|
|
|
|
Citizenship and Immigration Services
Ombudsman for U.S. Department of Homeland Security
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
USCIS Implements CIS Ombudsman's Recommendation
#43 on Temporary Acceptance of Filed Labor Conditions Applications
(LCAs) for Certain H-1B Filings (PDF, 2 pages - 30 KB).
See USCIS
Update November 5, 2009 (PDF, 1 page - 29 KB) - New 11/13/2009
|
|
The latest Producer Price Index news release
(http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ppi.pdf)
was issued today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Highlights
are below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods
advanced 0.3 percent in October, seasonally
adjusted. This increase followed a 0.6-percent decline in September
and a 1.7-percent rise in
August. Prices for finished goods other than foods and energy
fell 0.6 percent after decreasing
0.1 percent in September.
|
|
Statistics for the U.S. Department of Labor.
This information has recently been updated.
The following statistics were updated:
Producer Price Index (PPI)
View the latest
DOL statistics.
|
U.S.
Fire Administration Coffee Break Training Update 2009-46
|
November
18-19, 2009: Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory
Committee Briefing Documents
Briefing documents posted for November 19, 2009 meeting. Updated:
11/17/2009
|
|
U.S.
Department of State Schedule for November 17, 2009
Washington, DC
November 17, 2009
|
Disability
Evaluation System
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:15:36 -0600
The Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs announced that
beginning in January 2010 the Disability Evaluation System will
expand to six additional installations.
|
|
Role
of Office of Protocol in Presidential Travel Overseas
Ian Kelly
Department Spokesman
Washington, DC
|
Global
Economic Crisis Threatens Food Security in Lower Income Countries
Import capacity is expected to decline in many lower income countries
due to the global economic downturn, with potential food security
implications. Based on an ERS study, the number of food-insecure
people in 70 developing countries was estimated to increase 2
percent in 2009. The highest growth in food insecurity is likely
to be in Sub-Saharan Africa because domestic agricultural production
is assumed to revert to average levels following above-average
production in 2008 and remain the most vulnerable region through
the next decade.
|
Removal
of Government Controls Opens Peanut and Tobacco Sectors to Market
Forces
Farm legislation in the early 2000s eliminated longstanding supply
controls and geographic restrictions on the production of peanuts
and tobacco. Adjustments to the new environment occurred rapidly
as many producers decided to quit growing peanuts and tobacco,
and a substantial number of producers quit farming entirely.
While farm numbers declined at a different rate for peanuts and
tobacco, the ensuing consolidation produced fewer, but larger,
farms for each crop that are more efficient and responsive to
market developments.
|
Amber
Waves, December 2009, Vol. 7, Issue 4
Amber Waves presents the broad scope of ERS’s research and
analysis. The magazine covers the economics of agriculture, food
and nutrition, the food industry, trade, rural America, and farm-related
environmental topics. Available on the internet and in print,
Amber Waves is issued in print four times a year (March, June,
September, and December). The internet edition, or “eZine,”
includes links to web- only resources, such as podcasts and additional
articles.
|
The
Debt Finance Landscape for U.S. Farming and Farm Businesses
Income and wealth for farm businesses have changed noticeably
this decade. Debt levels have been rising, asset levels have
outpaced debt despite a recent fall in land prices, and equity
has more than doubled for farm businesses. However, recent declines
in farm income and falling land prices have raised concerns about
the financial position of U.S. farms. Total farm sector debt
reached a record $240 billion in 2008, a $26-billion increase
over 2007. Debt is expected to decline to $234 billion in 2009.
The distribution of debt among farm operators has also been changing.
In 1986, nearly 60 percent of farms used debt financing. By 2007,
the number had dropped to 31 percent. In essence, farm debt has
become more concentrated in fewer, larger farm businesses. Lenders
and farm operators indicate that real estate accounts for the
largest use of farm debt. Debt repayment capacity utilization
(DRCU) of farm operators has dropped since the 1980s. DRCU dropped
from 27 percent in 2000 to 22 percent in 2007. Larger farms are
more likely to use more of their debt capacity.
|
The
Post-Buyout Experience: Peanut and Tobacco Sectors Adapt to Policy
Reform
Marketing quota and price support programs for peanuts and tobacco
were a longstanding feature of U.S. farm policy, from the 1930s
until the Government enacted quota buyouts, in 2002 for peanuts
and 2004 for tobacco. Quota owners were compensated with temporary
payments, but elimination of the quota programs exposed producers
more to market risks and brought about structural changes at
farm, regional, and marketwide levels. Since the buyouts, many
peanut and tobacco farms have exited production. The farms that
remain are mostly larger and have adopted new risk management
strategies, such as contracting. Freed of the planting restrictions
in the quota programs, production of peanuts, and to a lesser
extent of tobacco, has been relocated to regions better suited
to their growth. While total acreage and prices for peanuts and
tobacco have remained below pre-buyout levels, the lower prices—along
with increased production efficiency—have supported renewed
growth in demand, particularly in export markets.
|
Livestock
and Meat Trade Data
The Livestock and Meat Trade Data Set contains monthly and annual
data for imports and exports of live cattle, hogs, sheep, and
goats, as well as beef and veal, pork, lamb and mutton, chicken
meat, turkey meat, and eggs. The tables report physical quantities,
not dollar values or unit prices. Data on beef and veal, pork,
and lamb and mutton are on a carcass-weight-equivalent basis.
Breakdowns by country are included.
|
Ethanol
and a Changing Agricultural Landscape
The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 established
specific targets for the production of biofuel in the United
States. Until advanced technologies become commercially viable,
meeting these targets will increase demand for traditional agricultural
commodities used to produce ethanol, resulting in land-use, production,
and price changes throughout the farm sector. This report summarizes
the estimated effects of meeting the EISA targets for 2015 on
regional agricultural production and the environment. Meeting
EISA targets for ethanol production is estimated to expand U.S.
cropped acreage by nearly 5 million acres by 2015, an increase
of 1.6 percent over what would otherwise be expected. Much of
the growth comes from corn acreage, which increases by 3.5 percent
over baseline projections. Water quality and soil carbon will
also be affected, in some cases by greater percentages than suggested
by changes in the amount of cropped land. The economic and environmental
implications of displacing a portion of cornethanol production
with ethanol produced from crop residues are also estimated.
|
The
Post-Buyout Experience: Peanut and Tobacco Sectors Adapt to Policy
Reform
Marketing quota and price support programs for peanuts and tobacco
were a longstanding feature of U.S. farm policy, from the 1930s
until the Government enacted quota buyouts, in 2002 for peanuts
and 2004 for tobacco. Quota owners were compensated with temporary
payments, but elimination of the quota programs exposed producers
more to market risks and brought about structural changes at
farm, regional, and marketwide levels. Since the buyouts, many
peanut and tobacco farms have exited production. The farms that
remain are mostly larger and have adopted new risk management
strategies, such as contracting. Freed of the planting restrictions
in the quota programs, production of peanuts, and to a lesser
extent of tobacco, has been relocated to regions better suited
to their growth. While total acreage and prices for peanuts and
tobacco have remained below pre-buyout levels, the lower prices—along
with increased production efficiency—have supported renewed
growth in demand, particularly in export markets.
|
The
Debt Finance Landscape for U.S. Farming and Farm Businesses
Income and wealth for farm businesses have changed noticeably
this decade. Debt levels have been rising, asset levels have
outpaced debt despite a recent fall in land prices, and equity
has more than doubled for farm businesses. However, recent declines
in farm income and falling land prices have raised concerns about
the financial position of U.S. farms. Total farm sector debt
reached a record $240 billion in 2008, a $26-billion increase
over 2007. Debt is expected to decline to $234 billion in 2009.
The distribution of debt among farm operators has also been changing.
In 1986, nearly 60 percent of farms used debt financing. By 2007,
the number had dropped to 31 percent. In essence, farm debt has
become more concentrated in fewer, larger farm businesses. Lenders
and farm operators indicate that real estate accounts for the
largest use of farm debt. Debt repayment capacity utilization
(DRCU) of farm operators has dropped since the 1980s. DRCU dropped
from 27 percent in 2000 to 22 percent in 2007. Larger farms are
more likely to use more of their debt capacity.
|
Household
Food Security in the United States, 2008
Eighty-five percent of American households were food secure throughout
the entire year in 2008, meaning that they had access at all
times to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household
members. The remaining households (14.6 percent) were food insecure
at least some time during the year, including 5.7 percent with
very low food security—meaning that the food intake of one
or more household members was reduced and their eating patterns
were disrupted at times during the year because the household
lacked money and other resources for food. Prevalence rates of
food insecurity and very low food security were up from 11.1
percent and 4.1 percent, respectively, in 2007, and were the
highest recorded since 1995, when the first national food security
survey was conducted. The typical food-secure household spent
31 percent more on food than the typical food-insecure household
of the same size and household composition. Fifty-five percent
of all food-insecure households participated in one or more of
the three largest Federal food and nutrition assistance programs
during the month prior to the 2008 survey.
|
Debt
Landscape for U.S. Farms Has Shifted
Farm business debt levels have risen noticeably over the past
decade, reaching a record $240 billion in 2008. But the value
of farm assets has grown even faster, increasing the wealth of
farm operators. Nonetheless, recent declines in farm income and
falling land prices have raised concerns about the financial
position of U.S. farms that rely heavily of debt. In 1986, nearly
60 percent of farms used debt financing. By the end of 2007,
farm debt was more concentrated in fewer, larger farm businesses,
with only 31 percent of farms owing debt. And while the unused
debt repayment capacity of farm operators is much lower than
it was during the 1980’s farm financial crisis, larger farms
are more likely to use a high share of their debt capacity. As
a result, while the farm sector as a whole is in sound financial
shape, some segments of the sector could be over-extended if
incomes and land prices continue to fall.
|
Food
Security in the United States
The Food Security in the United States briefing room provides
a central point for obtaining information about current trends
in food security and the most recent reports and data related
to food security. Recent statistics are based on data from the
December 2008 food security survey. In 2008, 85 percent of U.S.
households were food secure throughout the entire year, meaning
that they had access, at all times, to enough food for an active,
healthy life for all household members. The prevalence of food
insecurity (14.6 percent) was up from 11.1 percent in 2007. This
is the highest recorded prevalence rate of food insecurity since
1995 when the first national food security survey was conducted.
ERS plays a leading role in Federal research on food security
in U.S. households and communities.
|
U.S.
Agricultural Trade Data Update
Provides a monthly update of year-to-date quantities and values
of U.S. agricultural exports and imports. Also provides data
on leading destination countries for exports and import source
countries.
|
Agricultural
Outlook Statistical Indicators
Statistical Indicators previously published in Agricultural Outlook
addressing a broad spectrum of agriculture-related issues. Includes
commodity and food prices, general economic indicators, government
program expenditures, farm income estimates, and trade and export
statistics.
|
Livestock,
Dairy, and Poultry Outlook
Timely livestock, dairy, and poultry information, focusing on
current and forecast production, price, and trade statistics
for each of the sectors.
|
Comparing
Two Sources of Retail Meat Price Data
The livestock industry uses information on meat prices at different
stages in the marketing system to make production decisions.
When grocery stores began using electronic scanners to capture
prices paid for meat, it was assumed that the livestock industry
could capitalize on having these point-of-sale data available
as a measure of the value of its products. This report compares
scanner price data with publicly available data collected by
the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics
(BLS). Of the two data types, scanner data provide more information
about retail meat markets, including a wider variety of meat-cut
prices, multiple measures of an average price, the volume of
sales, and the relative importance of discounted prices. The
scanner data sample, however, is not statistically drawn, and
complicated processing requirements delay its release, which
makes scanner data less useful than BLS data for analyzing current
market conditions.
|
Geithner
OP-ED: The Road Ahead for APEC
|
Deputy
Secretary Neal S. Wolin Remarks to the American Bar Association's
Banking Law Committee
November 13, 2009
TG-404
|
Treasury,
SBA to Host Small Business Financing Forum Wednesday, November
18, 2009
November 16, 2009
TG-406
|
SEC
Charges Promoters of "Green" Investments With Operating
$30 Million Ponzi Scheme Based in Denver Area
The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged four individuals
and two companies involved in perpetrating a $30 million Ponzi
scheme in which they persuaded more than 300 investors nationwide
to participate in purported environmentally-friendly investment
opportunities.
|
Obama
to launch cross-country economic tour
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama will hold
a forum on job creation with U.S. business leaders on December
3 and then embark on a cross-country tour to discuss economic
recovery, the White House said on Monday.
|
Democrats
aim for climate bill by early 2010
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Democrats will attempt to
pass a climate-change bill in "early spring" of 2010,
Senator John Kerry told reporters on Monday, further complicating
prospects for an international summit on global warming next
month.
|
U.S.
to unveil anti-fraud task force Tuesday
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government plans to announce
on Tuesday an interagency task force to ferret out fraud, a source
briefed on the announcement said.
|
U.S.
confident on China's position on Iran
BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States is confident that China
will have the same position on Iran as other world powers, Jeffrey
Bader, a top adviser to President Barack Obama on Asia, said
on Tuesday.
|
Obama:
I'm a big believer in openness
by Mike Allen
In Shanghai, he's asked about freedom to Twitter.
|
Obama,
Hu talk economic cooperation
by Josh Gerstein
Presidents discuss a range of issues on Obama's visit but pressure
points remain visible.
|
SEIU
protests Goldman's D.C. offices
by Victoria McGrane
About 100 protesters gather outside the Washington offices of
investment banking giant Goldman Sachs.
|
Byrd
to capture longevity record
by Jonathan Allen
When the clock strikes midnight tonight, he will become the longest-serving
member of Congress ever.
|
California
Releases First-Ever Information Security Strategic Plan
|
Statement
of Comptroller of the Currency John C. Dugan Following Tour of
San Francisco Small Businesses
by Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
|
Federal
Regulators Reopen Comment Period for Correspondent Concentration
Risks Guidance
by Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
The federal bank and thrift regulatory agencies today announced
they are reopening the comment period on proposed guidance on
correspondent concentration risks, originally published on September
25.
|
Agencies
Issue Final Rule for Mortgage Loans Modified Under the Home Affordable
Mortgage Program
by Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
The federal bank and thrift regulatory agencies today issued
a final rule providing that mortgage loans modified under the
U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Home Affordable Mortgage
Program (HAMP) will generally retain the risk weight appropriate
to the mortgage loan prior to modification.
|
CHINA-PRESIDENT-MEETING
Dmitry Medvedev met with President of China Hu Jintao.
|
MEETING-CANADA-HARPER
Dmitry Medvedev met with Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper.
|
MEETING-JAPAN-PRIME
MINISTER
Dmitry Medvedev met with Prime Minister of Japan Yukio Hatoyama.
|
MEETING-USA-OBAMA
Dmitry Medvedev met with President of the United States Barack
Obama.
|
GAO-10-10,
Workplace Safety and Health: Enhancing OSHA's Records Audit Process
Could Improve the Accuracy of Worker Injury and Illness Data,
October 15, 2009
|
GAO-10-250,
Financial Audit: Securities and Exchange Commission's Financial
Statements for Fiscal Years 2009 and 2008, November 16, 2009
|
GAO-10-63R,
Integrity Committee's Process to Address Allegations of Wrongdoing
by Inspectors General, October 15, 2009
|
GAO-10-148,
Critical Infrastructure Protection: OMB Leadership Needed to
Strengthen Agency Planning Efforts to Protect Federal Cyber Assets,
October 15, 2009
|
GAO-10-18,
Student Achievement: Schools Use Multiple Strategies to Help
Students Meet Academic Standards, Especially Schools with Higher
Proportions of Low-Income and Minority Students, November ...
|
GAO-10-80,
Recovery Act: Agencies Are Addressing Broadband Program Challenges,
but Actions Are Needed to Improve Implementation, November 16,
2009
|
GAO-10-65,
Department Of Veterans Affairs: Improvements Needed in Corrective
Action Plans to Remediate Financial Reporting Material Weaknesses,
November 16, 2009
|
GAO-10-218,
Financial Audit: Federal Housing Finance Agency's Fiscal Year
2009 Financial Statements, November 16, 2009
|
Bernanke,
On the Outlook for the Economy and Policy
Speech at the Economic Club of New York, New York, New York
|
Kohn,
Policy Challenges for the Federal Reserve
Speech at the Kellogg Distinguished Lecture Series, Kellogg School
of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
|
Federal
Reserve offers $75 billion in 28-day credit through its Term
Auction Facility
|
Federal
Reserve proposes rules to restrict fees and expiration dates
on gift cards
|
Federal
Reserve approves interim final rule requiring notice be given
to consumers when their mortgage loan is sold or transferred
|
FTC
Announces Agenda and Speakers for Upcoming Workshop: "From
Town Criers to Bloggers: How Will Journalism Survive the Internet
Age?"
The Federal Trade Commission today released an agenda for its
December 1-2, 2009 workshop on the future of journalism in the
Internet age.
|
FTC
Warns Internet Peddlers that Marketing Unproven H1N1 Flu Products
May Be Illegal
The Federal Trade Commission last week sent 10 warning letters
to Web site operators who made questionable claims that their
products can prevent, treat, or cure the H1N1 flu, commonly known
as swine flu.
|
FTC
Issues Compliance Guide For Its Petroleum Market Manipulation
Regulations; FTC Approves Final Consent Order in Matter Concerning
K+S Aktiengesellschaft and International Salt Company, LLC
FTC Issues Compliance Guide For Its Petroleum Market Manipulation
Regulations
|
Obama,
Medvedev say nuclear arms deal near
Russia and the United States are well on their way to reducing
their nuclear stockpiles, President Obama and Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev said Sunday.
|
Obama:
U.S., China not 'predestined' adversaries
The United States and China do not have to be at odds, despite
the challenges facing them, President told students at a town
hall meeting today in Shanghai.
|
U.S.,
China vow action on climate change
China and the United States, the largest producers of greenhouse
gases, will team up to fight climate change and create clean
energy, their leaders said Tuesday.
|
World
Leaders - Updates for 5 - 12 November 2009
November 16 - Posted updated Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members
of Foreign Governments with updated entries for France, Ghana,
Greece, Haiti, Korea, South, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Madagascar,
Malaysia, Mongolia, Poland, South Africa, Uzbekistan. Changes
reflect updates in leadership, positions, or the spelling of
officials' names in the country listings during the period 5
- 12 November 2009.
|
|
VIDEO:
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Sen. Klobuchar discusses the latest in the health care debate
and improvements she thinks can be made when the Senates draws
up its version of the bill.
Length: 17 min.
Published: Monday at 8:47am (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
State Department Press Briefing Mon Nov 16
Spokesman Ian Kelly conducts a daily briefing at the State Department.
Length: 28 min.
Published: Monday at 1pm (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke Addresses the Economic Club of New
York
With financial regulatory reform bills being debated in Congress,
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gave an update on the steps
the Fed is taking to improve the U.S. economic outlook. Senate
Banking Cmte. Chair Chris Dodd (D-CT) is backing a proposal to
strip the Fed of much of its supervisory power over financial
institutions.
Length: 51 min.
Published: Monday at 12:15pm (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
NTSB Chairman Speaks At National Press Club
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Deborah Hersman
discussed efforts to seek Congressional backing for a more active
approach to identifying transportation safety hazards. Her remarks
at the National Press Club Luncheon also covered the Washington
Metro Rail accident and the Northwest Airlines incident involving
pilots who flew 150 miles past their destination.
Length: 1 hr. 3 min.
Published: Monday at 12:30pm (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
British P.M. Gordon Brown Lord Mayor's Banquet Address
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown delivered remarks on foreign
policy at the Lord Mayor's Banquet in London.
Length: 26 min.
Published: Monday at 3:45pm (ET)
|
Trumka
to Launch Jobs Initiative
by Seth Michaels
|
Trumka:
Free Elections Not Possible Now in Honduras
by James Parks
The continued repression of trade unionists by the regime set
up in Honduras after a June 28 coup makes it impossible to hold
free and fair elections, says AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka
in a Nov. 13 letter to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
|
Presidential
Nominations Sent to the Senate, 11/16/09
|
Statement
by the President on the Release of the Annual Household Food
Security Report
|
Fact
Sheet: APEC Leaders Meeting-- Key Accomplishments
|
Statement
by APEC Leaders
|
Declaration
by APEC Leaders
|
Statements
By President Obama and President Medvedev of Russia After Bilateral
Meeting
|
Press
Briefing by Senior Administration Officials on the APEC Summit
and the President's Bilateral Meeting with President Medvedev
|
Remarks
by President Barack Obama at Town Hall Meeting with Future Chinese
Leaders
|
Remarks
by President Barack Obama and Party Secretary Yu Zhengsheng before
bilateral meeting
|
Insurance
Companies Will Excessively Profit If Status Quo Continues
Posted by Nancy-Ann DeParle on November 15, 2009 at 9:00 AM EST
|
The
President's Trip to China
Posted by Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. on November 15, 2009 at 10:54
AM EST
|
An
American political tradition in the People’s Republic of
China
Posted by Richard Buangan on November 15, 2009 at 8:20 PM EST
|
Full
Video and Photos: The President's Town Hall in Shanghai
Posted by Jesse Lee on November 16, 2009 at 12:46 PM EST
|
White
House: Talking Points: Reform Opponents' Pre-Determined "Study"
Posted by Jesse Lee on November 16, 2009 at 4:45 PM EST
|
|
The
Big News from the Retail Sales Report
Posted by Austan Goolsbee on November 16, 2009 at 6:44 PM EST
The big news from the retail sales report
was that sales rose again and even more than expected--1.4%,
which was a full half point more than the consensus forecast.
|
Statement of U.S. Energy Secretary Steven
Chu on Meetings With Indian Leaders:
Today I have had the opportunity to meet with Deputy Chairman
of the Planning Commission Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia and other
distinguished Indian leaders. We had productive discussions about
the opportunities for partnerships between our two countries
on clean energy technologies.
Meeting the climate and clean energy challenge is a top priority
for President Obama. In the past ten months, the United States
has demonstrated its renewed commitment to these goals both by
supporting domestic policies that advance clean energy, climate
security, and economic recovery; and by vigorously vigorously
re-engaging the international community through bi-lateral relationships,
the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, the G20, and
the UN negotiations.
The U.S. will continue to work hard toward combating climate
change and reaching a strong international agreement that puts
the world on a pathway to a clean energy future. Working together,
we can meet the clean energy and climate challenge in a way that
will drive sustainable, low-carbon economic growth in the 21st
century.
President Obama is working with Congress to advance comprehensive
climate and energy legislation. Legislation that passed through
the House would aggressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Similar legislation is moving through the Senate.
Tackling climate change and moving toward a clean energy economy
requires action both at home and abroad, and I am encouraged
by the progress we are seeing on both fronts."
-DOE-
|
|
DAVID FERRIERO SWORN IN AS 10TH ARCHIVIST
OF THE UNITED STATES
Washington, DC. . . David Ferriero, the
former Andrew W. Mellon
Director of the New York Public Libraries and a leader in the
field of
research librarianship, was sworn in today as the tenth Archivist
of the
United States at a small ceremony at the National Archives at
College
Park. Mr. Ferriero will move to Washington and assume his duties
full-time in the very near future.
At his swearing-in ceremony, Mr. Ferriero
said, "I'm very excited
about being here. I am looking forward to jumping in with both
feet to
work with the staff at the National Archives on the important
issues
that we face in a world increasingly dependent upon information
and
technology."
* * *
|
|
A Fresh Look at the Political Twitterati
In just a few short months, Twitter has
become a necessary tool for anyone interested in politics and
government. But unless you find the right people to follow, it
can be hard to make the most of it.
For all you Twitter geeks, Twiangulate,
a new Twitter analysis tool, debuts this morning. It's definitely
worth checking out.
Here are some of the more interesting discoveries
I've made:
Sen. John McCain is the only tweeter followed
by all three network Sunday show hosts: George Stephanopoulos,
David Gregory and Bob Schieffer.
Michelle Malkin and Markos Moulitsas --
polar opposites when it comes to politics -- follow hundreds
but have only a dozen in common, including Political Wire.
Chuck Todd, Jake Tapper and I follow 18
of the same people, including political analyst Jennifer Duffy
who is relatively new to Twitter.
Did I mention this is a tool for geeks?
Twiangulate is a skunkworks project at
BlogAds, which sells ads on some of the biggest political blogs
on the web. Blogads founder Henry Copeland tells us the site
grew out of his "desire to figure out who people follow
on Twitter without browsing long, long jumbled lists of followers.
I looked around for a tool, but couldn't find one. So we put
some spare hours over the last six months into programming the
service. When we saw that a few other people liked the idea,
we decided to spruce up the design and add some features."
Twiangulate has been under private beta
for a month -- @pwire
was one of the first users -- and they just opened their doors
to everyone today.
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/11/16/a_fresh_look_at_the_political_twitterati.html
--------------------
|
|
Export
Requirements for Meat & Poultry Products for USDA Food Safety
and Inspection Service
The export requirements for Thailand, Azerbaijan,
European Union, and Belize have been revised. This information
has recently been updated.
You may view a copy of the updated information.
|
|
Export
Requirements for Countries With Export Verification Programs
for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
The export requirements for Belize have
ben revised. This information has recently been updated, and
is now available.
|
|
Export
Information for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Eligible Plant List for Mexico has
been revised. This information has recently been updated.
You may view a copy of the updated information.
|
|
5th
annual Livingston Nanotechnology Conference
""Solving our Nation's Problems through Investment
in Breakthrough Technologies""
What: Business Meeting
Start Time: Monday, December 7 at 9:00am
End Time: Monday, December 7 at 6:00pm
Where: Lighthouse Center
To see more details and RSVP
|
|
US-CERT Current Activity
Microsoft Releases Security Advisory
977544
Original release date: November 16, 2009
at 9:21 am
Last revised: November 16, 2009 at 9:21 am
Microsoft has released security advisory
977544 to address a
vulnerability in the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol. This
vulnerability may allow an attacker to cause a denial-of-service
condition. This vulnerability only affects Windows 7 and Server
2008
software.
US-CERT encourages users and administrators
to review Microsoft
security advisory 977544 and apply the workarounds.
Relevant Url(s):
<http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/977544.mspx>
|
Obama
and Medvedev Meet
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:07:13 -0600
President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
met in Singapore Sunday.
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President
On Iran
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:01:54 -0600
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Daily
Appointments Schedule for November 16, 2009
Washington, DC
November 16, 2009
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DHS
Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report,
(PDF, 21 pages - 150 KB)
|
|
Scheduled
Events for U.S. Department of Homeland Security
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
November 16-20, 2009
|
Online
Job Applications For Federal Law Clerk Jobs Rise 66 Percent
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:23:00 -0600
|
U.S.,
Russia Say Sanctions a Posssibility for Iran
Posted: 14 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST
SINGAPORE - President Barack Obama said Sunday that "time
is running out" for Iran to sign on to a deal to ship its
enriched uranium out of the country for further processing, and
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said he still hopes to persuade
Iran to send its enriched uranium to his country.
|
Some
Virginia Courts Opt Out of Online Files
Posted: 14 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST
By Tasha Kates, The Daily Progress, Charlottesville, Va.
Nov. 15--Buckingham County residents will have to wait a few
weeks to find out what's going on in their circuit courthouse
online.
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General
Motors to Begin Repaying Aid by Year-end
Posted: 15 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST
By KEN THOMAS
WASHINGTON - General Motors Co. will begin paying back $6.7 billion
in U.S. government loans by the end of 2009 and could pay off
that full amount by 2011, four years ahead of schedule, according
to a person familiar with the matter.
|
Dozens
of Guantanamo Detainees Get Day in Court
Posted: 15 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST
By PETE YOST
WASHINGTON - In courtrooms barred to the public, dozens of terror
suspects are pleading for their freedom from the Guantanamo Bay
prison, sometimes even testifying on their own behalf by video
from the U.S. naval base in Cuba.
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|
Vulnerability Summary for the Week of
November 9, 2009
This bulletin provides a summary of new
vulnerabilities that have been
recorded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST)
National Vulnerability Database (NVD) the week of November 9,
2009. It is
available here:
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/bulletins/SB09-320.html
|
Highlights:
World Expo Shanghai 2010
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0600
|
DOD
and VA Announce Disability Evaluation System Pilot Expansion
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:35:00 -0600
|
Expansion of Special Information Sharing Procedures
to Deter Money Laundering and Terrorist Activity
Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking and Request for Comments - November
16, 2009
|
Vaccines
and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Briefing Documents
Briefing documents posted for November 18, 2009 meeting. Updated:
11/16/2009
|
|
SECRETARY VILSACK NAMES MEMBERS AND
ALTERNATES TO THE NATIONAL PEANUT BOARD
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2009 - Agriculture
Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack today appointed four members and
four alternate members to serve on the National Peanut Board.
All of the appointments are three-year terms that begin Jan.
1, 2010, and end on Dec. 31, 2012.
The following members and alternate member
were reappointed: John Harrell of Whigham, Ga., and Edward M.
Rast Jr., Cameron, S.C., members; Francis V. Jordan III, Rayville,
La., at-large member; and John F. Shackelford, Mer Rouge, La.,
at-large alternate.
The following member and three alternate
members were newly appointed: Bob White, Clarendon, Texas, member;
and Andy Bell, Climax, Ga., Corrin F. Bowers Jr., Estill, S.C.,
and Peter Froese Jr., Seminole, Texas, alternate members.
USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service provides
oversight of the National Peanut Board in accordance with the
Commodity Promotion Research, and Information Act of 1996 and
the Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Order.
Under the order, domestic producers pay
an assessment at the rate of 1 percent of the total value of
all farmers' stock peanuts sold. The funds collected are used
to conduct generic promotion, research, and consumer and producer
information designed to strengthen the position of peanuts in
the marketplace, and to maintain, develop and expand markets
for peanuts.
More information about the research and
promotion programs can be found at www.ams.usda.gov/FVPromotion.
#
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New
NATO Headquarters
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:34:55 -0600
A new NATO headquarters is being activated this weekend in Afghanistan
to oversee high-level training and mentoring of Afghan security
forces.
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Washington
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Iraqi
Police Make Strides Toward Independence
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:36:00 -0600
|
|
Remarks
at USA Pavilion at Shanghai Expo
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Shanghai, China
November 16, 2009
|
Kuwaiti
Company Indicted for Massive Overcharging of United States for
Soldiers’ Food
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|
USDA REPORT REVEALS HIGHEST RATE OF
FOOD INSECURITY SINCE REPORT WAS INITIATED IN 1995
Economic Research Service Report Demonstrates
Need for Action
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2009 - USDA's Economic
Research Service's (ERS) today released its annual report on
Household Food Security in the U.S., which revealed that in 2008,
17 million households, or 14.6 percent, were food insecure and
families had difficulty putting enough food on the table at times
during the year. This is an increase from 13 million households,
or 11.1 percent, in 2007. The 2008 figures represent the highest
level observed since nationally representative food security
surveys were initiated in 1995. The full study is available at
www.ers.usda.gov/features/householdfoodsecurity/.
"The Obama Administration has put
in place unprecedented measures to promote job creation and combat
hunger in our Nation, a problem that the American sense of fairness
should not tolerate and American ingenuity can overcome, said
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "The Department of Agriculture's
nutrition assistance programs provide a safety net that improves
food access to those with critical needs, but addressing the
root of hunger requires a broader strategy. By improving access
to federal nutrition programs and working with our partners at
all levels of government and society, we can make progress in
our effort to reduce and eventually eliminate childhood hunger."
This year's report also reveals that one
third of food insecure households had very low food security
(food intake of some household members was reduced and their
eating patterns disrupted at times during the year). This is
5.7 percent of all U.S. households or about 6.7 million. This
is up from 4.7 million households (4.1 percent) in 2007, and
the highest level observed since nationally representative food
security surveys were initiated in 1995.
Even when resources are inadequate to provide
food for the entire family, children are usually shielded from
the disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake that characterize
very low food security. However, children as well as adults experienced
instances of very low food security in 506,000 households (1.3
percent of households with children) in 2008, up from 323,000
households (0.8 percent of households with children) in 2007.
The fundamental cause of food insecurity
and hunger in the United States is poverty - marked by a lack
of adequate resources to address basic needs such as food, shelter
and health care. The Obama Administration has taken aggressive
action on these fronts through the expansion of critical services
for Americans most in need. The historic investments of the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, with a focus on long-term
job creation, are a major part of this effort. The Recovery Act
provides tax relief for working families, job training, unemployment
insurance, income support and affordable housing to needy Americans
and their children.
A central part of the Recovery Act included
a significant increase in nutrition assistance benefits for the
36.5 million people (half of whom are children) who participate
in USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly
the Food Stamp Program. It also provides resources to the state
agencies that administer the program, helping them to deal efficiently
with increased caseloads.
"As the Obama Administration works
to foster a robust recovery for all, it's important to recognize
that we have another opportunity to improve the health and nutrition
of our children when Congress begins to debate the Child Nutrition
Reauthorization," said Vilsack. "It is vital that we
make it easier for families and administrators to bring eligible
children into the program and to eliminate gap periods when children
struggle to find the nutrition assistance they need - at breakfast,
during summer, and in after-school settings."
USDA's National School Lunch program serves
31 million children a healthy meal each school day - for some
children in need, this is their most important meal that day.
USDA is working with states to increase the use of technology
to make low-income children whose families already receive SNAP
automatically certified for free school meals and to promote
policies that make it easier for eligible families to participate
in SNAP. Also, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for
Women, Infants and Children, or WIC program, ensures mothers
and their children have access to nutritious options as well.
Nearly half of all infants in this country participate in WIC.
"During challenging economic times,
the pool of those in need of vital food assistance expands,"
said Vilsack. "USDA's role - along with our partners - is
to ensure individuals do not fall through the cracks, and can
access nutritional services with dignity and respect."
#
|
CFTC
Reopens Public Comment Period on its Notices of Intent to Determine
Whether Certain ICE Contracts Perform Significant Price Discovery
Functions, November 16, 2009
|
Background
Notes : Iran (09/09)
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:24:39 -0600
|
DoD
Identifies Marine Casualty
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:24:00 -0600
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DoD
Identifies Army Casualty
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:26:00 -0600
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U.S.
International Reserve Position
November 16, 2009
2009-11-16-13-16-47-25017
|
|
INTERIOR, AGRICULTURE SECRETARIES TO
PURCHASE 5,026 ACRES OF WESTERN LAND WITH HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2009 - Secretary of
the Interior Ken Salazar and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
today announced that their agencies would acquire seven parcels
of high value conservation land, totaling 5,026 acres in Colorado,
Montana and Nevada for $11.7 million. The largest is a 4,573-acre
property within the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
in Colorado.
The acquisitions are authorized by the
Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act of 2000, which established
a special land conservation fund to purchase private "inholdings"
in western states from willing sellers whose acreage is surrounded
by or next to lands managed by Interior's Bureau of Land Management,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service, and
the Department of Agriculture's U.S. Forest Service.
"These land purchases are a very worthwhile
and much needed investment," said Secretary Salazar. "The
properties being brought into public ownership are remarkable
for their extraordinary natural, scenic, recreational, cultural,
and historical value. Their acquisition will benefit the American
people now and in the future."
"Conservation of forests and wildland
areas of national significance will provide important environmental
and recreation benefits for generations of Americans," said
Vilsack. "Today's announcement is an important step toward
this shared goal and an example of how the FLTFA program succeeds
by enabling close cooperation between USDA and the Department
of Interior."
Bureau of Land Management Director Bob
Abbey, noting that the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation
Act is set to expire next year, said, "By using revenues
from Federal land sales to acquire private inholdings from willing
sellers, this law is a great tool for conserving America's signature
landscapes for future generations. The Obama Administration has
recommended that Congress extend the law so that more Americans
may benefit from these types of fiscally responsible, targeted
land acquisitions."
The purchases are funded from already completed
Federal land sales. Under the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation
Act, the Bureau of Land Management is authorized to sell fragmented
or isolated parcels of public land that are difficult to manage,
as well as lands that may have residential or commercial value,
and then use the proceeds to support land-conservation purposes.
In addition to the property for the Canyons
of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado, the Bureau of
Land Management would acquire three other parcels, including
a 37-acre property within the Lewis and Clark National Historic
Trail corridor in Montana and two parcels totaling 7 acres within
the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would
acquire 280 acres within the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife
Refuge in Montana. The U.S. Forest Service would purchase two
Nevada properties in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The
property on the Huboldt-Toiyabe National Forest totals 123 acres
is just east of the Tahoe Basin with creek frontage and a portion
of the federally designated Pony Express National Historic Trail.
The property within Spring Mountains National Recreation Area
is a 5- acre parcel adjacent to the Mount Stirling Wilderness
Study Area. The property contains Horseshutem Spring, a unique
water feature in the area that supports many plant and wildlife
species.
The Canyons of the Ancients property accounts
for about 25 percent of the private lands inside the Monument
and contains 25 documented sites of cultural importance, including
Jackson's Castle and the Skywatcher Site, a 1,000-year old Ancestral
Puebloan solstice marker. The property is believed to contain
more than 700 other as yet undocumented sites of cultural importance.
Since 2007, the Secretary of the Interior
and Secretary of Agriculture have approved more than $66.8 million
under the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act for land
acquisition by BLM, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park
Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. This funding enabled the
acquisition to date of 28 parcels (16,700 acres).
#
|
General
Officer Announcement
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:14:00 -0600
|
Flag
Officer Announcement
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:14:00 -0600
|
AGG1 Forum & Expo / NSSGA 2010 Annual
Convention / World of Asphalt February 14-18, 2010
13th U.S. / North American Mine Ventilation Symposium June 13-18,
2010
Nanomaterials and Worker Health: Occupational Health Surveillance,
Exposure Registries, and Epidemiological Research June 21-25,
2010
AORN 57th Congress: Reaching the Peak of Perioperative Practice
March 13-18, 2010
U.S./North American 13th Mine Ventilation Symposium
June 13-18, 2010
Medical Surveillance, Exposure Registries, and Epidemiologic
Research for Workers Exposed to Nanomaterials
July 21-23, 2010
International Association of Fire Chiefs: Fire-Rescue Internationa
August 24-28, 2010
You are subscribed to Upcoming NIOSH Conferences for Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This information has
recently been updated, and is now
available.
|
|
Indianapolis
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
DOE Fossil Energy NEWSALERT
---------------------------
A new improved-performance refractory lining
material developed by the Office of Fossil
Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory
has been successfully tested and could lead to
greatly increased reliability and economics of gasification technology
as a clean and efficient
process. For more details, link to the Energy
Department's Fossil Energy Web site at:
http://www.fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2009/09080-_Refractory_Material_Proves_Succes.html
|
|
Atlanta
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Initiative
Helps Disabled Vets Stay Active
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:25:00 -0600
|
|
Los
Angeles Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Italian
National Police Visit FBI New York
|
C-27s
to Afghanistan
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:23:40 -0600
A ceremony was held November 15 to celebrate the delivery of
the first of twenty C-27 military transport planes from the U.S.
to Afghanistan.
|
New
Bagram Prison
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:23:47 -0600
The U.S. military unveiled a new detention facility at Bagram
Air Base in Afghanistan over the weekend.
|
GEN
Petraeus Award
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:23:54 -0600
The Commander of U.S. Central Command was in Washington D.C.
November 14 to accept an award on behalf of CENTCOM's men and
women.
|
FDA
Approves Additional Vaccine for 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:24:00 -0600
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it has approved
a fifth vaccine for protection against the 2009 H1N1 influenza
virus. The vaccine is manufactured by ID Biomedical Corp. of
Quebec, Canada, owned by GlaxoSmithKline PLC.
|
|
Dallas
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
USCIRF Questions Legitimacy of Kazakhstan’s
OSCE Chairmanship
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Commission
on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today (Nov. 16) questioned
the legitimacy of the Kazakh chairmanship of the 56-nation Organization
on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2010, due to
Kazakhstan's poor human rights record.
“Due to recent and troubling developments,
USCIRF questions how Kazakhstan's human rights record is consistent
with its upcoming OSCE chairmanship, particularly since human
rights are such a key element of the Organization,” said
Leonard Leo, USCIRF chair. “Indeed, while Kazakhstan today
hosts a high-profile event in the U.S. Congress to highlight
its official human rights action plan, the Kazakh government
continues to imprison a key drafter of that very plan, Evgeny
Zhovtis.”
Mr. Zhovtis is a leading human rights defender
and is the director of the Kazakhstan International Bureau for
Human Rights and the Rule of Law. Mr. Zhovtis was involved in
a car accident in July that resulted in the tragic accidental
death of a pedestrian. The resulting case against Zhovtis was
marred by legal irregularities. For example, officials delayed
two weeks in notifying Zhovtis that he was an official suspect,
thereby depriving him of certain legal rights. Zhovtis was transferred
in late October to a labor colony about 750 miles from his native
city of Almaty.
In an Aug. 28 private letter to Kazakh
Ambassador Erlan Idrissov, USCIRF asked for a response to the
allegations of legal irregularities in the Zhovtis case. The
only response was Mr. Zhovtis' manslaughter conviction on Sept.
3. Kazakh authorities also did not respond to dozens of protests
from fellow human rights activists, numerous foreign governments
and international organizations, including the Organization on
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) where Mr. Zhovtis is
a member of its Panel of Experts on Freedom of Assembly.
“The Almaty Oblast Court upheld Mr.
Zhovtis' conviction on Oct. 19, and Mr. Zhovtis, his supporters
and journalists were not even allowed in the courtroom,”
Leo said. "Kazakh authorities should unconditionally pardon
Mr. Zhovtis in light of the mishandling of this case. To leave
him in jail calls into question the legitimacy of Kazakhstan's
OSCE chairmanship in 2010. Until Kazakhstan takes concrete steps
to improve its human rights record, including in regard to freedom
of religion or belief, the Commission urges the State Department
to deny consensus to Kazakhstan's request to hold an OSCE security
summit in 2010."
In a separate development, the Kazakh parliament
is considering amendments to its Administrative Code. The draft
leaves almost unchanged two articles which violate Kazakhstan’s
international commitments on freedom of religion: Article 374-1
penalizes leading, participating in or financing an unregistered
religious community or social organization. Article 375 punishes
"violating the law on religion", including by unregistered
leaders, by communities whose activity is not listed in state-approved
statutes, and by individuals who conduct unlicensed "missionary
activity."
“USCIRF also calls on the Kazakh government
to submit the two relevant articles of the draft Administrative
Code to the OSCE Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion or Belief
and to revise that code in accordance with the Panel’s recommendations,”
said Leo. “The Kazakh government should likewise halt its
harassment of members of religious communities under these two
punitive articles of that code.”
Acting on the basis of these two articles
of the current Administrative Code, the Kazakh authorities continue
to target religious communities that as a matter of principle
refuse to apply for state registration, particularly the Council
of Churches Baptists. Their leaders have repeatedly been fined
for leading unregistered religious worship and their congregations
have repeatedly been banned, often for six month periods, according
to Forum 18. Registered Ahmadi communities have also been subject
to various penalties under the current Administrative Code. Moreover,
the Kazakh parliamentary schedule has set late 2011 for consideration
of new religion and NGO laws – after the country is slated
to chair the OSCE in 2010.
USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S.
federal government commission. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed
by the President and the leadership of both political parties
in the Senate and the House of Representatives. USCIRF’s
principal responsibilities are to review the facts and circumstances
of violations of religious freedom internationally and to make
policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State
and Congress.
To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, contact Tom Carter, Communications
Director at tcarter@uscirf.gov, or (202) 523-3257.
|
|
U.S.
Special Envoy Gration to Travel to Sudan
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 16, 2009
|
|
Philadelphia
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Miami
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Nellis
Plans for F-35's Opportunities, Challenges
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:37:00 -0600
|
|
Louisville
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Charlotte
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
San
Diego Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Inauguration
of Zarqa Girls' School
Eric P. Schwartz
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
Zarqa Camp
Zarqa, Jordan
November 16, 2009
|
Attorney
General Eric Holder at the Installation of Assistant Attorney
General Thomas E. Perez
Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:39:27 -0600
When I returned to the Department earlier this year, I pledged
that the work of the Civil Rights Division would be one of my
highest priorities. That was true in February. It is true today.
|
|
Oklahoma
City Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
NRC
Issues FY 2009 Performance and Accountability Report
|
Sandusky
County Flood Risk Open House Is Set For Nov. 19
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:14:31 -0600
CHICAGO, Ill. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in partnership with the Ohio
Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), will host a flood risk
information open house for Sandusky County on Thursday, Nov.
19, 2009, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Sandusky County Service
Center, 2511 Countryside Drive in Fremont.
|
|
FBI
Top Stories for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
C-SPAN Daily Alert
Programming Information for Mon. 11/16 - Tues. 11/17, 2009
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN Highlights
Tonight:
* Fed Chairman Bernanke Address to Economic Club of New York
(10:15pm)
* Pres. Obama & Pres. Hu Jintao Joint Press Statements (11:15pm)
* NTSB Chairman Debbie Hersman at National Press Club (12am)
Tomorrow:
* U.S. House: In Session (10:30am) - LIVE
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN2 Highlights
Tonight:
* The Communicators: Gov't Use of Social Media (8pm)
* NTSB Chairman Debbie Hersman at National Press Club (8:30pm)
* USEA: Assessment of Energy Policy and Practices (9:30pm)
Tomorrow:
* U.S. Senate: In Session (Time: TBD) - LIVE
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN3 Highlights
Tonight:
* Fed Chairman Bernanke Address to Economic Club of New York
(7:05pm)
* NASA Launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis (7:55pm)
* NTSB Chairman Debbie Hersman at National Press Club (8:05pm)
Tomorrow:
* House Oversight Cmte. Hearing on Bank of America Merger (10am)
- LIVE
* Senate Homeland Sec. Cmte. Hearing on H1N1 Vaccine (2:30pm)
- LIVE
**********************************************************************
|
DoD
Contracts for November 16, 2009
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:07:00 -0600
|
TEN 14-09 -- Notice to One-Stop Career Centers
and Others Concerning COBRA Premium Reduction and Extended Eligibility
Provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
has been added to the ETA Advisory database and is now available
at http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2819.
|
Today
in the Department of Defense, 11/17/2009
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:11:00 -0600
|
U.S.
Department of State : Daily Press Briefing - November 16
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:18:34 -0600
|
|
U.S.
and Angola Hold Strategic Partnership Dialogue Meetings
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 16, 2009
|
Honduras:
Call on Both Sides to Begin Implementing the San Jose Accord
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0600
|
STS-129:
Atlantis Lifts Off
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:00:00 -0600
Shuttle crew heads for the International Space Station.
|
|
Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton to Speak by Video Message at the 24th
Annual Meeting of the Overseas Security Advisory Council
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 16, 2009
|
|
Kosovo's
First Elections Since Independence
Ian Kelly
Department Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 16, 2009
|
Two
Charged in Indiana Health Care Fraud Scheme
Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:33:59 -0600
Dr. Adolph Yaniz, of Merrillville, Indiana, and Munir Chaudhry,
of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, were charged in Hammond, Indiana
with conspiracy to defraud health care programs and substantive
health care fraud violations.
|
Kuwaiti
Company Indicted in $8.5 Billion Food Contract Fraud Scheme
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:58:10 -0600
Public Warehousing Company, K.S.C., (PWC) a logistics company
organized under the laws of the Nation of Kuwait, was indicted
on multiple charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States,
committing major fraud against the United States, making false
statements, submitting false claims and wire fraud. All of the
charges concern multi-billion dollar contracts issued by the
Department of Defense for feeding American troops in Iraq, Kuwait,
and Jordan.
|
Former
Congressman William J. Jefferson Sentenced on Bribery, Other
Charges
Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:39:17 -0600
Former U.S. Congressman William J. Jefferson, of New Orleans,
Louisiana, was sentenced to 13 years in prison, followed by three
years of supervised release, for using his office to corruptly
solicit bribes. Jefferson was also ordered to forfeit more than
$470,000.
|
|
International
Students Come to United States in Record Numbers, 16% Increase
in New Foreign Student Enrollments is Largest Since 1980
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 16, 2009
|
|
Numbers
of Americans Studying Abroad Up 8.5%, China, India, Japan, South
Africa, and Argentina See Strong Gains as Destinations
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 16, 2009
|
|
Join OFA Rapid Response Team!
The health care battle is in its final
stages. Health care reform has gone further than ever before,
passing the House of Representatives last week. Another battle
in the Senate looms, then a conference committee, then re-votes
on the final bill in both houses.
Organizing For America could use volunteers
in Georgia to make calls both in-state and out-of-state when
voting approaches.
Will you be willing to join a Georgia Rapid
Response Team? If so, e-mail me at tommac84@gmail.com for more
info. Thanks!
Tom McMahan, Dade Co. Vice-Chair
|
Treasury,
SBA to Host Small Business Financing Forum Wednesday, November
18, 2009
November 16, 2009
TG-406
|
In celebration of its 100th Anniversary, the
Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division
has documented its history in Public Lands and National Treasures:
The First 100 Years of the Environment & Natural Resources
Division. A copy of it can be found on ENRD's
Centennial History Page.
|
The
U.S. Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources
Division has updated its Press Releases page.
Environment and Natural Resources Division Celebrates 100th Anniversary
(09-1234)
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Attorney General Eric Holder
at the ENRD Centennial Celebration (09-1116)
This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
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Just wanted to remind you, or let you know,
there is a MYDFL legal event tomorrow at O'Gara's Bar and Grill
at 7pm. The event is free, to students and young people under
36. There will be lawyers there as well as law students and a
few Gubenitorial candidates. it is great for those of you who
are either considering or planning on going to law school.
Brian Melendez, Chair of the DFL will be speaking at the event.
So come and enjoy some free food, I emphasize free, and network
at this great event. And possibly become an active MYDFLer as
well.
Andy Pederson, UDFL President
Sabra Corcoran, Outreach Chair
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FEMA
Administrator Addresses Emergency Management Students And Faculty
At Savannah State University
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:37:22 -0600
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, today addressed
students and faculty at Savannah State University, in Savannah,
Georgia, at an event sponsored by the Homeland Security and Emergency
Management Student Organization (HSEMSO). The FEMA Administrator
praised students for choosing to study emergency management and
recognized the administration of Savannah State, a Historically
Black College and University (HBCU), for joining the growing
number of schools offering a Bachelor?s degree in Emergency Management,
as our nation continues to foster and recruit the next generation
of emergency managers. Savannah State is one of the first HBCUs
in the nation to offer a bachelors degree in emergency management.
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NASA's
Shuttle Atlantis Headed for Delivery Stop at Space Station
Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:00:00 -0600
Space shuttle Atlantis and its six-member crew began an 11-day
delivery flight to the International Space Station on Monday
with a 2:28 p.m. EST launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center
in Florida.
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NASA
Hosts Native Peoples Workshop to Study Climate Change
Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:00:00 -0600
NASA will hold a second national strategies workshop to examine
the impacts of climate change and extreme weather variability
on native peoples and their homelands.
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Media
Invited to International Earth Observation Briefing, Exhibit
Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:00:00 -0600
The United States is hosting the sixth plenary meeting of the
Group on Earth Observations, or GEO, this week at the Ronald
Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, in Washington.
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STS-129
MCC Status Report #01
Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:00:00 -0600
Space shuttle Atlantis launched at 1:28 p.m. CST on its way to
store supplies onboard the International Space Station.
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Harkin
Says Senate Will Work Weekends to pass healthcare bill by Christmas
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) said that the Senate will work every weekend
in December to pass the health care reform bill by Christmas,
The Hill reports.
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Beau
Biden Moves Ahead of Castle in Delaware
A new Susquehanna Polling & Research poll in Delaware finds
Attorney General Beau Biden (D) leading Rep. Mike Castle (R)
by five points, 45% to 40%.
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HOUSE FLOOR WRAP-UP FOR NOVEMBER 16,
2009
Bills Adopted Under Suspension of the Rules (5):
H.R.
3767 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 170 North Main Street in Smithfield, Utah,
as the "W. Hazen Hillyard Post Office Building" (Rep.
Bishop (UT) - Oversight and Government Reform)
S.
1825 - A bill to extend the authority for relocation expenses
test programs for Federal employees (Sen. Lieberman - Oversight
and Government Reform)
H.R.
3539 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 427 Harrison Avenue in Harrison, New Jersey,
as the "Patricia D. McGinty-Juhl Post Office Building"
(Rep. Sires - Oversight and Government Reform)
H.R.
1506 - To provide that claims of the United States to certain
documents relating to Franklin Delano Roosevelt shall be treated
as waived and relinquished in certain circumstances (Rep. Slaughter
- Oversight and Government Reform)
S.
1314 - A bill to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 630 Northeast Killingsworth Avenue
in Portland, Oregon, as the "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Post Office" (Sen. Wyden - Oversight and Government Reform)
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FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER
17, 2009
House Meets At… First Vote Predicted… Last Vote Predicted…
10:30 a.m.: Morning Hour
12:00 p.m.: Legislative Business 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. 4:00 –
5:00 p.m.
“One Minutes”
Suspensions (7 Bills)
H.R.
3618 - Clean Hull Act of 2009 (Rep. Oberstar - Transportation
and Infrastructure)
H.Res.
841 - Expressing support for designation of November 29,
2009, as "Drive Safer Sunday" (Rep. Gerlach - Transportation
and Infrastructure)
H.R.
3360 - Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009 (Rep.
Matsui - Transportation and Infrastructure)
H.Res.
891 - Expressing the gratitude of the House of Representatives
for the service to our Nation of the Coast Guard and Marine Corps
aircraft pilots and crewmembers lost off the coast of California
on October 29, 2009 (Rep. Loretta Sanchez - Transportation and
Infrastructure)
H.R.
3305 - To designate the Federal building and United States
courthouse located at 224 South Boulder Avenue in Tulsa, Oklahoma,
as the "H. Dale Cook Federal Building and United States
Courthouse" (Rep. Sullivan - Transportation and Infrastructure)
S.
1599 - A bill to amend title 36, United States Code, to include
in the Federal charter of the Reserve Officers Association leadership
positions newly added in its constitution and bylaws (Sen. Leahy
- Judiciary)
H.Res.
851 - Recognizing and honoring the 40th anniversary of SEARCH,
The National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics,
headquartered in Sacramento, California (Rep. Matsui - Judiciary)
Possible Consideration of a Motion to Go To Conference on H.R.
2847 – Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2010 (Rep. Mollohan – Appropriations)
Motion to Instruct Conferees
* Conference Reports may be brought up at any time.
* Motions to go to Conference should they become available.
* Possible Motions to Instruct Conferees.
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November 17.
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