STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL'S REMARKS ON PROCTECTING SPACE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

Photo:  Watching Space.  Credit:  U.S. Airforce

FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Protecting Space for Future Generations is in the Vital Interests of the Global Community
Space Security Conference 2013:
Panel on "Space Security Threats: Exploring Current Vulnerabilities in Outer Space" United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research
Remarks of Frank A. Rose,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Space and Defense Policy.

Geneva,
April 2, 2013

Introduction
Thank you, Theresa Hitchens, for your kind introduction. It is a pleasure to be participating with these distinguished speakers and attendees at this UNIDIR space security conference in Geneva. This is my third year of participating in this annual conference, and I welcome the opportunity to explore and discuss this year’s topic, "enhancing confidence, securing space stability."

In my talk today, I’d like to focus on the following three topics:

• The importance of space capabilities in today’s world
• The challenges created by an increasingly congested and contested space environment
• Opportunities for international cooperation to respond to these challenges

The Importance of Space Capabilities

For over five and a half decades, nations around the globe have derived increasing benefits from the peaceful use of outer space. Satellites contribute to increased transparency and stability among nations and provide a vital communications path for avoiding potential conflicts. The utilization of space has helped save lives by improving our warning of natural disasters and making recovery efforts faster and more effective. Space systems have created new markets and new tools to monitor climate change and support sustainable development. In short, space systems allow people and governments around the world to see with clarity, communicate with certainty, navigate with accuracy, and operate with assurance.

As one of many examples of how satellites contribute to maintaining international peace and security, it is worth recalling that this year marks the fiftieth anniversary of both the Limited Test Ban Treaty and the launch of the first nuclear detonation detection (NUDET) satellites, called "Vela." The first two U.S. Vela satellites were launched on October 16, 1963, six days after the "Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water" went into effect. These and other Vela satellites successfully monitored compliance with the Treaty and provided scientific data on natural sources of space radiation for over two decades.

Today, NUDET sensors on Global Positioning System (GPS) and other spacecraft provide a worldwide, highly durable capability to detect, locate, and report any nuclear detonations in the earth’s atmosphere or in near space in near-real time – contributing to crisis stability as well as to treaty monitoring.

Threats to Space Services

As more nations and non-state actors recognize these benefits and seek their own space or counterspace capabilities, we are faced with new challenges in the space domain.

Now there are approximately sixty nations and government consortia that own and operate satellites, in addition to numerous commercial and academic satellite operators. This increasing use — coupled with space debris resulting from past launches, space operations, orbital accidents, and testing of destructive ASATs which generated long-lived debris – has resulting in increased orbital congestion, complicating space operations for all those that seek to benefit from space. Another area of increasing congestion is the radiofrequency spectrum. As the demand for bandwidth increases and more transponders are placed in service, the greater the probability of radiofrequency interference and the strains on international processes to minimize that interference.

In addition to the challenges resulting from space debris and radiofrequency interference, space is also becoming increasingly contested. From the U.S. perspective, concerns about threats were recently noted in an assessment issued last month by James Clapper, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence.

"Space systems and their supporting infrastructures enable a wide range of services, including communication; position, navigation, and timing; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and meteorology, which provide vital national, military, civil, scientific, and economic benefits. Other nations recognize these benefits to the United States and seek to counter the US strategic advantage by pursuing capabilities to deny or destroy our access to space services. Threats to vital US space services will increase during the next decade as disruptive and destructive counterspace capabilities are developed."

Responding through International Cooperation

In response to these challenges, the United States continues to be guided by the principles and goals of the National Space Policy that was signed by President Obama in June 2010. The policy places increased emphasis on international cooperation to deal with the challenges of the 21st Century.

To address the hazards of an increasingly congested space environment, the United States has expanded efforts to share space situational awareness services, including notifications to government and commercial satellite operators of close approaches that could result in satellite collisions. These and other "best practices" can form the basis for the development of a set of guidelines for the long-term sustainability of space activities. Long-term sustainability of space activities is a topic being addressed by a working group of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which will be discussed in greater detail by Dr. Peter Martinez, the working group chair, later today.

To address threats to space activities in the increasingly contested space environment, the United States continues to pursue a range of measures to strengthen stability in space. In doing so, we expect to increase the security and resilience of space capabilities, continue to conduct Space Security Dialogues with our friends and partners, and pursue transparency and confidence building measures, or TCBMs.

First, the United States will pursue efforts to increase assurance and resilience of mission-essential functions against disruption, degradation, and destruction. These efforts include expanded cooperation with the private sector, allies, and partners around the globe to maintain continuity of services, including efforts to enhance the security and resilience of space networks and supporting ground infrastructures. Related efforts seek to improve domestic and international coordination of responses to purposeful interference — which the United States considers an infringement of a nation’s rights.

Specific examples include discussions in trans-Atlantic fora, including the U.S.-European Union space security dialogue that I lead. They also include efforts by government and commercial satellite operators to improve information sharing for spaceflight safety and geolocation of intentional satellite communications uplink jamming, topics that will be addressed in greater detail in later sessions of this conference.

Second, the United States is pursuing bilateral Space Security Dialogues with traditional partners as well as with other established and emerging space-faring nations as part of its pursuit of TCBMs. The United States believes TCBMs should be pragmatic, voluntary, near-term actions that aim to increase trust and prevent misperceptions, miscalculations, and mistrust between nations. To overcome these dangers and risks requires, in part, building confidence between nations. This can be achieved with transparency, openness, and predictability through, for example, information-sharing.

In that vein, our Space Security Dialogues provide an opportunity for constructive exchanges on emerging threats to shared space interests, national security space policies and doctrine, and opportunities for further bilateral cooperation. In addition to the direct outcomes from these dialogues, bilateral exchanges themselves serve as important TCBMs which can be considered for adoption and implementation at a multilateral level. Given the complex and interrelated nature of space activities, the willingness of partners to engage in serious and substantive discussions in "whole of government" dialogues is what economists call a "leading indicator" of their commitment to multilateral discussions of space security.

With regard to the third area – multilateral TCBMs — you will be hearing later today from Ambassador Jacek Bylica and Victor Vasiliev on two of the most important efforts — an International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities, or "Code," and the UN Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) study of outer space TCBMs. While I will defer to them for specific details on these efforts, I will note that the United States is a strong supporter of both activities, as well as other multilateral efforts in specific regions – such as a workshop on space security that commenced last December within the framework of the ASEAN Regional Forum.

In January 2012, then-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced the U.S. decision to work with the European Union (EU) and other space-faring nations to develop an International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities. In announcing this decision, the United States noted that "[a] Code of Conduct will help maintain the long-term sustainability, safety, stability, and security of space by establishing guidelines for the responsible use of space."

As you will hear later today from Ambassador Bylica, the European Union is leading efforts to develop a text that would be open to participation by all States on a voluntary basis. The United States believes the EU’s latest draft is a useful foundation and constructive starting point for developing a consensus on an International Code. We look forward to participating in the open-ended consultative meeting that the EU and Ukraine will be convening in Kiev next month. These consultations, to which all UN member states will be invited, will provide an opportunity to address all elements of the draft Code. Along with our partners in the EU, the United States’ aim remains to find agreement on a text that is acceptable to all interested States and that can produce effective security benefits in a relatively short time.

Another multilateral effort to pursue TCBMs is the study by the UN Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on Outer Space TCBMs, on which I am privileged to serve as the United States Expert. Under the capable chairmanship of our distinguished colleague Victor Vasiliev of Russia, the GGE offers an opportunity to advance a range of voluntary and non-legally binding TCBMs in space that have the potential to mitigate dangers and risks to space security.

The GGE intends to develop a consensus report to the UN Secretary General that outlines a list of voluntary and pragmatic space TCBMs that States could adopt on a unilateral, bilateral, or multilateral basis. As part of its effort to draw upon as much expertise as possible, the GGE has welcomed written contributions from intergovernmental bodies, industry and private sector, civil society, and other UN Member States not already represented in the GGE. We believe the GGE serves as a real opportunity to move forward with pragmatic steps to strengthen stability in space.

Summary

In summary, the United States takes seriously the challenges of an increasingly congested and contested space environment and is pursuing a range of measures to increase assurance and resilience mission-essential functions and to strengthen stability in space, including through cooperation with the full range of space-faring nations. We are increasingly reliant on space, not only when disasters strike, but also for our day-to-day life. However, our ability to continue to use space for these benefits is at serious risk. Accidents or irresponsible acts against space systems would not only harm the space environment, but would also disrupt services on which the international community depends. As a result, we must take action now and pursue TCBMs in space, including the ones that I discussed today. These TCBMs will enhance the long-term sustainability, stability, safety, and security of the space environment. Protecting the space environment for future generations is in the vital interests of the entire global community.

U.S. State Department Daily Press Briefing - April 3, 2013

Daily Press Briefing - April 3, 2013

Detetives cósmicos

Detetives cósmicos

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE HAGEL CONGRATULATES NEW CHINESE DEFENSE MINISTER WANQUAN

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMET OF DEFENSE
Hagel Congratulates New Chinese Defense Minister
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 3, 2013 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel offered best wishes to China’s new defense minister in a phone call yesterday, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.

In a statement released after the call, Little said Hagel congratulated Gen. Chang Wanquan on his new position.

The leaders both expressed their intention to work together to continue to build a military-to-military relationship that serves the vision of both President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Little said.

"The secretary discussed the importance of focusing on areas of sustained dialogue, practical areas of cooperation, and risk-reducing measures," the press secretary added, and emphasized the growing threat to the United States and its allies posed by North Korea's aggressive pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

Hagel also expressed to Chang the importance of sustained U.S.-China dialogue and cooperation on these issues, he said.

Little noted that Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will visit China later this month, and said Hagel told Chang he looks forward to hearing the results of the visit.

The secretary also invited Chang to visit the United States later this year to continue senior-level military-to-military consultations, Little added.

Remarks by Secretary Hagel at the National Defense University, Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C

Remarks by Secretary Hagel at the National Defense University, Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C

FEMA RELEASES NEW JERSERY DISASTER RELIEF NUMBERS

Long Beach, N.J., March 20, 2013 -- A contractor digs to replace sewer and water pipes for an apartment complex as part of the recovery and rebuilding process after Hurricane Sandy. Rosanna Arias-FEMA

FROM: FEMA, NEW JERSEY DISASTER ASSISTANCE
New Jersey Recovery From Hurricane Sandy: By The Numbers
Release date:
March 29, 2013

TRENTON, N.J. -- Disaster assistance to New Jersey survivors of Hurricane Sandy by the numbers as of April 1:
$376.4 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households
$324.7 million for housing assistance
$51.6 million for other needs $680.2 million in SBA disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses
$241.5 million approved in FEMA Public Assistance grants to communities and some nonprofit organizations that serve the public
$3.1 billion in total National Flood Insurance Program payments made on claims to date
259,578 people contacted FEMA for help or information
124,778 housing inspections completed
85,724 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers
Nine centers are open to assist survivors who have recovery questions.
Survivors can register online and check on the status of their applications at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. They also can call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585.Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362. Recovery assistants remain available daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The deadline to register with FEMA is May 1.

Survivors can ask questions about their SBA disaster home or business loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Survivors who have questions about flood insurance claims and the appeals process can call 800-427-4661.

Additional resources are available online at FEMA.gov/SandyNJ and SBA.gov/Sandy.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

EPA VOIDS APROVAL CERTIFICATES FOR OVER 70,000 IMPORTED VEHICLES FROM CHINA

FROM: U.S. EVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
EPA Voids Certificates Approving Import of Over 70,000 Small Recreational Vehicles

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it is withdrawing approval of the import and sale of up to 74,000 gas-powered on- and off-road motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles from China. The agency believes that it received either incomplete or falsified certification information.

EPA issued the vehicle certificates from 2006 to 2012 to two companies which operate as Snyder Technology, Inc. and Snyder Computer Systems, Inc. (doing business as Wildfire Motors Corporation). As a result of a lengthy investigation, the agency believes that the applications for the certificates contained misleading information and must be voided.

All vehicles imported into or manufactured in the United States are required to have certificates of conformity. Manufacturers or importers must submit an application to EPA that describes the vehicle and its emission control system. It must also provide emissions data demonstrating that the vehicle will meet federal emission standards for certain pollutants, including oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and total hydrocarbons (HC)--all of which can harm public health and the environment. These pollutants can contribute to soot (fine particles) and smog (ground-level ozone), which are associated with asthma and heart attacks, increased emergency room visits and premature death.

In the cases of Snyder and Wildfire, EPA believes the manufacturers failed to accurately test the emissions from their own products, all of which were imported from China. Without proper emission controls, these vehicles can emit substantially more pollution than allowable under Clean Air Act standards.

SEC REPORT SAYS COMPANIES CAN USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO ANNOUNCE COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION FD INFORMATION

FROM: U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C., April 2, 2013 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today issued a report that makes clear that companies can use social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter to announce key information in compliance with Regulation Fair Disclosure (Regulation FD) so long as investors have been alerted about which social media will be used to disseminate such information.

The SEC’s report of investigation confirms that Regulation FD applies to social media and other emerging means of communication used by public companies the same way it applies to company websites. The SEC issued guidance in 2008 clarifying that websites can serve as an effective means for disseminating information to investors if they’ve been made aware that’s where to look for it. Today’s report clarifies that company communications made through social media channels could constitute selective disclosures and, therefore, require careful Regulation FD analysis.

"One set of shareholders should not be able to get a jump on other shareholders just because the company is selectively disclosing important information," said George Canellos, Acting Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. "Most social media are perfectly suitable methods for communicating with investors, but not if the access is restricted or if investors don’t know that’s where they need to turn to get the latest news."

Regulation FD requires companies to distribute material information in a manner reasonably designed to get that information out to the general public broadly and non-exclusively. It is intended to ensure that all investors have the ability to gain access to material information at the same time.

Lona Nallengara, Acting Director of the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance, added, "Companies should review the Commission’s existing guidance — it is flexible enough to address questions that arise for companies that choose to communicate through social media, and the guidance does so in a straightforward manner."

The SEC’s report of investigation stems from an inquiry the Division of Enforcement launched into a post by Netflix CEO Reed Hastings on his personal Facebook page stating that Netflix’s monthly online viewing had exceeded one billion hours for the first time. Netflix did not report this information to investors through a press release or Form 8-K filing, and a subsequent company press release later that day did not include this information. Neither Hastings nor Netflix had previously used his Facebook page to announce company metrics, and they had never before taken steps to alert investors that Hastings’ personal Facebook page might be used as a medium for communicating information about Netflix. Netflix’s stock price had begun rising before the posting, and increased from $70.45 at the time of the Facebook post to $81.72 at the close of the following trading day.

The SEC did not initiate an enforcement action or allege wrongdoing by Hastings or Netflix. Recognizing that there has been market uncertainty about the application of Regulation FD to social media, the SEC issued the report of investigation pursuant to Section 21(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The report of investigation explains that although every case must be evaluated on its own facts, disclosure of material, nonpublic information on the personal social media site of an individual corporate officer — without advance notice to investors that the site may be used for this purpose — is unlikely to qualify as an acceptable method of disclosure under the securities laws. Personal social media sites of individuals employed by a public company would not ordinarily be assumed to be channels through which the company would disclose material corporate information.

The SEC’s inquiry was conducted by Cameron P. Hoffman, Michael E. Liftik, and Assistant Regional Director Cary S. Robnett in the San Francisco Regional Office.

CDC SAYS MEAT AND POULTRY ACCOUNT FOR NEARLY A QUARTER OF FOODBORNE ILLNESSES

Credit:  Cattle.  Credit:  USDA

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Nicholas Garlow with HHS HealthBeat.

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says meat and poultry account for nearly a quarter of all foodborne illnesses. Beef, what some may think is a common cause of foodborne illness, accounted for only a slice of that.

Dr. John Painter is an epidemiologist at the CDC.

"Beef is now less contaminated to start with, and most fast food restaurants are cooking burgers well so, beef was the source of fewer than seven percent of food-related illnesses and fewer than four percent of deaths."

You still need to be careful to cook beef, especially ground beef, thoroughly. If not completely cooked, contaminated meat and poultry can cause diarrhea.

"And it can be prevented through thoroughly cleaning hands, knives, cutting boards, counters, and sinks after working with raw meat and poultry."

ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR APRIL 3, 2013

U.S. Army Sgt. Justin R. Pereira, right, and Laika 5, a military working dog trained to detect tactical explosives, provide security as Afghan border police break ground on a new checkpoint in the Spin Boldak district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province, March 25, 2013. Pereira and Laika 5 are assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division's 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Striker Brigade Combat Team. The border police moved to the new location to block an insurgent nfiltration route. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Shane Hamann

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Combined Force Arrests Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Leader
From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, April 3, 2013 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader in the Burkah district of Afghanistan's Baghlan province today, military officials reported.

The leader has allegedly led a cell of insurgent fighters in multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, officials said. He also is accused of training insurgent fighters and serves a vital role in intelligence and improvised explosive device operations, they added.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force in Kandahar province's Dand district detained two insurgents while searching for a Taliban facilitator believed to have arranged the transportation of weapons and IEDs throughout Kandahar for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also allegedly has ordered subordinates to commit executions and kidnappings against Afghan civilians working with government officials. The security force also seized a machine gun and a grenade.

-- In Helmand province's Nad-e Ali district, a combined force detained several insurgents while searching for a senior Taliban leader who allegedly commands numerous cells of Taliban fighters. He and his subordinates are believed to have participated in numerous attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, and he also is believed to have plotted the assassination of Afghan government officials. The security force seized an assault rifle and two ammunition magazines.

-- A combined force detained a Taliban leader and several other insurgents in Logar province's Pul-e Alam district. The leader is believed to be responsible for the movement and coordination of insurgent fighters throughout the province and for procuring and distributing weapons for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

TPC - Videos: THE BRAIN MAP

TPC - Videos

DOD News Briefing with George Little from the Pentagon

DOD News Briefing with George Little from the Pentagon

CHINESE BUSINESSMAN AND WIFE AGREE TO SETTLE INSIDER TRADING CHARGES

FROM: U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C., March 29, 2013 — The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that a Chinese businessman and his wife whose trading accounts were frozen last year as part of a major insider trading case have agreed to settle charges that they loaded up on the securities of Nexen Inc. while in possession of nonpublic information about an impending announcement that the company was being acquired by China-based CNOOC Ltd.

The SEC obtained an emergency court order in July 2012 to freeze multiple Hong Kong and Singapore-based trading accounts just days after the Nexen acquisition was announced and suspicious trading in Nexen stock was detected. The SEC’s complaint alleged that in the days leading up to the announcement, Hong Kong-based firm Well Advantage Limited and other unknown traders purchased Nexen stock based on confidential details about the acquisition.

The SEC’s investigation has identified Ren Feng and his wife Zeng Huiyu as previously unknown traders charged in the complaint as well as Ren’s private investment company CT Prime Assets Limited and four of Zeng’s brokerage customers on whose behalf she traded. They made a combined $2.3 million in illegal profits from Nexen stock trades made by Ren and Zeng.

The settlement, which is subject to court approval, requires the traders to pay more than $3.3 million combined.

"This settlement requires full disgorgement of the insider trading profits of this group of foreign traders, and Ren and Zeng must additionally pay sizeable penalties," said Sanjay Wadhwa, Senior Associate Director of the SEC’s New York Regional Office. "This should send a stern warning to anyone contemplating insider trading in U.S. markets from abroad that the SEC uncovers such misconduct and the end result is a severe financial setback rather than a windfall."

In October 2012, the SEC announced a settlement with Well Advantage, which agreed to pay more than $14.2 million to settle the insider trading charges. U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Sullivan of the Southern District of New York approved that settlement.

This proposed settlement with Ren, Zeng, and the others also must be approved by Judge Sullivan.

Ren and CT Prime agreed to the entry of a final judgment requiring them to jointly pay disgorgement of their ill-gotten gains of $839,714.57 plus a penalty of $839,714.57, and permanently enjoining them from future violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5.

Zeng agreed to the entry of a final judgment requiring her to pay disgorgement of her ill-gotten gains of $202,030.22 plus a penalty of $202,030.22, and permanently enjoining her from future violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5.

Zeng also traded on behalf of four of her brokerage customers, who have agreed to disgorgement of the ill-gotten gains. Wong Chi Yu and her company Giant East Investments Limited agreed to jointly pay disgorgement of $641,057.94. Wang Wei agreed to pay disgorgement of $137,369.56. Wang Zhi Hua agreed to pay disgorgement of $466,169.15.

The defendants neither admit nor deny the SEC’s allegations.

The SEC’s investigation, which is continuing, has been conducted by Simona Suh, Charles D. Riely, Michael P. Holland, and Joseph G. Sansone of the Market Abuse Unit as well as Elzbieta Wraga and Aaron Arnzen of the New York Regional Office. The case has been supervised by Daniel M. Hawke and Sanjay Wadhwa. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

REMARKS BY SECRETARY OF STATE KERRY AND PHILIPPINE FOREIGN SECRETARY ROSARIO

FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Remarks With Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario Before Their Meeting
Remarks
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Treaty Room
Washington, DC
April 2, 2013
　

SECRETARY KERRY: Good morning, everybody. I’m really pleased to welcome Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario, the Foreign Secretary of the Philippines, a country that I’ve had a great deal to do with when I was – in my years in the Senate, very involved in the democracy transition that took place with Cory Aquino, President Aquino, and now with her son, President Aquino. And it’s wonderful to welcome the Foreign Secretary here.

The Philippines is one of our five Asia-Pacific allies, and a very, very important relationship at this point in time when there are tensions over the South China Sea, where we support a code of conduct, and we are deeply concerned some of those tensions and would like to see it worked out through a process of arbitration.

In addition, the Foreign Secretary and I will talk about the important trade relationship, and particularly the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the TPP, which we both have interest in. And I look forward to having a very good conversation with him about that.

So we’re happy to welcome him. We couldn’t have a stronger relationship than at this moment in time, and we look forward to discussing the ways in which we can even strengthen that and work towards the ASEAN meeting and our common interests.

So thank you for visiting.

FOREIGN SECRETARY DEL ROSARIO: Thank you. Good morning. I want to thank the Secretary for his kind invitation. At the very outset, I’d like to express how much we value the Secretary’s extensive experience in foreign relations, his understanding of Asia, and as he mentioned, his personal stake in terms of having our democracy restored for us in 1986 when he was there as a member of the international election monitoring team.

The Secretary has spoken of the various challenges, and I know that he’s been following developments closely. And as he looks at the Philippines, I know that he will appreciate the many good things that’s happening there. And as well as he has said, we do have many emerging challenges in the region, which should be addressed.

I think that said, I’d like to say – I’d like to add further that the Secretary and I are committed to working together in order to be able to strengthen our treaty alliance and to be able to enhance our strategic partnership. So thank you very much.

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. You’re welcome. Glad to have you here.

I should have mentioned that he spent a lot of time in New York at school, so he knows us well. Thank you.

Today's HealthBeat: Watching What The Kids Watch

Today's HealthBeat

NEW YORK CITY FROM SPACE

 

FROM: NASA

One of the Expedition 35 crew members aboard the Earth-orbiting International Space Station exposed this 400 millimeter night image of the greater New York City metropolitan area on March 23, 2103.For orientation purposes, note that Manhattan runs horizontal through the frame from left to the midpoint. Central Park is just a little to the left of frame center.Image Credit: NASA

SECRETARY OF STATE KERRY'S COMMENTS ON THE ARMS TRADE TREATY CONFERENCE

FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Historic Outcome of the Arms Trade Treaty Conference
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
April 2, 2013
　

The United States is pleased that the United Nations General Assembly has approved a strong, effective and implementable Arms Trade Treaty that can strengthen global security while protecting the sovereign right of states to conduct legitimate arms trade.

The Treaty adopted today will establish a common international standard for the national regulation of the international trade in conventional arms and require all states to develop and implement the kind of systems that the United States already has in place. It will help reduce the risk that international transfers of conventional arms will be used to carry out the world’s worst crimes, including terrorism, genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. At the same time, the treaty preserves the principle that the international conventional arms trade is, and will continue to be, a legitimate commercial activity that allows nations to acquire the arms they need for their own security.

By its own terms, this treaty applies only to international trade, and reaffirms the sovereign right of any State to regulate arms within its territory. As the United States has required from the outset of these negotiations, nothing in this treaty could ever infringe on the rights of American citizens under our domestic law or the Constitution, including the Second Amendment.

Press Briefing | The White House

Press Briefing | The White House

ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN

 

An Afghan soldier carries a simulated casualty to a casualty collection point for further treatment during medical training on Forward Operating Base Joyce in Afghanistan's Kunar province, March 18, 2013. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Hallgarth

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Combined Force Arrests Haqqani Facilitator in Paktia
Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, April 2, 2013 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani network facilitator today in the Zurmat district of Afghanistan's Paktia province, military officials reported.

The facilitator is believed to have procured, transported and distributed weapons to insurgents in Paktia and Khost provinces. He also allegedly planted improvised explosive devices for attacks on Afghan and coalition forces.

In other recent Afghanistan operations:

-- A combined force killed a Taliban leader named Mukhlis in Helmand province's Washer district yesterday. Mukhlis exercised control over a cell of fighters responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and facilitated the movement of insurgent weapons.

-- Abdullah Wakil, the leading Taliban official in Kandahar province's Panjwai district, was killed in a March 31 operation. He and his network were responsible for the assassination of Afghan civilians, facilitating weapons for insurgents and attacking Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A senior Taliban leader was arrested in Helmand province's Nad-e Ali district March 30. He allegedly was plotting a campaign of sustained military attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, and he and

THE WHITE HOUSE PUSHES BRAIN RESEARCH WITH NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

FROM: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
National Science Foundation Participates in White House Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative
April 2, 2013

President Obama today announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) will participate in a White House initiative called Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN), which is designed to revolutionize our understanding of the human brain. NSF Acting Director Cora Marrett took part in the announcement at the White House, which also included the National Institutes of Health and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, as well as private sector representatives.

"NSF is ideally positioned to support the BRAIN Initiative because of the broad scope of science and engineering research funding we provide to the nation," Marrett said. "NSF's neuroscience and cognitive science research portfolio is expansive, and this initiative enhances efforts that are already underway to explore neurological connections from the cellular to human behavioral levels."

NSF intends to support approximately $20 million in research that will advance this $100 million, 10-year initiative. The Foundation's contributions will include research into the development of molecular-scale probes that can sense and record the activity of neural networks; advances in "Big Data" that are necessary to analyze the huge amounts of information that will be generated; and increased understanding of how thoughts, emotions, actions and memories are represented in the brain.

Some of NSF's current investments in neuroscience research include:
Studies employing species comparative approaches on how the nervous system develops and coordinates complex functions are generating the computational models of neuronal networks that are essential for understanding the emergent properties of the nervous system and how network plasticity influences behavior.
Research on the chemical and physical principles governing the activity of neural systems is leading to mechanistic and predictive models of cellular behavior and to new approaches for understanding system-wide effects of external stimuli such as pharmacological agents and anesthetics, genetic modifiers and the environment.
Principles underlying microelectronics, optics, optobiology and nanosystems provide key platforms for addressing the temporal and spatial characteristics of functional brain mapping.
Converging research in machine learning, big data, computational neuroscience, human-centered computing and informatics is essential for mapping and understanding brain activity on a large scale.
Frameworks that link brain activity patterns to a diverse range of cognitive and behavioral functions carried out in specific ecological, evolutionary, developmental and social contexts are being developed. At the same time social science theory, methods, and approaches are enabling patterns of brain activity be linked to individual behaviors making this knowledge relevant to the human experience.
For more information, go to www.whitehouse.gov/blog.

-NSF-

FIVE MONTHS AFTER HURRICANE SANDY

 

FROM: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

N.J., March 28, 2013 -- Damaged to homes along the beach in Mantoloking; New Jersey left by Hurricane Sandy five months after the storm. Taken from a miniature Quadcopter along the coast of Mantoloking, New Jersey. Photo by Wendell A. Davis Jr.-FEMA

Mantoloking, N.J., March 28, 2013 -- Damaged homes along the beach in Mantoloking; New Jersey left by Hurricane Sandy fiver months after the storm. Taken from a miniature Quadcopter along the coast of Mantoloking, New Jersey. Photo by Wendell A. Davis Jr./FEMA'
 

DOD EXPLAINS HOMELAND DEFENSE AND CIVIL SUPPORT STRATEGY

FROM: U.S DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Official Explains New Homeland Defense/Civil Support Strategy
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 1, 2013 - The Defense Department incorporated hard lessons learned when it codified its new homeland defense and civil support strategy, said Todd M. Rosenblum, DOD's top homeland defense official.

Rosenblum, the acting assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and Americas' security affairs, said the new strategy is a recognition that the operating environment has changed.

"We face new threats, we have new vulnerabilities, we have new dependencies, most importantly we have a new way to do business," Rosenblum said during a Pentagon interview. "We have to capture that and make sure the department is prepared and directed toward being more effective and efficient as we can be."

The Defense Department is charged with defending the homeland from attack. U.S. Northern Command is further charged with working with state and local entities and other federal agencies to provide support in times of natural or man-made disasters. In the first instance, DOD has the lead. In the second, another federal agency -- such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency -- has the lead.

The strategy, released in February, looks at the lessons learned from past experiences. DOD officials charted lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina through Hurricane Sandy.

They also looked at changes including the growth of network and communication dependence on private-sector capabilities and "the rising expectations from the president and from the secretary and certainly from the American people that we will be prepared to provide support to civil authorities within a 24- to 48-hour window to provide life-saving, life-sustaining support," Rosenblum said.

This is an incredibly short period of time, he said, and it forces a change in the relationship between DOD and other agencies. The old paradigm was to have civil partners "pull assistance" from DOD, to one where DOD actually "pushes assistance" where it is needed.

"So we are postured to provide assistance as fast and rapidly as possible," Rosenblum said.

The change between Katrina in 2005 and Sandy in 2013 shows the effectiveness of the new strategy, he said.

"We were more efficient, timely and effective in our support to Hurricane Sandy," Rosenblum said. "This is because we did integrated planning within DOD, with our federal partners, and with our state partners. We recognized the need to not wait to be called upon, but to pre-position our support capabilities knowing there's going to be audibles and ad hoc requests."

Planning is at the heart of the strategy, he said. Integrated planning -- with state and local officials, with other federal agencies, with non-governmental entities -- has increased visibility and prominence. The National Guard -- an organization that bridges state/federal efforts -- continues to play a crucial role. But the strategy recognizes that response to disasters requires an all-of-government approach.

The homeland defense mission codifies requirements to provide cyberdefense, Rosenblum said.

"The threats to networks and critical infrastructure increase when we are engaged in operations overseas," he said. "The physical effects of cyberattacks can impact our military operation capabilities and response capabilities."

The attacks themselves, he said, also could produce the type of man-made disaster that would require DOD assistance.

The fiscal environment impacts this -- and all other -- strategies.

"The sequester is real and effecting DOD through readiness, training," Rosenblum said. "It is difficult for the department to plan and budget intelligently, when we don't have budget certainty."

Officials devised the strategy when the department had already committed to $487 billion in reductions over 10 years.

"Sequester has changed the calculus tremendously," Rosenblum said. "But this strategy is not about buying new capabilities: It's about our planning, our processes and our integration."

FORMER ARMY CAPTAIN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR ACCEPTING ILLEGAL GRATUITIES FROM CONTRACTORS IN IRAQ

Map:  Iraq.  Credit:  CIA World Factbook. 

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Monday, April 1, 2013
Former U.S. Army Captain Sentenced in Oklahoma City to 23 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Accept Illegal Gratuities

A former U.S. Army Captain was sentenced today in Oklahoma City to serve 23 months in prison for conspiracy to accept thousands of dollars in gratuities from contractors during his deployment to Baghdad, Iraq, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma Sanford C. Coats.

Sean Patrick O’Brien, 38, of Lawton, Okla., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen P. Friot in the Western District of Oklahoma. In addition to his prison term, O’Brien was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $37,500 in restitution to the United States.

O’Brien pleaded guilty on Nov. 9, 2012, to a criminal information charging him with two counts of conspiracy to accept illegal gratuities.

According to court documents, O’Brien, formerly a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, assisted in the contracting process of U.S. government funds, and was therefore considered a public official. It is a violation of federal law for officers to accept gratuities from contractors dependent upon them for contracts.

According to court documents, from mid-2008 through January 2009, O’Brien, with the assistance of two alleged co-conspirators, unlawfully sought, received and accepted illegal gratuities for helping Iraqi contractors in connection with U.S. government. O’Brien accepted approximately $37,500 in cash payments and jewelry while stationed in Iraq, which he has repatriated to the United States. One of the alleged co-conspirators also offered O’Brien a vacation to a private island.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott E. Williams of the Western District of Oklahoma and by Special Trial Attorney Mark Grider of the Justice Department Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, on detail from the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR). The case was investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Major Procurement Fraud Unit of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, and SIGIR.

EPA, DOMINION ENERGY SETTLEMENT TO REDUCED HARMFUL POLLUTION IN THREE STATES

FROM: U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Settlement with Dominion Energy Reduces Harmful Pollution in Three States and Downwind Communities

WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that Dominion Energy has agreed to pay a $3.4 million civil penalty and spend approximately $9.8 million on environmental mitigation projects to resolve Clean Air Act (CAA) violations.

The settlement will result in reductions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter by more than 70,000 tons per year, across three of the utility’s coal-fired power plants, located in Kincaid, Ill., State Line, Ind., and Somerset, Mass.

"Today’s settlement substantially reduces harmful pollution from coal-fired power plants in and around communities with significant air pollution concerns," said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "Along with the pollution reductions at the three power plants covered by the agreement, the settlement also requires Dominion to invest over $9 million in pollution reducing projects in neighboring communities."

"This settlement will improve air quality in states in the Midwest and Northeast by eliminating tens of thousands of tons of harmful air pollution each year," said Ignacia S. Moreno, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. "These reductions mark the latest step in our continuing efforts, along with EPA, to protect public health and the environment through rigorous enforcement of the Clean Air Act."

Under the settlement, Dominion must install or upgrade pollution control technology on two plants, and permanently retire a third plant. Dominion will be required to continuously operate the new and existing pollution controls, and will be required to comply with stringent emission rates and annual tonnage limitations. The actions taken by Dominion to comply with this settlement will result in annual reductions at the Brayon Point and Kincaid plants of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions by 52,000 tons from 2010 levels. The retirement of the State Line plant will result in an additional reduction of 18,000 tons of Sulfor dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

The settlement also requires Dominion to spend $9.75 million on projects that will benefit the environment and human health in communities located near the Dominion facilities. A total of $9 million will be spent on such projects as ; 1) wood stove changeouts, including $2 million for changeouts in southeastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and eastern Connecticut; 2) switcher locomotive idle reduction for Chicago rail yards, 3) land acquisition and restoration adjacent to, or near, the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, 4) energy efficiency and geothermal/solar projects for local schools and food banks, and 5) clean diesel engine retrofits for municipalities and school districts. Dominion must also pay a total of $750,000 to the United States Forest Service and the National Park Service, to be used on projects to address the damage done from Dominion’s alleged excess emissions.

Reducing air pollution from the largest sources of emissions, including coal-fired power plants, is one of EPA’s National Enforcement Initiatives for 2011-2013. Sulfor dioxide and nitrogen oxides, two key pollutants emitted from power plants, have numerous adverse effects on human health and are significant contributors to acid rain, smog, and haze. These pollutants are converted in the air to fine particles of particulate matter that can cause severe respiratory and cardiovascular impacts, and premature death. Reducing these harmful air pollutants will benefit the communities located near Dominion facilities, particularly communities disproportionately impacted by environmental risks and vulnerable populations, including children. Because air pollution from power plants can travel significant distances downwind, this settlement will also reduce air pollution outside the immediate region. The total combined sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emission reductions secured from all power plant settlements to date will exceed nearly 2 million tons each year once all the required pollution controls have been installed and implemented.

The settlement was lodged today in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.

AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND MISSIONS CONTINUE AFTER RESTRUCTURING

Air Force Reserve combat-search-and-rescue Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., supported the successful launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket carrying 1,268 pounds of supplies to the International Space Station. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Lt. Col. Robert Haston)

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND,
Critical missions continue after SIDC restructure

4/1/2013 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - Critical Air Force missions continue from their current locations after today's restructure of Air Force Space Command's Space Innovation and Development Center at Schriever AFB, Colo.

The SIDC restructure and realignment of subordinate organizations is part of the Air Force response to meet future challenges by balancing and realigning like missions to AFSPC and to Air Combat Command's U.S. Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis AFB, Nev. The Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force announced to Congress in November 2011 the Air Force intent to restructure the SIDC.

AFSPC and ACC jointly restructured the Space Innovation and Development Center as part of an ongoing Air Force effort to increase efficiencies, reduce overhead and eliminate redundancy. Effective today, the existing SIDC structure will transition to become several Operating Locations at Schriever AFB under ACC's United States Air Force Warfare Center, headquartered at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The Air Force Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities program, the Distributed Mission Operations Center - Space, the 17th Test Squadron, and the 25th Space Range Squadron will transfer to USAFWC but will remain operational at Schriever AFB. The 595th Space Group and its 595th Operations Support Flight will inactivate. The 3rd Space Experimentation Squadron will remain in AFSPC but transfer to the 50th Operations Group at Schriever AFB. The Advanced Space Operations School will become a Field Operating Agency reporting directly to the AFSPC Director of Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations. ASoPS has relocated to Peterson AFB and resides in the new Moorman Space Education and Training Center.

Airmen and civilians assigned to SIDC are responsible to fully integrate space capabilities into the operational battlespace. Their mission is to advance full-spectrum warfare through rapid innovation, integration, training, testing and experimentation.

Early in the planning stages, 106 SIDC Air Force civilian employee positions were identified as surplus in an effort to increase efficiencies, reduce overhead and eliminate redundancy. Beginning in the fall of 2011, local Air Force civilian personnel offices began offering the first of two rounds of Voluntary Early Retirement Authority/Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments. These programs were offered to all eligible employees in identified positions who wanted to retire early or be offered a financial incentive to leave their position. In addition to VERA/VSIP, Air Force leaders have been working diligently to reassign personnel to valid vacant positions.
As of today, approximately 20 employees are still in identified surplus positions. Civilian personnel offices and local leadership are working to offer management reassignment beyond Schriever AFB and considering additional efforts to support the remaining employees.

SIDC organizations work together to conduct wargaming; integrate space into exercises and experiments; rapidly prototype, field and exploit integrated air, space and cyberspace capabilities; provide advanced space testing, training and range Infrastructure; and execute AFSPC Force Development Evaluation and Operational Test programs.

The USAFWC is the sole Air Force organization responsible to facilitate development and integration of operational and tactical warfighting capabilities for all Air and Space Component Commanders. Based on USAFWC's mission, ACC and AFSPC agreed that aside from specified space-centric missions, the bulk of SIDC's responsibilities best fit under USAFWC as the Air Force's sole Warfare Center with responsibility to support all major commands.

Aligning like missions under a single headquarters allows the missions to better respond to future Air Force requirements.

The SIDC realignment and restructure is not related to sequestration actions, nor the current budget climate.

- END -

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE HAGEL HOSTS SINGAPORE'S PRIME MINISTER LOONG

 

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, left, hosts an honor cordon and working lunch for Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Pentagon, April 1, 2013. The two leaders met to discuss issues of mutual concern. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Hagel Hosts Singapore's Prime Minister at Pentagon
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 1, 2013 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel hosted Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore for a working lunch at the Pentagon today, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.

"The meeting was an opportunity for Secretary Hagel to hear the Prime Minister's views on regional security issues, including how nations can work with one another to peacefully resolve territorial issues in the East and South China Seas," Little said.

Hagel thanked the Prime Minister for Singapore's strong ties of friendship and close collaboration on a number of shared interests, including Afghanistan, counter-piracy and counter-proliferation efforts, Little said.

The secretary also thanked the Prime Minister for hosting up to four forward-deployed Littoral Combat Ships on a rotational basis in Singapore, Little said. The first of these ships, the USS Freedom, he said, is currently en route to Singapore and will arrive later this month.

"Secretary Hagel made clear the United States and the Department of Defense remain committed to the rebalance towards the Asia-Pacific region," Little said, "and that in the future there will be even more opportunities for closer collaboration between the United States and Singapore."

Little said Hagel accepted an invitation from the Prime Minister to travel to Singapore for the Shangri-La dialogue next month.

"Secretary Hagel looks forward to visiting with allies and partners from around the region and addressing the conference," Little said.

THE WORLD'S LARGEST AIRBORNE OBSERVATORY

FROM: NASA

NASA Now Minute: SOFIA -- A Unique View of Deep Space
SOFIA pilot Manny Antimisiaris discusses the amazing features of the world’s largest airborne observatory, an aircraft housing a 2.5-meter infrared telescope capable of making observations that are impossible for ground-based telescopes.

Press Briefing | The White House

Press Briefing | The White House

BUILDER RECEIVES 27 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR INCOME TAX EVASION

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Idaho Home Builder Sentenced for Tax Evasion

Justin D. Schoenauer, 41, also known as Corey J. Schoenauer, a resident of Twin Falls County, Idaho, was sentenced late yesterday in U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho to 27 months in prison for income tax evasion. Schoenauer was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $429,436 in restitution. Schoenauer was indicted in February 2012 and pleaded guilty to the offense on Oct. 30, 2012.

According to court documents, Schoenauer was a general contractor who, for the past 10 years, operated a sole proprietorship called Patagonia Construction, a business engaged primarily in building homes. Schoenauer admitted that during tax years 2005 through 2008, he concealed Patagonia’s business receipts. Schoenauer further admitted that he directed some customers to make checks payable to him personally, rather than to Patagonia, then ensured that those checks were not deposited into Patagonia’s main bank account. When having tax returns prepared, Schoenauer falsely told his return preparer that all of his business receipts were deposited into the main Patagonia bank account, thereby concealing Patagonia’s gross receipts and causing the preparation and filing of false tax returns. Schoenauer paid the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) $35,000 at sentencing, which will be applied to his outstanding tax liability.

"When a business owner cheats on his taxes, he gains an unfair advantage over honest businesses and cheats all honest taxpayers," said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Tax Division Kathryn Keneally. "This sentence shows that we will hold such criminals accountable."

"Paying income tax is a solemn obligation of citizenship," said U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho Wendy J. Olson. "Integrity in business transactions required to be reported to the federal government is essential to the proper functioning of our economy. Those who hide income, evade taxes and launder profits undermine our democracy. This sentence sends a strong message that those who seek to avoid their tax responsibilities will be properly punished."

"The license to run a business is not a license to evade paying taxes," said Richard Weber, Chief, IRS Criminal Investigation. "Mr. Schoenauer’s misconduct, concealing business receipts and having checks made payable to himself, is offensive to all honest business owners. IRS Criminal Investigation continues to protect the U.S. tax system by investigating and bringing to justice individuals who violate tax laws."

Assistant Attorney General Keneally and U.S. Attorney Olson commended the efforts of special agents from IRS-Criminal Investigation, who investigated the case, and Tax Division Trial Attorneys Michael J. Romano and Mark L. Williams, who prosecuted the case.

U.S. State Department Daily Press Briefing - April 1, 2013

Daily Press Briefing - April 1, 2013

RECENT U.S. NAVY PHOTOS

 

  FROM: U.S. NAVY
An AV-8B Harrier from Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 214 performs a vertical takeoff from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4). Boxer is underway conducting training off the coast of Southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason T. Poplin (Released) 130328-N-IN588-175

130328-N-CD336-235 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 28, 2013) An AV-8B Harrier from Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 214 performs a vertical take off from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4). Boxer is underway conducting training off the coast of Southern California. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Oscar N. Espinoza/Released)

HHS GUARANTEE FOR NEW MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
March 29, 2013
HHS finalizes rule guaranteeing 100 percent funding for new Medicaid beneficiaries

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a final rule with a request for comments that provides, effective January 1, 2014, the federal government will pay 100 percent of the cost of certain newly eligible adult Medicaid beneficiaries. These payments will be in effect through 2016, phasing down to a permanent 90 percent matching rate by 2020. The Affordable Care Act authorizes states to expand Medicaid to adult Americans under age 65 with income of up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level (approximately $15,000 for a single adult in 2012) and provides unprecedented federal funding for these states.

"This is a great deal for states and great news for Americans," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said. "Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, more Americans will have access to health coverage and the federal government will cover a vast majority of the cost. Treating people who don’t have insurance coverage raises health care costs for hospitals, people with insurance, and state budgets."

Today’s final rule provides important information to states that expand Medicaid. It describes the simple and accurate method states will use to claim the matching rate that is available for Medicaid expenditures of individuals with incomes up to 133 percent of poverty and who are defined as "newly eligible" and are enrolled in the new eligibility group. The system is set up to make eligibility determinations as simple and accurate as possible for state programs.

Under the Affordable Care Act, states that cover the new adult group in Medicaid will have 100 percent of the costs of newly eligible Americans paid for by the federal government in 2014, 2015, and 2016. The federal government’s contribution is then phased-down gradually to 90 percent by 2020, and remains there permanently. For states that had coverage expansions in effect prior to enactment of the Affordable Care Act, the rule also provides information about the availability of an increased FMAP for certain adults who are not newly eligible.

The rule builds on several years of work that HHS has done to support and provide flexibility to states’ Medicaid programs ahead of the 2014 expansion, including:
90 percent matching rate for states to improve eligibility and enrollment systems;
More resources and flexibility for states to test innovative ways of delivering care through Medicaid;
More collaboration with states on audits that track down fraud; and
Specifically outlining ways states can make Medicaid improvements without going through a waiver process.

ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN

 

U.S. Marines conduct a combat logistics patrol to Forward Operating Base Geronimo as two helicopters, an AH-1W Super Cobra, right, and UH-1Y Huey, provide overwatch in Afghanistan's Helmand province, March 28, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Anthony L. Ortiz

 FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Combined Force Detains Senior Taliban Leader
Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases
WASHINGTON, April 1, 2013 - An Afghan and coalition security force detained a senior Taliban leader and several other insurgents during an operation the in Pul-e 'Alam district of Afghanistan's Logar province yesterday, military officials reported.

The detained Taliban leader is accused of a wide range of insurgent operations in Logar province, officials said, including recruiting extremist fighters, managing the Taliban logistical network for the province, and planning and coordinating attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

In other Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- During a search for a senior Taliban official, a combined force killed or detained several insurgents in the Panjwa'i district of Kandahar province. The sought-after Taliban official is accused of overseeing all Taliban operations in the district. His network is believed to be responsible for insurgent activities including the assassination of Afghan civilians, the facilitation of weapons and improvised explosive devices into the district, and of attacks on Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also seized IED-making materials, three rifles, a pistol, six rifle magazines, six pistol magazines and ammunition as a result of the operation.

-- In the Khugyani district of Nangarhar province, a combined force arrested a senior Taliban leader and one other insurgent. The arrested Taliban leader is believed to command a cell of insurgent fighters in the Khugyani district. He and his fighters are accused of illegally procuring various types of weapons and using them in multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also seized one AK-47 rifle and a pistol as a result of the operation.

-- A combined force detained an insurgent leader connected to both the Taliban and Haqqani networks and two other insurgents in the Gardez district of Paktiya province. The security force also seized IED components.

In March 30 Afghanistan operations:

-- The Kapisa Provincial Response Company, advised by coalition forces, arrested Najibullah Rahimi, the Tagab District Representative to the Kapisa Provincial Council. Najibullah is accused of financing a lethal-aid network and facilitating insurgent operations. The combined force also seized nine AK-47 rifles, five grenades, $50,000 in sequentially-numbered $100 bills and numerous cell phones and computers.

-- A combined force arrested a Haqqani leader in the Sabari district of Khost province. The arrested insurgent leader is accused of obtaining IEDs and other weapons and distributing them to insurgent commanders. He also allegedly led a number of fighters in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In the Shah Wali Kot district of Kandahar province, a combined force arrested a Taliban leader and detained one other insurgent. The arrest Taliban leader is believed to be responsible for multiple insurgent operations including IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A combined force detained several insurgents during a search for a senior Taliban leader in the Nad 'Ali district of Helmand province. The sought-after Taliban leader was allegedly plotting a campaign of attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Helmand province. He and his subordinates are believed to have participated in a number of recent attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also seized a pistol, bomb-making materials and narcotics.

What inspired you?

What inspired you?

EXPORT-IMPORT BANK CHAIRMAN SAYS NEW AUTHROIZATIONS UP 75 PERCENT IN FIRST QUARTER

FROM:  EXPORT-IMPORT BANK
Fred Hochberg, Chairman Export-Import Bank
Message from the Chairman
What a quarter!
New authorizations here at the Export Import Bank were up by 75 percent over last year’s first quarter. They reached $7.45 billion in the first quarter (October-December) of fiscal year 2013 – supporting approximately 57,000 U.S. jobs – compared to $4.3 billion a year earlier.

The top industry sector was infrastructure with concentrations in manufacturing, aircraft, information and communications service providers, and power projects. The top destination markets for this quarter were India, Germany, Russia, and Poland.

Also during the first quarter, we hit a new record of 43 percent growth of authorizations for working capital and credit insurance for minority- and women- owned exporters, coming on the heels of a record breaking 2012. The amount authorized for small business was almost $1.2 million. This is a 49 percent increase from the first quarter in 2012, putting Ex-Im Bank on track for another strong year for small business.

The results show that our record-breaking levels of authorizations are gathering momentum. We did this the old-fashioned way – superior customer service and sharp focus on emerging opportunities. But the real credit belongs to American exporters with their innovative, high-quality U.S. products and services that carry the label, "Made in USA."

Comments from several of these exporters square with these numbers.

For example, Charlie Szews of the Oshkosh Corp. shared with me that he expects his company’s exports to increase by double digits in 2013. The reason, he notes, is "our competitive advantage largely related to our advanced technologies." Randy Zwirn of Siemens, he tells me, saw his exports shifting toward emerging markets like Nigeria, Vietnam and Chile making new investments in needed infrastructure projects. I heard similar upbeat reports from Caterpillar and Dow Chemical.

Besides redoubling current efforts, we’re aiming for new record results with a stronger focus on these priorities:

Infrastructure Financing offers tremendous opportunities in emerging countries from southern Africa and South Asia to Latin America. India alone expects to spend a trillion dollars in the next five years for highways, seaports, electricity, and satellites. These require long-term financing, which Ex-Im is positioned to provide. I’m on my way to India at the end of January to explore financing opportunities there.

Small Business financing has grown strongly, but we intend to do much better. By adding four new regional offices last year, we now have 11 around the country – to recruit and train small businesses and financers. Our goal is that at least 20 percent of new authorizations will go to small businesses each year.

Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the most promising markets for U.S. exports, and we will do our part to expand here. We approved a record $1.5 billion of authorizations last year for this region, financing about seven percent of all U.S. exports there. Transactions there ranged from the sale of Boeing 787s to Ethiopian Airlines and Darley fire-fighting equipment in Nigeria. With strong growth continuing in most countries there, the possibilities are dazzling.

Customer Service will get even more attention as we continue to expand financing and numbers of new customers, with no increase in Ex-Im Bank staff. With help from our Total Enterprise Modernization project, we are streamlining even more our application, approval and disbursement systems, and empowering staff to make even more key decisions using their professional judgment. Already, we processed 90 percent of all transaction in 300 days or less – and 98 percent in less than 100 days.

RECENT U.S. NAVY PHOTOS

FROM: U.S. NAVY

Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Esau Ozer prepares to light a boiler aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is deployed as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan Vargas (Released) 130328-N-GF386-042

130330-N-AE328-037 EVERETT, Wash. (March 30, 2013) The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) passes by the Mukilteo Lighthouse as it departs for a scheduled deployment from its homeport, Naval Station Everett. Nimitz will complete its sustainment exercise off the coast of Southern California before continuing on its western Pacific Deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Lockwood/Released)

RECENT WHITE HOUSE PHOTOS

FROM: THE WHITE HOUSE

A Jordanian soldier stands watch from a portion of the Nabataean Amphitheater as President Barack Obama and Dr. Suleiman A.D. Al Farajat, a University of Jordan tourism professor, walk through the ancient city of Petra, Jordan, March 23, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama, Taoiseach Enda Kenny of Ireland, and House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, talk together during a St. Patrick’s Day lunch at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., March 19, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host a Passover Seder Dinner for family, staff and friends, in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House, March 25, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)