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January 1, 2010
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Labor
chief moves on job safety, workers' rights from AP Top Political News At 5:39 a.m. EST by By SAM HANANEL WASHINGTON (AP) -- Soon after she became the nation's labor secretary, Hilda Solis warned corporate America there was "a new sheriff in town.".. |
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Spain
takes over EU presidency from Spain News latest RSS headlines - Big News Network.com Spain has taken over the presidency of the European Union (EU) and the prime minister says his country will strive to end Europe's economic crisis. |
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Obama
begins new year reviewing US intel system from AP Top Headlines At 4:24 a.m. EST by By PHILIP ELLIOTT and CALVIN WOODWARD HONOLULU (AP) -- President Barack Obama is reviewing reports from homeland security officials as his administration tries to determine what U.S. policy and personnel failures preceded the attempted Detroit jetliner bombing.... |
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Thousands
march in Hong Kong to demand democracy from Hong Kong News latest RSS headlines - Big News Network.com The march comes as opposition lawmakers press forward with a mass resignation plan. Congregating outside the city's historic domed legislature, protesters carried colourful banners with slogans such a... |
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Haiti's
president promises fair election from Jamaica News latest RSS headlines - Big News Network.com But the Friday speech did not address the disqualification of 15 political groups that has prompted international criticism and opposition threats to try to disrupt the Feb. 28 vote.The opposition acc... |
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Job
prospects for 2010 from CNN.com - Video CNN's Kitty Pilgrim looks at the most recent economic data and talks about the job climate for the year ahead. |
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Japan
Promises India Infusion of Capital, Technology by Anjana Pasricha Two agreements signed this week will help build a 1,500 kilometer-long industrial corridor between New Dehli and Mumbai |
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Iraq
to Appeal Dismissal of Charges Against US Security Guards by VOA News Government spokesman says country's own investigation showed that men had committed crime |
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2010
Brings New Push in Mideast Diplomacy Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu visited Cairo this week, proposed that Egypt host three-way summit with Palestinian President Abbas |
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Democrats
seek to shorten primaries, rein in superdelegates |
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Labor
moves quickly on job safety, workers' rights by By SAM HANANEL WASHINGTON (AP) -- Soon after she became the nation's labor secretary, Hilda Solis warned corporate America there was "a new sheriff in town." Less than a year into her tenure, that figurative badge of authority is unmistakable... |
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Google
executive running for Vermont governor post by By DAVE GRAM WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. (AP) -- Internet search giant Google is based in Silicon Valley, yet it runs its community affairs operation out of a former bread factory in an old New England railroad town, hard by the confluence of the White and Connecticut rivers.. |
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White
House defends its TSA nominee by By PHILIP ELLIOTT HONOLULU (AP) -- Acknowledging he has given inconsistent answers to Congress, President Barack Obama's pick to lead the Transportation Security Administration wrote to lawmakers to explain a reprimand he received for running background checks on his then-estranged wife's boyfriend two decades ago.... |
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Pakistan
Taliban claims it carried out CIA attack by By RASOOL DAWAR MIR ALI, Pakistan (AP) -- The Pakistani Taliban claimed Friday that they used a turncoat CIA operative to carry out a suicide bombing that killed seven American CIA employees in Afghanistan as revenge for a top militant leader's death in a U.S. missile strike.. |
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Richard
Trumka: Wishing You Strength and Solidarity in 2010 by Richard L. Trumka |
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New
laws for 2010 Posted: January 1st, 2010 05:00 PM ET |
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Young Democrats of Louisiana Year in Review As we close 2009, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the year for Young Democrats of Louisiana. In our 1st full year since reorganizing in 2008, we had great successes for our organization. Both the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 Executive Committees set aggressive goals and have built a foundation for us to build on in 2010 and beyond. In 2008, 11 parishes were represented on the state level. In 2009, we have grown to have 27 parishes and have set a goal of having all 64 parishes active by June 30, 2010. To date, 41 parishes are represented in the membership. Our amazing growth in such a short time caught the attention of many National and Regional Leaders, including then Regional Director Rick Puig, who selected me to represent the South-Central Region on the YDA National Chapter Building Committee, the committee charged with evaluating and allotting funds under the State Partnership Program. This year for the first time, Young Democrats of Louisiana established a legislative agenda and was able to bring young people from all over the state to the State Capitol to lobby and testify before the legislature on various bills that effect Louisiana$BCT(B youth. We are very proud of those efforts and look forward to doing the same for the 2010 Legislative Session set to begin in March. I want to thank Vice President of Political Affairs Lynncal Bering, Vice President of Administration Brett Jackson, Vice President of Programs Vincent Trombatore, and former Director of Governmental Relations and current 6th Congressional District Kyle Shelly, and others for their leadership with those efforts. We were privileged to witness the elections of some awesome young democrats to office in State Senators JP Morrell and Norby Chabert and State Representative Jared Brossett among other local officials. The Democratic State Central Committee unanimously voted in March 2009 to officially recognize Young Democrats of Louisiana as an official statewide Democratic organization, the only organization to currently hold such status, giving us three seats on the Democratic State Central Committee which is the governing body of the Louisiana Democratic Party and giving us a seat on the LDP Executive Committee. I want to thank National Committeewoman Katrina L. Rogers, National Committeeman Jason Wynne Hughes and former National Committeeman Brett Jackson for their efforts in getting that accomplished and for serving Young Democrats of Louisiana with me on the DSCC. In April, we completed the first of our quarterly $BE:(BDL Serves” projects where we assisted with renovating the homes of senior citizens. In May 2009, Louisiana rejoined the Young Democrats of America South-Central Region by joining Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri and sending a delegation of 6 to our first Regional Conference in three years. While there, I was elected to serve as Deputy Regional Director, the region$BCT(B second in command on the regional level. In June 2009, we held another successful State Convention where we honored our 2009 Ally of the Year, AFL-CIO President Louis Reine; YDL Woman of the Year, Laura Veazey; YDL Man of the Year, Jason Hughes and Presidents Award winner Scharra E. Lewis. Latter that month, we also attended the YDA National Spring Conference in Houston. We continued $BE:(BDL Serves” with projects in July. August of 2009 was packed with fun for Young Democrats of Louisiana when we attended YDA's National Convention in Chicago-- our first since 2005. We sent a delegation of 8 members and hosted the highly acclaimed Bayou Bash Party complete with Hurricanes, New Orleans food, Zapps Chips and Mardi Gras beads...the party was so awesome the fire marshal shut us down for having too many people. Young Democrats of Louisiana has asserted that we are ready to lead among states nationally by having representatives on the Standing Committees on Credentials, Rules & Bylaws,and Resolutions Committee, where our own Brett Jackson serves as Secretary. Additionally, members of our state organization represent the whole South-Central Region on Select Committees. Jason Hughes serves on the Site Selection Committee and Dawn Collins serves on the Diversity and Outreach Committee. Congratulations to them on their appointments! September was a month of chapter visits and networking for YDL. In addition, I had the privilege of representing Louisiana$BCT(B Youth at the DNC and DNC Youth Council Meetings in Austin where we kicked off the campaign for New Orleans to be the Host City of for the 2010 YDA National Winter Conference. As you know by, now we were selected by the YDA Board of Directors to host that conference February 18-21, 2010, the first time in 15 years that we will host a national conference. We look forward to seeing you all there. Thank you to the entire host and bid committees for your work in securing that bid! Young Democrats has been featured in the Huffington Post, Talking Points Memo, and other media outlets for calling out Senator Vitter for his shadiness and not standing up for rape victims among other things. We protested at his town halls and we will defeat him in 2010. I want to thank the YDL Womens’ Caucus under the leadership of Chairwoman Katrina L.Rogers, Vice Chairwoman Carrie Wilson and Secretary Kali Johnson! YDL Stonewall Caucus is also coming together under the leadership of its Chair Brett Jackson and has great things to come in 2010. The LGBTQ community is often forgotten about in our state; however, we recognize that it is a valuable constituency and we will insure they have a seat at the table in the Democratic Party. Our YDL Minority Caucus is ready to begin its major initiatives. Young Democrats in a short period has become a nationwide leader in the youth political movement and with critical Congressional elections in 2010, state elections and redistricting in 2011, and the Presidential elections in 2012, Young Democrats in this state will play a major part in these events. I am so proud of this organization and the things we have done. On behalf of the Executive Committee, I want to thank you all for making this an amazing year for YDL. Without you, we can$BCU(B make any of this work and we have a lot of work to do this upcoming year. It is an honor and privilege to serve as your State President and I look forward to the year ahead. A Preview of 2010: The Executive Committee in July 2009 set in motion the Vision 2010 Plan that will put in place the necessary tools for a successful 2010 and beyond, including being an organizational partner of the U.S. Census Bureau, putting together a Chapter Leaders and Campaign Training that will be at the forefront of the year to come as we take bold steps to take the lead in Democratic Politics in Louisiana! Thanks for a great 2009 and all the best for 2010! Happy New Year! Yours in Democratic Service, Ralph Johnson P.S. There are many opportunities to serve
on a local, state, and national level. If any of you are interested
please contact me. |
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What's your resolution? All - We want to be the first to wish you a very happy new year. Two thousand ten is a very important year; it is an election year. At the local level, San Franciscans will elect four new members to the Board of Supervisors. Californians will consider a Constitutional Convention and an $11 billion water bond. And Americans will vote in a midterm election that has the potential to dramatically affect the Democrat majorities in both houses of Congress. It is essential that SFYD steps up this year to ensure that the new members of the Board are candidates we help get elected, that California gets back on the road to prosperity, and that leaders like Senator Barbara Boxer are reelected to the Senate. This year we will not be shy about asking you to do your part. We need everyone to step up, together, to be effective and make a difference. Can you donate your time? Can you donate a few dollars? Can you help us spread the word and organize around important causes? Have you made a resolution this year? Why not make a resolution to make a difference? With your help we can. Have a happy and healthy new year. Best to you and your families. The Board of the San Francisco Young Democrats |
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Secretary's
Remarks: Terrorist Attack in Pakistan Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:27:50 -0600 |
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A
Message for the New Year from the President The President offers his best wishes for
the New Year, recorded on December 22nd before he left Washington |
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Google
Plans to Put All World's Books Online Project generating criticism among academics, authors, rival high-tech companies |
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Hundreds
Rally to End Gaza Blockade Pro-Palestinian activists rally on both sides of Israel-Gaza border Thursday, demanding end of Israeli blockade |
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Iranian
Opposition Leader Sends New Warning by VOA News Mir Hossein Mousavi says Tehran's government it will not be able to put down the reform movement by force |
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Africa:
Suspension of U.S. Aid to Niger, Political and Constitutional
Crisis in Nigeria, and U.S. Foreign Assistance to Africa The Africa Regional Policy Overview has been updated with a Council on Foreign Relations article assessing the prospects for a political and constitutional crisis in Nigeria, State Department statements on relations between Chad and Sudan and on the suspension of U.S. aid to Niger, a Presidential Proclamation on the African Growth and Opportunity Act, remarks by the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations on the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the situation in Sudan, and the situation in Eritrea, a Stockholm International Peace Research Institute report analyzing arms transfers to East and Southern Africa, a Human Rights Watch report examining the recent actions of security forces in Guinea, and a Congressional Research Service report with an overview on U.S. foreign assistance issues in Africa. Please see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this region - the newest updates are in bold. |
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National
Security Strategy: The Impact of Social Media on U.S. Diplomacy
Efforts The National Security Strategy MiPAL has been updated with a Brookings Institution event analyzing the impact of social media on U.S. diplomacy efforts, a Center for American Progress report assessing the implications of the troop escalation in Afghanistan on the future of defense spending, reports from the RAND Corporation providing international insights on efforts to prepare and train for a full spectrum of military challenges and analyzing possible direction for the U.S. in the recasting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's strategic concept, a Strategic Insights article examining a correlation between oil resources and armed conflict, and an Air Force Association report evaluating the future direction of the U.S. nuclear force. Please see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this topic - the newest updates are in bold. |
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Iran's
Protest Movement and Status of the Opposition to the Iranian
Regime The Iran MiPAL has been updated with a statement by the President on recent violence in Iran, and a series of Council on Foreign Relations articles analyzing Iran's protest movement and evaluating the status of opposition to the Iranian regime. Please see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this country - the newest updates are in bold. |
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UN
Secretary-General to Extend Mandate of Commission on Bhutto |
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SEC
Charges California Telecom Company With Bribery and Other FCPA
Violations The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Alameda, Calif.-based telecommunications company UTStarcom, Inc. with violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for authorizing millions of dollars in unlawful payments to foreign government officials in Asia. |
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Putin
says hopes U.S. ties will improve in 2010 MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he hoped for improved relations with the United States in 2010, days after his attack on U.S. missile defense plans displayed the fragility of efforts to draw closer. |
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Obama
summons intelligence chiefs to White House meeting KANEOHE, Hawaii (Reuters) - President Barack Obama has summoned the heads of U.S. intelligence agencies for a meeting on Tuesday to discuss ways of preventing a repeat of the attempted bombing of a Detroit-bound airliner on December 25. |
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Fed's
balance sheet shrinks slightly NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Reserve's balance sheet shrank slightly in the latest week on a small dip in its holdings of agency mortgage-backed securities, Fed data released on Thursday showed. |
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U.S.,
foreign officials to discuss airport security WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will dispatch senior agency officials to meet with airport executives around the world to review security and technology used to screen passengers on U.S.-bound flights, the department said. |
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FRB
Restructuring of check processing operations in the Fourth and
Sixth districts, Regulation CC |
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DNI
Message to the Intelligence Community Workforce DNI Message to the Intelligence Community Workforce sent on Thursday, December 31, 2009. |
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Statement
on CIA Casualties in Afghanistan December 31, 2009 - Statement on CIA Casualties in Afghanistan. |
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A
Look Back … Gen. William J. Donovan Heads Office of Strategic
Services December 31 - In the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the nation was in a state of shock and horror. The day after the attack, the United States officially declared war on Japan, with Nazi Germany declaring war on the United States three days later. President Franklin D. Roosevelt realized that to win the war, the country needed an organization to gather important intelligence from around the world. The president$BCT(B advisors knew just the man to lead such an outfit — Gen. William J. Donovan, also known as $BE8(Bild Bill” Donovan. |
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Obama
wishes US a happy New Year HONOLULU (AP) -- President Barack Obama is wishing the nation a happy New Year with "brighter days ... ahead of us."... |
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Obama
begins new year with eye on intel by By PHILIP ELLIOTT and CALVIN WOODWARD HONOLULU (AP) -- President Barack Obama is reviewing reports from homeland security officials as his administration tries to determine what U.S. policy and personnel failures preceded the attempted Detroit jetliner bombing.... |
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Executive
Order -- Medical Countermeasures Following a Biological Attack |
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Statement
by National Security Council Spokesman Mike Hammer on the Detention
of Human Rights Activists in Russia |
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Message
from the President to the CIA Workforce |
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A
Message for the New Year from the President The President offers his best wishes for
the New Year, recorded on December 22nd before he left Washington |
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Senate
Intelligence Committee announces terror hearings Posted: December 31st, 2009 03:57 PM ET (CNN) - The Senate Intelligence Committee announced Thursday it will hold hearings to begin on January 21 on the Christmas Day terror attempt |
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President
Obama's New Year's message to America Posted: December 31st, 2009 04:28 PM ET A New Year's message from President Obama was posted on the White House blog Thursday afternoon. Washington (CNN) – In a video posted to the White House blog Thursday afternoon, President Obama wished Americans a happy New Year. |
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CANADA
Political newsbrief has been updated |
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POLITICAL
HOT TOPICS: January 1, 2010 Posted: January 1st, 2010 05:13 AM ET |
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Florida
GOP Leader Faces Revolt The Palm Beach Post has more proof of a GOP civil war brewing in Florida: "A dozen of Florida's top Republican fundraisers called for the resignation of their state party chairman in a letter late Tuesday, saying without his removal Republicans had a 'diminished' chance for success in a crucial election next year." |
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Unemployment
Insurance Weekly Claims Report for the U.S. Department of Labor. This information has recently been updated. In the week ending Dec. 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 432,000, a decrease of 22,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 454,000. The 4-week moving average was 460,250, a decrease of 5,500 from the previous week's revised average of 465,750. |
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New
ISR in Afghanistan Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:32:11 -0600 The Air Force has a new eye in the sky over Afghanistan. |
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U.S.
Air Force Medical Personnel Train Iraqi Counterparts Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:25:00 -0600 |
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Program
Helps Servicemembers Transition to Civilian Life Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:01:00 -0600 |
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Highlights:
Michelle Kwan To Visit South Korea Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:00:00 -0600 |
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ORANGE
COUNTY MAN ADMITS TO POSTING PRE-RELEASE $BA4(BSCREENER’ OF HOLLYWOOD
MOVIE ON INTERNET |
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FEC
Weekly Digest Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:40:46 -0600 Week of December 28 - January 1 |
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Sobriety
Training Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:24:22 -0600 People around the world will be celebrating the new year tonight, and law enforcement personnel will be out in force keeping an eye out for drunk drivers. |
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Funds
Help Nations Develop Counterterrorism Capabilities Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:06:00 -0600 |
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MEPS
Periodic Digest for Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
(AHRQ). This information has
recently been updated, and is now available. |
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Highlights:
Upcoming Public Meetings on FASTC Project Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:00:00 -0600 |
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Highlights:
January State Department Alumni Member of the Month Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:00:00 -0600 |
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FEMA
ANNOUNCES $200M In EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER PROGRAM Awards
For 2010 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal funds totaling $200 million has been awarded to assist organizations across the country in their efforts to provide emergency food and shelter to families and individuals in need. EFSP grant funds are used to supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs for people with non-disaster related emergencies. These funds are in addition to $100 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds, announced in April 2009. In total, the $100 million will provide over 47.7 million meals, over 3 million nights of lodging, over 75,000 rent/mortgage payments, and over 164,000 utility payments nationwide. |
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DOD
Identifies Army Casualty Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:25:00 -0600 |
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Federal
Register Notices for CFTC.gov. The following Final Rules has been published: 74 FR 69279 17 CFR Part 1 Revised Adjusted Net Capital Requirements for Futures Commission Merchants and Introducing Brokers, Final Rules. |
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Servicemember
Voting Laws Reflect Changes Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:22:00 -0600 |
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IRS Issues Proposed Regulations Adjusting
Use of Some Taxpayer Information WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the issuance of proposed and temporary regulations and related revenue rulings addressing the use or disclosure of tax return information by tax return preparers. The regulations and related revenue rulings under section 7216 enable tax return preparers to more effectively provide a range of services that taxpayers would ordinarily expect from tax return preparers. Generally, these services benefit taxpayers, increase voluntary compliance and improve tax administration. The proposed and temporary regulations enable tax return preparers to use or disclose tax return information without explicit taxpayer consent in certain limited circumstances. Tax preparers can contact their clients regarding tax law developments that may affect the clients. They can also disclose information in connection with the potential sale or purchase of a tax return preparer$BCT(B business and during the process of conducting client conflict-of-interest checks. Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, consideration will be given to any written (a signed original and eight copies) or electronic comments that are submitted timely to the IRS. The IRS and the Treasury Department request comments on the clarity of the proposed rules, how they can be made easier to understand and the administrability of the rules in the proposed regulations. All comments will be made available for public inspection and copying. A public hearing will be scheduled if requested in writing by any person that timely submits written comments. Related items: Revenue Ruling 2010-04 Revenue Ruling 2010-05 |
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Inspector General Financial Assistance (Grants) Reports for U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Recent Additions: |
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C-SPAN Daily Alert C-SPAN Highlights Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: |
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IRS
Revenue Ruling 2010-04 provides
guidance on whether a tax return preparer is liable for criminal
and civil penalties under Internal Revenue Code sections 7216
and 6713 when the tax return preparer uses tax return information
to contact taxpayers to inform them of changes in tax law that
could affect the taxpayers’ income tax liability reported in
tax returns previously prepared or processed by the tax return
preparer; uses tax return information to determine which taxpayers’
future income tax return filing obligations may be affected by
a prospective change in tax rule or regulation and to contact
such taxpayers to notify them of the changed rule or regulation,
explain how the change may affect them, and advise them with
regard to actions they may take in response to the change; or
discloses tax return information contained in the list permitted
to be maintained by the tax return preparer under section 301.7216-2(n)
to a third-party service provider that creates, publishes, or
distributes, by mail or e-mail, tax information and general business
and economic information or analysis for educational purposes
or for purposes of soliciting additional tax return preparation
services for the tax return preparer, for the purpose of obtaining
the $BAO(Bewsletter’ creation, publication, and or distribution services
offered by the third-party service provider. |
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HAPPY NEW YEAR AND SEE YOU AT THE PROGRESSIVE CHAUTAUQUA Left Turn Only includes a history and analysis of the
current political era - Republicans, Democrats, Blue Dogs and
Progressives After a look inside the book presentation
there will be a panel discussion by the contributors to Left
Turn Only: Join us for a Progressive Chautauqua: ~ Next Meeting ~ January 19, 2010 7 PM Encino Community Center Kicking off the NEW YEAR!! |
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CFTC
Adopts Amendments to Electronic Filing Regulations and Certain
Other Financial Reporting Requirements Applicable to Futures
Commission Merchants and Introducing Brokers, December 30, 2009 |
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Rodriguez
Calls Partnerships Key to Afghan Success Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:33:00 -0600 |
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USDA ENHANCES INTEGRITY AND DEFENSIBILITY OF FARM PROGRAMS AND STREAMLINES PAYMENT LIMITS FOR FAMILY FARMERS WASHINGTON, Dec. 31, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is partnering with the Internal Revenue Service to reduce fraud in farm programs and streamlining payment limits for family farmers. The actions are intended to strengthen the integrity and defensibility of USDA farm safety net programs and help the agricultural industry to meet requirements included in the 2008 Farm Bill. "Today's announcement will ensure that the producers who depend upon the safety net of USDA programs will have future access to these programs by enhancing the overall integrity of the programs," said Vilsack. "It will also provide more flexibility for family farm operations across the country." As part of today's announcement, USDA has finalized a Memorandum of Understanding with the Internal Revenue Service to establish an electronic information exchange process for verifying compliance with the adjusted gross income provisions for programs administered by USDA's FSA and Natural Resources Conservation Service. This agreement will ensure that payments are not issued to producers whose adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeds certain limits. The limits set in the 2008 Farm Bill are $500,000 nonfarm average AGI for commodity and disaster programs; $750,000 farm average AGI for direct payments; and $1 million nonfarm average AGI for conservation programs. The electronic process that USDA developed with IRS reviews data from tax returns, performs a series of calculations, and compares these values to the AGI limitations from the 2008 Farm Bill FSA and NRCS will receive a record that indicates whether or not the program participant appears to meet the income limits. Written consent will be required from each producer or payment recipient for this process. No actual tax data will be included in the report that IRS sends to USDA. As part of the review and evaluation process, participants whose AGI may exceed the limits will be offered an opportunity to provide third party verification or other information to validate their income. Meanwhile, beginning with the 2010 program year, USDA has amended the rules that govern the requirements to be 'actively engaged' in farming. These rules apply to eligibility for payments under the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) or Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program administered by the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). USDA has implemented the following change to permit certain operations, most often family-run operations, to meet 'actively engaged' in farming requirements under less restrictive rules. Every stockholder or member of a legal entity, such as a corporation, does not have to contribute labor or management if both of the following apply: * at least half of the interest in the
legal entity is held by stockholders or members who are providing
active personal labor or active personal management that altogether
qualifies as a significant contribution to the farming operation; USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272(voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). # |
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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 . |
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Enforcement
Actions for CFTC.gov. The following enforcement action has been released: Matthew Pizzolato, William Guidry and Guidry$BCT(B Company, Capital Funding Consultants, L.L.C. Preliminary Injunction: Matthew Pizzolato, William Guidry and Guidry$BCT(B Company, Capital Funding Consultants, L.L.C. CFTC Press Release 5767-09 provides further details on this action. |
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Publications
and Products (NIOSH) for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC). This information has
recently been updated, and is now available. |
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Cotton-on-Call
for CFTC.gov. The Cotton On-Call Report # 52 is now available. See previous weeks in Historical Cotton On-Call Reports. |
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Face
of Defense: Career Counselor Continues Mission in Iraq Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:34:00 -0600 |
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Background
Notes : Lesotho (12/09) Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:47:46 -0600 |
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Background
Notes : Senegal (12/09) Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:01:21 -0600 |
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Background
Notes : Namibia (12/09) Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:25:14 -0600 |
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Background
Notes : Nigeria (12/09) Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:14:57 -0600 |
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Background
Notes : Mozambique (12/09) Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:37:55 -0600 |
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CMS
and ONC Issue Regulations Proposing a Definition of 'Meaningful
Use' and Setting Standards for Electronic Health Record Incentive
Program The Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) encourage public comment on two regulations issued today that lay a foundation for improving quality, efficiency and safety through meaningful use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology. |
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Secretary
Napolitano Dispatches Senior Department Officials to Review Security
Procedures With International Airport Leaders Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:00:00 -0600 Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced that she is dispatching Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute, Assistant Secretary for Policy David Heyman and other senior Department officials on a broad international outreach effort to meet with leaders from major international airports in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and South America to review security procedures and technology being used to screen passengers on flights bound for the United States. |
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UTstarcom
Inc. Agrees to Pay $1.5 Million Penalty for Acts of Foreign Bribery
in China Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:57:59 -0600 UTStarcom Inc. (UTSI) has entered into an agreement with the Department of Justice, agreeing to pay a $1.5 million fine for violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by providing travel and other things of value to foreign officials, specifically employees at state-owned telecommunications firms in the People$BCT(B Republic of China. |
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DoD
Contracts for December 31, 2009 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:02:00 -0600 |
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USBP
in the News Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:27:46 -0600 For archived news releases, please visit CBP News Releases located under Newsroom. |
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Constituent
Update for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. This information has recently been updated, and
is now available. |
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2009
- Agency Financial Report FY 2009 Agency Financial Report 2009 Agency Financial Report - Department of Treasury 2009 Agency Financial Report - Office of Financial
Stability |
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Mullen
Underscores Importance of Academy Experience Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:57:00 -0600 |
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Military
Academy Bowl Victories Shine Light on Armed Forces Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:49:00 -0600 |
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NASA Extends Chandra Science and Operations Support Contract Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:00:00 -0600 |
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GOES-10
Deactivated, GOES-12 Jumps In Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:00:00 -0600 |
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Free
Spirit: Six Years on Mars Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:00:00 -0600 On their sixth anniversary of landing on Mars, one of two scrappy rovers faces an uncertain future. |
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Better
on cholesterol? Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:01:00 -0600 Americans seem to be doing better about controlling their cholesterol but some who know they should do more dont act on what they know. Researcher Elena Kuklina of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saw that in data on more than 7,000 people ages 20 and older. |
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