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Οκτ 24 τις 5:27 μ.μ.   President Trump’s tax reform plan will jumpstart America’s economic engine by making it the most desirable country in the world for businesses to invest and grow. By lowering the corporate tax rate from 35 to 20 percent, the “American Model” will encourage businesses to return from overseas, bringing trillions of dollars into the American economy. To learn more about the Unified Framework for Tax Reform, visit whitehouse.gov/taxreform. --------------------- Captain Gary M. Rose Receives Medal of Honor  On Monday, President Donald J. Trump awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor to Captain Gary Michael “Mike” Rose (retired). Rose, a United States Army Captain, received the highest military honor for conspicuous gallantry during the Vietnam War, where he risked his life to administer lifesaving aid to his comrades in spite of severe injury and enemy fire. From September 11 through September 14, 1970, while his unit was engaged with a much larger force deep in enemy-controlled territory, then-Sergeant Rose repeatedly ran into the line of enemy fire to provide critical medical aid to his comrades, using his own body on one occasion to shield a wounded American from harm. On the final day of the mission, although wounded himself, Sergeant Rose voluntarily exposed himself to enemy fire while moving wounded personnel to the extraction point, loading them into helicopters, and helping to repel an enemy assault on the American position. As he boarded the final extraction helicopter, intense enemy fire hit the helicopter, causing it to crash shortly after takeoff. Again, ignoring his own injuries, Sergeant Rose pulled the helicopter crew and members of his unit from the burning wreckage and provided medical aid until another extraction helicopter arrived. “[Y]our will to endure, your love for your fellow soldier, your devotion to your country inspires us all,” the President said. “Nations are formed out of the strength and patriotism that lives in the hearts of our heroes.” Read more here. Vice President Participates in Commemoration of 1983 Tragedy  Vice President Mike Pence delivered remarks at the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C., on Monday morning to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the 1983 bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. Vice President Pence praised the courage of the Marines who were sent to Lebanon to help protect the innocent and prevent a civil war from becoming an even greater tragedy. “[B]ecause of the principles for which they stood and the peace for which they strived, these heroes aroused the attention of great evil,” Pence said, describing what was the beginning of the global war on terror. The Vice President paid his respects to the fallen and commended those who are currently fighting to defend American freedom. Creating Jobs, Creating Growth, and Offering Relief to Families  On Monday, Advisor Ivanka Trump attended a tax reform town hall in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where she discussed the Trump Administration’s unified tax reform plan. She was joined by U.S. Treasurer Jovita Carranza as she delivered remarks to a crowd of roughly 250 attendees. “There are so many elements squarely targeted at creating jobs, creating growth, and offering relief to our middle-income families,” Trump said, as she continued to tout the merits of the tax-overhaul effort. The tax reform plan is aimed at simplifying the tax code and increasing U.S. competitiveness on the global stage. Tax reform will provide middle-class relief by permanently reducing tax rates and it will lower the corporate tax rate and give American businesses the competitive edge in the global market. The tax code will be simple, fair, and easy, eliminating loopholes and ensuring that 90% of Americans will be able to file their taxes on one sheet of paper. Finally, the tax reform plan will bring back trillions of dollars in wealth parked overseas, allowing those dollars to be re-invested in American workers, jobs, and companies. President Trump’s tax reform plan is pro-growth, pro-jobs, pro-worker, and pro-American. Learn more about his tax reform plan here. PHOTO OF THE DAY President Donald J. Trump presents the Medal of Honor to Retired U.S. Army Captain Gary M. Rose | October 23, 2017 (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead) POTUS TODAY Today, winners of the National Minority Enterprise Development Week Awards Program will be visiting the White House for ceremonial recognition by President Trump and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. These awards celebrate the achievements of minority entrepreneurs and recognize individuals and organizations that are committed to advancing global minority business enterprise. Later, President Trump will also participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Callista Gingrich as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. And this afternoon, the President will head to the Capitol and participate in the Senate Republican Poli

Meijer Recalls Meijer Brand Packaged Produce Due to Possible Health Risk GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Meijer is announcing a recall of various packaged Meijer brand produce items due to a potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms like high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, a Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. The recall affects the following products sold in Meijer stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin purchased September 27, 2017 through October 20, 2017. The items will be in plastic containers or foam trays with printed labels with various sizes and weights. Octagam [Immune Globulin Intravenous (human)] 10 Percent Liquid Preparation]: Voluntary Market Withdrawal AUDIENCE: Pharmacy, Risk Manager ISSUE: Octapharma USA Inc. is initiating a voluntary market withdrawal of octagam 10% [Immune Globulin Intravenous (human)] 10% Liquid Preparation] that is labeled with lot numbers K724B8541 & K725A8541. Although there have been no reports of serious injury at this time, Octapharma has determined, through consultation with the public health authorities at FDA, the most prudent course of action is to suspend further administration of octagam 10% from these particular production lots. BACKGROUND: Lot numbers K724B8541 & K725A8541 are affected by this recall. RECOMMENDATION: Distributors that received these lots of octagam 10% from Octapharma are asked to immediately quarantine these lots and contact Octapharma for return instructions. Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program: Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178 Read the MedWatch Safety Alert, including a link to the FDA Market Withdrawal notice, at: https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm581586.htm Albertsons, Safeway, Vons and Pak N' Save Stores in Eight States Voluntarily Recall Several Fresh Vegetable Trays and Cups in Cooperation with Voluntary Recall by Mann Packing PLEASANTON, Calif. – In cooperation with the Mann Packing recall of minimally processed vegetable products due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, Albertsons, Safeway, Vons and Pak N' Save stores in eight states are voluntarily recalling certain fresh vegetable trays and cups that include vegetables that are subject to the Mann Packing recall. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Earthbound Farm LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk and Egg in One Batch of Earthbound Farm Organic Chopped Asian Style Salad Kit Out of an abundance of caution, Earthbound Farm LLC of San Juan Bautista, CA is voluntarily recalling 1,755 cases of the Earthbound Farm Organic Chopped Asian Style Salad Kit with an expiration date of October 24, 2017 and UPC of 32601 95134, because it was discovered that some of the bags contain the dressing/toppings packets for the Southwest Chopped Salad Kit rather than for the Chopped Asian Style Kit. The Southwest dressing contains egg and milk that are not declared as ingredients on the bag of the Asian Style Salad Kit.  A consumer contacted us after noticing the dressing packet declared "contains egg and milk," allergens that are not declared on the label of the Asian Style Salad Kit. The Southwest dressing packets say "Southwest" on them. While no reactions have been reported to date, people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to MILK or EGG run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. SCA Pharmaceuticals Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Specific Products Due to Potential Contamination SCA Pharmaceuticals LLC (“SCA Pharmaceuticals”) is voluntarily recalling all/the following lots of the below listed injectable products to the hospital level. The is a potential for the products to contain microbial contamination. Administration of a drug product, intended to be sterile, that may contain microbial contamination has the potential to result in serious adverse events which may include life-threatening infections. SCA Pharmaceuticals has not received any customer complaints or reports of adverse events related to this issue, but out of an abundance of caution, is voluntarily initiating this recall. Triple B Corporation (Anchorage, Alaska) Recalls Salad Kits and Stir Fry Mixes Due to Possible Contamination with Listeria Monocytogenes ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – Triple B Corporation of Anchorage, Alaska is voluntarily recalling broccoli florette's, stir fry kit, vegie trays w/ cauliflower, and a veggie pack combo, due to possible contamination with  Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.  Οκτ 23 τις 6:23 μ.μ. FTC Provides Additional Guidance on COPPA and Voice Recordings The Federal Trade Commission is providing additional guidance on how the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule applies to the collection of audio voice recordings by organizations covered by the law, which requires certain operators of commercial websites or online services to obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13. The FTC updated the COPPA Rule in 2013, adding several new types of data to the definition of personal information, including a photograph, video or audio file that contains a child’s image or voice, to data already covered, such as a name, address or Social Security number. This update has prompted some questions about the application of this requirement when a child’s voice is collected for the sole purpose of instructing a command or request. In a new policy enforcement statement, the FTC noted that the COPPA rule requires websites and online services directed at children to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting an audio recording. The Commission, however, recognizes the value of using voice as a replacement for written words in performing search and other functions on Internet-connected devices. The FTC will not take an enforcement action against an operator for not obtaining parental consent before collecting the audio file with a child’s voice when it is collected solely as a  replacement of written words, such as  to perform a search or to fulfill a verbal instruction or request – as long as it is held for a brief time and only for that purpose. The Commission noted that there are important limitations to this policy. The policy does not apply when the operator requests information via voice that would otherwise be considered personal information, such as a name. In addition, an operator must still provide clear notice of its collection and use of audio files and its deletion policy in its privacy policy. Also, the operator may not make any other use of the audio file before it is destroyed and the policy does not affect the operator’s COPPA compliance requirements in any other respect. The Commission voted 2-0 to approve the new policy statement. The FTC has actively enforced the COPPA Rule, bringing more than two dozen cases since it was first issued in 2000. Most recently, the FTC  reached settlements with a mobile advertiser that deceptively tracked the locations of children without parental consent and against two app developers that allowed third-party advertisers to collect information about children without parental consent. The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).  Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.  Οκτ 24 τις 1:44 π.μ. WASHINGTON — Under updated policy guidance, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is instructing its officers to apply the same level of scrutiny to both initial petitions and extension requests for certain nonimmigrant visa categories. The guidance applies to nearly all nonimmigrant classifications filed using Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.  “USCIS officers are at the front lines of the administration’s efforts to enhance the integrity of the immigration system,” said USCIS Director L. Francis Cissna. “This updated guidance provides clear direction to help advance policies that protect the interests of U.S. workers.”    As before, adjudicators must thoroughly review the petition and supporting evidence to determine eligibility for the benefit sought. The updated guidance instructs officers to apply the same level of scrutiny when reviewing nonimmigrant visa extension requests even where the petitioner, beneficiary and underlying facts are unchanged from a previously approved petition. While adjudicators may ultimately reach the same conclusion as in a prior decision, they are not compelled to do so as a default starting point as the burden of proof to establish eligibility for an immigration benefit always lies with the petitioner.  The previous policy instructed officers to give deference to the findings of a previously approved petition, as long as the key elements were unchanged and there was no evidence of a material error or fraud related to the prior determination. The updated policy guidance rescinds the previous policy.  Under the law, the burden of proof in establishing eligibility for the visa petition extension is on the petitioner, regardless of whether USCIS previously approved a petition. The adjudicator’s determination is based on the merits of each case, and officers may request additional evidence if the petitioner has not submitted sufficient evidence to establish eligibility.  Interim and final policy memos are official USCIS policy documents and are effective the date the memos are issued.  Learn more about our Buy American, Hire American initiatives.  For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), Facebook(/uscis), and Instagram (@USCIS).