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RECENT U.S. NAVY PHOTOS

FROM: U.S. NAVY
Fire Controlman 2nd Class Richard L. Kinnison, from Parkton, N.C., fires an air slug from the Mk-32 surface vessel torpedo tubes aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81). Winston S. Churchill is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Chase (Released) 120920-N-YF306-058

The U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), right, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), center, and the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) transit the Pacific Ocean after completing exercise Valiant Shield 2012. Valiant Shield is an integrated joint training exercise that offers the opportunity to integrate Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps assets in a blue-water environment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class William Pittman (Released) 120920-N-SF704-026

NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mark Scott uses his weapon's scope to scan the area while providing security from his battle position during an escort detail at Forward Operating Base Farah in Afghanistan's Farah province on April 7, 2012. Scott is assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah's security force. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lovelady, U.S. Air Force. (Released)
　

Forces Arrest Taliban, Haqqani Leaders in Afghanistan
From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 21, 2012 - Afghan and coalition security forces arrested a Taliban leader, as well as a Haqqani chief, during a security operation in the Sayyid Karam district of Pakitya province today, military officials reported.

The detained Taliban leader is linked to the Nov. 10, 2011, suicide attack that resulted in the deaths of Afghan police officers in the Tsamkani district of Paktiya province.

The detained Haqqani leader is a suspected improvised explosive device expert who is believed to have constructed IEDs, planned their use and facilitated their movement throughout the region to attack Afghan and coalition forces, officials said.

One armed insurgent was killed during the operation, officials said. As the security force attempted to enter the Taliban leader's compound, the armed insurgent fired upon Afghan and coalition troops. The security force returned fire, killing the armed insurgent. No civilians were harmed in the exchange.

The security force also detained several suspected insurgents and seized one assault rifle and Taliban paraphernalia, officials said.

In other operations today:

-- In the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province, a combined force arrested several suspects during a search for a Taliban leader. The sought-after Taliban leader is suspected of conducting insurgent operations throughout northern Helmand, in addition to providing equipment and supplies for attacks on Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A combined force detained multiple suspects during a search for a senior Taliban leader in the Atghar district of Zabul province. The sought-after Taliban leader is linked to insurgent activity and attacks throughout the Atghar district. He is also believed to command several dozen insurgent fighters in Zabul province.

-- In the Pul-e 'Alam district of Logar province, a combined force arrested a suspected Haqqani leader, who's linked to attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the district, as well as supporting other Haqqani leaders throughout the region. The arrested Haqqani leader is linked to an insurgent network which was responsible for ambushes and mortar attacks. The security force also detained one other suspect.

-- A combined force detained several suspects and seized an assault rifle during a search for a Taliban weapons dealer in the Sayyidabad district of Wardak province. The sought-after weapons dealer is alleged to be responsible for providing weapons, ammunition and IEDs for insurgent attacks.

In operations yesterday:

-- Mullah Naim, the senior Taliban leader for the Balkh district of Balkh province, was killed by a combined force. No civilians were harmed during the operation. Mullah Naim -- also known as Mutaqi, Khodai Nur and Mullah Ayeno -- was responsible for insurgent activity throughout the region. He was also believed to be one of the key figures behind a recent IED attack in Mazar-e Sharif that killed several Afghan civilians. The security force also detained one suspect and seized multiple firearms, grenades and explosives.

-- A combined force killed a group of armed insurgents during a vehicle interdiction and narcotics recovery operation in the Nimroz district of Helmand province. Drugs found in the vehicles included 5,000 pounds of dry opium, 330 pounds of wet opium, 1,873 pounds of brown heroin and one bag of hashish. The security force also seized some machine guns, ammunition and magazines. The drugs were destroyed.

MARINE LIFE AT THE EXTREMES AND IN BETWEEN

FROM: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Where North Meets South in the Sea
Scientists Lyndie Hice and Glenn Wagner seine for Atlantic silversides near Cape Hatteras.

July 24, 2012
The Atlantic Ocean off Nova Scotia ... and off Florida.

Along some 2,000 miles, its waters go from icy to steamy. Can a marine species live in both temperatures--and everywhere in between?

If it's a small fish known as the Atlantic silverside (Menidia menidia), it can.

The East Coast of North America has one of the fastest water temperature changes, which scientists call a thermal gradient, of any ocean or sea. It plummets 1 degree Celsius for each degree of latitude.

What effect does this steep thermal gradient have on marine species that live along the Atlantic Seaboard? How do they adapt to the extreme differences?

A study by marine scientist David Conover, currently director of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Division of Ocean Sciences--along with Lyndie Hice and Tara Duffy of Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, N.Y., and Stephan Munch of NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center in Santa Cruz, Calif.--shows that Atlantic silversides reflect the drop in water temperature in changes in their genetics.

Atlantic silversides range from the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada to northeastern Florida in the U.S. Walk along any East Coast shoreline and you're likely to see one--or a school of them--flashing silver in the shallows.

The fish are often found swimming in brackish waters, such as near the mouths of rivers and streams that connect with the sea. They're among the most common piscine residents of the world's largest such estuary, the Chesapeake Bay.

The small fish gather in salt marshes, which offer shelter for spawning and a haven from predators such as striped bass.

Atlantic silversides fuel coastal food webs from north to south. They're also a common subject of scientific research because of their sensitivity to environmental changes.

Conover and colleagues recently published the results of their study of these ubiquitous fish in the journal Ecology Letters. Hice is the lead author.

The study, she says, is the most comprehensive look at genetic variation across latitudes in a marine species.

"The Atlantic silverside is a fish that survives in a spectrum of water temperatures. There's also extensive mixing of its populations throughout its range. Scientists once assumed that all such populations would have similar traits, but we found otherwise."

Despite a blending of Atlantic silverside populations across latitudes, "the fish show remarkable genetic differences over very short distances," says Conover.

For example, the fish's maximum growth rate, and its number of vertebrae, are different in populations as little as 60 kilometers (37 miles) apart.

Conover and colleagues conducted experiments on Atlantic silversides from 39 locations along the fish's 3,000 kilometer (1,864 mile) range, mapping genetic variation in growth rate, number of vertebrae and sex determination.

They initially hypothesized that areas along the coastline where there are abrupt changes in climate, such as North Carolina's Cape Hatteras, would be places where the traits of silversides would rapidly shift in concert.

Instead they found that each trait varied uniquely with latitude--and not necessarily where expected.

The growth rate of silversides, for example, is fastest in northernmost populations.

"These patterns tell us that natural selection appears to be acting independently on each trait," says Hice.

Relationships between environmental gradients and local populations within a single species, say the scientists, are more complex than anyone thought.

"Knowledge of the conditions that lead to local adaptations in growth rate and other traits," says Conover, "will improve management of marine species and fish stocks--and our understanding of the effects of a changing environment."

As water temperatures warm with climate change, what will happen to fish like Atlantic silversides?

"Understanding how marine species adapt to changes in climate with latitude," says Conover, tells us a lot about their capacity to weather climate change in the future.

As climate and water temperatures warm, Atlantic silversides may someday splash their way north as far as Newfoundland, Labrador--and well beyond.

Cheryl Dybas, NSF

NEW ZEALAND SHIP VISIT RESTRICTIONS EASED

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Photo: U.S. Defense Secretary Panetta, New Zealand Defense Minister Johnathon Coleman, U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand David Heubner. Credit: DOD.

Panetta Eases Restrictions on New Zealand Ship Visits
By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced here today that he has eased the restrictions on New Zealand navy ship visits to Defense Department and Coast Guard facilities in the United States and around the world.

During a news conference with Defense Minister Dr. Jonathan Coleman, Panetta said the policy, in place since the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty was suspended between the United States and New Zealand in 1984, has been modified to allow the defense secretary to authorize individual visits. "These changes, I think, are important and in the interests of both our nations," he added.

Panetta said the United States also has removed obstacles to talks between the two nations' defense officials, and has lifted restrictions on military exercises. The changes will make it easier for the U.S. and New Zealand militaries to discuss security issues and to work together in tackling common challenges, the secretary said.

In 1984, New Zealand banned nuclear or nuclear-powered ships from entering its waters or using its ports. The U.S. "one-fleet" policy holds that if any U.S. ships are restricted from an area, it will refrain from sending any ships there. In response to a reporter's question, Coleman said the policy against nuclear ships "is in place and will remain in place."

The changes he announced today, Panetta said, affirm that despite differences in some limited areas, the United States and New Zealand are embarking on a new course that will not let those differences stand in the way of greater engagement on security matters.

The secretary also discussed New Zealand's involvement in NATO's International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan.

"In my meeting with Minister Coleman, I expressed my profound appreciation ... for New Zealand's contributions to this international effort," he said. Panetta said progress has come at a heavy price for New Zealand, which last month lost five service members to enemy violence in Afghanistan.

"I join Minister Coleman and the people of New Zealand in mourning for these heroes – and they are heroes -- who gave their lives for their country and for a cause greater than themselves," he said.

Panetta noted he and Coleman signed the "Washington Declaration" at the Pentagon in June, reflecting a deeper partnership between the two militaries. The two defense leaders have identified several areas where closer defense cooperation is possible, including:

-- Increasing cooperation in the South Pacific;

-- Building New Zealand's amphibious capacity; and

-- Working multilaterally to build capacity in security partner countries for peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.

Panetta said he considers it a "special honor" to be the first U.S. defense secretary to visit New Zealand in 30 years.

"The purpose of this trip is really to mark a new era" between the two countries, the secretary said. He added that New Zealand and the United States are "close friends -- yesterday, today and tomorrow."

Coleman called Panetta's trip to New Zealand "a very significant visit ... [that] underscores the very warm state of the relationship between our two countries at all levels."

THE MARINE PHOTOGRAPHER

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Aaron Belford with his collection of photographer cameras in Yuma, Ariz., Sept. 15, 2012. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Zachary Scanlon

Face of Defense: Marine Lives Life Through Eye of Lens
By Marine Corps Lance Col. Zachary Scanlon
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2012 - For many, the decision to concentrate on a profession takes years. For Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Aaron Belford, it came in a flash.

"Photography has always been in my life," said Belford, the Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron substance abuse control officer and a Minneapolis native. "My mom was a commercial artist, and she used to do ad campaigns, so she would work with a ton of photographers. I would go to work with her, because she was a single mom who couldn't afford a babysitter. This is where I first saw a bunch of styles of photography."

Belford said he "stole" one of his mother's cameras. "From then on," he added, "I just went around and took photos of everything."

The 9/11 attacks were the biggest factor in his 2004 decision to enlist in the Marine Corps, Belford said. "A tradition of my family is when your country needs you, you serve in the military," he explained. "This is why I joined."

Once Belford joined the Marine Corps, he didn't stop with this hobby. Instead, he used his service as a way to broaden his photography skills. "The Marines was a great choice," he said. "It gave me opportunities to shoot new, interesting things."

When he deployed to Iraq in 2006, he did just that.

"We didn't have Combat Camera out there," Belford said. "I did all the camera work there with military operations. I was basically a mini Combat Camera."

After his deployment, he turned his hobby of photography into a profitable profession. He also began a family, he said, and balancing the Corps, his hobby and his loved ones is a challenge.

"It's hard to have a family, the Marine Corps and my photos," said the father of a 2-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son. "It takes balance to handle them all and is really challenging. That's where the principle of 'adapt and overcome' comes to play."

The Marine Corps has given him a valuable skill, Belford said, one of many he has integrated into his photography.

"I have learned something as simple as project managing," he said. "I can see an end product and know how to reverse engineer to get to that end result. ... I can focus on my task but still watch everyone else. Before the Marine Corps, I would never have been able to do that."

One piece of advice has helped him become successful, Belford said: "Try to find the craziest dream you have and do it. Look at why you can do it, and not why you can't."

Belford is slated to leave the Marine Corps Oct. 1 and plans to open a business based on action photography.

"I want to be hanging out of a helicopter upside-down, going 300 mph, shooting photos of an all-terrain vehicle," he said. "That is the kind of photography I want to do."

BANGLADESH AND U.S. PARTNERSHIP DIALOGUE



Map From: U.S. Department of State Website.

FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

U.S.-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

September 20, 2012  

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy R. Sherman and Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Mohamed Mijarul Quayes co-chaired the first U.S.-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue in Washington, DC on September 19-20, 2012. The delegations held productive conversations on a wide range of bilateral and regional issues including development, civil society and governance; trade and investment; security and countering violent extremism; science and technology; women’s empowerment and gender equality.

The U.S.-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue provided an opportunity to expand the robust bilateral relationship between our two countries. Bangladesh, which lies at the crossroads of global powerhouses in South and East Asia, can play a key role in linking these critical regions. The United States welcomed the opportunity to use the Partnership Dialogue to further enhance our close ties on a range of areas of cooperation including:

Regional Integration: The United States appreciates Bangladesh’s commitment to greater regional integration, including its efforts to expand relations with neighbors such as India, China, Burma, and others. At the Partnership Dialogue, we encouraged Bangladesh to continue to play an active role in regional integration, including efforts such as the New Silk Road, the Indo-Pacific Corridor and Indian Ocean organizations.

Development and Governance: Bangladesh’s status as a moderate Muslim democracy and its flourishing civil society organizations are the foundation of our bilateral partnership. Bangladesh is a key participant in all major U.S. development initiatives, including food security, health, climate change, and women’s empowerment. The United States also works with Bangladesh to strengthen democratic institutions, protect human rights, ensure space for a vibrant civil society, and improve governance and transparency. At the Partnership Dialogue we also discussed the importance of appointing a respected leader to serve as the new Managing Director of Grameen Bank.

Trade, Labor and Investment: The two sides discussed ways to strengthen and expand our already robust bilateral trade and investment ties. The United States looks forward to working with Bangladesh on investment climate matters, energy capacity and energy security, and development of internationally recognized labor standards. We also discussed planned delegations of U.S. trade and U.S. energy experts visiting Bangladesh in the coming year.

Security Cooperation: The United States applauds the vital and active role Bangladesh plays in ensuring security and stability domestically, regionally and globally. At the Partnership Dialogue we reviewed our continued collaboration in countering violent extremism, military-to-military engagement, counter-narcotics efforts, UN peace-keeping operations, and humanitarian assistance.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: FROM: U.S. STATE DELPARTMENT
Geography

Area: 147, 570 sq. km. (55,813 sq. mi.); about the size of Iowa.
Cities: Capital--Dhaka (pop. 10 million). Other cities--Chittagong (2.8 million), Khulna (1.8 million), Rajshahi (1 million).
Terrain: Mainly flat alluvial plain, with hills in the northeast and southeast.
Climate: Semitropical, monsoonal.

People

Nationality: Noun and adjective--Bangladeshi(s).
Population (July 2009, CIA est.): 156 million.
Annual population growth rate (July 2009, CIA est.): 1.29%.
Ethnic groups (1998, CIA): Bengali 98%, other 2% (including tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims).
Religions (1998, CIA): Muslim 83%; Hindu 16%; Christian 0.3%, Buddhist 0.6%, others 0.3%.
Languages: Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English.
Education: Attendance--61%. Adult literacy rate--47.5%. (UNDP Human Development Index 2007/2008)
Health (CIA World Factbook): Infant mortality rate (below 1)--59/1,000. Life expectancy-- 60.25 years.
Work force (70.86 million): Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries--63%; manufacturing--11%; mining and quarrying--0.2%.

Government

Type: Parliamentary democracy.
Independence: 1971 (from Pakistan).
Constitution: 1972; amended 1974, 1979, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1996, 2004.
Branches: Executive--president (chief of state), prime minister (head of government), cabinet. Legislative--unicameral Parliament (345 members). Judicial--civil court system based on British model.
Administrative subdivisions: Divisions, districts, subdistricts, unions, villages.
Political parties: 30-40 active political parties. Largest ones include Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Awami League (AL), the Jatiya Party, and the Jamaat-e-Islami Party.
Suffrage: Universal at age 18.

Economy

GDP (2008 est.): $84.2 billion (official); $226.4 billion (PPP).
Annual GDP growth rate (FY 2008): 6.2%; (FY 2008 World Bank est.): below 6%.
Per capita GDP (2008 est.): $554 (official); $1,500 (PPP).
Inflation (December 2008): 6.03% (point-to-point basis) and 8.9% (monthly average basis).
Exchange rate: U.S. $1=69.03 BDT (Dec. 2009); U.S. $1=68.55 BDT (2008); U.S. $1=69.89 BDT (2007).
Annual budget (2008 est.): $12.54 billion.
Fiscal year: July 1 to June 30.
Natural resources: Natural gas, fertile soil, water.
Agriculture (19.1% of GDP): Products--rice, jute, tea, sugar, wheat.
Industry (manufacturing; 28.6% of GDP): Types--garments and knitwear, jute goods, frozen fish and seafood, textiles, fertilizer, sugar, tea, leather, ship-breaking for scrap, pharmaceuticals, ceramic tableware, newsprint.
Trade: Total imports (FY 2008)--$21.6 billion: capital goods, food grains, petroleum, textiles, chemicals, vegetable oils. Growth rate over previous fiscal year: 25.95%. Total exports (FY 2008)--$14.11 billion: garments and knitwear, frozen fish, jute and jute goods, leather and leather products, tea, urea fertilizer, ceramic tableware. Growth rate over previous fiscal year: 16.04%. Exports to U.S. (Jan.-Dec. 2008)--$3.74 billion. Imports from U.S. (Jan.-Dec. 2008)--$468.1 million.

AFGHANISTAN SURGE DRAWDOWN IS OVER

View of the shell of the "Large Buddha" and surrounding caves in Bamyan. The Buddha statue in this cave as well as in another - both dating to the sixth century A.D. - were frequently visited and described over the centuries by travelers on the Silk Road. Both statues were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. From: CIA World Factbook.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Panetta Announces Completion of Afghanistan Surge Drawdown
By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012 - The drawdown of U.S. surge forces in Afghanistan is complete as scheduled, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced here today during a news conference with New Zealand Defense Minister Dr. Jonathan Coleman.

Panetta said the return of 33,000 troops President Barack Obama committed to the war in Afghanistan in 2009 is "an important milestone."

"As we reflect on this moment, it is an opportunity to recognize that the surge accomplished its objectives of reversing Taliban momentum on the battlefield and dramatically increased the size and capability of the Afghan national security forces," he said.

The surge of forces allowed the United States and its coalition partners in NATO's International Security Assistance Force to begin transitioning to Afghan security lead, he said, noting that Afghan forces soon will be responsible for leading their country's defense in areas of every province, and for more than 75 percent of the Afghan population.

"At the same time, we have struck enormous blows against al-Qaida's leadership, consistent with our core goal of disrupting, dismantling and defeating al-Qaida and denying it a safe haven," the secretary said.

The 68,000 U.S. service members who remain in Afghanistan combine with other nation's forces to make ISAF around 100,000 troops strong, Panetta said. Those forces will keep working to reduce the level of violence in Afghanistan, ensure the Taliban do not regain any of their previously held areas, and strengthen the Afghan army, he added.

Panetta said Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of U.S. and ISAF forces in Afghanistan, is confident he can accomplish his campaign with the current force level.

"I have always had tremendous confidence in General Allen's ability to say to me, 'This is what I need in order to accomplish the mission,'" the secretary said. "Right now, he is saying the force he has in place is sufficient to accomplish that mission."

Panetta is in New Zealand for the final stop on his third Asian tour, which also included visits to Japan and China.

ESA Portal - Austria - ESA untersucht, ob sich Mars- oder Mondgestein für den Schutz von Astronauten vor Weltraumstrahlung eignet

ESA Portal - Austria - ESA untersucht, ob sich Mars- oder Mondgestein für den Schutz von Astronauten vor Weltraumstrahlung eignet

U.S.-CHINA MOVE TOWARD CLOSER MILITARY RELATIONSHIP

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta walks through an honor cordon at the Chinese North Sea Fleet headquarters in Qingdao, China, Sept. 20, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

FROM: U.S DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Panetta, Xi Welcome Closer U.S.-China Military RelationsBy Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

BEIJING, Sept. 19, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping both said at the outset of a meeting here this morning that the secretary's visit to China will advance cooperation between the two nations' militaries.

Xi is widely considered as the top prospect to be China's next president when the government transitions in 2013. He hosted Panetta at today's meeting in the Great Hall of the People, just west of Tiananmen Square.

During a short open-media period at the beginning of the meeting, the vice president welcomed the secretary and said he believes Panetta's visit "will be very helpful in further advancing the state-to-state and military-to-military relations between our two countries."

Panetta responded that he is honored to visit China, as he was honored to host Xi at the Pentagon during the vice president's visit to the United States in February. He added he appreciates Xi's support in encouraging closer military coordination between the two countries.

"We are two great Pacific nations with common concerns," the secretary said. "We want to begin what you have called a new new-model relationship, and we can begin with better military-to-military relations. I am confident that we will be able to improve our dialogue, our communication and our security together."

Speaking to U.S. and Chinese reporters later in the day, the secretary said the vice president -- who had been out of the public eye for some weeks before last weekend, and whose health had been the subject of intense speculation -- had been "very engaged" during their meeting.

"We were scheduled to [meet] for about 45 minutes. We went a half hour or more beyond [that] in the discussion," Panetta said.

The secretary said Xi impressed him at this meeting, as in their earlier Pentagon meeting, as someone who speaks frankly and "from the heart."

Panetta said he was impressed with Xi's directness and believes the vice president sincerely wants to work toward a better relationship with the United States.

Shortly after his meeting with Xi, the secretary gave a speech at the People's Liberation Army Armored Forces' engineering academy. He was the first defense secretary to visit the academy.

Before leaving China, Panetta is scheduled to visit the eastern port city of Qingdao, where he will meet with the commander of China's North Sea Fleet.

Panetta began this trip to Asia, his third, with a stop in Japan, and will conclude the trip with a visit to New Zealand, the first by a U.S. defense secretary in 30 years.

SEC ALLEGES BROKER COMMITTED INSIDER TRADING IN BURGER KING STOCK

 

FROM: U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C., Sept. 20, 2012 – The Securities and Exchange Commission today obtained an emergency court order to freeze the assets of a stockbroker who used nonpublic information from a customer and engaged in insider trading ahead of Burger King’s announcement that it was being acquired by a New York private equity firm.

Photo Credit: U.S. Marshals Service

The SEC alleges that Waldyr Da Silva Prado Neto, a citizen of Brazil who was working for Wells Fargo in Miami, learned about the impending acquisition from a brokerage customer who invested at least $50 million in a fund managed by private equity firm 3G Capital Partners Ltd. and used to acquire Burger King in 2010. Prado misused the confidential information to illegally trade in Burger King stock for $175,000 in illicit profits, and he tipped others living in Brazil and elsewhere who also traded on the nonpublic information.

The SEC obtained the asset freeze in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The agency took the emergency action to prevent Prado from transferring his assets outside of U.S. jurisdiction. Prado recently abandoned his most current job at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, put his Miami home up for sale, and began transferring all of his assets out of the country.

"Prado’s e-mails and other communications may have been sent from Brazil and may have been in Portuguese, but our commitment to prosecute illegal insider trading in U.S. markets knows no geographic or language barrier," said Sanjay Wadhwa, Deputy Chief of the SEC Enforcement Division’s Market Abuse Unit and Associate Director of the New York Regional Office.

According to the SEC’s complaint, Prado’s insider trading in Burger King stock occurred from May 17 to Sept. 1, 2010. At the time, Prado was the representative on the account used by the customer to transfer his investment to 3G Capital. The customer had been with Prado for more than 10 years and often shared his confidential financial information with the understanding that it was to remain confidential. Prado had repeated contact with the customer by phone and e-mail as well as in person in Brazil during the time period that Prado traded Burger King securities.

The SEC alleges that Prado began his illegal trading while on a business trip to Brazil, during which he sent an e-mail to a friend that – translated from Portuguese – read, "I’m in Brazil with information that cannot be sent by email. You can’t miss it…." Prado later told his friend on a phone call that night that he heard 3G Capital was going to take Burger King private. The friend, a hedge fund manager in Miami, warned Prado that he should not trade on this information and should not encourage any of his customers to trade either.

According to the SEC’s complaint, Prado went on to tip at least four of his customers who eventually traded in Burger King stock based on nonpublic information about the impending acquisition. For example, just minutes after Prado sent the May 17 e-mail to his friend in Miami, he sent an e-mail to one of those customers which, again translated from Portuguese, read, " … if you are around call me at the hotel … I have some info…You have to hear this." A 10-minute phone conversation followed, and the customer purchased out-of-the-money Burger King call options during the next two days. In August 2010 Prado was on another business trip to Brazil, the same customer sent Prado an e-mail which translated to, "[i]s the sandwich deal going to happen?" Prado replied, "Vai sim," which means, "Yes it’s going to happen." He continued, "[e]verything is 100% under control. I was embarrassed to ask about timing. The last ‘vol’ got in the way." Following these e-mails, the customer – identified as Tippee A in the SEC’s complaint – made additional purchases in Burger King call options. The customer’s total insider trading profits amounted to more than $1.68 million.

The SEC’s complaint against Prado seeks a permanent injunction from violations of Sections 10(b) and 14(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rules 10b-5 and 14e-3 thereunder, disgorgement with prejudgment interest and monetary penalties.

The SEC’s investigation, which is continuing, has been conducted by Megan Bergstrom, David Brown, and Diana Tani in Los Angeles, and Charles D. Riely in New York, who are members of the SEC Enforcement Division’s Market Abuse Unit. The investigation was supervised by Unit Chief Daniel M. Hawke and Deputy Chief Sanjay Wadhwa. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the Comissão de Valores Mobliliários (Securities and Exchange Commission of Brazil), Options Regulatory Surveillance Authority, and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

HCA PAYS $16.5 MILLION TO SETTLE FALSE CLAIMS ALLEGATIONS

Photo: Operation Prep. Credit: U.S. Navy.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Hospital Chain HCA Inc. Pays $16.5 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Regarding Chattanooga, Tenn., Hospital Allegedly Provided Financial Benefits to Doctors’ Group That Referred Patients to HCA-owned Facilities

HCA Inc., one of the nation’s largest for-profit hospital chains, has agreed to pay the United States and the state of Tennessee $16.5 million to settle claims that it violated the False Claims Act and the Stark Statute, the Department of Justice announced today.

As alleged in the settlement agreement, during 2007, HCA, through its subsidiaries Parkridge Medical Center, located in Chattanooga, Tenn., and HCA Physician Services (HCAPS), headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., entered into a series of financial transactions with a physician group, Diagnostic Associates of Chattanooga, through which it provided financial benefits intended to induce the physician members of Diagnostic to refer patients to HCA facilities. These financial transactions included rental payments for office space leased from Diagnostic at a rate well in excess of fair market value in order to assist Diagnostic members to meet their mortgage obligations and a release of Diagnostic members from a separate lease obligation.

The Stark Statute restricts financial relationships that hospitals may enter into with physicians who potentially may refer patients to them. Federal law prohibits the payment of medical claims that result from such prohibited relationships.

"The Department of Justice continues to pursue cases involving improper financial relationships between health care providers and their referral sources, because such relationships can corrupt a physician’s judgment about the patient’s true healthcare needs," said Stuart F. Delery, the Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice’s Civil Division.

"Physicians should make decisions regarding referrals to health care facilities based on what is in the best interest of patients without being induced by payments from hospitals competing for their business," said Bill Killian, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee.

" Improper business deals between hospitals and physicians jeopardize both patient care and federal program dollars," said Daniel R. Levinson, Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services. "Our investigators continue to work shoulder to shoulder with other law enforcement authorities to stop schemes that imperil scarce health care resources."

The civil settlement resolves a lawsuit, United States ex rel. Bingham v. HCA, No. 1:08-CV-71 (E.D. Tenn.), pending in federal court in the Eastern District of Tennessee under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private citizens to bring civil actions on behalf of the United States and share in any recovery. As part of the civil settlement, HCA has agreed to pay $16.5 million to the United States and the state of Tennessee, with the federal portion representing $15,693,000 of the settlement amount. The whistleblower will receive an 18.5 percent share.

Also as part of the settlement, Parkridge Medical Center has entered into a comprehensive five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to ensure its continued compliance with federal health care benefit program requirements.

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 the 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 $9.4 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 $13.1 billion.

The case was handled by the Justice Department’s Civil Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee, the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

DEPUTY DEFENSE SCRETARY CARTER SAID SEQUESTRATION IS LIKE A HIDDEN TAX



Photo:  Ashton B. Carter
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Carter: Sequestration Would Have Effect of 'Hidden Tax'By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2012 - Because it would lead to inefficiencies, the sequestration mechanism built into the Budget Control Act would amount to a hidden tax, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter said here today.

"If sequestration happens, it is not only disruptive in many ways I'd love to describe, but it's a hidden tax all by itself," Carter said during an interview at the Newseum with Politico Pro Defense's Phil Ewing. "It forces us to be uneconomical, and our industry partners to be uneconomical, in the conduct of our affairs. That's not good."

Sequestration refers to a mechanism in last year's law that raised the debt ceiling that would trigger an additional $500 billion across-the-board defense spending cut over the next decade, in addition to $487 billion in cuts already programmed, unless Congress identifies equivalent savings by January.

Along with Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, Carter said, he is urging Congress to find a solution.

"We fervently hope that something can be done to avert sequestration," Carter said. "I don't know how many months Secretary Panetta and I have been railing about what sequestration will do to national defense," he said. "I think people didn't know what the word meant, but he did, and we did, and the word he used is 'devastating.'"

The deputy defense secretary said he cannot say anything good about sequestration, and he called its size and the manner in which it was applied "senseless."

"And makes the jobs of people like us who are trying to manage your security to a reasonable result ... impossible," he added.

As Defense Department managers work to "get our programs just so," including all the things they must do for service members and their families, Carter said, the impending cuts are prohibitive. "In comes something like this that makes orderly disposition of the public's business impossible," he added. "So I very much hope some way can be found over the next few months to stop it."

Carter said he'd be open to Congress enacting a delay in the January deadline to allow more time for a solution. "A delay's better than having it," he said, "and if a delay leads to ultimately dispelling this cloud, that's all the better."

The potential for government shutdowns and the prospect of the government operating on a series of continuing resolutions in place of a budget also affect defense industry partners trying to do their jobs, Carter said.

"You're working on contingencies at the same time you're trying to do the bedrock business that we're supposed to do, which is to support the warfighter and deliver value for the taxpayer," he said. "So it's annoying, it's frustrating and it's counterproductive."

Carter said people may be aware of the "extremely disruptive, uneconomical and wasteful" effects on defense programs such as aircraft and vehicle acquisition, but they may not appreciate potential effects on operating accounts.

Under sequestration, he explained, warfighting costs could require tapping into Army operations and maintenance funding, which in turn would affect training, which then would affect readiness.

"The force will not be as ready to do things elsewhere in the world. ... It really has an effect on security," he said.

Sequestration also affects people, Carter said – not only service members, civilian employees and their families, but also industry partners.

They are the ones who build the things that make our military the greatest in the world," Carter said. "It affects them, [and] it affects their employees. So across the board, it deserves the word 'devastating.'"

AURORA AUSTRALIS FROM SPACE

 

FROM:  NASA
Aurora Australis From Space
This image is of Atlantis and its Orbital Boom Sensor System robot arm extension backdropped against Earth's horizon and a greenish phenomenon associated with Aurora Australis. One of the station's solar array panels appears at upper left. Because of the exposure time needed for this type of photography, some of the stars in the background are blurred.

Image Credit: NASA

WAR OF 1812 BICENTENIAL VIDEO

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 15, 2012



Photo Credit:  NASA

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA

In the week ending September 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 382,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 385,000. The 4-week moving average was 377,750, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average of 375,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending September 8, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending September 8 was 3,272,000, a decrease of 32,000 from the preceding week's revised level of 3,304,000. The 4-week moving average was 3,309,750, a decrease of 12,000 from the preceding week's revised average of 3,321,750.
UNADJUSTED DATA
The advance number of actual initial claims under state programs, unadjusted, totaled 327,797 in the week ending September 15, an increase of 28,068 from the previous week. There were 353,820 initial claims in the comparable week in 2011.

The advance unadjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.3 percent during the week ending September 8, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The advance unadjusted number for persons claiming UI benefits in state programs totaled 2,925,518, a decrease of 5,307 from the preceding week. A year earlier, the rate was 2.6 percent and the volume was 3,306,720.

The total number of people claiming benefits in all programs for the week ending September 1 was 5,173,597, a decrease of 217,823 from the previous week. There were 6,887,930 persons claiming benefits in all programs in the comparable week in 2011

Extended Benefits were not available in any states during the week ending September 1.

Initial claims for UI benefits by former Federal civilian employees totaled 962 in the week ending September 8, a decrease of 259 from the prior week. There were 2,715 initial claims by newly discharged veterans, an increase of 175 from the preceding week.

There were 16,610 former Federal civilian employees claiming UI benefits for the week ending September 1, a decrease of 823 from the previous week. Newly discharged veterans claiming benefits totaled 37,093, a decrease of 1,308 from the prior week.

States reported 2,162,532 persons claiming EUC (Emergency Unemployment Compensation) benefits for the week ending September 1, a decrease of 60,539 from the prior week. There were 2,997,259 persons claiming EUC in the comparable week in 2011. EUC weekly claims include first, second, third, and fourth tier activity.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending September 1 were in Puerto Rico (4.1), New Jersey (3.6), Alaska (3.5), Pennsylvania (3.5), Connecticut (3.3), California (3.1), New York (3.0), Nevada (2.9), Oregon (2.8), and Massachusetts (2.7).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending September 8 were in Louisiana (+6,678), Puerto Rico (+1,679), Mississippi (+1,067), Wisconsin (+988), and Washington (+833), while the largest decreases were in California (-8,163), New York (-3,449), Michigan (-2,115), Pennsylvania
(-1,624), and Iowa (-1,214).

PTSD AND TBI STUDY TO RECEIVE $100 MILLION

Photo:  Veteran Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki

FROM: U.S. VETERANS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
VA, DOD to Fund $100 Million PTSD and TBI Study
From a Department of Veterans Affairs News Release

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2012 - The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense today announced they are investing more than $100 million in research to improve diagnosis and treatment of mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

"At VA, ensuring that our veterans receive quality care is our highest priority," Veteran Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said. "Investing in innovative research that will lead to treatments for PTSD and TBI is critical to providing the care our veterans have earned and deserve."

The two groups, The Consortium to Alleviate PTSD and the Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium will be jointly managed by VA, and by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, on behalf of the DOD.

More than 15 percent of service members and veterans suffer impaired functioning as a result of PTSD. CAP will study potential indicators of the trauma, as well as prevention strategies, possible interventions, and improved treatments. Biomarker-based research will be a key factor for CAP's studies.

A primary goal of CENC is to establish an understanding of the after-effects of an mTBI. Potential comorbidities also will be studied; that is, conditions associated with and worsen because of a neurotrauma.

"PTSD and mTBI are two of the most-prevalent injuries suffered by our warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan, and identifying better treatments for those impacted is critical," Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Jonathan Woodson said. "These consortia will bring together leading scientists and researchers devoted to the health and welfare of our nation's service members and veterans."

On Aug. 31, President Barack Obama signed an executive order to improve access to mental health services for veterans, service members and military families. As part of that executive order, Obama directed DOD, the VA, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education to develop a National Research Action Plan that will include strategies to improve early diagnosis and treatment effectiveness for TBI and PTSD. He further directed DOD and HHS to conduct a comprehensive mental health study, with an emphasis on PTSD, TBI, and related injuries to develop better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options.

VA, which has the largest integrated health care system in the country, also has one of the largest medical research programs.

This year, approximately 3,400 researchers will work on more than 2,300 projects with nearly $1.9 billion in funding. Specific information on the consortia, including the full description of each award, eligibility, and submission deadlines, and general application instructions, are posted on the Grants.gov and CDMRP websites.

GSA SAVES $4 MILLION FROM GOING UP IN SMOKE

GSA supports our nations firefighters
FROM: U.S. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

GSA Saved Firefighters $4 Million in August

Posted by William Hicks

Federal Acquisition Service Southwest Region on September 19th, 2012

Each year, in the summer and early fall, wildfires present a very real threat to forests, wildlife, and residential areas in western and southwestern United States. A vital role of GSA’s mission is to support firefighters and save taxpayer dollars by utilizing government contracts to consolidate purchasing supplies and equipment. In August alone, GSA’s Wildland Fire Program saved an estimated $4 million on orders of equipment to support firefighters across the nation.

While wildfire activity slowed in July, national preparedness levels increased in August with large fires burning in Arizona, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, California, Montana, Oregon, Washington State, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Texas. During the single month, the Southwest Supply Operations Center, which is responsible for GSA’s Wildland Fire Program, processed over 40 orders for fire equipment and supplies for national fire caches. The supplies were shipped from the GSA Western Distribution Center in French Camp, California. In many cases, shipments are responses to immediate needs and must be processed during evening or weekend hours.

The program provides firefighters with equipment and supplies, facilitates advanced procurements in preparation for fire season, assists in standardization of fire equipment and supplies, and provides direct distribution of items to field units. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, the Southwest Supply Operations Center stocks over 250 items to assist firefighting in the task of fire suppression including water handling equipment, fire line tools, fire shelters, and protective clothing. As of early September, sales of equipment in the region totaled $38.4 million, which is estimated to have saved firefighters $13 million in cost-savings.

GSA also provides support to state and local governments during times of emergency through the use of government-wide contracts with commercial firms that are designed to save time and money in the procurement process. The use of these contracts, referred to as "schedules," provides access to millions of commercial products and services at volume discount pricing.

GSA’s Office of Emergency Response and Recovery provides the overall logistics support for disasters and manages our role in the Emergency Support Functions as part of FEMA’s National Response Framework. They are GSA’s first responders and "boots on the ground" within hours of an event. In addition to wildfires, GSA provides support during hurricanes, tornados, floods, earthquakes and other man-made or natural disasters.

NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN NOVEMBER 20, 2012

Photo:  Afgahistan Field.  Credit:  CIA World Factbook.
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Combined Force Kills Armed Insurgents in Balkh Province
From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 20, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force killed two armed insurgents during an operation to arrest a senior Taliban leader in the Balkh district of Afghanistan's Balkh province today, military officials reported.

As the security force approached the Taliban leader's suspected location, the armed insurgents maneuvered toward them and were killed when they displayed hostile intent.

No civilians were harmed during the operation. The security force also detained a suspected insurgent and seized firearms and grenades.

In other operations today:

-- An Afghan and coalition force in Kandahar province's Khakrez district arrested a Taliban informant who is suspected of acquiring and providing information regarding Afghan and coalition security operations to Taliban leaders operating throughout the region. He also is believed to provide guidance to insurgents for roadside bomb attacks. The security force also detained an alleged insurgent and seized explosive materials.

-- In Khost province's Bak district, an Afghan-led security force supported by coalition troops detained suspected insurgents and seized firearms during an operation to arrest a Haqqani network leader who is believed to coordinate attacks throughout the region, specializing in the use of roadside bombs.

In other news, Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of Qari Yahya, an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader, during a Sept. 18 operation in Kunduz province's Qal-al-ye Zal district.

As the security force approached Qari Yahya's location, he and another IMU leader maneuvered from the compound and displayed hostile intent. Qari Yahya was killed, and the other IMU leader was arrested without injury. No civilians were harmed during the operation.

Qari Yahya was directly responsible for facilitating and conducting roadside bomb attacks and maintained communication and logistics ties with senior IMU and Taliban leaders.

ENDEAVOUR OVER HOUSTON

Space Shuttle Endeavour Over
 Houston, Texas
Space Shuttle Endeavour is ferried by NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) over Houston, Texas on September 19, 2012. NASA pilots Jeff Moultrie and Bill Rieke are at the controls of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. Photo taken by NASA photographer Sheri Locke in the backseat of a NASA T-38 chase plane with NASA pilot Thomas E. Parent at the controls.

Photo Credit- NASA- Sheri Locke