CANNON TEST FIRE ON BOARD USS SIMPSON

FROM U.S. NAVY PHOTO GALLERY 
Sailors aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56) conduct a pre-action aim calibration test fire of a 76mm canon. Simpson, homeported in Mayport, Fla., is conducting theater security cooperation and maritime security operations in the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brian T. Glunt (Released) 120406-N-RN782-074

DOJ SEIZES PROCEEDS FROM ONLINE SALE OF COUNTERFEIT SPORTS APPAREL

FROM:  DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Department of Justice Seizes More Than $896,000 in Proceeds from the Online Sale of Counterfeit Sports Apparel
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice has seized more than $896,000 in proceeds from the distribution of counterfeit sports apparel and jerseys as the result of an investigation into the sale of counterfeit goods on commercial websites, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Ronald C. Machen Jr., U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia; and John Morton, Director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The investigation also resulted in the seizure of seven domain names engaged in the sale of counterfeit goods.  The funds were seized from interbank accounts and three PayPal accounts.  The seizure warrants were unsealed in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia on April 5, 2012.

The investigation is a product of Operation In Our Sites, a law enforcement initiative targeting online commercial intellectual property crime announced by ICE’s Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in June 2010.  Operation In Our Sites targeted online retailers of a diverse array of counterfeit goods, including sports equipment, shoes, handbags, athletic apparel, sunglasses and DVD boxed sets.  To date, 758 domain names of websites engaged in the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods and illegal copyrighted works have been seized as a result of Operation In Our Sites.
According to court documents, investigation by federal law enforcement agents revealed that several subjects whose domain names had been seized in a November 2010 In Our Sites operation continued to sell counterfeit goods using new domain names.  In particular, the individuals, based in China, sold counterfeit professional and collegiate sports apparel, primarily counterfeit sports jerseys.  Law enforcement agents made numerous undercover purchases from the websites associated with the new domain names.  After the goods were confirmed to be counterfeit or infringing, seizure warrants for seven domain names used to sell the infringing goods were obtained from a U.S. Magistrate Judge in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

According to court documents, the individuals conducted sales and processed payments for the counterfeit goods using PayPal Private Ltd. accounts and then wired their proceeds to bank accounts held at Chinese banks.  Under warrants issued by a U.S. District Judge, law enforcement agents seized $826,883 in proceeds that had been transferred from PayPal accounts to various bank accounts in China.  The funds were seized from correspondent, or interbank, accounts held by the Chinese banks in the United States.  Under additional seizure warrants issued by a U.S. Magistrate Judge, law enforcement agents also seized $69,504 in funds remaining in three PayPal accounts used by the subjects.

“We are working hard to protect American businesses and consumers from the damaging effects of intellectual property crime,” said Assistant Attorney General Breuer.  “This investigation disrupted an online counterfeit goods operation and also struck at the heart of the criminal enterprise by seizing hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal profits.  The Justice Department, together with our partners at ICE, will continue to do all that we can to punish and deter the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods.”
“Those who traffic in counterfeit goods harm the American economy as well as the consumers who purchase the substandard merchandise,” said U.S. Attorney Machen.  “Seizing the domain names of these unscrupulous operators was one big step, and seizing their ill-gotten proceeds should send them another message that these counterfeit sales will not be tolerated.”

“Counterfeiting and intellectual property theft are seriously undermining U.S. business and innovation,” said ICE Director Morton.  “Consumers are at risk, American industry is harmed and U.S. jobs are lost.  As a country, we can ill afford the toll that intellectual property theft exacts on our economy and industries.  Operation In Our Sites and the related efforts of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center are critical to combating intellectual property crime and consumer fraud over the Internet.”
The investigation was conducted by the National Intellectual Property Rights Center and ICE-HSI.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Hooks and Diane Lucas and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katharine Wagner of the District of Columbia, Senior Trial Attorney Pamela Hicks of the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Trial Attorney Thomas Dougherty of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

This enforcement action is one of many efforts being undertaken by the Department of Justice Task Force on Intellectual Property (IP Task Force).  Attorney General Eric Holder created the IP Task Force to combat the growing number of domestic and international intellectual property crimes, protect the health and safety of American consumers, and safeguard the nation’s economic security against those who seek to profit illegally from American creativity, innovation and hard work.  The IP Task Force seeks to strengthen intellectual property rights protection through heightened criminal and civil enforcement, greater coordination among federal, state and local law enforcement partners and increased focus on international enforcement efforts, including reinforcing relationships with key foreign partners and U.S. industry leaders.

U.S-REPUBLIC OF KOREA DISCUSS BY PHONE NORTH KOREAN MISSILE LAUNCH .

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Presenter: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta and Republic of Korea Defense Minister Kim Kwan Jin April 09, 2012
Secretary Panetta and Defense Minister Jin
 Secretary Panetta and Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan Jin spoke by phone this evening to discuss the announced North Korean missile launch.  Both leaders would regard a missile launch by North Korea as a serious provocation and a violation of North Korea's international obligations and standing UN Security Council Resolutions.
 Secretary Panetta and Minister Kim reaffirmed their shared commitment to closely monitor North Korea's efforts and to ensure the defense of the Republic of Korea.

TENET HEALTHCARE PAYS OVER $42 MILLION SETTLEMENT IN IMPROPER MEDICARE BILLING CASE

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JSUTICE 
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare Pays More Than $42 Million to Settle Allegations of Improperly Billing Medicare Settlement Related to Company’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
Tenet Healthcare Corporation has agreed to pay the United States $42.75 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by overbilling the federal Medicare program, the Justice Department announced today.

The settlement resolves allegations pertaining to the various inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) that Dallas-based Tenet has owned and operated throughout the country.   IRFs are designed for patients who need an intense rehabilitation program that requires a multidisciplinary, coordinated team approach to improve their ability to function.   Because the patients treated at these facilities require more intensive rehabilitation therapy and closer medical supervision than is provided in other settings, such as acute care hospitals or skilled nursing facilities, Medicare generally pays IRFs at a higher rate for rehabilitation care than it pays for such care in other settings.

The Justice Department alleged that, between May 15, 2005, and Dec. 31, 2007, Tenet improperly billed Medicare for the treatment of patients at its IRFs when, in fact, these patient stays did not meet the standards to qualify for an IRF admission.   Today’s settlement is the United States’ single largest recovery pertaining to inappropriate admissions to IRFs.

“The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the Medicare program against all types of overcharging by health care providers,” said Stuart F. Delery, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Civil Division. “As today's settlement demonstrates, inpatient rehabilitation facilities will not be permitted to bill Medicare for patients who were not qualified for admission.”

“This settlement demonstrates our office’s continued commitment to protect crucial Medicare dollars from fraud and abuse. Inpatient rehabilitation facilities are expensive, and Medicare dollars should be reserved for patients who need the services–not for hospitals seeking to make money through improper billing,” said Sally Quillian Yates, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.

“Tenet disclosed this matter to my office as required under its corporate integrity agreement (CIA),” said Daniel R. Levinson, Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  “Our CIA reporting provisions have resulted in recovery of millions of taxpayer dollars back into the Medicare program.”

This resolution is part of the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud and another step for the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) initiative, which was announced by Attorney General Eric Holder and Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in May 2009. The partnership between th e two departments has focused efforts to reduce and prevent Medicare and Medicaid financial fraud through enhanced cooperation. One of the most powerful tools in that effort is the False Claims Act, which the Justice Department has used to recover more than $6.6 billion since January 2009 in cases involving fraud against federal health care programs. The Justice Department’s total recoveries in False Claims Act cases since January 2009 are over $8.8 billion.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Delery and U.S. Attorney Yates expressed appreciation to the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for their collaboration in investigating this matter.

EPA, PHILADELPHIA SIGN AGREEMENT ON $2 BILLION GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT

FROM:  EPA

(PHILADELPHIA – April 10, 2012) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter, joined by U.S. Representative Allyson Schwartz and city and federal officials, signed an agreement that represents a $2 billion investment in Philadelphia green infrastructure during an event at the Fairmount Water Works.

Over the next 25 years, the Green City, Clean Waters partnership agreement will transform many of Philadelphia’s traditional hardened surfaces to green areas to better manage potentially harmful rainwater runoff pollution. This unique federal – city partnership is designed to ensure the success of the Green City, Clean Waters Plan and to present the plan as a national model for cities embracing green stormwater infrastructure. Green infrastructure investments make our communities cleaner, healthier, and more attractive places to live and work.

 "The EPA is proud to be working in partnership to support green infrastructure advances that will lead to cleaner waters and a stronger economy for the city of Philadelphia. This city has earned a place as a national and global leader on sustainable innovation and clean water protection," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "The Green City, Clean Waters Partnership promises to lead the way for communities across the nation, which can use the lessons learned through this long-term project to protect their health, safeguard their waters and boost their economies."

EPA will provide assistance to the city in identifying and promoting higher performing green infrastructure designs, convening technical expertise from around the country to advance green designs and support a green design competition, and help remove barriers to innovation in the city’s plan.  EPA will also assist on research and technical assistance, and monitoring the effectiveness and evaluating benefits of the program through cooperation on water quality monitoring and modeling work that the city has undertaken.

“The Green City Clean Waters Plan is our proposal to revitalize our rivers and streams by managing stormwater in a way that provides multiple benefits. It will result in clean and beautiful waterways, a healthier environment and increased community value. The assistance of our many and diverse regulatory and public partners makes it the most cost effective investment of its kind in the country,” said Mayor Nutter. “Where other cities are challenged by very expensive commitments for tunnels, tanks and other gray infrastructure, we have worked with the state and the EPA to take this greener, more fiscally prudent approach that will realize multiple benefits.”

The city of Philadelphia is leading the development of green strategies to manage urban stormwater runoff – the 21st century’s greatest challenge to the health of our nation’s rivers and streams. Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters Plan layers green technologies modeled on natural practices on top of the city’s 3,000 mile sewer network, Philadelphia’s 20th century investment in traditional “gray” infrastructure, to capture rainwater on the surface. Capturing rainwater prevents sewer overflows containing industrial and human waste from discharging to waterways during wet weather. It will transform streets, parking lots, schools, public spaces into urban landscapes that reduce sewer overflows to our waterways while enhancing our communities.

 “The signing of this monumental agreement is a transformative step for urban environmental policy in the United States,” said Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz. “Philadelphia and the EPA's forward-looking collaboration on storm water runoff will help strengthen economic development, protect our drinking water and should serve as a model for cities around the country.”

Green City Clean Waters is based upon an adaptive management approach that will identify and maximize green practices that achieve the most efficient and cost effective environmental goals for the City of Philadelphia.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR GIVES FURTHER ASSISTANCE TO NORTH CAROLINA VICTIMS OF HURRICANE IRENE

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
US Department of Labor provides additional funding to assist recovery efforts in North Carolina following Hurricane Irene damage from August 2011
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a National Emergency Grant increment of $375,200 that will fund 200 temporary jobs for eligible workers to continue cleanup and recovery efforts in North Carolina following Hurricane Irene, which struck in August 2011.
“North Carolina’s rural areas have limited public transportation and were severely damaged.  Residents in those areas require assistance with continued removal of debris and restoration to public properties,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Jane Oates. “Today’s grant sends a clear message that displaced families along the North Carolina coast can depend on the federal government to help them restore their communities.”

On Aug. 31, 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared 37 counties eligible for its Public Assistance Program: Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Sampson, Tyrrell, Vance, Warren, Washington, Wayne and Wilson. More information on designated disaster areas in North Carolina is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/news/eventcounties.fema?id=15532.
I
n September 2011, the Labor Department awarded a $2 million grant to the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Employment and Training, with $750,000 released initially. Today’s increment brings the total funds awarded to date to $1,125,200.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit http://www.doleta.gov/NEG.

ARMS CONTROL DATA U.S. AND RUSSIA

           FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
New START Treaty Aggregate Numbers of Strategic Offensive Arms
Fact Sheet
Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance
April 6, 2012
(As of March 1, 2012, as drawn from the exchange of data by the Parties)[1]
     Category of Data                                                     United States of America          Russian Federation   
                                                                                                                                       

Deployed ICBMs, Deployed SLBMs,                                          812                                      494 

and Deployed Heavy Bombers                                                                                   

 

Warheads on Deployed ICBMs, on Deployed SLBMs,             1737                                       1492
and Nuclear Warheads Counted for Deployed Heavy
Bombers

Deployed and Non-deployed Launchers of ICBMs,                  1040                                          881
Deployed and Non-deployed Launchers of SLBMs, and 
Deployed and Non-deployed Heavy Bombers


[1] Data in this Fact Sheet comes from the biannual exchange of data required by the Treaty. It contains data declared current as of March 1, 2012. Data will be updated each six month period after entry into force of the Treaty.

The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

EUROPEAN UNION, U.S. SAY BOTH COMMITTED TO OPEN, TRANSPARENT, AND NON-DISCRIMINATORY INVESTMENT POLICIES

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
United States, European Union Reaffirm Commitment to Open, Transparent, and Non-Discriminatory Investment Policies
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
April 10, 2012
Following is the text of a joint statement issued by the U.S. Department of State and the United States Trade Representative.
Begin Text:
Today, the United States and the European Union (EU), under the auspices of the Transatlantic Economic Council, announced an agreement on Shared Principles for International Investment, which reaffirms our commitment to open, transparent, and non-discriminatory international investment policies. International investment, both by American companies abroad and by foreign companies in the United States, benefits U.S. companies and American workers by creating high-paying jobs, boosting exports, and spurring innovation in the United States.

U.S. Cabinet-level principals and EU commissioners attending a Transatlantic Economic Council meeting on November 29, 2011, urged that a joint set of international investment principles be developed to strengthen our collaborative efforts to foster open investment policies worldwide. These principles would guide the United States and EU and the governments of third countries in developing future investment policies. The United States looks forward to working with the EU to promote the principles around the world, including through the G8 Deauville Partnership with countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The principles embody a number of shared core values, including a commitment to open and non-discriminatory investment policies, a level competitive playing field, strong protections for investors and their investments, neutral and binding international dispute settlement, strong rules on transparency and public participation, responsible business conduct, and narrowly-tailored reviews of national security considerations. The joint statement recognizes that governments can fully embrace these principles without compromising their ability to regulate in the public interest.
The principles are available at USTR’s website  and at the Department of State’s website.

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL
FROM:  DEPARTMENT OF STATE 
About the Transatlantic Economic Council

Mission

Created by a joint framework for advancing transatlantic economic cooperation, the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC) is the primary plenary forum for economic dialogue between the United States and the European Union. The TEC works to facilitate agreement on a wide range of economically important issues managed through its Current Workplan. Meeting at least once per year, the co-chairs of the TEC – White House Deputy National Special Advisor for International Economic Affairs and European Commission Vice President for Trade – promote dialogue and agreement to further integrate the transatlantic economies. Across a spectrum of interrelated issues, the TEC seeks to eliminate trade barriers, implement best practices, harmonize standards, and develop market access.

History

Following the 2007 U.S.-EU Summit, a Declaration on Enhancing Transatlantic Economic Integration and Growth laid the foundation for a growth driven agenda of cooperative dialogue. Since then, the TEC has built upon the historical and on-going transatlantic economic integration to identify new areas of cooperation.

HHS SECRETARY SEBELIUS SAYS NEW RULE TO SAVE $4.6 BILLION

FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

New health care law provisions cut red tape, save up to $4.6 billion

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a proposed rule that would establish a unique health plan identifier under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The proposed rule would implement several administrative simplification provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

The proposed changes would save health care providers and health plans up to $4.6 billion over the next ten years, according to estimates released by the HHS today. The estimates were included in a proposed rule that cuts red tape and simplifies administrative processes for doctors, hospitals and health insurance plans.

“The new health care law is cutting red tape, making our health care system more efficient and saving money,” Secretary Sebelius said. “These important simplifications will mean doctors can spend less time filling out forms and more time seeing patients.”

Currently, when health plans and entities like third party administrators bill providers, they are identified using a wide range of different identifiers that do not have a standard length or format. As a result, health care providers run into a number of time-consuming problems, such as misrouting of transactions, rejection of transactions due to insurance identification errors, and difficulty determining patient eligibility.

The rule simplifies the administrative process for providers by proposing that health plans have a unique identifier of a standard length and format to facilitate routine use in computer systems.  This will allow provider offices to automate and simplify their processes, particularly when processing bills and other transactions.

The proposed rule also delays required compliance by one year– from Oct. 1, 2013, to Oct. 1, 2014– for new codes used to classify diseases and health problems. These codes, known as the International Classification of Diseases, 10^th Edition diagnosis and procedure codes, or ICD-10, will include new procedures and diagnoses and improve the quality of information available for quality improvement and payment purposes.

Many provider groups have expressed serious concerns about their ability to meet the Oct. 1, 2013, compliance date. The proposed change in the compliance date for ICD-10 would give providers and other covered entities more time to prepare and fully test their systems to ensure a smooth and coordinated transition to these new code sets.

The proposed rule announced today is the third in a series of administrative simplification rules in the new health care law. HHS released the first in July of 2011 and the second in January of 2012, and plans to announce more in the coming months.

GOVERNMENT SAYS BUSINESSES SHOULD "PREPARE FOR FUTURE SEVERE WEATHER EVENTS"

FROM:  FEMA
Disaster Preparedness is Good for Kentucky Businesses
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The restoration of businesses impacted by the tornadoes, severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding Feb. 29-March 3 is essential to the Commonwealth’s recovery.

“History has proven the sooner local businesses recover following a disaster, the faster the community begins recovering,” said John Heltzel, director of Kentucky Emergency Management. “Which is why having an emergency, or disaster, operations plan is crucial.”

Kentucky Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration encourage businesses to prepare for future severe weather events.

Businesses with thorough disaster preparedness plans generally have less damage, less economic loss and less down time following a disaster. A plan also will assist a business’ community recovery more quickly following a disaster.
“Prepared businesses can really help minimize the impact a disaster has on a community,” said Libby Turner, federal officer in charge of the Kentucky recovery. “Local businesses are vital resources and economic engines so it’s a huge step toward recovery if they’re able to reopen quickly after a disaster.”

Businesses should consider several elements in preparing for a disaster. Not only is it important to protect the staff, building, data and company inventory during a damaging event; it also is critical to prepare a plan to continue operations in case most everything is destroyed. A good plan may include provisions to relocate to a pre-identified site, retrieve business records, and a way to operate efficiently with a smaller staff of key individuals.

FEMA provides a step-by-step approach to emergency planning, response and recovery for companies of all sizes in its Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry, a checklist for business recovery, and other "how to" resources atwww.fema.gov/business.

Business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties must register for assistance. The deadline to apply for physical damage loans is May 7. For economic injury disaster loans, the application deadline is Dec. 6. Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for physical damage and economic injury in a low-interest disaster loan from the SBA.

medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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.

PAKISTANI CITIZEN GETS 31 MONTHS PRISON TIME FOR HUMAN SMUGGLING

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Pakistani Citizen Sentenced to 31 Months in Prison for Human Smuggling Conspiracy Charge
WASHINGTON – A Pakistani citizen was sentenced yesterday in the District of Columbia to 31 months in prison on a human smuggling charge announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. for the District of Columbia; John Morton, Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); and John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Miami Division.

Muhammad Abid Hussain, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John D. Bates.  On Jan. 31, 2012, a federal jury in Washington, D.C., found Hussain guilty of conspiring to encourage and induce an individual to come to the United States unlawfully.

According to the evidence presented at trial, in February and March 2011, Hussain and a co-conspirator conducted a human smuggling operation in Quito, Ecuador, that attempted to smuggle an individual from Pakistan to the United States.  No individuals or material were actually smuggled from Pakistan as part of the operation.  Hussain was arrested in Miami on March 13, 2011.

Hussain was acquitted of a second charge of conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization relating to the same conduct.
The investigation was conducted by the ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) attaché office in Quito, Ecuador, with the HSI office in Atlanta, the Miami Division of the FBI and the Ecuadorian National Police.

The investigation was conducted under the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program, a joint partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI.  The ECT program focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks, or present grave humanitarian concerns.  ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence and prosecutorial resources.  ECT coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.

The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. National Central Bureau of INTERPOL, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Embassy in Quito and the government of Ecuador provided invaluable support.
The case was prosecuted jointly by prosecutors from the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section of the Criminal Division, the Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

THE FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA AND DR. JILL BIDEN WORK TO RALLY NATION BEHIND VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, discuss the accomplishments of the Joining Forces campaign as its one-year anniversary approaches during an interview with American Forces Press Service in Washington, D.C., April 6, 2012. The first lady and Dr. Biden launched the campaign to rally national support from all sectors of society to honor and support service members, veterans and their families. DOD photo by Linda Hosek
Mrs. Obama: Nation Must 'Step up Forever' for Military Families
By Lisa Daniel
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 9, 2012 - As First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden mark the first anniversary of their "Joining Forces" campaign this week, the two say they will continue to solidify its successes so a structured effort to help military families is a permanent part of American culture.

The pair reflected on the campaign's success during an April 6 interview here with American Forces Press Service.

"This has been a phenomenal first year," Obama said. "But the truth is, Jill and I have been working this issue since our husbands took the oath of office" in January 2009.
Obama and Biden, wife of vice president Joe Biden, said they've been amazed by the outpouring of support by American civilians. More than 100 companies have committed to participate in the administration's goal of the private sector hiring of 100,000 spouses and veterans. They also noted a Joining Forces commitment from the nation's medical colleges to better train civilian health-care providers in caring for war veterans and their families.

"We've seen Americans -- 13 million of them -- step up to pledge hours of service," Obama said. "It's been phenomenal to see a grateful nation step up to help military men and women who sacrifice so much for us."

Biden, a community college professor, said she's been gratified by progress in the education arena. Teachers colleges have incorporated military family matters into curricula to help teachers-to-be understand the unique challenges their students from military families face, she said. And more and more school systems recognize course credits of military family members who must relocate frequently, she added.

Teachers are doing small things that make a big difference, Biden said. Some conduct parent-teacher conferences with deployed parents on the Internet. Others -- as the teacher of Biden's granddaughter did when the Bidens' son, Beau, was deployed to Iraq -- display photos of deployed parents to help children cope.
Obama and Biden said they have felt privileged to meet with military families across the nation.

"Every American should have the privilege of getting to know a military community, a family, a unit, because these men and women are the best this country has," the first lady said. "I'm always in awe of what they are able to manage, what they sacrifice, and doing it with such grace and poise. It's been a gift to shine light on these military men and women."
Biden also spoke of the resilience of military family members.

"They face a lot of difficulties and challenges in their lives," she said, noting that most military members relocate at least 10 times in their career. "That's tough on a family -- to pack up, lose friends, make new friends, get new sports teams -- but they never complain. They just feel it's part of their job."

Obama said she expects the campaign's second year will continue progress in those areas and more. A major goal, she said, will be to build on successes in professional license portability for military spouses. Thirteen states already have passed legislation to make it easier for military spouses who work in fields such as teaching, nursing, real estate, and social work to transfer their professional licenses easily from one state to another, and 13 more have pending legislation, she said.

The outpouring of support for the Joining Forces campaign has proven that Americans want to help military families and need the structure the campaign provides, Biden said.
"Americans want to help. All they need is a little direction," she said. "They're saying, 'OK, give us ideas.'"

Obama said she expects the campaign to endure indefinitely.
"Our husbands, and Jill and I, we're committed to making sure this becomes part of our culture," she said. "I know the president and the vice president are working with the [Defense and Veterans Affairs departments] to set up a structure to ensure this continues, regardless of who's in office.

"These are lifelong commitments," she added. "As a Blue Star mom, Jill is always in, and I consider myself an honorary Blue Star mom. ... This is a forever issue for us."
The important thing for civilians to understand, Obama said, is that these issues don't end when wars end. "That's when the hard work begins for many of these families," she said. "When someone is on active duty, they're still transferring. Their kids are still going from school to school to school."

The first lady noted that 1 percent of Americans serve in the all-volunteer force to protect everyone else. "So, we have to step up forever," she said. "I think our country is ready to do that. It just helps to have a structure like Joining Forces."

VA SAYS MILITARY MEMBERS MAY BE AT RISK FOR MALARIA IN CERTAIN PLACES

FROM:  VETERANS AFFAIRS
Infectious Diseases » Malaria
Military members may be at risk for malaria during deployment or personal travel to tropical and subtropical areas where the mosquito-borne disease is prevalent.
If you have returned from a malaria-affected country and develop a fever or flu-like symptoms, immediately seek medical care from your health care provider. Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease, but it is curable if diagnosed and treated promptly.

Malaria during military service
Veterans who meet the criteria below do not have to prove a connection between their malaria and military service to be eligible to receive VA disability compensation:
Veterans must have served in the Southwest Asia theater of military operationsduring the first Gulf War starting August 2, 1990, through the conflict in Iraq OR on or after September 19, 2001, in Afghanistan.
Malaria must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year from the date of military separation OR at a standard time that would indicate the incubation period began during a qualifying period of military service.

Malaria symptoms
Malaria symptoms occur in cycles. Symptoms include fever, chills, drenching sweats, sudden coldness, flu-like illness, headache, nausea, and vomiting. The time period between the infection and development of malaria symptoms generally varies from 7 to 30 days. One strain has an incubation period of 8 to 10 months. With infection from some malaria species,relapses can occur months to years later.
To learn more about malaria, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or to Medline Plus.

Malaria prevention
Drug prevention measures are not totally protective and must be combined with the use insect repellent, insecticide-treated bed netting, and protective clothing.
Doxycycline is now the drug of choice to prevent malaria in the deployed U.S. military.Mefloquine (Lariam®) is not recommended as a primary choice, but can be used by those who cannot take either doxycycline or atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone®).

How Veterans may get infected
Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted to human hosts by infected mosquitoes. Veterans may have contracted malaria while deployed to certain parts of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America.
Clinicians should consider the diagnosis of malaria for Veterans who have served in Korea, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan/Horn of Africa and surrounding countries), Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, training and development missions in sub-Sahara Africa, or any other malaria-affected areas.
Malaria may also be transmitted through a blood transfusion from an infected person or by use of a contaminated needle or syringe.

Health concerns
If you are concerned about malaria, talk to your health care provider or local VA Environmental Health Coordinator. If you are not enrolled in the VA health care system, find out if you qualify for VA health care.
VA benefits
Veterans may be eligible for VA health care benefits and disability compensation for malaria related to military service.

OVERSTATEMENT OF IPO OFFERINGS POTENTIAL GETS CALIFORNIA MAN IN TROUBLE WITH THE SEC

FROM:  SEC
SEC Settles Fraud Charges Against Silicon Valley Man
Washington, D.C., April 9, 2012 – The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged a Silicon Valley man who raised millions for two Internet start-ups by falsely promising investors that his companies were on the verge of undergoing successful initial public offerings and were well on their way to becoming the “next Google.”

The SEC alleges that Benedict Van, of San Jose, Calif., lured investors into web-based start-ups hereUare, Inc. and eCity, Inc. by falsely telling them that the companies would go public within a matter of months and generate millions in quick returns. In truth, Van had no plans to take the companies public and relied solely on investor funds to stay in business. Ultimately, when investor funds ran out by the end of 2008, Van was forced to shut down operations.

“Van played on the hopes of investors, tricking them into believing that his companies were on the verge of becoming the next Silicon Valley success stories,” said Marc Fagel, Director of the SEC’s San Francisco Regional Office. “Investors should be wary of pitches promising IPO riches from companies with minimal operations and track records.”

According to the SEC’s complaint, filed in federal court in the Northern District of California, Van raised more than $6.2 million from investors for hereUare in 2007 and 2008, and raised $880,000 in investor funds for eCity in 2008. In presentations to prospective investors, chiefly in homes in Sacramento and Stockton, Van held himself out as a wealthy venture capitalist with prior IPO experience. Van told prospective investors that the companies had lucrative deals and patents, and that he had retained Goldman Sachs and an international law firm to help take the companies public within six months. According to the SEC, all of these representations were false.

The SEC’s complaint charges Van and hereUare violated the antifraud and registration provisions of U.S. securities laws, and charges eCity with violations of the antifraud provisions. Van, hereUare, and eCity have agreed to settle the charges against them without admitting or denying the SEC’s allegations and have consented to permanent injunctions. Van also consented to a district court order to permanently bar him from serving as a public company officer or director, and hereUare has consented to an administrative proceeding order deregistering its stock with the Commission. The SEC waived any financial payment against Van based on his demonstrated inability to pay.
Jennifer J. Lee and Jina L. Choi of the San Francisco Regional Office conducted the SEC’s investigation.

PRESIDENTS OF BRAZIL AND U.S. WANT TO STRENGTHEN HEALTH SYSTEMS WORLDWIDE

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
The United States and Brazil: Health Cooperation
Fact Sheet
Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
April 9, 2012
President Obama and President Rousseff are united in their desire to strengthen public health systems and to advance science and technology research, both in their own countries and around the world. For several decades the United States and Brazil have participated in a bilateral dialogue that provides a formal venue for discussing our mutual interests in medical research, disease surveillance, and improving public health. President Obama and President Rousseff have further advanced our bilateral health cooperation through the U.S.-Brazil Working Group on Public Health, under the U.S.-Brazil Joint Commission on Science and Technology.
The U.S. and Brazilian governments have a strong and fruitful relationship on health cooperation including key collaborations such as:

Field Epidemiology Training Program (EPI-SUS): EPI-SUS trains Brazilian field epidemiologists to improve disease detection and response capacity and the exchange of information globally. In addition, EPI-SUS epidemiologists participate with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Stop Transmission of Polio (STOP) activities in Angola.

Global HIV/AIDS: CDC has had an in-country office in Brazil since 2003 and is co-located within the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MOH). Through collaboration with the MOH and other in-country partners, CDC activities focus on HIV/AIDS program monitoring and evaluation within the national program.

Chronic Diseases: The United States and Brazil are working together to strengthen chronic disease surveillance and evaluation. The collaboration has resulted in the establishment of a risk factor surveillance system and expansion of national physical activity programs;

Immunizations: For the past four years, the United States and Brazil, together with the Pan American Health Organization, have supported Rubella Elimination in the Americas and other immunization-related objectives.

Influenza: CDC supports increased capacity for influenza surveillance, improved laboratory sampling and testing, and enhanced rapid response capability and training through a cooperative agreement with the Brazilian MOH. In collaboration with CDC, Brazil developed the fourth version of their pandemic influenza plan in 2010, which is based on lessons learned from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.

Research: As of 2010, Brazilian research institutions receive more National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported international research funds than any other country in Latin America – one indicator of the high quality of their research. CDC and NIH are also partnering with Brazil in the “Science without Borders” initiative.

Cancer: Brazil is one of five member countries (also Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay) of the U.S.-Latin America Cancer Research Network, an effort to involve regional academic laboratories, research institutes and centers, and hospital systems are developing the infrastructure to conduct and sustain high-quality cancer research throughout Latin America.

Advancement of Women’s Health: Under our joint US-Brazil Memorandum of Understanding on the Advancement of Women, we are also focusing on women’s health. Examples include a new partnership with the What to Expect Foundation to improve maternal health and literacy. The Institute for Training and Development and Smith College will partner with a Brazilian network of 53 non-government organizations (NGOs) in 16 Brazilian states, to send 20 women for six-week internships at U.S. women’s health NGOs. Our two governments are also in the early stages of considering bilateral engagement opportunities to promote women’s health in prisons.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Access and Care: Another high priority activity is the exchange of information and experts in furtherance of the Joint Action Plan to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Disparities, which shares best practices between CDC, HHS, and the Brazilian MOH and civil society experts on racial disparities in access to health, data collection and hereditary diseases and blood disorders.

Regulatory Public Health Activity: Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and ANVISA (the FDA counterpart agency within the Brazil Ministry of Health) have enjoyed a very productive and long relationship with informational exchange on processed food, medications and medical devices, and firm inspections being done by ANVISA in the U.S. and by FDA in Brazil. This relationship was further strengthened with the signing of a confidentiality commitment document by both Agencies. At this point, FDA and ANVISA are involved in pre-decisional as well as post-market assessment of regulated products and capacity-building events. With respect to the Brazil Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA which covers raw produce, fish and seafood), FDA has a close relationship with joint activity in the regulated food categories of interest and there are FDA firm inspections being conducted in Brazil.

CURRENTS ALONG THE KANCHATKA PENINSULA AS SEEN FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

FROM:  NASA 

The vantage point from orbit on the International Space Station (ISS) frequently affords astronauts with the opportunity to observe processes that are impossible to see on the ground. The winter season blankets the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia in snow, but significant amounts of sea ice can also form and collect along the Pacific coastline. As ice floes grind against each other, they produce smaller floes that can be moved by wind and currents.

The irregular southeastern coastline of Kamchatka provokes large, circular eddy currents to spin off from the main southwestward-flowing Kamchatka current. Three such eddies are highlighted by surface ice floe patterns at image center. The patterns are very difficult (and dangerous) to navigate in an ocean vessel. While the floes may look thin and delicate from the ISS vantage point, even the smaller ice chunks are several meters across. White clouds (image top right) are distinguished from the sea ice and snow cover by their high brightness and discontinuous nature.

The Kamchatka Peninsula also hosts many currently and historically active stratovolcanoes. Kliuchevskoi Volcano, the highest in Kamchatka (summit elevation 4,835 meters) and one of the most active, had its most recent confirmed eruption in June 2011. Meanwhile, Karymsky Volcano (to the south) likely produced ash plumes just days before this image was taken; the snow cover on the south and east sides of the summit is darkened by a cover of fresh ash or melted away altogether (image bottom center). By contrast, Kronotsky Volcano—a “textbook” symmetrical cone-shaped stratovolcano—last erupted in 1923.

Astronaut photograph ISS030-E-162344 was acquired on March 15, 2012, with a Nikon D2Xs digital camera using a 28 mm lens, and is provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations experiment and Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, Johnson Space Center. The image was taken by the Expedition 30 crew. The image has been cropped and enhanced to improve contrast, and lens artifacts have been removed. The International Space Station Program supports the laboratory as part of the ISS National Lab to help astronauts take pictures of Earth that will be of the greatest value to scientists and the public, and to make those images freely available on the Internet. Additional images taken by astronauts and cosmonauts can be viewed at the NASA/JSC Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth. Caption by William L. Stefanov, Jacobs/ESCG at NASA-JSC.

Instrument: 

ISS - Digital Camera

WHITE HOUSE FORUM ON WOMEN AND THE ECONOMY

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE
President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the “White House Forum on Women and the Economy” in Eisenhower Executive Office Building South Court Auditorium, April 6, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza). 
White House Forum on Women and the Economy
Friends -
On Friday, April 6, President Obama hosted the White House Forum on Women and the Economy. The Forum addressed the critical role that women play in driving our economic progress.
In his remarks, the President discussed the importance of restoring economic security for the middle class, and creating an economy that's built to last for America's women: "As a father, one of the highlights of my day is asking my daughters about theirs. Their hopes and and their futures are what drive me every day I step into the Oval Office," said President Obama. "Every decision I make is all about making sure they and all our daughters and all our sons grow up in a country that gives them the chance to be anything they set their minds to; a country where more doors are open to them than were ever open to us."


Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls Valerie Jarrett opened the event and introduced a panel moderated by Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC's Morning Joe with Senior Administration Officials, private sector, and academic leaders participating.
Following the President's remarks, Senior Administration Officials, including Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Attorney General Eric Holder, as well as the Director of the Domestic Policy Council Cecilia Munoz, and Katharine Abraham, Member of the Council of Economic Advisors, led a series of breakout sessions on a range of topics including Women at Work, Education, Health,Women's Entrepreneurship, and Violence Against Women and Girls.


As part of the Forum, the White House released a new report entitled Keeping America's Women Moving Forward, The Key to an Economy Built to Last which examines the ways in which the Administration has worked to ensure women's economic security through all stages of life - from young women furthering their education and beginning their careers, to working women who create jobs and provide for their families, to seniors in retirement or getting ready for retirement.


Please feel free to share this information with your friends and networks.
Thank you for your hard work and commitment to women and girls. We welcome your voiceand look forward to hearing from you.


Best Regards,


Avra & Hallie

OVER TWO TONS OF BOMB INGREDIENTS SEIZED IN AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Combined Force Seizes Explosives Cache

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force seized more than 2 tons of a roadside-bomb ingredient and detained several suspected insurgents in the Zurmat district of Afghanistan's Paktia province yesterday, military officials reported.

The security force found about 4,650 pounds of ammonium nitrate -- a fertilizer banned by the Afghan government because it can be used to make expolosives – as well as other bomb-making components, officials said.

In other Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- A combined force seized about 2,200 pounds of opium and detained two suspects in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province.

-- In Helmand's Marjah district, a coalition force seized about 640 pounds of opium.

-- Combined forces captured 10 suspects and seized nearly 5,000 pounds of materials used to make bombs during separate operations in eastern Afghanistan.

-- A combined force captured a Haqqani network facilitator in the Pul-e Alam district of Logar province.

-- In the Pashtun Kot district of Faryab province, a combined force detained two insurgents and seized assault rifles, a grenade and bomb-making components while searching for a Taliban leader.

-- In Paktia's Zurmat district, a combined force detained two suspects while searching for a Taliban leader.

In April 7 operations:

-- In the Warduj district of Badakhshan province, a combined force called in an airstrike that killed Shamsuddin, a senior Taliban leader. Shamsuddin was associated with multiple recent insurgent attacks in Warduj, including an April 2 attack on an Afghan National Police checkpoint in which three policemen were killed and 11 were captured. In December, Shamsuddin directed an attack against Aq Shirah village that left four Afghan policemen dead.

-- Combined forces killed nine insurgents and captured six others during separate operations in eastern Afghanistan.

-- A combined force captured an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan facilitator, killed several other insurgents, detained another suspect and destroyed assault rifles and bomb-making materials in the Almar district of Faryab province. The facilitator provided funds for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A coalition force found 15 mortars, two rocket-propelled grenades and several rockets in the Shindand district of Herat province.

-- A combined force detained multiple suspects while searching for a Taliban leader in the Zharay district of Kandahar province. The leader directs roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the Zharay and Panjwai districts.

-- An Afghan-led and coalition-supported force detained several suspects and destroyed weapons and grenades during a search for a Haqqani leader in the Khost district of Khost province. The leader conducts roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

In other news, combined forces killed three insurgents and captured five others during separate April 6 operations in eastern Afghanistan.

And, earlier in the week, a combined force killed Osmani Sahib, a senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader, in the Almar district of Faryab province. Osmani was recently promoted to replace Makhdum Nusrat as the highest-ranking IMU insurgent in Afghanistan after Makhdum was killed. The security force also captured two suspects and destroyed assault rifles and bomb-making materials.
 

NSF ANNOUNCES NEED FOR PROPOSALS TO SEND RESEARCH CUBESAT-BASED MISSIONS INTO SPACE

FROM:  THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
CubeSat-based Science Missions for Geospace and Atmospheric Research
Lack of essential observations from space is currently a major limiting factor in many areas of geospace and atmospheric research. Recent advances in sensor and spacecraft technolo­gies make it feasible to obtain key measurements from low-cost, small satellite missions. A particularly promising aspect of this development is the prospect for obtaining multi-point observations in space that are critical for addressing many outstanding problems in space and atmospheric sciences.  Space-based measurements from small satellites  also have great potential to advance discovery and understanding in geospace and atmospheric sciences in many other ways.  To take full advantage of these developments, NSF is soliciting research proposals  centered on small satellite missions.

The overarching goal of the program is to support the development, construction, launch, operation, and data analysis of small satellite science missions to advance geospace and atmospheric research. Equally important, it will provide essential opportunities to train the next generation of experimental space scientists and aerospace engineers.

To facilitate launch of the satellites as secondary payloads on existing missions, the focus of the program is on CubeSat-based satellites. Launch of the satellites will mainly be through the standardized CubeSat deployment system, the Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD).  Launch of the P-PODS will be as auxiliary payloads on DOD, NASA, or commercial launches.  This will be arranged after selection and is not part of this solicitation.  This solicitation covers proposals for science missions to include satellite development, construction, testing and operation as well as data distribution and scientific analysis.

U.S. CONGRATULATES NEW PRESIDENT OF MALAWI JOYCE BANDA

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
New President of Malawi
Press Statement Victoria Nuland
Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
April 9, 2012
The United States congratulates Joyce Banda on becoming the new president of Malawi and looks forward to continued partnership with the government and people of Malawi. Secretary Clinton spoke with President Banda this morning. They discussed the importance of adhering to rule of law, and to working across parties as the Government of Malawi moves forward.

We congratulate Malawi for ensuring that the transfer of power was both peaceful and reflected the letter and spirit of their constitution. The people of Malawi have demonstrated once again their commitment to democratic values as the foundation of the rule of law.

We also extend our condolences to the family of former President Mutharika on his passing.