how he assigns opinion
    writing to the Supreme Court Justices, and the legacy of former
    Chief Justice William Rehnquist. This event took place at the
    University of Arizona Law School in Tucson, Arizona on February
    4th. 

    Length: 1 hr.

    
Published: Today at 7pm (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Lincoln 200 Years Programming

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    To conclude our year-long special programming marking the 2009
    bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, we take viewers to Springfield,
    Illinois and inside the home Lincoln shared with his wife and
    children before leaving for the White House.

    Length:

    
Published: Today at 8pm (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Theo Francis, Business Week, Financial Correspondent

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Theo Francis discusses the state of the U.S. economy and recent
    leading economic indicators; including Friday's announcement
    that the nation's unemployment rate jumped to 8.5 percent in
    March.

    Length:

    
Published: Today at 7:30am (ET)
 

    
VIDEO:
    Robert Hunter, Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO, 1993-98

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Robert Hunter gives us his insight into NATO's history; it's
    purpose, the organization's future and what the 28 country leaders
    meeting focus should be.

    Length:

    
Published: Today at 8am (ET)

    
Obama
    welcomes Albania, Croatia to NATO

    
from AP Top Headlines At 4:24 a.m. EST
    by By ROBERT BURNS

    STRASBOURG, France (AP) -- Asserting his voice at NATO, President
    Barack Obama on Saturday welcomed Albania and Croatia to the
    alliance and declared to other nations that "the door to
    membership will remain open."...

    
Amnesty
    International to Urge U.S. Representatives and Senators to Fully
    Investigate Past Abuses in War on Terror

    
from Amnesty International USA: Most Recent
    English News Releases 

    Amnesty International members and other activists will be meeting
    with their U.S. representatives and senators from April 6-17
    to urge Congress to fully investigate the U.S. government?s abuses
    in the war on terror and hold accountable those responsible.
    The human rights organization is calling on President Barack
    Obama and the U.S. Congress to create an independent and impartial
    commission to examine the use of torture, indefinite detention,
    secret renditions and other illegal U.S. counterterrorism policies.
 

    
Afghanistan:
    Human Rights "Hang in the Balance" at NATO Summit on
    Afghanistan, Says Amnesty International

    
from Amnesty International USA: Most Recent
    English News Releases 

    Commenting on the NATO summit on Afghanistan set to begin in
    Strasbourg today, Amnesty International Asia Pacific program
    director Sam Zarifi said:

    
N.
    Korean Missile Launch Would be 'Counterproductive,' Official
    Says

    
from American Forces Information Services
    - News Articles 

    A potential North Korean test launch of a three-stage missile
    would have a negative impact on efforts to lessen tensions in
    the region.

    
Youth
    Have 'Tremendous Responsibility' Amid Global Crossroads, Obama
    Says

    
from American Forces Information Services
    - News Articles 

    Young people have a "tremendous responsibility" in
    determining the way forward, President Barack Obama told about
    300 students and young professionals from about 50 countries
    attending the NATO Youth Summit in Strasbourg, France.
 

    
Obama,
    Sarkozy Share Views on NATO, Russia, Afghanistan

    
from American Forces Information Services
    - News Articles 

    French President Nicolas Sarkozy remembered the Americans "who
    fought and died for us" at Normandy as he called for greater
    integration between the United States and Europe under the North
    Atlantic Treaty Organization.

    
Gates
    Touts New Strategy on Afghan Television

    
from American Forces Information Services
    - News Articles 

    The United States does not want to remain in Afghanistan one
    day longer than it has to, but the mission will take time, Defense
    Secretary Robert M. Gates said during an interview with Afghan
    television.

    
NATO
    Council Formally Welcomes Albania, Croatia

    
from American Forces Information Services
    - News Articles 

    NATO marked 60 years of operation by welcoming two new countries
    – Albania and Croatia – to the alliance during a ceremony
    in Strasbourg
 

    
Heads
    of State Honor NATO Military Personnel

    
from American Forces Information Services
    - News Articles 

    President Barack Obama and heads of state representing the other
    28 NATO member countries honored NATO military personnel who
    died in service of the alliance's mission during a ceremony on
    the banks of the historic Rhine River in Strasbourg, France.

    
As
    Congress Recesses, Campaign for Employee Free Choice Goes into
    High Gear

    
from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by Seth Michaels

    Members of Congress return to their districts this weekend for
    a two-week recess, and when they get there, they’ll be greeted
    with unprecedented grassroots energy in support of the Employee
    Free Choice Act.

    

    
Moyers
    Highlights Jobs with Justice Organizer, Employee Free Choice

    
from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by Seth Michaels



    On this past week’s “Bill Moyers Journal” on PBS,
    Moyers took a look at the battle for worker freedom during our
    current economic crisis. It’s a great segment that highlights
    James Thindwa, head of the Chicago chapter of Jobs with Justice
    (JwJ), and the fight to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. 

    


    
New
    Perkins Center to Honor ‘Woman Behind New Deal’

    
from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by James Parks



    Today, as in 1933, the nation faces serious economic uncertainty.
    As we struggle to find new answers, we look to the example of
    Frances Perkins, labor secretary during Franklin Roosevelt’s
    administration, for inspiration.

    

    
Weekly
    Address: President Obama Hails Unprecedented G-20 Action

    
In his weekly address, President Barack
    Obama praised the agreement of the G-20 nations to act together
    as a turning point in this global economic slump. With the American
    economy inextricably linked to the global economy, global coordination
    is needed to restore lending, spur job growth, reform financial
    regulation and ultimately fix our economy. The President also
    discussed his meetings with Chinese President Hu, Russian President
    Medvedev, and America’s NATO allies. 

    

    Message
    to the Senate Concerning the Annex VI of the Antarctic Treaty

    With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate
    to ratification, I transmit herewith Annex VI on Liability Arising
    From Environmental Emergencies to the Protocol on Environmental
    Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (Annex VI), adopted on June
    14, 2005, at the twenty-eighth Antarctic Treaty Consultative
    Meeting held in Stockholm, Sweden.

    


    President
    Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 4/3/09

    Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate
    the following individuals to key administration posts: Peter
    S. Silva, Assistant Administrator for Water Programs, Environmental
    Protection Agency; and Martha Johnson, Administrator, General
    Services Administration.

    

    Nominations
    Sent to the Senate, 4/2/09

    Financial
    Disclosure Reports Now Available

    SF 278 Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure
    reports for White House officials are now available. For the
    first time, reporters and interested parties will be able to
    request online those reports they would like to review. 

    


    Gaggle
    by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Aboard AF1 en route
    Strasbourg 4-3-2009

    Statement
    By The President On Senate Passage Of FY10 Budget

    Tonight, the Senate has joined the House of Representatives in
    taking an important step toward rebuilding our struggling economy.


    

    Statement
    By The President On House Passage Of FY10 Budget

    Tonight, the House of Representatives took another step toward
    rebuilding our struggling economy. This budget resolution embraces
    our most fundamental priorities: an energy plan that will end
    our dependence on foreign oil and spur a new clean energy economy;
    an education system that will ensure our children will be able
    to compete in the economy of the 21st century; and health care
    reform that finally confronts the back-breaking costs plaguing
    families, businesses and government alike. And by making hard
    choices and challenging the old ways of doing business, we will
    cut in half the budget deficit we inherited within four years.
    With this vote comes an obligation to pursue our efforts to go
    through the budget line-by-line, searching for additional savings.
    Like the families we serve, we must cut the things we don't need
    to invest in those we do.” 

    


    Statement
    Following President Obama's Meeting with President Lee of the
    Republic of Korea

    PRESIDENT
    BARACK OBAMA'S WEEKLY VIDEO ADDRESS April 4, 2009

    The President discusses the breadth and depth of the global challenges
    we face, as well as our potential to address them through renewed
    international alliances. (watch now)

    

    President's
    Weekly Address: The Challenges of Our Time
 

    "An
    Exciting Public-Private Partnership Story in the Works"

    A
    Town Hall in Strasbourg

    Open
    for Questions Follow-up: Kareem Dale
 

    No
    Obama Fatigue

    Despite his recent media blitz, Poll Tracker shows the American
    public isn't tired of President Obama

    Little
    Change in Ratings for Bush, Cheney

    Gallup: "Neither George W. Bush's deliberate silence about
    the Obama administration nor Dick Cheney's ready criticism of
    it appear to have altered U.S. public perceptions about either
    man. The former president and former vice president are each
    viewed unfavorably by 63% of Americans, very similar to where
    they stood with the public in their final White House years."
    

    
Democrats
    warn that GOP is trying to 'steal' New York election like 2000

    Posted: 01:14 PM ET

    
From CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby

    
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Congressional Democrats
    are hopping mad that Republicans are accusing them of trying
    to "steal" the special election in New York's 20th
    congressional district.

    


    
Polls:
    Majority of Americans oppose gay marriage

    Posted: 03:50 PM ET

    
From CNN Deputy Political Director Paul
    Steinhauser

    The Majority of Americans don't think gay marriages should be
    legal

    WASHINGTON (CNN) – A majority of Americans don't think gay
    marriages should be legal. 

    

    CNN
    Radio Political Notebook: Obama at the G20

    Posted: 04:08 PM ET

    (CNN) – CNN Senior White House Correspondent Ed Henry is
    in Europe with President Barack Obama for the G20 and NATO summits.

    

    
Virginia
    Democrats blast Huckabee for 'Beltway' comments

    Posted: 04:29 PM ET

    
From CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby

    


    Huckabee told voters in Appalachia that northern Virginians have
    it easier.

    WASHINGTON (CNN) – Virginia Democrats are eagerly pouncing
    on Mike Huckabee for telling an audience in Appalachia that voters
    in northern Virginia "aren't necessarily thinking the same
    way folks like you and me think."

    


    Obama
    briefs nation on G-20 from Air Force One

    Posted: 09:03 AM ET

    Obama
    lauds NATO allies' pledges of Afghan support

    Posted: 11:43 AM ET



    President Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel greet other
    leaders Saturday at the NATO summit.

    STRASBOURG, France (CNN) — President Obama on Saturday said
    he is "pleased that our NATO allies pledged their strong
    and unanimous support" for the new U.S. strategy toward
    fighting militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

    

    
NATO
    official: Summit ‘delivers’ on Afghanistan

    Posted: 09:36 AM ET

    NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said Saturday that
    “when it comes to Afghanistan, this summit and this alliance
    has delivered.”

    
He was speaking at a press conference with
    French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela
    Merkel.

    


    NATO
    commits troops, police trainers to Afghanistan

    Posted: 10:16 AM ET

    STRASBOURG, France (CNN) — America’s NATO allies in
    Afghanistan are committing 3,000 combat troops and 400 more paramilitary
    trainers to the fight against the Taliban, White House spokesman
    Robert Gibbs said Saturday.

    

    NATO
    allies commit around 5,000 more troops to Afghanistan

    Posted: 12:07 PM ET

    STRASBOURG, France (CNN) — America’s NATO allies in
    Afghanistan are

    committing 5,000 more troops to the fight against the Taliban,
    White House

    spokesman Robert Gibbs said Saturday. 

    

    Advantages of Near-shoring in a Down Market
    – More Than Just an Alternative to India

    With recent significant shifts in the global economy – including
    supplier challenges in the South Asian / Indian marketplace –
    many global sourcing executives have adopted a more risk-averse
    approach to their global outsourcing portfolio. By effectively
    managing risk in this area, companies can attain a prudent and
    necessary means for ensuring supplier stability, less volatility
    in certain markets and enhanced skill-set options vis-à-vis
    regional workforces.

    Join us for an insightful and interactive Webinar discussion
    that will highlight the advantages of Latin America as an emerging
    sourcing destination and offer definitive examples of how this
    region (particularly Brazil) has long been a compelling and competitive
    destination for IT outsourcing across many key industries.

    In addition to the above, you will learn:

    Advantages of the near-shoring model 

    Overview of Brazil as a leading near-shore destination 

    Analysis of location-driven cost differences and typical FTE
    rates between Brazil and India 

    Trends in outsourcing and how emerging destinations (such as
    Brazil) are affecting this landscape 

    Our experienced point of view on whether Total Cost of Ownership
    is concept or reality 

    Click
    here to register for this free Webinar.
 

    FSIS
    Notice 24-09 

    Child Nutrition (CN) Labeled Products 

    
Attorney
    General's Speeches for U.S. Department of Justice

    
This page has recently been updated with
    the following: 

    Remarks
    as Prepared for Delivery by Attorney General Eric Holder at the
    Mexico/United States Arms Trafficking Conference 

    
Casey Memorial Library, Fort Hood is offering
    the following items. Most have never been circulated, some are
    missing dust jackets and some are elderly. Please email jane.mohammadi@us.army.mil
    before April 9, 2009 if you would like any of these items.

    
Adler, Elizabeth Fortune is a Woman

    Adler, Elizabeth The Secret of the Villa Mimosa

    Adler, Warren Banquet before Dawn

    Aguilera-Malta, Demetrio Seven Serpents & Seven Moons

    Alther, Lisa Other Women

    Amato, Antony Affair

    Ansell, Jack Giants

    Anthony, Evelyn Exposure

    Anthony, Evelyn The Return

    Anthony, Evelyn Mission to Malaspiga

    Chase-Riboud, Barbara Valide

    Cherryh, C. J Brothers of Earth

    Cornwell, Patricia Hornet’s Nest

    Cornwell, Patricia Point of Origin

    Cornwell, Patricia The Last Precinct

    Dailey, Janet Heiress

    Dailey, Janet Rivals

    Dailey, Janet This Calder Range

    Deveraux, Jude Remembrance

    Deveraux, Jude The Blessing

    Diski, Jenny Nothing Natural

    Dunne, John Gregory True Confessions

    Eden, Dorothy The Time of the Dragon

    Ferrars, E.X Woman Slaughter

    Francis, Dick Wild Horses

    Francis, Dick Driving Force

    Freedman, J.F Against the Wind

    Gross, Joel The Books of Rachel

    Hailey, Arthur Wheels

    Haines, Pamela The Diamond Waterfall

    Harris, Marilyn The Eden Passion

    Hawkey, Raymond Wild Card

    Hutchings, Janet ed. Once Upon a Crime

    Hill, Fiona Sweet’s Folly

    Hintze, Naomi You’ll Like my Mother

    Howe, Melodie The Mother Shadow

    Jaffe, Rona Mazes and Monsters

    Jaffe, Rona An American Love Story

    Jagger, Brenda Distant Choices

    James, Donald Once a Gentleman

    James, P.D Devices and Desires

    Jenkins, Elizabeth Dr. Gully’s Story

    Jenkins, Jerry B. Hometown Legend

    Johansen, Iris On the Run

    Jolis, Alan Mercedes and the House of Rainbow

    Kavanagh, John Patrick Sixers

    Kemelman, Harry On Fine Day the Rabbi Bought a Cross

    Kingsbury, Donald Courtship Rite

    Krantz, Judith Mistral’s Daughter

    Kurtz, Katherine Quest for Saint Camber

    Laker, Rosalind Claudine’s Daughter

    Levin, Ira The Boys from Brazil

    Lieberman, Herbert Night Call from a Distant Time Zone

    Lindsey, David A Cold Mind

    Lindsey, Johanna Say You Love Me

    Littell, Robert The Once and Future Spy

    Llewellyn, Caroline Life Blood

    Llewellyn, Morgan Wind from Hastings

    Lovsey, Peter Waxwork

    Lowell, Elizabeth Winter Fire

    Ludlum, Robert The Aquitaine Progression

    Ludlum, Robert The Bjourne Supremacy

    Luke, Mary The Nonsuch Lure

    MacInnes, Helen The Hidden Target

    MacInnes, Helen Agent in Place

    MacInnes, Helen The Snare of the Hunter

    MacInnes, Helen The Unforgiven

    Mailer, Norman Ancient Evenings

    Malerba, Luigi What is this buzzing? Do you hear it too?

    Mann, Jessica Grave Goods

    Markstein, George The Cooler

    Matthews, Patricia Dancer of Dreams

    Matthews, Patricia Embers of Dawn

    Maybury, Anne The Terracotta Palace

    Maybury, Anne Jessamy Court

    McCullough, Colleen An Indecent Obsession

    McInerny, Ralph Seed of Doubt

    McNeile, H.C Bulldog Drummond Returns

    Michener, James Texas

    Newcomb, Kerry Sacred is the Wind

    Newcomb, Kerry Morning Star

    Nicholson, Christina Power and the Passion

    Safire, William Full Disclosure

    Segal, Erich Dcotors

    Selinko, Annemarie Desiree

    Sheldon, Sidney Nothing Lasts Forever

    Sheldon, Sidney The Stars Shine Down

    Sheldon, Sidney Memories of Midnight

    Sheldon, Sidney Windmills of the Gods

    Sheldon, Sidney The Sands of Time

    Sheldon, Sidney Morning, Noon & Night

    Shine, Frances Conjuror’s Journal

    Shuler, Linda She Who Remembers

    Singer, June Brilliant Divorces

    Slaughter, Frank Plague Ship

    Slaughter, Frank Women in White

    Spindler, Erica Shocking in Pink

    Sproul, R.C Johnny Come Home

    Steel, Danielle Message from Nam

    Steel, Danielle No Greater Love

    Steel, Danielle Wings

    Susann, Jacqueline The Love Machine

    Taylor, Domini Gemini

    Thayer, Nancy Everlasting

    Thayer, Nancy Family Secrets

    Thomas, D.M Sphinx

    Thomas, Rosie All My Sins

    Thomas, Rosie A Woman of our Times

    Thompson, Thomas Celebrity

    Thomson, David Silver Light

    Thorp, Roderick Rainbow Drive

    Toland, John Occupation

    Topper, Suzanne Pulse Points

    Trevor, William Felicia’s Journey

    Tuohy, Frank The Collected Stories

    Tynan, Kathleen Agatha

    Vinge, Vernor Across Realtime

    Wambaugh, Joseph Secrets of Harry Bright

    Wambaugh, Joseph Fugitive Nights

    Watson, Ian The Books of the Black Current

    Weenolsen, Hebe The Trial of Jenny Sykes

    Weinberg, Robert ed. 100 Crooked Little Crime Stories

    West, Rebecca Cousin Roasmund

    White, Leslie The Highland Hawk

    Whitney, Phyllis Woman Without a past

    Wilkes, Roger ed. Unsolved Crimes

    Williamson, Jack Humanoid Touch

    Winston, Daoma The Lotterie$

    Wolfe, Gene The Citadel of the Autarch

    Woods, Stuart The Run

    1980 Annual World’s Best SF
 

    
Statistics for the U.S. Department of
    Labor

    
This information has recently been updated.


    The following statistics were updated: 

    Unemployment Rate (UR), Payroll Employment (PE), Average Hourly
    Earnings (AHE)

    
View the latest
    DOL statistics. 

    
Cms.hhs.gov-
    Mandatory Insurer Reporting for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
    Services (CMS)

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    Statement
    from Secretary Napolitano on Her Meetings in Mexico

    Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:00:00 -0500

    Statement from U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary
    Janet Napolitano on her meetings in Mexico on Thursday, April
    2, 2009.
 

    
Daily
    Open Source Infrastructure Report for U.S. Department of Homeland
    Security

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    April
    3, 2009 - DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report, (PDF,
    17 pages - 149 KB)

    The latest Employment Situation news release

    (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf)

    was issued today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

    The latest Commissioner's Statement on
    the Employment Situation

    (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/jec.pdf)

    was issued today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
 

    Sailors
    Bring Medical Care to Honduran Villages 

    Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:00:00 -0500 

    What's
    New section on the National Security Division's home page on the U.S. Department of Justice web site has
    been updated

    Connecticut
    Resident Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Tax Fraud Conspiracy
    Involving New York City Hospital 

    Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:37:42 -0500 

    A Trumball, Conn., resident who was involved in operating three
    businesses in Brooklyn, N.Y., pleaded guilty to conspiring to
    defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Department of
    Justice announced today. 


    Two
    Former Home Depot Employees Sentenced to Prison for Participating
    in Vendor Kickback Scheme 

    Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:34:11 -0500 

    Ronald K. Johnston, 37, and James P. Robinson, 43, both of Atlanta,
    were sentenced this week to federal prison by United States District
    Judge Richard W. Story on charges of conspiracy to commit wire
    fraud and filing false tax returns in connection with a scheme
    to defraud Home Depot. 

    Secretary
    Napolitano Praises Confirmation of Incoming Deputy Secretary

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:00:00 -0500

    Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano praises
    confirmation of incoming Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute on Friday,
    April 3, 2009. Ms. Lute will serve as the second-most senior
    official at the Department.

    Two
    Individuals Convicted on Charges of Conspiracy and Bribery in
    Connection with a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans Levee
    Reconstruction Project 

    Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:27:29 -0500 

    A former contract employee of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
    and a dirt, sand and gravel subcontractor were both convicted
    on charges of conspiracy and bribery in connection with a $16
    million hurricane protection project for the reconstruction of
    the Lake Cataouatche Levee, south of New Orleans, the U.S. Department
    of Justice announced today. 


    
FDIC Issues List of Banks Examined for
    CRA Compliance

    
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

    April 3, 2009 Media Contact: 

    David Barr (202-898-6992)

    
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
    (FDIC) today issued its list of state nonmember banks recently
    evaluated for compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act
    (CRA). The list covers evaluation ratings that the FDIC assigned
    to institutions in January 2009. The CRA is a 1977 law intended
    to encourage insured banks and thrifts to meet local credit needs,
    including those of low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent
    with safe and sound operations. As part of the Financial Institutions
    Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA), Congress
    mandated the public disclosure of an evaluation and rating for
    each bank or thrift that undergoes a CRA examination on or after
    July 1, 1990. 

    A consolidated list of all state nonmember banks whose evaluations
    have been made publicly available since July 1, 1990, including
    the rating for each bank, can be obtained from the FDIC's Public
    Information Center, located at 3501 Fairfax Drive, Room E-1002,
    Arlington, VA 22226 (877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200), or via the
    Internet at www.fdic.gov.


    A copy of an individual bank's CRA evaluation is available directly
    from the bank, which is required by law to make the material
    available upon request, or from the FDIC's Public Information
    Center. 

    ### 

    Attachments: 

    April
    2009 List of Banks Examined for CRA Compliance 

    FastStats A to Z, we wanted you to know we
    recently updated this
    page

    
NCHS
    Data Brief for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 


    


    
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

    Office of Thrift Supervision

    
NR 2009-37

    For Immediate Release

    April 3, 2009

    
OCC and OTS Release Mortgage Metrics
    Report for Fourth Quarter 2008


    

    
WASHINGTON — The Office of the Comptroller
    of the Currency and the Office of Thrift Supervision today jointly
    released their quarterly report on first lien mortgage performance
    for the fourth quarter of 2008. The report covers mortgages serviced
    by nine large banks and four thrifts, constituting approximately
    two-thirds of all outstanding mortgages in the United States.

    The report showed that credit quality continued to decline in
    the fourth quarter of 2008. At the end of the year, just under
    90 percent of mortgages were performing, compared with 93 percent
    at the end of September 2008. This decline in credit quality
    was evident in all loan risk categories, with subprime mortgages
    showing the highest level of serious delinquencies. However,
    the biggest percentage jump was in prime mortgages, the lowest
    loan risk category and one that accounts for nearly two-thirds
    of all mortgages serviced by the reporting institutions. At the
    end of the fourth quarter, 2.4 percent of prime mortgages were
    seriously delinquent, more than double the 1.1 percent recorded
    at the end of March 2008.

    Home retention actions—loan modifications and payment plans—increased
    by more than 11 percent in the fourth quarter. Although the number
    of modifications increased in the fourth quarter, they declined
    as a percentage of all new home retention actions, from 52 percent
    in the second quarter, to 43 percent in the third quarter and
    40 percent in the fourth quarter. This declining percentage may
    have resulted from the growing prevalence of “trial”
    modifications reported as payment plans.

    Consistent with last quarter’s findings, the report also
    showed that re-default rates on modified mortgages were both
    high and rising during the first three quarters of 2008, with
    loans modified in the third quarter showing the highest re-default
    rates. For example, the percentage of modified loans that were
    seriously delinquent (60 or more days past due) after eight months
    was 41 percent for loans modified in the first quarter and 46
    percent for loans modified in the second quarter. The trend appeared
    to continue for loans modified during the third quarter.

    The reasons for high re-default rates are not clear. As noted
    in the previous quarter’s report, high re-defaults could
    be the result of a worsening economy, excessive borrower leverage,
    or poor initial underwriting.

    The report provides insights into the extent that changes in
    levels of monthly payments affect re-default rates. For this
    quarterly report, the OCC and OTS gathered re-default data on
    modifications in four categories: ones that (1) reduced monthly
    payments by more than 10 percent; (2) reduced monthly payments
    by 10 percent or less; (3) left monthly payments unchanged; and
    (4) increased monthly payments.

    Overall for 2008, about 42 percent of modified loans resulted
    in reduced payments, 27 percent in unchanged payments, and 32
    percent in increased payments. The proportion that reduced payments
    increased significantly in the fourth quarter, to more than 50
    percent of all modifications.

    Servicers cited several reasons for mortgage modifications that
    did not result in reduced payments. For example, a servicer could
    freeze an adjustable rate mortgage’s interest rate when
    the borrower faced the risk of imminent default, rather than
    allowing it to reset to the higher rate stated in the loan contract.
    Some modifications resulted in higher monthly payments because
    missed principal and interest payments were capitalized and added
    to the loan, which in more benign economic times could result
    in more sustainable modifications. Servicers also said their
    flexibility to reduce payments was in many cases constrained
    by servicing agreements with government-sponsored entities and
    other private investors that defined the type and the amount
    of modification permitted. Recent changes in some government
    agency and private label servicing standards should afford servicers
    substantially more flexibility in this regard.

    Re-default rates were consistently lower for modifications that
    resulted in lower monthly payments. When modifications decreased
    monthly payments by more than 10 percent, only about 23 percent
    of the loans became seriously delinquent six months later. By
    contrast, some 51 percent of the loans in which payments remained
    unchanged were seriously delinquent after six months. The comparable
    number for loan modifications in which payments increased was
    46 percent.

    “This new data shows that, in the current stressful environment,
    modification strategies that result in unchanged or increased
    mortgage payments run the risk of unacceptably high re-default
    rates. They should only be used on a case-by-case basis where
    borrowers and servicers can have confidence that the modification
    is likely to be sustainable,” said Comptroller of the Currency
    John C. Dugan. “The data also showed that modifications
    that reduced monthly payments significantly had much lower re-default
    rates. That result is fully in line with the approach taken in
    the Administration’s ‘Making Home Affordable’
    program, which is based on lowering monthly payments as the means
    to achieve sustainable modifications.”

    OTS Acting Director John E. Bowman noted that the types of loan
    modifications proving to be the most sustainable increased significantly
    from the third quarter to the fourth quarter. These modifications,
    which reduced homeowners’ monthly payments the most and
    resulted in fewer re-defaults, rose to more than 37 percent of
    all modifications, from 26 percent in the previous quarter.

    “The trend toward lowering payments to make home mortgages
    more affordable is moving in the right direction,” Bowman
    said. “The continuing decline in credit quality underscores
    the need for mortgage servicers to increase their efforts to
    modify home mortgages. Sustainable and affordable mortgages is
    a goal we all share for keeping more Americans in their homes.”

    Based on the results of the report, the OCC and OTS directed
    each of the banks and thrifts that provide data for the Mortgage
    Metrics report to assess their 2008 loan modifications, especially
    those that increased monthly payments or left them unchanged,
    to ensure that criteria applied to those loans, and to loans
    modified in the future, result in modifications that are affordable
    and sustainable.

    Attachments: 

    OCC and
    OTS Mortgage Metrics Report, Fourth Quarter 2008 

    OCC/OTS
    Mortgage Metrics – Loan Level Data Collection: Field Definitions


    ###

    Media Contacts:

    OCCBryan Hubbard202-874-5770

    OTSWilliam Ruberry202-906-6677

    
Cms.hhs.gov-
    Hospital Open Door Forums for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
    Services (CMS)

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    


    
Financing for Women and Minority Entrepreneurs
    

    Regardless of background, the most important factor in securing
    small business financing is a strong business plan. Having a
    good understanding of your business needs and a clear path to
    fulfill them is a great start to obtaining financial help to
    start or expand a business. 

    Keeping that in mind, additional resources are available to help
    the development of women and minority owned businesses. These
    opportunities are designed to maximize the potential of women
    and minority entrepreneurs and promote sustainability in the
    business community. Read
    more... 


    
Military
    Medical Digest for Military Health System

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    
U.S.
    Participation in the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago
    on April 17-19 

    Bureau of Public Affairs

    
Office of the Spokesman

    
Washington, DC

    
April 3, 2009

    NRC
    Schedules Open House to Answer Questions on 2008 Performance
    of Summer Nuclear Power Plant
 

    NIH
    Nanotechnology Task Force and the NIH Nanomedicine Roadmap Initiative
    Host NanoWeek 2009 

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:30:00 -0500 

    
US-CERT Current Activity

    
Microsoft Releases Security Advisory 969136

    
Original release date: April 3,Bureau of
    Public Affairs

    
Office of the Spokesman

    
Washington, 2009 at 8:47 am

    Last revised: April 3, 2009 at 8:47 am

    
Microsoft has released security advisory
    969136 to address reports of

    a vulnerability in Microsoft Office PowerPoint. By convincing
    a user

    to open a specially crafted Office file, a remote attacker may
    be able

    to gain access to the affected system with the same rights as
    the user

    running PowerPoint.

    
US-CERT encourages users and administrators
    to review Microsoft

    Security Advisory 969136 and implement the suggested workarounds

    listed in the advisory to help mitigate the risks.

    
US-CERT will provide additional information
    as it becomes available.

    
Relevant Url(s):

    <http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/969136.mspx>

    
====

    This entry is available at

    http://www.us-cert.gov/current/index.html#microsoft_releases_security_advisory_969136

    
ODEP - What's New for United States
    Department of Labor

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now
    available. 


    
Chicago
    Field Division for The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
    Explosives

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available

    
Houston
    Field Division for The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
    Explosives

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    NRC
    Schedules Open House on Performance of Watts Bar Unit 1 Followed
    by Meeting to Discuss Unit 2 Construction
 

    
Boston
    Field Division for The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
    Explosives

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    
Today's environmental tip: Heading to
    the beach? Check out the beach water before you go!

    
We Americans take almost two billion trips
    to the beach every year, but people who swim at the beach sometimes
    get sick because the water is polluted. The good news is in the
    state where the beach is located, you can check with the state
    office to find out about the beach water - before you go.

    
More information: http://www.epa.gov/beaches/plan/whereyoulive_state.html


    Podcast: http://www.epa.gov/earthday/podcasts
    

    
Breaking
    News for The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available
 

    South
    Florida Court Considers Allowing Video-Conferencing Testimony
    

    Posted: 31 Mar 2009 05:00 PM PDT

    By Carol Marbin Miller, The Miami Herald 

    Apr. 1--A South Florida appeals court is floating the idea of
    allowing witnesses to testify by video-conference as a way to
    save travel costs in the wake of an opinion released Wednesday
    in which a three-judge panel overturned a child welfare ruling
    that relied on testimony by phone. 

    Supreme
    Court: Government Should Pay Lawyers for Clemency Work 

    Posted: 31 Mar 2009 05:00 PM PDT

    WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court said Wednesday the government
    should pay federally appointed lawyers for working on state clemency
    requests for death row inmates. 

    Federal
    Court Upholds Little Rock Desegregation Order 

    Posted: 01 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

    LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A federal appeals court has upheld a ruling
    saying the Little Rock School District has met terms of a long-standing
    desegregation order. 


    Pres.
    Obama Shifts from Economic Summit to NATO Meeting 

    Posted: 02 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

    By TOM RAUM 

    STRASBOURG, France - Pivoting from one international gathering
    to another, President Barack Obama vaulted into another round
    of diplomacy Friday. He was meeting with European allies, holding
    a town hall on foreign land and pitching his strategy for Afghanistan.
    

    Judge
    Rules Bagram Detainees Have Right to Challenge Their Detention
    in U.S. Court 

    Posted: 02 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

    Today U.S. District Court Judge John D. Bates ruled that detainees
    held in the prison at the U.S. Air Base in Bagram, Afghanistan
    have the right to challenge the legality of their detention before
    a federal judge in a U.S. court, based on the precedent set by
    Boumediene v. Bush (2008) that enables Guantánamo
    detainees to seek the protection of the writ of habeas corpus.
    

    House,
    Senate Budget Plans Boost Pres. Obama's Agenda 

    Posted: 02 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

    By ANDREW TAYLOR 

    WASHINGTON - Passage by both House and Senate of companion budget
    plans gave President Barack Obama and his allies on Capitol Hill
    a key victory, but the debates also exposed some of the president's
    vulnerabilities. 


    
FAA
    Aviation Safety Draft Documents Open for Comment for U.S. Federal
    Aviation Administration

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    
FLICC has extended the deadline for
    nominations for its annual awards until April 20, 2009

    
Be sure to review the additional resources
    for preparing nominations at

    http://www.loc.gov/flicc/Awards/fliccaward_main.html.

    Just added this year are examples of past winning nominations.

    Release No. 043



    Air Force Assistance Fund campaign ends May 1



    RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- This year's Air Force Assistance
    Fund "Commitment to Caring" campaign, from Feb. 9 to
    May 1, provides Airmen the opportunity to contribute to any of
    the four official Air Force charitable organizations.



    Now in its 36th year, 100 percent of designated AFAF contributions
    benefit active-duty, Reserve, Guard, retired Air Force people,
    surviving spouses and families. 



    As of April 2, this year’s campaign has received more than
    $2.5 million in donations, which is 43 percent of the Air Force’s
    goal of $5.8 million. Last year, Airmen exceeded the campaign
    goal of $5.7 million with contributions totaling more than $7.2
    million. 



    “With under four weeks left in this year’s campaign,
    we’d like to remind everyone about the great work our four
    Air Force Assistance Fund affiliate charities do for our Air
    Force family,” said William Davanzo, the Air Force's fundraising
    programs manager. “I encourage everyone to continue the
    tradition of taking care of our own by supporting this year’s
    AFAF campaign.”



    People can contribute through cash, check, money order or payroll
    deduction to the following organizations: 



    -- The Air Force Aid Society provides Airmen and their families
    with worldwide emergency financial assistance, education assistance
    and an array of base level community enhancement programs. Base
    staff members at Airman and Family Readiness Centers have full
    details on programs and eligibility requirements. Information
    is also available at http://www.afas.org/. 



    -- The Air Force Enlisted Village charity supports the Bob Hope
    and Teresa Villages as well as the Hawthorne House. The fund
    provides homes and financial assistance to widows and widowers
    (55 and older) of retired enlisted people. More information is
    available at http://www.afenlistedwidows.org.




    -- The Air Force Villages charity supports the Air Force Village
    in San Antonio and Village II in the Texas Hill Country, as well
    as life-care communities for retired officers, spouses, widows
    or widowers, and family members. Air Force Villages also includes
    the Freedom House, a residence for Alzheimers and Dementia patients,
    and the Liberty House, an assisted living center. The Air Force
    Villages Web site is http://www.airforcevillages.com.




    -- The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation provides rent
    and financial assistance to widows and widowers of officers and
    enlisted people in their own homes and communities. The LeMay
    Foundation Web site is http://www.lemay-foundation.org/
    . 



    Contributions to the AFAF are tax deductible. For more information,
    visit the Air Force Assistance Fund's Web site at http://afassistancefund.org/.




    Local installation project officers and unit representatives
    are available to provide more information on these charities
    and ways to contribute to the AFAF.



    -- 30 -- 


    Procedures
    To Obtain Media Access To Dignified Transfers Of Remains At Dover
    Air Force Base Announced 

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:29:00 -0500 

    U.S.
    Department of State Background Notes : Burundi (03/09) 

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 09:31:39 -0500 

    
Release No. 044

    
Combat rescue, special tactics bonuses
    available

    
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – Thanks
    to a $2.5 million deposit from the Department of Defense, qualified
    special operations officers are now eligible for a maximum of
    $100,000 in critical skills retention bonus money if they voluntarily
    extend their active-duty service commitment for up to four years.

    
“The consistently high demand for
    our limited number of combat rescue and special tactics officers
    makes it crucial that we retain as many as of these seasoned
    officers as possible on active duty,” said Maj. J.T. Goodson,
    chief of Airfield Operations, Special Tactics and Combat Rescue
    Assignments at the Air Force Personnel Center here. “These
    officers have experience and skills that we simply can’t
    afford to lose.”

    
Recognizing the additional necessity to
    retain those nearing retirement, Air Force officials included
    a provision in the critical skills retention bonus that allows
    those who are less than four years from mandatory retirement
    to incur a two or three year ADSC.

    
Approximately 120 officers have been pre-identified
    as eligible for this bonus. They are eligible for $25,000 per
    year of additional ADSC they incur.

    
To qualify for the CSRB, officers must
    meet several criteria, including, but not limited to, the following:

    
-- Must have a core identification and
    be fully qualified as a 13D, Control and Recovery;

    
-- Must not have applied for or have an
    approved date of separation less than four years out from the
    13D CSRB effective date;

    
-- Completed their Initial Skills Training
    and Initial Obligation of Service ADSCs; and

    
-- Cannot be receiving any other retention
    bonuses.

    
The retention monies are not associated
    with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

    
For more information on CSRB qualifications,
    e-mail airfieldops@randolph.af.mil,
    visit AFPC’s “Ask” Web site, or call the Total
    Force Service Center at 800-525-0102 or DSN 665-5000.

    
-30-
 

    Recovery Act Provides $5 Billion to Assist
    Needy Families 

    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today
    announced the availability of up to an additional $5 billion
    in emergency funding for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
    (TANF) program. More...
    

    Acting
    Deputy Director Michael Aytes' Testimony on Priorities Enforcing
    Immigration Law

    Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:00:00 -0500

    Testimony of Acting Deputy Director Michael Aytes, U.S. Citizenship
    and Immigration Services, before the House Committee on Appropriations,
    Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on E-Verify and "Priorities
    Enforcing Immigration Law", on April 2, 2009 at the Rayburn
    House Office Building.

    Press Room for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
    Services

    "USCIS Reminds all U.S. Employers of Requirements to Use
    Revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification."
    This information is now
    available. 


    
COLA Weekly Statistics for TTB.gov

    
The COLA weekly statistics for the week
    ending April 3 are now
    available. 

    


    
Issue Number: TT-2009-65 

    Inside This Issue

    
Six Important Facts about Your Appeal
    Rights 

    The IRS has an appeals system for people who do not agree with
    the results of an examination of their tax returns or with other
    adjustments to their tax liability. Here are the top six things
    to know when it comes to your appeal rights. 

    When the IRS makes an adjustment to your tax return, they will
    send you a report or a letter explaining the proposed adjustments.
    This letter will alert you of your right to request a conference
    with an Appeals office and how to put in a request for such a
    conference. 

    In addition to examinations, many other things can be appealed.
    You can also appeal penalties, interest, trust fund recovery
    penalties, offers in compromise, liens and levies. 

    If you request an Appeals conference, be prepared with records
    and documentation to support your position. 

    Appeals conferences are informal meetings. You may represent
    yourself or have someone else represent you. Those allowed to
    represent taxpayers include attorneys, accountants or individual
    enrolled to practice before the IRS. 

    If you do not reach agreement with IRS Appeals or if you do not
    wish to appeal within the IRS, you may appeal certain actions
    through the courts. 

    For further information on the appeals process, refer to Publication
    5, Your Appeal Rights and How to Prepare a Protest if you Don't
    Agree. This publication, along with more information about IRS
    appeals, is available on the IRS Web site at IRS.gov.

    
Links: 

    Appeals... Resolving
    Tax Disputes 

    Tax Topic 151
    – Your Appeal Rights 

    Publication 1, Your Rights as a Taxpayer (PDF
    21K) 

    Publication 5, Your Appeal Rights and How to Prepare a Protest
    If You Don't Agree (PDF
    36K) 

    Publication 556, Examination of Returns, Appeal Rights and Claims
    for Refunds (PDF
    105K) 

    Publication 1660, Collection Appeal Rights (PDF
    31K) 

    Publication 3605, Fast Track Mediation (PDF
    15K) 

    
Today's environmental tip: Don't idle!

    
Remind your school system to turn off bus
    engines when buses are parked. Exhaust from idling school buses
    can pollute air in and around the bus, and can enter school buildings
    through air intakes, doors, and open windows. Constant idling
    also wastes fuel and money, and school bus engines really need
    only a few minutes to warm up.

    
More information: http://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus/antiidling.htm


    Podcast: http://www.epa.gov/earthday/podcasts
    


    Notices and Outbreaks (Travel) for Centers
    for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

    The outbreak notice entitled "Dengue, Tropical and Subtropical
    Regions" has been updated. You can access the notice from
    the CDC Travelers' Health travel
    notices page. 

    New
    York Firm Recalls Chicken Base Products Imported From an Unapproved
    Source

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:23:36 -0500

    Perk-Up, Inc., a New York corporation having a principal executive
    office in White Plains, NY, is recalling 114,540 pounds of chicken
    base products that were ineligible for import to the U.S.

    


    
Economic Recovery from Coast-to-Coast

    
Over the past several months, President
    Obama and the Democratic Congress have been working together
    to address the serious challenges facing our nation. Cutting
    the deficit, making a down payment on health care reform, investing
    in energy independence, and reforming education are top priorities
    for this Administration and Congress, and they are critical to
    the long-term economic prosperity of our nation. While we work
    toward these goals, Americans continue to express strong support
    for our agenda.



    Click
    here to read more about support for and impact of the President's
    economic policy.

    
 

    
###
 

    EPA’S Ocean Survey Vessel To Visit
    Savannah – Tours Will Be Open to the Public 

    Contact Information: Davina Marraccini, (404) 562-8293, marraccini.davina@epa.gov




    (ATLANTA – APRIL 3, 2009) The U.S. Environmental Protection
    Agency’s Ocean Survey Vessel (OSV) BOLD will make its first
    appearance in Savannah, Ga., next week. EPA's 224-foot research
    flagship will be docked at the Savannah Riverfront and will be
    open to the public. Free public tours will be conducted Apr.
    9 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by the U.S. EPA, the University
    of Georgia Marine Extension Service and the U.S. Army Corps of
    Engineers. 



    The OSV BOLD is equipped with state-of-the art sampling, mapping,
    and analysis equipment including side scan sonar, underwater
    video, water sampling instruments, and sediment sampling devices,
    which scientists use in various monitoring activities. 



    The vessel is a converted U.S. Navy T-AGOS class vessel and is
    224 feet long and 43 feet wide. EPA acquired the OSV BOLD on
    Mar. 31, 2004. The ship, its crew and EPA scientists collect
    water quality and sediment samples, fish, and other organisms
    in the Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. 



    During its tour of duty in the area, the OSV BOLD will be used
    to: 



    Monitor ocean dredged material disposal sites in the southeast
    at four sites, including Savannah, Ga., Jacksonville and Tampa,
    Fl., and Mobile, Ala.; 

    Conduct coral reef monitoring in the Dry Tortugas National Park
    and the surrounding Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary; and


    Investigate the ecological impact of an invasive coral species,
    Tubastraea coccinea, which may pose a threat to the health and
    biodiversity of Florida, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico reef ecosystems.


    The EPA deploys the OSV Bold on numerous scientific surveys each
    year. The OSV Bold supports EPA's efforts to monitor and assess
    impacts on ocean and coastal waters from land- and ocean-based
    human activities and naturally occurring ecological disturbances.
    EPA began using the 224-foot OSV Bold as a research vessel in
    2005 to perform extensive marine surveys along the Atlantic Coast
    and Gulf of Mexico. In 2008, the ship visited the Pacific Coast
    for the first time. It has returned to the east coast and will
    begin survey activities in the Southeast in April. 



    For additional information about the OSV Bold, visit www.epa.gov/bold
    

    
CDC has posted a new skills training
    video: Screening People for External Contamination: How to Use
    Hand-held Radiation Survey Equipment.

    
This 18-minute video demonstrates how to
    screen people for external contamination using a handheld Geiger
    Mueller Detector. The program is designed for individuals assigned
    to conduct mass screening for contamination from radioactive
    materials following a large scale incident. The program may be
    used as pre-incident training or intra-incident just in time
    training. Supplementary training material on utilization of ion
    chambers and alpha scintillation detectors is provided. Watch
    the video >> 

    


    
Issue Number: IR-2009-033 

    Inside This Issue

    
IRS Issues Guidance on New Build America
    Bonds 

    WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued guidance
    on the new Build America Bond program. This program allows state
    and local governments to issue taxable bonds for capital projects
    and to receive a new direct federal subsidy payment from the
    Treasury Department for a portion of their borrowing costs. 

    The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 creates the
    new Build America Bond program, which authorizes state and local
    governments to issue Build America Bonds as taxable bonds in
    2009 and 2010 to finance any capital expenditures for which they
    otherwise could issue tax-exempt governmental bonds. State and
    local governments receive a direct federal subsidy payment for
    a portion of their borrowing costs on Build America Bonds equal
    to 35 percent of the total coupon interest paid to investors.


    This new program is intended to assist state and local governments
    in financing capital projects at lower borrowing costs and to
    stimulate the economy and create jobs. “These innovative
    bonds give state and local governments an important new tool
    to help finance public capital projects that will benefit communities
    in challenging times,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman.


    The IRS issued Notice
    2009-26, which provides guidance on Build America Bonds to
    enable state and local governments to begin using this program.
    This notice includes guidance on eligible types of projects and
    financings, initial implementation of the direct federal subsidy
    payment procedures, elections to use this program, and information
    reporting for this program. Certain guidance in this notice also
    applies to another type of Build America Bond in which a federal
    subsidy is delivered in the form of tax credits to investors
    instead of direct federal subsidy payments to state and local
    governments. 

    In addition, the IRS released a new form to claim the federal
    subsidy payment. Issuers can expect to receive requested payments
    within 45 days after the IRS receives new Form
    8038-CP, Return for Credit Payments to Issuers of Qualified
    Bonds. 

    Build America Bonds can be issued in 2009 and 2010. There is
    no volume limitation on the amount of eligible Build America
    Bonds that can be issued during this period. 

    Notice 2009-26 also solicits public comment on all aspects of
    the direct payment procedures for Build America Bonds. The notice
    will appear in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2009-16 dated April
    20, 2009.

    
Related Items: 

    Notice
    2009-30, Qualified Zone Academy Bond Allocations for 2008
    and 2009 

    Notice
    2009-35, Qualified School Construction Bond Allocations for
    2009 

    Bond
    Provisions in ARRA 


    


    
Issue Number: N-2009-26, N-2009-30 &
    N-2009-35 

    Inside This Issue

    
Notice 2009-26 provides
    guidance on the issuance of Build America Bonds. It will be published
    in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2009-16 on April 20, 2009. 



    Notice
    2009-30 sets the maximum face amounts of the Qualified Zone
    Academy Bonds (QZABs). It will be published in Internal Revenue
    Bulletin 2009-16 on April 20, 2009. 



    Notice
    2009-35 sets the maximum face amounts of the Qualified School
    Construction Bonds (QSCBs). It will be published in Internal
    Revenue Bulletin 2009-17 on April 27, 2009. 

    
Interview
    on Haydi Gel Bizimle Ol 

    Hillary Rodham Clinton

    
Secretary of State

    
Ankara, DC, Turkey

    
March 7, 2009

    


    
Issue Number: N-2009-34 

    Inside This Issue

    
Notice 2009-34 extends
    until Sept. 30, 2009, the time for making biodiesel claims on
    biodiesel that was certified under the old ASTM D6751 standard
    from April 1, 2009, as set forth in Notice 2008-110, 2008-51
    I.R.B. 1298. 

    Notice 2009-34 will be in IRB 2009-17 DATED: April 27, 2009 


    US EPA Awards Nearly a Half Billion Dollar
    Grant to New York to Create Jobs and Protect Human Health and
    the Environment 





    Contact: John Senn, (212) 637-3667, senn.john@epa.gov,
    cell (908) 420-8957 



    (New York, N.Y. – April 3, 2009) In the single largest grant
    in its history, the EPA today awarded more than $430 million
    to the State of New York for wastewater infrastructure projects
    that will create thousands of jobs, jumpstart local economies
    and protect human health and the environment across the state.




    “EPA is committed to being part of the solution in this
    economic downturn. By keeping the waterways clean and healthy,
    we’re bringing new jobs and new opportunities to local communities,”
    said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Protecting human
    health and the environment is a great way to put people to work
    and stimulate our economy.” 



    “New York State is committed to innovative approaches to
    building environmentally sustainable and energy efficient wastewater
    treatment technologies. This funding will help protect our environment
    and will support thousands of jobs across the State at a time
    when we need it most,” said Governor Paterson. “I thank
    President Obama, New York’s Congressional delegation, EPA
    Administrator Jackson and Commissioner Grannis for all of their
    hard work and continued support as we work together towards a
    path of full economy recovery and environmental protection.”




    This grant is a portion of the unprecedented $4 billion dollars
    that will be awarded to fund wastewater infrastructure projects
    across the country under the American Recovery and Reinvestment
    Act. The state will use the Recovery Act grant to provide money
    to municipal and county governments and wastewater utilities
    for projects to protect lakes, ponds and streams in communities
    across New York. 



    New York State will also provide at least 20 percent, or at least
    $86 million, of its Recovery Act funds to “green” projects,
    those that involve green infrastructure, improve energy or water
    efficiency, or that have other environmentally innovative aspects.
    New York’s program also provides funding to communities
    facing financial hardships. 



    The grant will be awarded to the New York State Department of
    Environmental Conservation and implemented by the New York State
    Environmental Facilities Corporation, a state-run organization
    that helps public and private entities comply with federal and
    state environmental requirements. 



    The Recovery Act will also fund a similar program for improving
    drinking water systems. 



    President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment
    Act of 2009 on February 17, 2009, and has directed that the Recovery
    Act be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability.
    To that end, the American people can see how every dollar is
    being invested at www.recovery.gov.




    For more information on EPA’s implementation of the American
    Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in New York, visit http://www.epa.gov/region02/eparecovery/.
    For more information on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund
    program, visit http://www.epa.gov/owm/cwfinance/cwsrf/.




    # # # 



    09-037 

    
EPA Will Hold Two Public Hearings on
    Proposed Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule 

    Contact (News media only): Cathy Milbourn, (202) 564-4355 / 7849
    / milbourn.cathy@epa.gov


    (All other inquiries): Erin Birgfeld, (202) 343-9079 / birgfeld.erin@epa.gov


    (Washington, D.C. – April 3, 2009) EPA will hold public
    hearings on April 6 and 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Arlington,
    Va., regarding the agency’s proposal for the first national
    greenhouse gas reporting rule. EPA will consider written comments
    submitted during the comment period with the same weight as oral
    comments presented during the public hearing.

    
What: Public hearing on the proposal for
    the first comprehensive national system for reporting emissions
    of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced by major
    sources in the United States.

    
Where: EPA Potomac Yard South Conference
    Center, 2777 Crystal Drive, Room S-1204, Arlington, VA 22202.
    Daily parking is available in the building

    
When: Monday and Tuesday, April 6 and 7
    from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    
Photo ID is required.

    
Information on the public hearing: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgregister/hearing_washington.html

    
Information on the proposed rule: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html


    R076 

    
NEW
    VACANCIES at FinCEN

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    Facilities and Property Management Specialist, GS-301-09/11 (FPL:
    GS-12); 

    opens: March 24, 2009 closes: April 23, 2009 

    (You must apply online via Career Connector) 


    
ADA.gov (Americans with Disabilities
    Act) Home Page for U.S. Department of Justice

    
A new appellate brief (Arizona v. Harkins
    Amusement Enterprises, Inc.) regarding closed captions and video
    description as auxiliary aids in movie theaters has been added,
    and is now
    available. 

    
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
    News for U.S. Department of Justice

    
A new appellate brief (Arizona v. Harkins
    Amusement Enterprises, Inc.) regarding closed captions and video
    description as auxiliary aids in movie theaters has been added,
    and is now
    available. 

    
ADA.gov Site Map (text only) for U.S.
    Department of Justice

    
A new appellate brief (Arizona v. Harkins
    Amusement Enterprises, Inc.) regarding closed captions and video
    description as auxiliary aids in movie theaters has been added,
    and is now
    available. 


    
Export Requirements for Meat & Poultry
    Products for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service

    
The export requirements for Russia have
    been revised. This information has recently been updated. 

    You may view a copy of the updated
    information. 

    From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
    A listing of the latest

    publications from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is now available
    at

    http://www.bls.gov/opub/update.htm
    Please refer questions to

    blsdata_staff@bls.gov
    .

    Statement
    from Department of Justice Regarding Federal Law Enforcement
    Response to Binghamton, N.Y., Shootings 

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 09:00:00 -0500 

    The Department of Justice, through the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol,
    Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), is providing federal
    law enforcement assistance to the Binghamton Police Department
    in response to the shootings in Binghamton. The FBI's Albany,
    N.Y., field office has sent hostage negotiators, an evidence
    response team and command post assistance. ATF is providing seven
    special agents from the Syracuse and Albany field offices. The
    Department will continue to provide assistance as requested in
    response to this rapidly developing situation. 


    
2009 Uniform Act (URA) Low Income Limits
    Issued 

    Effective Date - March 19, 2009 



    The 2009 URA Low Income Limits, used in connection with rental
    assistance payment calculations under 49 CFR 24.402(b), have
    been issued with an effective date of March 19, 2009.

    
The 2009 Low Income Limits are available
    at: http://www.huduser.org/datasets/ura/ura09/relocact.html

    


    
MESSAGE FROM THE MAJORITY LEADER

    
This week, the House passed the House Democratic
    budget, which reflects the priorities set forth by the President,
    including targeted, strategic investments to create jobs and
    ensure economic prosperity over the and long-term. This budget
    makes a down payment on health care reform, creates a path to
    energy independence, reforms and invests in education, and also
    reduces the deficit by nearly two-thirds by 2013. I applaud this
    budget for making the tough choices necessary to help reverse
    years of irresponsible Republican policies and put us back on
    a fiscally sustainable path. 



    A key part of our plan for the long-term prosperity is a clean
    energy economy. This week, Chairman Henry Waxman of the Energy
    and Commerce Committee and Chairman Edward Markey of the Energy
    and Environment Subcommittee unveiled a clean energy discussion
    draft that begins our work on sweeping energy legislation. This
    initiative will create new ‘green collar’ jobs for
    American workers, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and help
    households and businesses save money on their electricity bills.
    I expect the Energy and Commerce Committee to report a bill out
    of committee by Memorial Day, and I look forward to working with
    the Administration to enact a comprehensive plan for a cleaner,
    more energy independent future.

    The House is now adjourned for two weeks to allow Members to
    return to their districts for our scheduled April district work
    period, during which Leadership encouraged Members to hold health
    care town halls. For more information on the progress of health
    care reform, visit the health
    care reform clearinghouse and sign
    up to receive "The Daily Dose." 



    Sincerely yours,

    
STENY H. HOYER

    

    
P.S. Please invite your friends and family
    to sign up for this newsletter
    to learn about what House Democrats are doing to lead America
    in a new direction.

    
Flu
    Weekly Report and Flu
    Weekly Map for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    (CDC)

    
This information has recently been updated
    and is now available. 


    TRICARE
    Strips Down Price for Diabetic Supplies 

    April 3, 2009 

    Agreement
    on Mexican Repatriation Announced

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:00:00 -0500

    U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano
    and Mexican Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa announced that
    Mexico and the United States have reached agreement on formalized
    arrangements for the expedited and humane repatriation of Mexican
    nationals on Friday, April 3, 2009.

    
Office of Disability Employment Policy
    - In Focus for United States Department of Labor

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now
    available. 


    
New Disability Employment Resource for
    Employers Released 

    To meet the need for a comprehensive, portable, and easy to understand
    guide for employers who are looking to recruit, hire, and retain
    employees with disabilities, ODEP just released its new Four-Step
    Reference Guide.

    
This Guide is now
    available. 

    Secretary
    Robert Gates Interview with Afghan TV 

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:37:00 -0500 

    
U.S.
    Department of State : Daily Press Briefing - April 3

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:47:57 -0500

    Robert Wood

    
Acting Department Spokesman

    Daily Press Briefing

    
April 3, 2009
 

    
Air
    Traffic Publications for U.S. Federal Aviation Administration

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    VACANCY:
    Senior Technological Hazards Program Specialist, GS-0301-13 FEMA

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:35:19 -0500

    AN244955 (Closing Date: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT)

    
C-SPAN Weekend Alert

    Programming Information for Fri. 4/3 - Mon. 4/6, 2009

    **********************************************************************

    
C-SPAN Highlights

    
Friday:

    * Pres. Obama Remarks on New Afghanistan-Pakistan Strategy (8pm)

    * Financial Executives Press Briefing on the Economy (8:25pm)

    
Saturday:

    * Communicators: National Cable Television Association Conference
    (6:30pm)

    * America & the Courts: Supreme Court Chief Justice John
    Roberts (7pm)

    
Sunday:

    * Newsmakers: EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson (10am)

    * Q&A: Dambisa Moyo, Author, "Dead Aid" (8pm)

    
Monday:

    * U.S. House: In Recess. Reconvenes Tuesday, April 21

    * Defense Sec. Robert Gates Press Briefing (1:30pm) - LIVE

    * Johns Hopkins SAIS Panel on Pres. Obama's Korea Policy (3pm)
    - LIVE

    **********************************************************************

    C-SPAN 2 Highlights

    
Friday:

    * House Hearing on Disaster Readiness in Washington DC (8pm)

    * House Hearing on Immigration Law Enforcement by Local Officials
    (9:45pm)

    
Saturday/Sunday:

    * Book TV on C-SPAN2 All Weekend

    * Check the Book TV Schedule, Updated Daily: http://www.booktv.org/

    
Monday:

    * U.S. Senate: In Recess. Reconvenes Monday, April 20

    * Carnegie Endowment Int'l Nonproliferation Conference (9am)
    - LIVE

    **********************************************************************

    C-SPAN 3 Highlights

    
Friday:

    * Canadian Parliamentary Hearing on the Auto Industry (10pm)

    
Saturday:

    * Panel Discussion on the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther
    King, Jr. (10am)

    
Sunday:

    * Key West Literary Seminar Discussion on Ethel and Julius Rosenberg
    (10am)

    
Monday:

    * Programming TBA. Check Schedule for Updates - http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=schedule&tID=&date=2009-04-06

    **********************************************************************

    C-SPAN Radio Highlights

    
Saturday:

    * Washington Journal (7am) - LIVE

    * Supreme Court Oral Arguments (6pm)

    
 

    
Sunday:

    * Washington Journal (7am) - LIVE

    * Sunday Network News Shows (12pm)

    
 

    
Monday:

    * Washington Journal (7am) - LIVE

    **********************************************************************

    Politics Highlights

    
* C-SPAN Political Programming - Sunday
    on C-SPAN at 6:30pm ET

    **********************************************************************

    Washington Journal Highlights

    
Saturday:

    * Newspaper Articles & Viewer Calls

    * Discussion on G-20 Summit

    * Discussion on NATO Summit

    * Discussion on Taxes

    
Sunday:

    * Newspaper Articles & Viewer Calls

    * Discussion on G-20 Summit

    * Roundtable Discussion on the News of the Week

    * Discussion on the Possible Bankruptcy of GM

    
Monday:

    * Newspaper Articles & Viewer Calls

    * Century 21 Pres. & CEO Thomas Kunz

    * Discussion on Pres. Obama's Trip to Turkey

    * Discussion on the Global Economy

    **********************************************************************

    C-SPAN Capitol Spotlight

    
* Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates plans
    to brief congressional leaders Monday on a “fundamental
    shift” in defense spending and priorities, his spokesman
    said Friday. The fiscal 2010 funding choices... - Full Story
    at http://www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight

    
* Of the 49 Democrats from McCain-voting
    districts, who represents the most pro-McCain district? - Answer
    at http://www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight
 

    DoD
    Contracts for April 03, 2009 

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:05:00 -0500 

    Today
    in the Department of Defense, 4/4/2009 

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:02:00 -0500 

    Connecticut
    Resident Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Tax Fraud Conspiracy
    Involving New York City Hospital 

    Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:00:00 -0500 

    A Trumbull, Conn., resident who was involved in operating three
    businesses in Brooklyn, N.Y., pleaded guilty to conspiring to
    defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Krzysztof Koczon
    pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Manhattan to conspiracy
    to aid another in filing false tax returns. 


    Department
    of Defense, 4/5/2009 

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:03:00 -0500 

    Lobbyist
    Sentenced for Destroying Evidence in Public Corruption Investigation
    

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 09:00:00 -0500 

    A partner in a Pennsylvania-based lobbying firm was sentenced
    today by U.S. District Judge Henry H. Kennedy Jr., to five months
    of home detention for destroying evidence in connection with
    a public corruption investigation, Acting Assistant Attorney
    General Rita M. Glavin of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney
    Jeffrey A. Taylor for the District of Columbia, Assistant Director
    of the FBI?s Washington Field Office Joseph Persichini Jr., and
    Special Agent in Charge C. André Martin of Internal Revenue
    Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation announced. 

    Department
    of Defense, 4/6/2009 


    Marine
    Logistics Group Commander to Brief Live From Iraq 

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:22:00 -0500 

    UIPL 20-09 -- Replacement of State-based Information
    Technology Hardware for the Unemployment Insurance Data Base
    System has been added to the database and is now available at
    http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2738.
    

    
3rd ANNUAL HAZUS CONFERENCE: Connecting
    the Pieces for Mitigation 

    AUGUST 10 – 12, 2009 RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 



    Who Should Attend: New, Experienced and Interested Users of HAZUS-MH;
    First Responders, Local Government Decision Makers, Planners
    and GIS Specialists. 



    Call for Speakers: Suggested topics include: The role of HAZUS
    in risk identification and communication, HAZUS application in
    estimation and mitigation planning, HAZUS and human-caused hazards,
    and innovative approaches to decision making.

    
The deadline for submission of abstracts
    is April 15, 2009. To submit an abstract, please e-mail Beth
    Miller Howser at HAZUSuser@pbsj.com
    with the subject line: HAZUS Speaker Proposal and provide the
    following information: 

    • Proposed name of session 

    • Session format (presentation, workshop, panel discussion,
    etc.) 

    • Session description 

    • Contact information (including name, title, organization,
    phone number and e-mail) 



    For more information, go to http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/hazus/hz_news.shtm


    Check out our Facebook
    page. 


    New HAZUS HotZone Now Available

    The March 2009 issue of the HAZUS HotZone newsletter includes:
    Using HAZUS-MH to Support Preparedness for Hurricane Ike; HAZUS
    User Groups listing; HUG News; Save the Date: 3rd Annual HAZUS
    Conference: Connecting the Pieces for Mitigation Information;
    HAZUS Training Information; and 2009 HAZUS Conference Events.


    Click
    here to download the March 2009 issue of HotZone 

    
What's
    New section on the National Security Division's home page on
    the U.S. Department of Justice web site

    
This section has recently been updated

    
Cms.hhs.gov-
    Physicians, Nurses and Allied Health Professionals Open Door
    Forum for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 


    Secretary
    Napolitano Visits Major Port of Entry, Addresses Southwest Border
    Security Efforts

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:00:00 -0500

    Laredo, Texas—U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
    Secretary Janet Napolitano, making her final stop of a three-day
    tour of the Southwest border and Mexico, addressed today her
    recent announcements designed to boost cash and weapon seizures
    and improve DHS coordination with state, local and Mexican law
    enforcement.

    
Constituent
    Update for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    
Today's top Air Force stories include:

    
New satellite model showcased in dedication
    ceremony

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123142855

    
Fiscal 2010 budget to reflect 'fundamental
    shift' in defense

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123142809

    
DOD officials kick off Sexual Assault Awareness
    Month with campaign, Web

    site

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123142798

    
Generals discuss future issues at National
    Space Symposium

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123142649

    
Air Force takes combat air acquisitions
    priorities to Hill

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123142749
 

    CMS
    Updates to Coverage Pages

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:00:00 -0500

    
There is a great compilation of Senator
    Gravel's videos which I want to share with you:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gY4lhv825Y

    

    
So where do we go from here?

    A central piece of Senator Gravel's campaign platform was the
    National Initiative for Democracy (NI4D). NI4D is a proposal
    which will permit the People to make or change laws by initiative.

    While Gravel is no longer considering a run for an elected office,
    he is still working behinds the scenes to promote NI4D. I urge
    you to learn more about this legislative proposal by visiting
    http://ni4d.us

    
If you have any questions about NI4D, you
    can just reply to this email.

    Please subscribe to the "news" mailing list to receive
    monthly updates on the progress of this legislation.

    this
    link

    
Senator Gravel wrote: "One of the
    major goals of my presidential campaign has always been to empower
    you, the voter, through the enactment of the National Initiative
    for Democracy. The National Initiative will equip the people
    with the central power of government – lawmaking –
    and citizens in every government jurisdiction of the United States
    would then become a new check in our system of Checks and Balances,
    which was originally designed to control the abuse of power."

    Are you ready to learn more about NI4D? Take the quiz. Visit
    http://ni4d.us/en/quiz

    Thank you for your interest.

    How
    can I become an organ donor?

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:16:02 -0500

    April is Donate Life Month, to encourage Americans to save lives
    by becoming donors. To become an organ and/or tissue donor, indicate
    your intent to be a donor on your driver's license; carry an
    organ donor card; and discuss your decision with loved ones.
    Visit the link at USA.gov to learn more.
 

    The current issue of The Wright Stuff (Vol
    4, No 7, dated April 2, 2009) can be accessed at: http://www.au.af.mil/au/aunews.
    Please note this is a new site address and if subscribers have
    created a shortcut to their desktop they may want to revise the
    shortcut to reflect the new site. Regret any inconvenience this
    may cause. Please provide feedback by writing The Wright Stuff
    staff at: AU.TheWrightStuff@maxwell.af.mil.
    Also please let us know if you have difficulties with any of
    the links contained in this edition. Thank you for your continued
    interest in The Wright Stuff.

    Ball
    Field Bugs Help Catch Mob Guys, Part I

    Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:21:07 -0500

    Retired FBI Special Agent Robert Lewicki talks about investigating
    organized crime in New York in 2000. First in a series. The episode
    is part of our "Gotcha" series highlighting closed
    FBI cases.

    Cold
    Case Initiative, Part II

    Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:26:25 -0500

    FBI Special Agent Cynthia Deitle talks about our Cold Case Initiative,
    which looks at racially-motivated homicides that occurred before
    1969. The broadcast is part of our radio show "FBI, This
    Week," which is broadcast on ABC Radio Networks.
 

    
ticker timeline 00:08 Eastern Time Saturday
    April 4, 2009

    



    
new ticker page started 00:00 Eastern
    Time Saturday April 4, 2009

    
today's ticker page 1

    
for yesterday's news
    ticker (04/03/2009) click here

    view
    previous page:::::page one

weblog index
video and web media
resource Library
public officials gallery
twitter.com/usdemocrats
live chat
home page

 rss xml


copyright (c) 2013 usdemocrats.com