NEW YORK CITY FROM SPACE

 

FROM: NASA

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

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

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

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

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

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

Press Briefing | The White House

Press Briefing | The White House

ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN

 

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

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

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

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

In other recent Afghanistan operations:

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

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

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

THE WHITE HOUSE PUSHES BRAIN RESEARCH WITH NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

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

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

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

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

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

-NSF-

FIVE MONTHS AFTER HURRICANE SANDY

 

FROM: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

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

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

DOD EXPLAINS HOMELAND DEFENSE AND CIVIL SUPPORT STRATEGY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Map:  Iraq.  Credit:  CIA World Factbook. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND MISSIONS CONTINUE AFTER RESTRUCTURING

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- END -

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE HAGEL HOSTS SINGAPORE'S PRIME MINISTER LOONG

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE WORLD'S LARGEST AIRBORNE OBSERVATORY

FROM: NASA

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

Press Briefing | The White House

Press Briefing | The White House

BUILDER RECEIVES 27 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR INCOME TAX EVASION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Press Briefing - April 1, 2013

RECENT U.S. NAVY PHOTOS

 

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

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

HHS GUARANTEE FOR NEW MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES

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

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

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

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

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

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

ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN

 

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

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

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

In other Afghanistan operations yesterday:

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

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

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

In March 30 Afghanistan operations:

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

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

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

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

What inspired you?

What inspired you?

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

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

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

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

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

Comments from several of these exporters square with these numbers.

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

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

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

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

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

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