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April 9, 2009

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Political Ticker

Indonesians
celebrate a decade of democracy

from AP Top International News At 5:48
a... by By ROBIN McDOWELL

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) -- Indonesians flooded polling stations
across the sprawling island nation Thursday, capping a decade
of democracy in a parliamentary election that will gauge the
reform-minded president's chances of re-election....

Obama's
Faith-Based Office Gets Down to Work

from TIME.com: Top Stories

A controversial remnant of the Bush era is being transformed
under the new President

Stock
futures signal gains

from Reuters: Business News

(Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open
on Wall Street on Thursday, with futures for the S&P 500
up 0.5 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.5 percent and Nasdaq 100
futures up 0.4 percent at 4:37 a.m. EDT (0837 GMT).

Pentagon
Preps for War against forces attacking economy

from The Page - by Mark Halperin on TIME.com
by glentime

NATO
ceremony marks entrance of Albania, Croatia

from U.S. European Command News

Obama
looking at cooling air to fight warming

from AP Top Science News At 5:42 a.m. EST
by By SETH BORENSTEIN

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Tinkering with Earth's climate to chill runaway
global warming - a radical idea once dismissed out of hand -
is being discussed by the White House as a potential emergency
option, the president's new science adviser said Wednesday....

US
to attend group nuclear talks with Iran

from AP Top Political News At 5:39 a.m.
EST by By MATTHEW LEE

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration said Wednesday it
will participate directly in group talks with Iran over its suspect
nuclear program, another significant shift from President George
W. Bush's policy toward a nation he labeled part of an axis of
evil....

Obama
invites close friends, staff to seder dinner

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

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is inviting close friends
and staff to a private White House meal Thursday to mark Passover,
a signal that the new president intends to fulfill his promise
that Jewish voters would have an ally....

Quigley
Wins IL-5 Special Election

Mike Quigley (D) claimed victory in Illinois' 5th congressional
district race to replace Rahm Emanuel in Congress, CQ Politics
reports.

By
the People

Variety has more details on a much anticipated documentary from
Edward Norton, By the People: The Election of Barack Obama.

Obama's
Ratings Hold Steady

Two new snapshots of President Obama's job approval ratings were
released today: Pew Research has it at 61% to 26%, while Marist
has 56% to 30%.

FDIC
chair: Bank saver by day, children's writer by night

Posted: 02:24 PM ET

From CNN's Jessica Yellin and CNN's Lauren
Kornreich

FDIC chairman Sheila Bair is regularly published in Highlights
magazine and has written two books.

(CNN) -- Sheila Bair, chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, is one of the few women in the generals' tent of
the nation's economic war.

Obama
sets up White House Office of Health Reform

Posted: 03:34 PM ET

From CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

Nancy-Ann DeParle will run President Obama's new Office of Health
Reform.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Barack Obama is moving forward with
his ambitious plans to reform the country's health care system.

Poll:
Americans favor talks with Iran

Posted: 04:00 PM ET

(CNN) — Nearly six in ten Americans think that Obama administration
officials should hold diplomatic talks with Iran without that
country first making significant changes in its policies. Four
in ten say that the administration should not hold talks with
Iran until significant changes are made. Only about one in five
view Iran as an immediate threat to the United States, although
an additional 60 percent say that Iran represents a long-term
threat.

Schneider:
Americans less pessimistic about the economy

Posted: 05:00 PM ET

From CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill
Schneider

CNN's Larry King asked House speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday
if the economy is turning around.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — There is evidence that the country's
economic outlook is improving. But you have to look very closely.

Analysis:
United States-Cuba relations begin the long thaw

Posted: 05:30 PM ET

From CNN's Ed Hornick

(CNN) – "It's time to talk to
Cuba."

That frank assessment from Rep. Barbara
Lee, D-California, has resonated loud and clear from the island
of Cuba — 90 miles from the southernmost point of Florida
— to the halls of Congress.

Clinton
'deeply concerned' about pirate attacks

Posted: 05:45 AM ET

From CNN Senior Producer Charley Keyes

Clinton called for international cooperation to combat piracy.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Secretary of State Hillary Clinton late
Wednesday called for international cooperation to combat piracy
like this week's attack on a U.S. ship and crew off the coast
of Somalia.

Japan
to announce extra 15 trillion yen stimulus

Posted: 02:48 AM ET

From Yoko Wakatsuki

CNN

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) — Steeped in a
recession, with a surge in bankruptcies and sentiment among its
largest manufacturers at a record low, Japan is expected to announce
15 trillion yen ($150 billion) in extra spending on Friday.

RUSSIA:
MEETING-ITALY-RUSSIA-BUSINESS-COMMUNITY

from Kremlin.Ru: Unified Wire Service

Dmitry Medvedev met with Italian business community representatives.

RUSSIA:
CONVERSATION-ITALY-BERLUSCONI

from Kremlin.Ru: Unified Wire Service

Dmitry Medvedev had a telephone conversation with Italian Prime
Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

RUSSIA:
ANNOUNCEMENT-MEETING-IRAQ-AL-MALIKI

from Kremlin.Ru: Unified Wire Service

Dmitry Medvedev will meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki
on April 10.

RUSSIA:
ACCREDITATION-FINLAND-STATE VISIT

from Kremlin.Ru: Unified Wire Service

The Presidential Press and Information Office's Department of
Accreditation and Briefings is now taking accreditation requests
to cover President Dmitry Medvedev's state visit to the Republic
of Finland on April 20-21.

RUSSIA:
GREETINGS-FORUM-ENERGY

from Kremlin.Ru: Unified Wire Service

Dmitry Medvedev sent his greetings to delegates and guests at
the VII All-Russian energy forum Russia's Fuel and Energy Complex
in the XXI Century.

RUSSIA:
Opening Remarks at a Meeting with Italian Business Community
Representatives

from Kremlin.Ru: Presidential Speeches
and Addresses

“Italian business is present not only in Moscow and St Petersburg
but also in other regions of the Russian Federation. And this
is much harder, but the fact that you are not afraid and are
moving into the Russian outback, rural Russia, is very precious.
We appreciate this and believe that it is the right thing to
do.”

RUSSIA:
Press Statements and Answers to Journalists' Questions following
Russian-Chilean Talks

from Kremlin.Ru: Presidential Speeches
and Addresses

“A key direction is cooperation in the hi-tech sectors,
the sectors where we need innovative solutions, solutions that
are based on the most advanced technologies.”

B-400660,
PWC Logisitics Services Company, January 6, 2009

from GAO Legal Products

PWC Logistics Services Company (PWC) of Kuwait protests the terms
of request for proposals (RFP) No. SPM300-08-R-0061, issued by
the Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Supply Center Philadelphia
(DSCP), for food distribution for authorized customers in Kuwait,
Iraq, and Jordan. PWC asserts that various terms of the solicitation
impose undue risk on the contractor or are otherwise improper.
We sustain the protest with regard to one of the ...

B-400229.2,
Global Services Corp, January 27, 2009

from GAO Legal Products

Global Services Corp (GSC), of Favetteville, North Carolina,
protests the award of a contract to Assessment and Training Solutions
Consulting Corporation (ATSCC), under request for proposals (RFP)
No. H92239-07-R-0006, issued by the Department of the Army as
a small business set-aside, for medical instructors and administrative
support. GSC contends that the agency did not receive a fair
and reasonable price under the set-aside, and therefore, ...

B-400394.3,
Armorworks Enterprises, LLC, March 31, 2009

from GAO Legal Products

Armorworks Enterprises, LLC protests the exclusion of its proposal
from the competitive range under request for proposals (RFP)
No. W91CRB-07-R-0041, issued by the Army Materiel Command (AMC)
for body armor. The protester challenges the testing methodology
and procedures used by the agency in its pre-award body armor
testing, and also alleges that post-award changes to body armor
testing requirements reflect unequal treatment of offerors. ...

Federal
Reserve announces results of auction of $150 billion in 28-day
credit held on April 6, 2009

Prompt
corrective action directive against Michigan Heritage Bank

Written
agreement with Venture Financial Group

Minutes
of Federal Open Market Committee, February 7 and March 17-18,
2009

April
8, 2009 TREASURY TAX AND LOAN

from FMS Publications

Updated 4/8/2009: April 8, 2009 TREASURY TAX AND LOAN INVESTMENT
PROGRAM NOTICE OF TRANSFERS Action Percentage 1/Balance Date
Due Date Amount (Millions) C Call 29% 04-08-2009 04-08-2009 $
777 The actual results of each account transfer will be announced
on the business day following the corresponding due date. 1/Acti

April
8, 2009 TREASURY TAX AND LOAN

from FMS Publications

Updated 4/8/2009: April 8, 2009 TREASURY TAX AND LOAN INVESTMENT
PROGRAM RESULTS OF TRANSFERS Action Percentage 1/Balance Date
Due Date Amount (Millions) C Call 24% 04-07-2009 04-07-2009 $
603 1/Actions based on known balances are reported as dollars
and listed here as N/A. Actions that refer to future balances
are based on percentages.

DTS:
April 07 2009

from FMS Publications

Updated 4/8/2009: 1 DAILY TREASURY STATEMENT PAGE: 1 Cash and
debt operations of the United States Treasury Tuesday April 07,
2009 (Detail, rounded in millions, may not add to totals) _ TABLE
I Operating Cash Balance | _ |

DTS:
April 07 2009

from FMS Publications

Updated 4/8/2009: TABLE I — Operating Cash Balance Opening
balance Type of account Closing balance today Today This month
This fiscal year Federal Reserve Account Financial Institution
Account Supplementary Financing Program Account Tax and Loan
Note Accounts (Table V) $ 31,056 0 199,928 1,999$ 38,148 0 199,928
1,953

Electronic
Commerce Initiatives: Fact Sheet: Financial Management Service

from FMS Press Releases

Updated 4/8/2009: Treasury's fiscal bureaus, the Financial Management
Service (FMS) and the Bureau of the Public Debt (BPD)--the government's
money managers--have taken a strong, proactive approach to electronic
commerce (e-commerce). FMS and BPD are responding to Americans'
desire to do business with the federal government electronical

ITS.gov
Readies for New 2009 NACHA IAT Format

from FMS Financial Connection

Updated 4/6/2009: ITS.gov Readies for New 2009 NACHA IAT Format.
By Susan Helm, EFT Strategy Division. A change is coming to international
payment processing in September 2009 and ITS.gov will be ready.
Based on a request from the Office of Foreign Assets Control
(OFAC) a new rule for international electronic payments was deve

Mike
Burnum Named Director of AES Division

from FMS Financial Connection

Updated 4/6/2009: Mike Burnum Named Director of AES Division.
Federal Finance recently announced Mike Burnum as the new Director
of the Agency Enterprise Solutions (AES) Division. Mike has served
as the Director of the Settlement Services Division for the past
few years. In that position, he led the major conversion of the
Card Acquiri

The
Department of Veteran Affairs Officially Joins Go Direct

from FMS Financial Connection

Updated 4/6/2009: The Department of Veterans Affairs Officially
Joins Go Direct. By Diane Johnson, Payment Management. The Department
of the Treasury’s, Financial Management Service (FMS) is
pleased to announce the addition of the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) as one of its Go Direct partners. Since 2007, VA
has been p

Where's
My Refund? An FI's Guide to IRS Non-Receipts

from FMS Financial Connection

Updated 4/6/2009: Where's My Refund? An FI's Guide to IRS Non-Receipts.
By Vendetta Patterson, Philadelphia Regional Financial Center.
Most financial institutions (FI) have recently received inquiries
from their customers about the status of their Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) tax return payments. Properly handling these inquiries
o

FI
Guide to Limiting Your Liability on ACH Treasury Reclamations

from FMS Financial Connection

Updated 4/6/2009: FI Guide to Limiting Your Liability on ACH
Treasury Reclamations. By Vendetta Patterson, Philadelphia Regional
Financial Center. Reclamation is a procedure used by the federal
government to recover benefit payments made through the Automated
Clearing House (ACH) to the account of a recipient

Belarus
Interior Minister Resigns

Ukraine's
Naftogaz Pays Russian March Gas Bill

Russian
Auto Bailout Protects Jobs, Not Efficiency

Russia's
Putin Pledges $90 Billion Stimulus

Russia,
Italy Cement Ties With New Energy Deals

Germany
Sees Role for Russia in EU-Ukraine Gas Deal

Market
Assessment of Planned Refinery Outages

from EIA: What's New

(Wed, 08 Apr 2009) This report reviews planned U.S. refinery
outages from March 2009 though June 2009 in order to identify
any regions where outages might create enough supply pressure
to impact prices significantly.

Secretary
Salazar to Hold New Orleans Regional Meeting on Energy Development
of U.S. Outer Continental Shelf

from DOI News Releases

On Wednesday, April 8, 2009, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
will host a meeting at Tulane University’s McAlister Auditorium
to gather information and public comment to help build a comprehensive
energy strategy for the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. The meeting
is the second of four regional meetings the Secretary will hold
this month. The morning session will be carried live by webcast,
accessible online at http://www.doi.gov/ocs. More information
on the meeting also is available at that site. The meeting, which
includes lunch and dinner breaks, is scheduled to end at 8 p.m.

Secretary
Salazar Names Ned Farquhar Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land
and Minerals Management

from DOI News Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
today named Ned Farquhar, a renewable energy and natural resource
policy expert and former senior advisor on energy and the environment
to New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, as Deputy Assistant Secretary
for Land and Minerals Management. The appointment does not require
Senate confirmation.

Secretary
Salazar and Congressional Leaders to Celebrate Public Lands in
Colorado and Dedicate Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness

from DOI News Releases

ESTES PARK, CO – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar will
join members of the Colorado congressional delegation to dedicate
Rocky Mountain National Park’s new wilderness area and to
celebrate public lands in Colorado at a ceremony on Thursday,
April 9, 2009 at the YMCA of the Rockies.

Ethanol,
Food Prices, and Greenhouse-Gas Emissions

from Director's Blog by Douglas Elmendorf

Over the past several years, spurred by both rising gasoline
prices and long-standing subsidies for producing ethanol, the
use of ethanol as a motor fuel in the United States has grown
at an annual average rate of nearly 25 percent. U.S. consumption
of ethanol last year exceeded 9 billion gallons–a record
high. CBO released a paper today that discusses the relationship
between ethanol, greenhouse-gas emissions, food prices, and federal
spending on nutrition programs.

World
Leaders - CIA Updates for 1 - 7 April, 2009

from CIA Library

April 8 - Posted updated Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members
of Foreign Governments with updated entries for Congo, Democratic
Republic of the, Denmark, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Israel,
Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liberia, Malta, Mexico, Mozambique, Panama,
Saint Lucia, San Marino, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Zambia. Changes
reflect updates in leadership, positions, or the spelling of
officials' names in the country listings during the period 1
- 7 Apr 2009.

S.
574, Plain Writing Act of 2009

from CBO's Latest 10 Documents

Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on April
1, 2009

S.
615, A bill to provide additional personnel authorities for the
Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction

from CBO's Latest 10 Documents

Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on April
1, 2009

S.
713, FEMA Accountability Act of 2009

from CBO's Latest 10 Documents

Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on April
1, 2009

H.R.
24, A bill to redesignate the Department of the Navy as the Department
of the Navy and Marine Corps

from CBO's Latest 10 Documents

Cost estimate for the bill as introduced in the House of Representatives
on January 6, 2009

VIDEO:
Wendy Sherman, Fmr. Special Advisor to President Clinton (1997-2001)

from C-SPAN Recent Video

Continuing our discussion on President Obama's trip to Europe
and Turkey, Albright Group Principal Wendy Sherman gives her
perspective on the visit.

Length: 40 min.

Published: Wednesday at 8:15am (ET)

VIDEO:
Journalist David Axe Vignette: Efforts to Combat Somali Pirates

from C-SPAN Recent Video

Pirates today captured a U.S.-flagged cargo ship off the coast
of Somalia. News reports indicate that the pirates are holding
20 Americans hostage. Mombasa, Kenya has become a hub in efforts
to combat that piracy. Freelance journalist David Axe went there
to look at piracy’s impact and the attempts to control it.

Length: 14 min.

Published: Today at 3pm (ET)

VIDEO:
State Department Wednesday Press Briefing

from C-SPAN Recent Video

Acting Spokesman Robert Wood conducts a daily briefing at the
State Department.

Length: 27 min.

Published: Wednesday at 12:30pm (ET)

VIDEO:
NPC Address by Fmr. President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari

from C-SPAN Recent Video

Martti Ahtisaari, 2008 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former
President of Finland gives a speech on "Peace is a Question
of Will" at the National Press Club. President Ahtisaari
explains how to enhance transatlantic co-operation in peace-building.
He also reflects on the central role of the U.S. and transatlantic
co-operation to solve conflicts and building peace.

Length: 1 hr. 2 min.

Published: Tuesday at 8pm (ET)

VIDEO:
Education Sec. Arne Duncan on the Annual "State of Preschool"
Report

from C-SPAN Recent Video

Discussing the importance of funding for quality early childhood
education, Education Sec. Arne Duncan went over the results of
the annual "State of Preschool" report. Released by
The National Institute for Early Education Research, the report
shows an increase in enrollment and spending for state-funded
pre-K programs.

Length: 25 min.

Published: Wednesday at 10am (ET)

VIDEO:
Securities & Exchange Commission Press Conference on Short
Selling

from C-SPAN Recent Video

The Securities and Exchange Commission proposed new restrictions
on the practice of short selling, where investors sell borrowed
shares in the hopes of buying them back later at a lower price.
The head of the Agency’s Trading and Markets Division held
a news conference afterwards.

Length: 11 min.

Published: Wednesday at 10am (ET)

VIDEO:
FCC Open Commission Meeting on the Future of Broadband

from C-SPAN Recent Video

The Federal Communications Commission held a meeting on proposals
for creating a national broadband or high speed Internet system.
The Commission also discussed minority ownership of broadcast
outlets and radio broadcast spectrum issues.

Length: 30 min.

Published: Wednesday at 10am (ET)

VIDEO:
Homepage White House On Health Reform

from C-SPAN Recent Video

Nancy-Ann DeParle, the White House Director of the Office of
Health Reform, met with representatives of healthcare companies
& community organizations. They discussed health care issues
as part of the Obama Administration's ongoing effort towards
health care reform.

Length: 2 hr. 5 min.

Published: Wednesday at 10am (ET)

Peru's
Ex-President convicted in landmark case

from Amnesty International USA: Most Recent
English News Releases

Alberto Fujimori, the former President of Peru, has been convicted
of a series of human rights violations.

UN
provides welcome support to Bangladesh war crimes investigations

from Amnesty International USA: Most Recent
English News Releases

The government of Bangladesh has sought and received UN assistance
in its efforts to investigate and prosecute crimes against humanity
and other serious violations of human rights and humanitarian
law committed in 1971.

Israel
and Palestinians urged to cooperate with UN mission

from Amnesty International USA: Most Recent
English News Releases

Amnesty International has said that both the Israeli and Palestinian
sides must fully cooperate with the UN's fact-finding mission.

Egyptian
authorities urged to release peaceful protestors

from Amnesty International USA: Most Recent
English News Releases

At least 20 people are still held in detention in Egypt after
peaceful protests on Monday.

Amnesty
International Calls Fujimori Conviction a Milestone in Fight
for Justice

from Amnesty International USA: Most Recent
English News Releases

"It's not every day that we see a former head of state convicted
for human rights violations such as torture, kidnapping and enforced
disappearances", said Amnesty International Trial Observer,
Javier Zuniga

New
UN Inquiry Offers Hope for War Crimes Victims From Gaza Conflict,
Says Amnesty International

from Amnesty International USA: Most Recent
English News Releases

Israeli and Palestinian sides must fully cooperate with the UN's
fact-finding mission looking into possible war crimes and international
law violations committed during the recent conflict in Gaza and
southern Israel, Amnesty International said today.

Indonesia:
Police Head must investigate excessive use of force by Nabire
police

from Amnesty International USA: Most Recent
English News Releases

Amnesty International urges the National Head of Police, Bambang
Hendarso Danuri, to initiate an immediate investigation into
reports of police using excessive force to disperse a demonstration
in Nabire, Papua

Jobless?
Reach for New Unemployment Lifeline

from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by Mike Hall

Most of us know a friend or a family member
who has lost his or her job. Many of us fear we will be next.
After all, with more than 600,00 jobs a month vanishing, official
unemployment now stands at 8.5 percent. And with as much as 15.6
percent of the adult workforce either jobless, underemployed
or part of a group that has just plain given up looking for work,
that fear is more than justified.

Unions
Increase Wages of Service Workers

from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by James Parks

After decades of disappointing wage growth for U.S. workers,
a report from the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)
shows that joining a union significantly boosts the wages of
service-sector workers.

Ed
Schultz Kicks off New MSNBC Show with USW’s Gerard

from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by Mike Hall

Popular progressive radio show host Ed
Schultz, who now anchors ”The Ed Show“ on MSNBC television,
hosted Leo Gerard, president of the Steelworkers (USW), on the
program’s first installment Monday night.

Executive
Order Establishing The White House Office Of Health Reform

President
Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 4-8-09

Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate
the following individuals for key administration posts: Jeffrey
Feltman, Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, Department
of State; Charles A. Hurley, Administrator, National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation;
Robert O. Work, Under Secretary of the Navy, Department of the
Navy, Department of Defense; and Charles A. Blanchard, General
Counsel, Department of the Air Force, Department of Defense.

Tomorrow:
White House Director of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers
to Visit Ohio

Tomorrow, April 9, 2009, Dr. Ed Montgomery, the White House Director
of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers, will visit Cleveland,
Ohio to discuss the President’s support of a strong American
auto industry and the President’s Auto Task Force initiative
to support and revitalize auto industry workers and communities.

President
Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 4/8/2009

Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate
the following individuals for key administration posts: Mary
L. Smith, Assistant Attorney General, Tax Division, Department
of Justice; Robert R. Beers, Under Secretary for National Protection
and Programs, Department of Homeland Security; Peter M. Rogoff,
Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, Department of
Transportation; and Jane Oates, Assistant Secretary for Employment
and Training Administration, Department of Labor.

Readout
of the President's call with President Aliyev of Azerbaijan

The President had a good conversation with President Aliyev.
He reaffirmed U.S commitment to a strong relationship with Azerbaijan
and to supporting progress toward a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.

Readout
of the President's call with Prime Minister Berlusconi of Italy

President Obama called Italian Prime Minster Berlusconi to express
his deepest condolences, and the condolences of the American
people, to the families of the victims and to those injured in
the April 6 earthquake in L’Aquila, Italy.

Vice
President Biden hosts conference calls with governors and local
officials to discuss recovery act implementation 04-07-09

Earlier today, the Vice President hosted two conference calls
with Governors and Mayors/County Executives from across the country
to discuss Recovery Act implementation.

Treasury
Department Statement on Auto Supplier Support Program

The U.S. Department of the Treasury released the following statement
today from spokesperson Jenni Engebretsen on the launch by Chrysler
LLC and General Motors Corporation of Auto Supplier Support Programs.
The programs launched today are open to any receivable created
with respect to goods shipped after March 19, 2009 made on qualifying
commercial terms. Suppliers interested in participating in the
program should contact Chrysler and GM.

Statement
by the President on the 15th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda

Women
in the White House

Posted by Jenny Yeager, Special Assistant to the Director of
Public Liaison

Read
the Live-Blog: Health Care Stakeholders Discussion

Continuing in the transparent tradition of the White House Forum
on Health Reform and the Regional Forums that followed, watch
another discussion with key stakeholders streamed at WhiteHouse.gov/live.
It will be a diverse group of stakeholders, from businesspeople
to insurers to health professionals, sharing their views with
Counselor to the President and Director of the White House Office
of Health Reform Nancy-Ann DeParle.

The
President Speaks to the Troops

Secretary
Clinton to Participate in Australia-United States Ministerial
Consultations (AUSMIN)

Bureau of Public Affairs

Office of the Spokesman

Washington, DC

April 8, 2009

NRC
to Discuss 2008 Performance Assessment for Fort Calhoun Nuclear
Plant

Military
Medical Digest for Military Health System updated

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

NASA
Image of the Day: Expedition 18 Lands

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 23:00:00 -0500

The Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft, carrying Expedition 18 Commander
Michael Fincke, Flight Engineer Yury V. Lonchakov and American
Spaceflight Participant Charles...

The most recent Job Openings and Labor
Turnover Survey news release

(http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/jolts.pdf)
was reissued today by the

Bureau of Labor Statistics. A notice about the reissuance can
be found on

the first page of the news release. Highlights of the news release
are below.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

There were 3.0 million job openings in
the U.S. on the last

day of February 2009. The job openings rate (2.2 percent)

and hires rate (3.3 percent) were essentially unchanged in

February, with both remaining low. The total separations

rate (3.6 percent) was also little changed in February.

Dot
Mil Docs: Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism

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

Red
Cross: Guantanamo Medical Personnel Violated Ethics

Posted: 06 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

WASHINGTON - Medical professionals who monitored CIA interrogations
at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention facility violated medical
ethics, the International Committee of the Red Cross said in
a report disclosed Monday.

Pres.
Obama Back in Washington after Overseas Trip

Posted: 07 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

By JENNIFER LOVEN

WASHINGTON - "There is still a lot of work to do here,"
President Barack Obama declared in Baghdad.

Lawmakers
Meet Castros, Urge End to Embargo

Posted: 07 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

By JIM ABRAMS

WASHINGTON - As the Obama administration considers a shift in
the half-century policy of isolating Cuba, members of the Congressional
Black Caucus returned from Havana saying the Castro brothers
are eager to see a new day in U.S.-Cuban relations.

Government
Approves Plan for New Spy Satellites

Posted: 07 Apr 2009 05:00 PM PDT

By PAMELA HESS

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration on Tuesday approved the
purchase of pricey new spy satellites and will buy more commercial
imagery from the private sector to plug immediate gaps in satellite
coverage.

San
Diego Top Stories for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

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

Atlanta
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

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

Dallas
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

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

Boston
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

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

Los
Angeles Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

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

BTS Releases Freight Transportation
Services Index (TSI);

Freight Index Rose 2.0 Percent in February from January

The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) rose 2.0 percent
in February from its January level, rising from its lowest level
in more than five years, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics
(BTS), a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), reported
today.

A news release summarizing the data may be obtained at www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm.
TSI data can be found on the BTS website http://www.bts.gov/xml/tsi/src/index.xml.

-END-

Science
and Technology Snapshots for U.S. Department of Homeland Security
updated

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

DOE Fossil Energy NEWSALERT

----------------------------

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced

numerous accomplishments coming out of a

multi-year collaboration in the area of

advanced materials research between the

United States and the United Kingdom. For

more details, link to the Energy Department's

Fossil Energy Web site at:

http://www.fossil.energy.gov

UST
Home Page for U.S. Department of Justice has been updated

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

Beers
to be Nominated as Under Secretary for National Protection and
Programs Directorate

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 06:00:00 -0500

President Barack Obama announced on April 8, 2009 his intent
to nominate Rand Beers as U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate,
the Department's primary risk-reducing division.

emergency.CDC.gov
has been updated

Links to updated information on the Central Italy earthquake
response and recovery efforts can be found on the CDC
Earthquakes website.

US-CERT Current Activity

Cisco Releases Security Advisory for ASA Adaptive
Security Appliance and PIX Security Appliances

Original release date: April 8, 2009 at
12:29 pm

Last revised: April 8, 2009 at 12:29 pm

Cisco has released a security advisory
to address multiple

vulnerabilities in the ASA Adaptive Security Appliance and PIX

Security Appliances. These vulnerabilities may allow an attacker
to

bypass authentication mechanisms, bypass access control lists,
or

cause a denial-of-service vulnerability.

US-CERT encourages users and administrators
to review Cisco security

advisory cisco-sa-20090408-asa and apply any necessary updates
or

workarounds to help mitigate the risks.

Relevant Url(s):

<http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/products_security_advisory09186a0080a994f6.shtml>

====

This entry is available at

http://www.us-cert.gov/current/index.html#cisco_releases_security_advisory_for9

NE@Mission
Madness Wrap-up

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:00:00 -0500

NASA EDGE announces the winners for the NASA 2009 Mission Madness
Tournament.

Department
of Defense Conference Call with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
and Gen. James Cartwright with Military Bloggers

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:56:00 -0500

Media
Roundtable with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and General
James Cartwright, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff and Selected
Reporters

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:16:00 -0500

U.S.
Department of State: Remarks With Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivailo Kalfin Before Their Meeting

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

April 8, 2009

U.S.
Department of State: Assistant Secretary Boucher and Ambassador
Blake Discuss Humanitarian Situation in Sri Lanka with Tamil
Diaspora Groups

Bureau of Public Affairs

Office of the Spokesman

Washington, DC

April 8, 2009

New
Executive Speeches for Federal Bureau of Investigation posted

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

El
Paso Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

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

Portland
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

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

U.S.
Department of State: Pakistani Girls Visit the U.S. to Expand
Soccer Skills

Bureau of Public Affairs

Office of the Spokesman

Washington, DC

April 8, 2009

Newark
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

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

Cincinnati
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

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

Kansas
City Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

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

New
York Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

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

Enforcement
News for U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted

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

Congressional
Appearances for U.S. Department of Homeland Security

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

CBP
ISF/"10+2" 2009 Outreach Schedule

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:20:40 -0500

CBP is hosting trade outreach events in various locations around
the country to provide the trade community with an opportunity
to learn more about the new Importer Security Filing and Additional
Carrier Requirements (a.k.a. ISF/"10+2") interim final
rule. (more)

USBP
in the News

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:20:40 -0500

For archived news releases, please visit CBP News Releases located
under Newsroom.

ACE
on the Road Event Schedule

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:20:40 -0500

What's
New with ACE?

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:20:40 -0500

The latest and greatest news on ACE.

Health
EStats from the National Center for Health Statistics has been
updated

We wanted you to know we recently updated
the Health EStats page.

U.S.
Courts Advisory Committee Meetings

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0500

Criminal Rules Committees Approved Proposed Rules Amendments

CBP
Offers Tips for Quick, Safe Easter Holiday Border Crossing Experience

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:20:40 -0500

El Paso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers
at the El Paso port of entry and other area international crossings
are providing guidance to assist those travelers who intend to
travel between the U.S. from Mexico in the days before the Easter
holiday. (more)

CBP
to Host Imperial Valley Recruitment Event in Brawley, Calif.

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:20:40 -0500

Brawley, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection will host
a CBP officer hiring event on Thursday, April 9, as part of the
agency's campaign to hire several thousand new officers nationwide,
many specifically for the ports of entry in Calexico.The event
will take place from 9 a. (more)

CBP
Recruiting in North Dakota

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:20:40 -0500

Pembina, N.D. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted
a national job announcement for CBP officers that opened Monday,
April 6, 2009 and will close Sunday, April 26. A CBP agriculture
specialist job announcement also opened Monday, April 6 and will
close Tuesday, April 28. (more)

Residue
Violator Alert List for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
updated

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

Meat,
Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Directory for USDA Food Safety
and Inspection Service updated

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

U.S.
Department of State: Macedonian Presidential and Municipal Elections

Robert Wood

Acting Department Spokesman, Office of
the Spokesman

Bureau of Public Affairs

Washington, DC

April 8, 2009

U.S.
Department of State Office of the Inspector General Reports and
Publications: OIG Releases

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:15:32 -0500

U.S.
Department of State: Israeli Home Demolitions

Robert Wood

Acting Department Spokesman, Office of
the Spokesman

Bureau of Public Affairs

Washington, DC

U.S.
Department of State: Georgia: April 9 Protests

Robert Wood

Acting Department Spokesman, Office of
the Spokesman

Bureau of Public Affairs

Washington, DC

April 8, 2009

FDA
Clears Rapid Test for Avian Influenza A Virus in Humans

State
Homeland Security Grant Awards for U.S. Department of Homeland
Security posted

This information has recently been updated,
and is now available. Added information on the FY
2009 Preparedness Grants (PDF, 22 pages - 149 KB) FY
2009 Preparedness Grants (TXT)

Attorney
General Eric Holder Names New Leadership for ATF, Executive Office
for U.S. Attorneys, and Office of Professional Responsibility

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:00:00 -0500

"These extremely experienced and capable long time career
prosecutors are uniquely qualified to lead these important offices,"
said Attorney General Holder. "I am pleased that these dedicated
public servants, Ken, Marshall, and Mary Pat, have accepted their
new challenges with enthusiasm. I know that they will lead their
new offices with their usual high standards of professionalism,
integrity and dedication."

Stephen
G. Burns Named NRC General Counsel

Secretary Chu to Visit New Mexico’s
Nuclear Security Laboratories

Energy Secretary to Deliver Remarks on the Role of Nuclear Security
Labs in Meeting National Challenges

Washington, DC – U.S. Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu will
make his first visit to the Department of Energy's nuclear security
laboratories in New Mexico on Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April
10. Secretary Chu will outline the critical role the laboratories
will play in advancing the nuclear security agenda outlined this
week by President Obama as well as the important contributions
they make to addressing broad national challenges like energy
security, climate change and economic development.

On Thursday, April 9, Secretary Chu will visit Los Alamos National
Laboratory where he will participate in a brief photo opportunity
before attending a classified tour and briefing. On Friday, April
10, Secretary Chu will deliver remarks on “The Role of the
Nuclear Security Laboratories in Meeting National Challenges”
and tour the Microsystems and Engineering Sciences Applications
(MESA) Microelectronics Laboratory at Sandia National Laboratories.

Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories
are administered by the National Nuclear Security Administration,
a separately organized agency within the U.S. Department of Energy
responsible for enhancing national security through the military
application of nuclear science.

Tour of Los Alamos National Laboratory

Who: U.S. Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu

What: Photo Opportunity

When: Thursday, April 9

4:30 PM (MDT)

Where: LANL computing center.

*** NOTE: Interested media should contact LANL Communications
Office at (505) 667-7000 or (505) 665-9202 ***

Tour of Sandia National Laboratory and Speech on "The Role
of the Nuclear Security Laboratories in Meeting National Challenges"

Who: U.S. Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu

What: Speech at Sandia National Laboratory

When: Friday, April 10

9:00 AM (MDT)

Where: Steve Schiff Auditorium

Sandia National Laboratories, Bldg. 825

*** NOTE: A tour of the Microsystems and Engineering Sciences
Applications (MESA) facilities and a press availability will
follow Secretary Chu's address. ***

Reporters interested in covering the remarks should contact Michael
Padilla at (505) 284-5325. Sandia media relations personnel will
escort media onto Kirtland Air Force Base from the Gibson Gate.
Media are asked to meet at the southeast corner parking lot at
the intersection of Gibson and Louisiana at 8:15 a.m.

Media contact: (202) 586-4940

NNSA Public Affairs: (202) 586-7371

-DOE-

U.S.
Department of State Remarks With Panamanian Foreign Minister
Samuel Lewis Navarro Before Their Meeting

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

April 8, 2009

Federal
Register Notices for CFTC.gov have been updated

The following Final
Rules has been published:

CITATION# 74 FR 15943

Summary: Establishment of Risk Management Advisory CommitteeThe
Commodity Futures Trading Commission has determined to establish
a new advisory committee, the Risk Management Advisory Committee.
The purpose of the committee is to conduct public meetings and
to make reports and recommendations to the Commission on risk
management issues involving or relevant to participants in the
markets regulated by the Commission.

El
Paso Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

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

New
York Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

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

New
Haven Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

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

Cms.hhs.gov-
Electronic Health Records Demonstration for Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services (CMS) updated

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

Atlanta
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

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

Miami
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

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

U.S.
Department of State Burma Letter

Robert Wood

Acting Department Spokesman, Office of
the Spokesman

Bureau of Public Affairs

Washington, DC

April 8, 2009

Former
Asbestos Monitoring Contractor Pleads Guilty to Making False
Statements

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:00:00 -0500

A former owner of an asbestos monitoring contractor that provided
services to New York Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH) pleaded guilty
today for making false statements to FBI agents and representatives
of the Department's Antitrust Division. Stephen E. McAnulty,
of Brooklyn, N.Y., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Manhattan,
for lying about his knowledge of a kickback and fraud conspiracy
that took place at NYPH.

VACANCY:
Public Affairs Specialist (Field Public Information Officer),
GS-1035-9 FEMA

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:36:47 -0500

KAT-09-MS-TRO-4189-KAS (Closing Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00
EDT)

NRC
Approves Proposal to Continue Distributing Potassium Iodide Near
Nuclear Power Plants as an Emergency Preparedness Measure

Tobacco
Statistics for TTB.gov updated

We have recently updated this information for the 2009 listings,
and is now available.

C-SPAN Daily Alert Programming Information
for Weds. 4/8 - Thurs. 4/9, 2009

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

C-SPAN Highlights

Tonight:

* Discussion on Civil Rights & the Presidency (8pm)

* Vignette on Somali Piracy (9:55pm)

* White House Health Care Forum (10:15pm)

Tomorrow:

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

* Nat'l Economic Council Dir. Larry Summers Speech on The Economy
(12:30pm) - LIVE

* Secs. Clinton & Gates News Conference with Australian Officials
(3:30pm) - LIVE

* Panel Discussion on NATO’s 60th Anniversary (5:30pm) -
LIVE

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

C-SPAN2 Highlights

Tonight:

* Book TV's After Words: Amity Shlaes, Author, "The Forgotten
Man" (8pm)

* Book TV: Dean Baker, Author, "Plunder and Blunder"
(9pm)

* Book TV: Panel Discussion on William F. Buckley's "The
Reagan I Knew" (10:05pm)

Tomorrow:

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

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

C-SPAN3 Highlights

Tonight:

* U.S. Chamber of Commerce Panel on Green Investment in the Economy
(7pm)

Tomorrow:

* Programming TBA. Check Schedule for Updates - http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=schedule&tID=&date=2009-04-09

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

C-SPAN Radio Highlights

Tonight:

* Programming TBA. Check Schedule for Updates - http://www.c-span.org/Schedules/C-SPAN-Radio-Schedule.aspx

Tomorrow:

* Washington Journal (7am) - LIVE

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

Politics Highlights

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

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

Washington Journal Highlights

* Cleveland Clinic President & CEO
Dr. Delos Cosgrove

* Discussion on News of the Week

* Interview with C-SPAN's StudentCam Winners

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

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

U.S.
Department of State : Daily Press Briefing - April 8

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:35:20 -0500

Robert Wood

Acting Department Spokesman

Daily Press Briefing

April 8, 2009

CDC's
Immunizations' Hepatitis B Coordinators List updated

This email is to inform you that the contact
information for Palau has been updated and is now available.

CDC's
Manual for Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases updated

A few minor changes were made to the following
chapters. To download this information, use this link to access
the Surveillance manual web page.

Acting
Administrator Ward Speaks At The National Hurricane Conference

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:14:32 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Nancy
Ward today highlighted plans FEMA has implemented to prepare
for the 2009 Hurricane Season during her address at the 31st
Annual National Hurricane Conference.

Final
Texas Young Democrats Convention information

Hello friends!

The TYD State Convention is next week (April
17-19). If you have not signed up and are still interested in
attending, please email tydconvention@gmail.com.

Information can be viewed at: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://campaignwindow.com%2Ftydconvention%2Findex.cfm

*note* online registration is closed, you
must email if you are interested in attending.

Also, if you did not book at the host hotel,
you might consider staying at the La Quinta on 11th Street has
rates for $149/night/4 people. This has been the best downtown
rate I have been able to find.

Hope to see you there and hope you have
some rural concerns!!

Arika Kulhavy, Chair TYD Rural Caucus

Workplace
Poster Requirements

Federal and state laws require employers
to prominently display certain labor law posters. All employers
operating a business are required to comply with these workplace
posting requirements.

Posting all required notices at your business location is a simple
but important regulation to uphold. This article provides clarity
so business owners can avoid common and often costly mistakes.
Read
more..

DoD
Contracts for April 08, 2009

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:00:00 -0500

Former
Insurance Executive in Georgia Pleads Guilty in $1.2 Million
Embezzlement Scheme

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:42:24 -0500

Georgianne Carlisle, 57, of Taylorsville, Georgia, pleaded guilty
to a federal charge of conspiracy arising out of a scheme to
embezzle $1.2 million in insurance premiums from her employer
and various other companies with which her employer did business.

U.S.
Department of State Remarks With Australian Foreign Minister
Stephen Smith Before Their Meeting

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

April 8, 2009

CBP
Career Fair in San Diego April 11

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:49:39 -0500

San Diego - U.S. Customs and Border Protection will hold a career
fair on April 11 in San Diego.The event will take place from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sheraton Mission Valley, 1433 Camino
Del Rio South, San Diego, CA 92108.In January, CBP announced
the goal in 2009 of hiring approximately 7,000 frontline and
mission support positions throughout the country. (more)

CBP
Announces Plan to Modernize Land Ports of Entry

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:49:39 -0500

Washington - U.S. Customs and Border Protection today announced
funding received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act (Recovery Act) that will help modernize land ports of entry
to help meet its border security mission, while encouraging a
boost in national and local economies. (more)

CBP
Form 262 - Request for Printed Material

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:49:40 -0500

File Size - 78 KB

U.S.
Department of State Remarks With Lebanese Defense Minister Elias
Murr Before Their Meeting

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

April 8, 2009

U.S.
Department of State Remarks With Moroccan Foreign Minister Dr.
Taieb Fassi Fihri Before Their Meeting

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

April 8, 2009

Ask Congress to Promote Energy Efficiency

We need aggressive action from Congress
to curb global warming emissions and build a clean energy future.

The recently introduced Save American Energy
Act, supported by leading environmental groups such as the Sierra
Club, will address our pressing economic, energy and environmental
challenges by requiring that utilities gradually increase energy
savings - an average of one percent a year starting in 2012 through
2020.