U.S.A.'s interesting latest news

‘I don’t know if we’ll have any left to cut’  President Donald J. Trump pulled out the ceremonial gold scissors yesterday to show Americans exactly what his Administration is doing to Washington’s vast regulatory state. A few highlights from his speech: In 1960, there were 20,000 pages of federal regulations; today, there are 185,000—a stack about as tall as one of the reporters covering yesterday’s speech. (He’s 6’3”.) “We canceled or delayed over 1,500 planned regulatory actions, more than any previous president by far.” The President’s simple message for agency heads: Slash even more red tape in 2018. “And that should just about do it. I don’t know if we’ll have any left to cut.” One stat to remember: The Administration promised to cut 2 regulations for each new one added. Agencies blew that 2:1 goal out of the water, instead eliminating rules at a 22:1 clip. Why it matters: “Reductions in regulation are happening now,” financial expert Peter Wallison wrote earlier this fall. “That’s why the markets are exuberant.” Read the President’s full remarks. It’s a good day to celebrate  Just as the Administration unveils its plan to continue pruning the administrative state next year, it’s time to commemorate 10 of our Nation’s most important Founding principles. President Trump signed a proclamation last week that honors today as Bill of Rights Day, part of the larger Human Rights Week that began Monday. “We recognize the importance of the first 10 Amendments to our Constitution to protecting our liberty and freedom against the inevitable encroachment of government,” the President wrote. Our Founders “understood the fundamental truth that liberty is best secured when the state’s power is carefully limited.” Read President Trump’s full proclamation. The next generation of law enforcement leaders  This morning, President Trump addressed the 222 newest graduates of the FBI National Academy at a ceremony in Quantico, Virginia. He congratulated students for completing the 270th Session of the academy, a challenging 11-week professional course of study covering intelligence theory, terrorism, management, law, behavioral science, law enforcement communication, and forensic science. Included in this latest class are members of law enforcement agencies from the District of Columbia, 20 international countries, three military organizations, and four federal civilian organizations. Watch the President’s remarks here. PHOTO OF THE DAY President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s official 2017 Christmas portrait | December 5, 2017 (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks) COMING UP Next week, the Vice President travels to Egypt and Israel. The President will hold a meeting of his Cabinet on Wednesday. WASHINGTON— Current beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under Honduras’ designation who want to maintain that status through the current expiration date of July 5, 2018, must re-register between Dec. 15, 2017 and Feb. 13, 2018. Re-registration procedures, including how to renew employment authorization documentation, have been published in the Federal Register and onwww.uscis.gov/tps. All applicants must submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status. Applicants may also request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by submitting a completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, at the time of filing Form I-821, or separately at a later date. Both forms are free on USCIS’ website at http://www.uscis.gov/tps. USCIS will issue Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) with a July 5, 2018 expiration date to eligible Honduran TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for EADs under this extension in accordance with the TPS Honduras Federal Register Notice.  Given the timeframes involved with processing TPS re-registration applications, however, DHS recognizes that not all re-registrants will receive new EADs before their current EADs expire on Jan. 5, 2018.  Accordingly, DHS has automatically extended the validity of EADs issued under the TPS designation of Honduras for 180 days, through July 4, 2018.     In November, former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke announced that she was not making a determination on Honduras’ TPS designation at that time. By operation of the TPS statute, this postponement automatically extended the current TPS designation for Honduras for six months – through July 5, 2018.  Duke concluded that additional time and information was necessary to make a determination on extension, redesignation, or termination of Honduras’ TPS designation.  During this six-month extension, individuals with TPS are encouraged to prepare for their return to Honduras in the event Honduras’ designation is not extended again, including requesting updated travel documents from the government of Honduras.  At least 60 days before July 5, 2018, the Secretary will assess the country conditions in Honduras to determine whether to extend, redesignate, or terminate TPS for Honduras. Hondurans with TPS may wish to consult with qualified immigration attorneys or practitioners about their eligibility for another immigration status or benefit, or whether there is any other action they may want to take regarding their individual immigration circumstances. For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), Facebook(/uscis), and Instagram (@uscis).  - USCIS - TPS Nicaragua Ending in January 2019 WASHINGTON— Current beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under Nicaragua’s designation who want to maintain that status through the program’s termination date of Jan. 5, 2019, must re-register between Dec. 15, 2017 and Feb. 13, 2018. Re-registration procedures, including how to renew employment authorization documentation, have been published in the Federal Register and on www.uscis.gov/tps. All applicants must submit Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status. Applicants may also request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by submitting a completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, at the time of filing Form I-821, or separately at a later date. Both forms are free on USCIS’ website at http://www.uscis.gov/tps. USCIS will issue new Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) with a Jan. 5, 2019 expiration date to eligible Nicaraguan TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for EADs.  Given the timeframes involved with processing TPS re-registration applications, however, DHS recognizes that not all re-registrants will receive new EADs before their current EADs expire on Jan. 5, 2018.  Accordingly, DHS has automatically extended the validity of EADs issued under the TPS designation of Nicaragua for 60 days, through March 6, 2018.  Additionally, Nicaraguan TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and properly file applications for an EAD will have the validity of their current EADs automatically extended for up to 180 days from the date their current EADsexpire, through July 4, 2018. In November, former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Dukedetermined that conditions in Nicaragua no longer support its designation for TPS. Duke made her decision to terminate Nicaragua’s TPS designation after reviewing country conditions and consulting with appropriate U.S. government agencies. However, Duke delayed the effective date of the termination by one year from the current expiration date of Jan. 5, 2018, to allow time for an orderly transition for those affected.  With the delayed effective date, Nicaragua’s TPS designation will end Jan. 5, 2019.   Nicaraguans with TPS may wish to consult with qualified immigration attorneys or practitioners about their eligibility for another immigration status or benefit, or whether there is any other action they may want to take regarding their individual immigration circumstances. For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), Instagram (/uscis), YouTube (/uscis), and Facebook (/uscis). Statement from Acting FTC Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen on the FCC’s Approval of the Restoring Internet Freedom Order Federal Trade Commission Acting Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen issued the following statement in response to today’s vote by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on the Restoring Internet Freedom Order: “The FCC’s action today restored the FTC’s ability to protect consumers and competition throughout the Internet ecosystem. The FTC is ready to resume its role as the cop on the broadband beat, where it has vigorously protected the privacy and security of consumer data and challenged broadband providers who failed to live up to their promises to consumers. In addition, the FCC’s new transparency rules provide additional tools to help ensure that consumers get what they expect from their broadband providers, who will be required to disclose their traffic management practices. The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a framework for FTC-FCC cooperation. Together we will move ahead to protect consumers and help ensure they enjoy the many benefits of online innovation.” 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 resource. You Are Not Alone  Feeling distressed? You are not alone. The holidays can be tough for a lot of people. If you feel down or depressed, don’t wait, seek help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 to connect with trained counselors confidentially. You can also text a professional for help with the Crisis Text Line. Keep the Family Healthy Encourage your family to get active together! Get ideas and log your process with these resources to increase your family's time spent together and moving each day. Build Solid Money Habits  The holiday season presents a great opportunity to teach your kids fundamental money habits. Here are a few scenarios from CFPB to tackle and teach your kids thoughtful money skills.   Indoor Activities and Games  Winter weather can mean lots of time spent indoors. Keep your kids engaged with these games and activities that combine fun with lessons about science and environmental health!