U.S.A.'s interesting latest

A vote to fund our troops  In the coming 36 hours, members of both houses of Congress will vote on an “omnibus” spending bill to keep our Federal government open. Omnibus bills cover a broad range of priorities, eliminating the need for many separate votes. President Donald J. Trump supports the deal crafted by leaders on Capitol Hill and urges its swift passage. “The President had a discussion with Speaker Ryan and Leader McConnell, where they talked about their shared priorities secured in the omnibus spending bill,” Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said yesterday. “The President and the leaders discussed their support for the bill.” This bill addresses many important needs, including: The largest pay raise for American troops in a decade More than 100 miles of new construction for the border wall Key priorities here at home, such as combatting the opioid crisis and rebuilding infrastructure Go deeper: How President Trump is rebuilding American strength Ending online sex trafficking  Yesterday, the U.S. Senate followed the House of Representatives in passing the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act, meaning the bill will soon come to President Trump’s desk for signing. The President applauds the bipartisan proposal, which passed yesterday with a 97-2 vote. “This bipartisan piece of legislation takes an important step forward in fighting the despicable act of human trafficking,” Press Secretary Sanders said yesterday. “The legislation empowers Federal, State, and local prosecutors to hold websites accountable for supporting the sale of sex trafficking victims.” This legislation builds on the Administration’s far-reaching work during its first year to end modern slavery in all its forms. Ivanka Trump in particular has been a leader in that fight, hosting a White House discussion last week to lend her support to the bill. Read the White House’s full statement on this effort to fight online sex trafficking. President Trump meets with the Crown Prince  As the United States continues to face threats from Iran and other sponsors of terror in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia remains one of America’s staunchest allies. This week, President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Washington. President Trump and the Crown Prince discussed joint efforts to finalize new commercial deals that would support more than 120,000 American jobs. The Crown Prince also thanked the President for American leadership in defeating ISIS and countering Iran’s destructive actions across the Middle East. The Administration is committed to a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia for years to come. President Trump said he looks forward to the visit of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to the United States later this year. Watch: President Trump meets with the Crown Prince in the Oval Office PHOTO OF THE DAY The White House Rose Garden | March 21, 2018 (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead) POTUS TODAY Today, President Trump will sign a Presidential Memorandum targeting China’s economic aggression before participating in a panel discussion at the Generation Next Summit. This afternoon, Vice President Pence will travel to Manchester, New Hampshire, to deliver keynote remarks at an America First Policies “Tax Cuts to Put America First” event. This evening, the President and First Lady will host the Greek Independence Day Celebration. ==================================== WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today launched a pilot to test a redesigned processing times webpage that displays the data for all forms in an easier-to-read format and also tests a new way of collecting data and calculating the processing times for some forms. The pilot will test four forms using a new automated methodology for calculating processing times. The four forms are: Form N-400, Application for Naturalization; Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card; Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status; and Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. The new webpage makes it easier for anyone to see approximately how long it will take USCIS to process a form, which will help users determine when it is necessary to contact USCIS to make an inquiry if their case is outside the normal processing time. For the four pilot forms, the information on the webpage reflects a new methodology for collecting and calculating processing times. The new methodology is automated, more accurate, and allows USCIS to post data on processing times within two weeks, compared to six weeks under the old methodology. The updated page displays processing times in a range for each form based on the date USCIS receives it. The low end of the range for pilot forms shows the time it takes to complete 50 percent of cases, and the high end shows the time it takes to complete 93 percent of cases.  The high end for the non-pilot forms will be adjusted by 30 percent above current cycle times to reflect the time it takes to complete a majority of the cases. Applicants, petitioners, and requestors can create an online account at uscis.gov/casestatus to track the status of their cases. They may make an “outside normal processing time” case inquiry for any cases pending longer than the time listed for the high end of the range by submitting a service request online or calling the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. USCIS will continue to seek user feedback during the test phase and expand this methodology to additional forms in the future. For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), and Facebook (/uscis). The pilot will test four forms using a new automated methodology for calculating processing times. The four forms are: Form N-400, Application for Naturalization; Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card; Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status; and Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. The new webpage makes it easier for anyone to see approximately how long it will take USCIS to process a form, which will help users determine when it is necessary to contact USCIS to make an inquiry if their case is outside the normal processing time. For the four pilot forms, the information on the webpage reflects a new methodology for collecting and calculating processing times. The new methodology is automated, more accurate, and allows USCIS to post data on processing times within two weeks, compared to six weeks under the old methodology. The updated page displays processing times in a range for each form based on the date USCIS receives it. The low end of the range for pilot forms shows the time it takes to complete 50 percent of cases, and the high end shows the time it takes to complete 93 percent of cases.  The high end for the non-pilot forms will be adjusted by 30 percent above current cycle times to reflect the time it takes to complete a majority of the cases. Applicants, petitioners, and requestors can create an online account at uscis.gov/casestatus to track the status of their cases. They may make an “outside normal processing time” case inquiry for any cases pending longer than the time listed for the high end of the range by submitting a service request online or calling the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. USCIS will continue to seek user feedback during the test phase and expand this methodology to additional forms in the future. For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), and Facebook (/uscis). - USCIS -  Σήμερα στις 8:25 μ.μ. FTC and FCC to Host Joint Policy Forum on Illegal Robocalls Will discuss regulatory action and technological solutions to protect consumers and empower service providers to combat illegal robocalls and spoofing The Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will host a joint policy forum this Friday aimed at furthering the fight against illegal robocalls and caller ID spoofing. The Forum will discuss past, current, and potential future action to protect consumers and empower service providers to block illegal robocalls. Remarks will be delivered by Acting FTC Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen (by video); FCC Chairman Ajit Pai; FCC Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Brendan Carr; and FTC Commissioner Terrell McSweeny. Speakers from the technology, consumer advocacy, and regulatory communities, among others, will join the conversation on ways to win the fight against illegal robocalls. The event agenda is available on the FTC’s website.The event is free and open to the public. Members of the media are welcome to attend. WHAT: FTC, FCC Policy Forum on Illegal Robocalls WHEN: Friday, March 23, 2018 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET WHERE: Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., SW, Washington, DC MEDIA CONTACTS: Mitchell J. Katz, FTC Office of Public Affairs 202-326-2161 Will Wiquist, FCC Office of Media Relations 202-418-0509 LIVESTREAM: http://www.fcc.gov/live More news from the FTC >> FTC Requests Public Comment on Red Ventures’ Application to Approve Sale of Caring.com The Federal Trade Commission is currently accepting public comments on an application by Red Ventures to divest the assets of Caring.com, as required under the FTC’s March 12, 2018, final order settling charges that Red Ventures’ $1.4 billion acquisition of Bankrate would likely harm competition in the market for third-party paid referral services for senior living facilities. Red Ventures’ application petitions the FTC to approve its divestiture of Caring.com to Caring Holdings, LLC. Before its acquisition by Red Ventures, Caring.com operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bankrate.com, with its own management and autonomous business; its current operations are covered by a Commission Order to Hold Separate and Maintain Assets pending the business’ divestiture. According to the application, Caring Holdings, LLC is a newly formed company backed by a group of private equity investors and entrepreneurs with a proven track record of growing online businesses. The Caring Holding, LLC team has experience and expertise in lead generation, search engine optimization, digital marketing and customer acquisition. The Commission will decide whether to approve the application after a 30-day public comment period, which expires on April 23, 2018. Comments can be filed electronically  or sent to: FTC Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington. (FTC File No. 1710196; the staff contact is Elizabeth Piotrowski, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2623.)   FTC and New York Attorney General Settlements Ban Abusive Debt Collectors from the Debt Collection Business and from Buying or Selling Debt The operators of a deceptive and abusive debt collection scheme are banned from the debt collection business and from buying or selling debt under settlements with the Federal Trade Commission and the New York Attorney General’s Office. As alleged in the agencies’ complaint, the defendants used threats and abusive language, including false threats that consumers would be arrested or sued, to collect supposed debts. The court halted the operation pending resolution of the case. In addition to the banned activities, the settlement orders prohibit the defendants from misrepresenting financial products and services and from profiting from customers’ personal information collected as part of the challenged practices. The orders against Travell Thomas, 4 Star Resolution LLC, Profile Management Inc., International Recovery Service LLC, Check Solutions Services Inc., Check Fraud Service LLC and Fourstar Revenue Management LLC and against Maurice Sessum impose a $30 million judgment that will be partially suspended upon the surrender of certain assets. The order against Charles Blakely III and Merchant Recovery Service, Inc. imposes an $18,789,000 judgment that will be partially suspended upon the surrender of certain assets. The assets to be surrendered in these settlements include more than $1 million in corporate and individual assets frozen by the court. In each case, the full judgment will become due immediately if the defendants are found to have misrepresented their financial condition. The Commission vote approving the proposed stipulated orders was 2-0. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York entered the orders on March 20, 2018. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York obtained 14 guilty pleas from individuals involved in the scheme, including Travell Thomas and Maurice Sessum who were each sentenced to more than 7 years in prison. The FTC’s referral of this case is part of the long-standing partnership between the agencies to help protect consumers. Read more about the assistance the FTC provides to criminal prosecutors on the FTC’s Criminal Liaison Unit page. NOTE: Stipulat   MedWatch - The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program NeuroBlate Probe by Monteris Medical: Letter to Health Care Providers, Class I Recall - Unintended Heating AUDIENCE: Risk Manager, Surgery, Neurology, Nursing ISSUE: The FDA is providing preliminary information about the potential for unintended heating and patient injury with use of the Monteris Medical NeuroBlate probe, which is part of the NeuroBlate System, and bringing to your attention a Class I recall for the device. A Class I recall is the most serious type of recall and is issued when use of the device may cause serious injuries or death. Monteris issued three product advisories between October and December 2017, which were part of the Class I recall; however, the FDA has concerns that the information provided by Monteris has not sufficiently mitigated the risk of unintended probe tip heating. We are working with the manufacturer to address these concerns. The device is currently the subject of a voluntary recall which was initiated by the firm, and classified as Class I by the FDA, due to several instances of unintended heating and damage to the probe, which may have resulted in unintended damage to surrounding brain tissue. The damage to the probe appears to have been caused by an interaction between the thermocouple in the probe, and the MRI environment. These events occurred independent of laser energy delivery, and have been associated with damage to the tip of the probe implanted within the brain (e.g., charring, release of carbon dioxide). The FDA has received medical device reports (MDRs) related to overheating of the probe, including one report of a patient who experienced an intracranial hemorrhage and died, although causality with the device malfunction cannot be concluded with certainty. The FDA will continue to work with the firm and gather and evaluate data related to this safety issue. We will update this communication when significant new information becomes available. BACKGROUND: The NeuroBlate System by Monteris Medical is indicated to ablate, necrotize, or coagulate soft tissue in the brain through interstitial irradiation or thermal therapy in neurosurgical procedures with 1064 nm lasers. It is intended for planning and monitoring thermal therapies under MRI visualization, and provides MRI-based trajectory planning assistance for the stereotaxic placement of MRI compatible (conditional) NeuroBlate Laser Delivery Probes. It also provides real-time thermographic analysis of selected MRI images. RECOMMENDATIONS: Be aware of the Class I recall associated with the NeuroBlate System’s unintended probe heating and the potential clinical consequences associated with that. Until appropriate mitigation strategies have been identified by the manufacturer and evaluated by the FDA, health care providers should strongly consider treating patients using alternative procedures if available. The benefits and risks of the device, as well as the availability and benefits and risks of alternative treatment modalities, should be considered on an individual patient basis. Health care providers who do not believe there is a viable alternative should use the device with extreme caution. Device manufacturers and user facilities must comply with the applicable Medical Device Reporting (MDR) regulations. Health care personnel employed by facilities that are subject to FDA's user facility reporting requirements should follow the reporting procedures established by their facilities. Prompt reporting of adverse events can help the FDA identify and better understand the risks associated with medical devices. 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 letter to health care providers, at: https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm602266.htm   Tax Resources for Military Families Service members and military families face a unique set of challenges, but becoming tax experts doesn't need to be one of them. Whether you're trying to figure out the credits you may qualify for or the impact of multiple moves on your tax situation, there's no need to go through the process alone. Get free and easy access to tax consultants, free tax preparation and e-filing software.  The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides disability benefits for individuals who are unable to work due to long term medical conditions. In some cases, you can apply for the program online. Find out if you or a loved one qualifies and how to apply for the different types of assistance SSA provides.  Learn About Disability Benefits and What You Qualify For The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides disability benefits for individuals who are unable to work due to long term medical conditions. In some cases, you can apply for the program online. Find out if you or a loved one qualifies and how to apply for the different types of assistance SSA provides.    Learn About Disability Benefits and What You Qualify For The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides disability benefits for individuals who are unable to work due to long term medical conditions. In some cases, you can apply for the program online. Find out if you or a loved one qualifies and how to apply for the different types of assistance SSA provides.    Don't Get Scammed by Fraudulent Tax Preparers As tax season comes down to the wire, many people are still looking for someone to do their taxes. Over half of us use a tax service to file our taxes, but how can you be sure that your tax preparer is legitimate? Learn how to spot fraudulent tax preparers and other scams that make up the IRS "Dirty Dozen" with these tips.