Valentine's Day 2008: Feb. 14: Love is in the air

Valentine's Day 2008: Feb. 14: Love is in the air: "2.2 million is the number of marriages that take place in the United States annually. That breaks down to 5,918 a day."

IRS Fast Track Settlement Program Expands

IRS Fast Track Settlement Program Expands: "The Internal Revenue Service today announced it is expanding the number of test areas for the Fast Track Settlement program for taxpayers under examination by the Small Business/Self-Employed Division. The settlement program is now available for small businesses and self-employed taxpayers until Sept. 5, 2008, in five new areas, including Philadelphia, central New Jersey, San Diego, Laguna Nigel, Calif., and Riverside, Calif."

Peace Corps Officially Reopens in Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA, Director Ron Tschetter swore-in 42 Peace Corps Volunteers today, marking the return of Peace Corps Ethiopia. All 42 Volunteers will focus on the prevention, care, and treatment of HIV/AIDS in the East African country Peace Corps Officially Reopens in Ethiopia

Shopping Safely Online

Online shopping has become a popular way to purchase items without the hassles of traffic and crowds. However, the Internet has unique risks, so it is important to take steps to protect yourself when shopping online. Shopping Safely Online

Don't Print Full Credit and Debit Card Numbers on Customers' Purchase Receipts: FTC Reminds Businesses

As merchants get busier with holiday shopping, the Federal Trade Commission reminds them to be sure the credit and debit card receipts they give customers comply with federal law.
To reduce the risk of fraud and identity theft, the electronically printed credit and debit card receipts given to consumers must not include more than the last five digits of the card number, and must not show the expiration date. Don't Print Full Credit and Debit Card Numbers on Customers' Purchase Receipts: FTC Reminds Businesses

Blue Shield Penalized: California Announces $12.6 Million Action Against Blue Shield For Rescissions And Poor Claims Processing

Blue Shield Penalized: California Announces $12.6 Million Action Against Blue Shield For Rescissions And Poor Claims Processing: "Commissioner cites more than 1,200 violations of law - LOS ANGELES - California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today announced that he is seeking $12.6 million in fines and penalties against health insurer Blue Shield for violations regarding healthcare rescissions and irresponsible claims processing"

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Announces 2008 Board of Directors

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Announces 2008 Board of Directors: "San Francisco, December 13, 2007 – Two new members join the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's board of directors, William D. Jones, president and CEO of San Diego-based CityLink Investment Corporation, and Daniel P. Myers, president and CEO of Bridge Bank, N.A., located in San Jose, California, were both elected for three-year terms beginning January 1, 2008."

Free Package Pickup a Click Away

Free Package Pickup a Click Away: "Give Santa a helping hand this year. Let the Postal Service pick up holiday gift packages from home — and save a trip to the Post Office at the same time. With free package pickup, customers can take advantage of the personal convenience and service of having packages picked up at their home or office. Unlike other shipping companies, free package pickup truly is free. There are no fees for the service."

Grant Notice: Food and Nutrition Interventions for People Living with HIV/AIDS

Grant Notice: Food and Nutrition Interventions for People Living with HIV/AIDS: "USAID/Rwanda announces its intention to invite comments and suggestions on a draft Program Description for the implementation of 'the Food and Nutrition Interventions for People Living with HIV/AIDS' Program in Rwanda. The main objective is to integrate the nutrition activities of the food distributing organizations that are already distributing food to malnourished Rwandans with the goal of assisting those living with HIV/AIDS. It is anticipated that organizations wishing to apply must have significant food resources available for distribution in Rwanda. "

Local Hunter Fined for Using Bait to Attract Ducks

Local Hunter Fined for Using Bait to Attract Ducks: "Corn found in a shallow pond near Milford, Del., shortly before duck hunting season a year ago alerted a state law enforcement agent to the possibility of illegal baiting. Federal regulations govern waterfowl hunting, and they prohibit placing bait such as grain or corn to entice waterfowl to hunters"

Doctors and Dentists Account for 27 Percent of $1.6 Trillion in Health Care Revenue

Doctors and Dentists Account for 27 Percent of $1.6 Trillion in Health Care Revenue: "Physician’s offices accounted for $330 billion in revenue in 2006, while the dental profession made up another $87 billion of the $1.6 trillion in revenue of the health care and social assistance sector, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report."

U.S. Urges Mexican Holiday Travelers to Apply Early for I-94 Documents at San Ysidro and Otay Mesa Ports of Entry

U.S. Urges Mexican Holiday Travelers to Apply Early for I-94 Documents at San Ysidro and Otay Mesa Ports of Entry: "San Ysidro, Calif. – Mexican border crossing card (or “laser visa”) holders who plan to make an extended visit to the United States during the December holiday season will be able to obtain an essential visit document faster and more conveniently due to a change in processing procedure being implemented at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa border stations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials announced today. Beginning Dec. 14, travelers seeking I-94 documents at the San Ysidro port of entry may apply at any time, day or night, up to 30-days in advance rather than waiting in line during the busy holidays when almost 3,000 visitors apply daily for the permit"

Update: Methadone Hydrochloride Tablets USP 40 mg

Update: Methadone Hydrochloride Tablets USP 40 mg: "As of January 1, 2008, manufacturers of methadone hydrochloride tablets 40 mg (dispersible) have voluntarily agreed to restrict distribution of this formulation to only those facilities authorized for detoxification and maintenance treatment of opioid addiction, and hospitals. Manufacturers will instruct their wholesale distributors to discontinue supplying this formulation to any facility not meeting the above criteria"

Target Corp. To Pay $510,000 For Race Discrimination

Target Corp. To Pay $510,000 For Race Discrimination: "MILWAUKEE – U.S. District Judge Rudolph T. Randa today signed a consent decree ending a lawsuit by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against Target Corporation for violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by not hiring African Americans in the retail giant’s District 110 (Milwaukee and Madison, Wisc.) based on their race, and by failing to keep documents as required by law."

Medical and Academic Partnerships Grants Announcement - Deadline January 15, 2008

Medical and Academic Partnerships Grants Announcement - Deadline January 15, 2008: "Pfizer is accepting applications for its Medical and Academic Partnerships Grants to support career development of junior physician-scientists, post-doctoral researchers, junior faculty members, or visits by experts to academic institutions, teaching hospitals, or other eligible organizations. Award amounts are: $65,000 per year for 2 years for the Fellowship or Scholars Grants; and $7,500 each for Visiting Professorships."

Illegal Gun Possession: California Cracks Down On Illegal Gun Possession

Illegal Gun Possession: California Cracks Down On Illegal Gun Possession California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton today announced the seizure of 541 handguns, rifles and assault weapons during a "statewide crackdown" on 1,000 dangerous individuals barred from firearms possession because of violent felony convictions.