Situation in Sudan -Violence in Khartoum

Situation in Sudan -Violence in Khartoum
The United States is deeply concerned over reports of violence in Khartoum. We echo the calls of the Government of National Unity, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, and Mrs. Rebecca Garang that the Sudanese refrain from violence.

Got Hot Weather and No Relief? Wise Choices if You Don’t Have Air Conditioning

Got Hot Weather And No Relief? Wise Choices If You Don’t Have Air Conditioning
If you are dealing with hot weather and are without air conditioning, the following tips offered by the U.S. National Institute for Health can help.

Department of Transportation Publishes Guide to Help Employees Understand its Drug and Alcohol Testing Program

Department of Transportation Publishes Guide to Help Employees Understand its Drug and Alcohol Testing Program
The US Department of Transportation’s Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance has written a guide for employees to help explain the DOT drug and alcohol testing rules. The guide, What Employees Need to Know about DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing, provides answers in a language that each and every employee will understand.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is Recruiting Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma for StudyThe

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is Recruiting Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma for StudyThe purpose of this study is to see if combination chemotherapy works better with or without bevacizumab in treating patients who have malignant mesothelioma.

U.S. Embassy Launches Diversity Visa (DV) Awareness Campaign Reaching Out to Fight Fraud - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (U.S. Embassy)

U.S. Embassy Launches Diversity Visa (DV) Awareness Campaign Reaching Out to Fight Fraud
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (U.S. Embassy) – The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa wants to make sure that all Ethiopians have the information they need to make informed decisions about the U.S. Government’s annual Diversity Visa (DV) program. Misinformation, misunderstanding, and outright lies from dishonest businesses and individuals have the potential to cost members of the public both time and money, and even to make applicants participants in serious fraud schemes that could make them ineligible for visas for the rest of their lives.

Cell Phone Use While Driving—A Dangerous Distraction.

Cell Phone Use While Driving—A Dangerous Distraction.
A new report from the Insurance Information Institute, Inc. reveals new statistics about motorists who use cell phones while driving.

Cell Phone Use While Driving—A Dangerous Distraction.

Cell Phone Use While Driving—A Dangerous Distraction.
A new report from the Insurance Information Institute, Inc. reveals new statistics about motorists who use cell phones while driving.

Sri Lanka Travel Warning and Alert

Sri Lanka Travel Warning and Alert
Travelers planning to visit Sri Lanka should consult with travel agencies or the Sri Lankan Tourist Board to ensure their itineraries take due to civil war and related urban terrorism have seriously disrupted the country. Travelers should take these recent events into account and plan accordingly.

New Topical Vaginal Microbicides for Women May help Reduce HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s)

New Research On Topical Vaginal Microbicides For Women may help Reduce the Spread Of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, today announced an agreement with the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) to share information and expertise in an effort to develop vaginal microbicides, which are creams, gels or other substances that can be applied topically and may reduce the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Advertising.com Settles FTC Adware Charges - Free Software Advertised Security Benefits But Didn’t Disclose Bundled Adware

Advertising.com Settles FTC Adware Charges - Free Software Advertised Security Benefits But Didn’t Disclose Bundled Adware
Advertising.com., Inc., now a subsidiary of America Online, Inc., has agreed to settle FTC charges that it violated federal law by offering free security software, but failing to disclose adequately that adware was bundled with that software. The settlement will require that the company clearly and prominently disclose adware bundled with software advertised to enhance security or privacy. “This company offered SpyBlast, a free security program to protect against hackers,” said Lydia Parnes, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “But consumers who downloaded SpyBlast also downloaded a form of software that followed their electronic comings and goings and force-fed them pop-up ads.”

New Hot Weather Emergency Regulations Will Effect California Construction Sites

New Hot Weather Emergency Regulations Will Affect California Construction Sites
SACRAMENTO -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed emergency regulations that will affect many of California's more than 290,000 licensed contractors. Yesterday, the Governor outlined the proposal, which covers all Californians who work outdoors. That includes highway workers, farm workers, landscapers and construction workers. He's urging the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) Standards Board to adopt these regulations at a special meeting August 12. He's also asking that all employers implement the regulations immediately.

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER JOHN GARAMENDI ISSUES REPORT ON THE CRISIS IN CALIFORNIA BROKEN HEALTH CARE

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER JOHN GARAMENDI ISSUES REPORT ON THE CRISIS IN CALIFORNIA BROKEN HEALTH CARE
SAN FRANCISCO – Warning that California’s health care system is in a “death spiral,” Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi on Wednesday unveiled a comprehensive report outlining his plan to begin reforming the system and bring universal access to health care. The report, “Priced Out,” details serious problems facing Californians as rising costs burden the entire health system and fray the safety net. Its findings will be used to provide the framework for the concerted effort by Commissioner Garamendi to begin reform of the system and to lay the groundwork for universal access to health care.

KB Home to Pay $2 Million Penalty for Alleged Violations of FTC Order - New Home Warranties Repair Problems

KB Home to Pay $2 Million Penalty for Alleged Violations of FTC Order - New Home Warranties Repair Problems
Under the terms of a stipulation and modified consent decree approved by the Federal Trade Commission and submitted in federal court by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), KB Home, a California-based homebuilder formerly known as Kaufman and Broad, Inc., will pay a $2 million civil penalty to settle charges that it violated the terms of a 1979 consent order with the Commission. The modified consent decree also bars KB Home from violating the terms of the original order in the future, and requires the company to modify existing home repair warranties to comply with the consent order and extend for one year certain homeowners’ two-year warranty coverage for major home components. The FTC also has issued a new publication for consumers to help them understand the issue of home warranties.

More Than Half the U.S. Population is Sensitive to One or More Allergens

More Than Half the U.S. Population is Sensitive to One or More Allergens
More than fifty percent of the U.S. population tested positive to one or more allergens, according to a large national study. The new findings, based on data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), shows that 54.3% of individuals aged 6-59 years old had a positive skin test response to at least one of the 10 allergens tested. The highest prevalence rates were for dust mite, rye, ragweed, and cockroach, with about 25% of the population testing positive to each allergen. Peanut allergy was the least common, with 9% of the population reacting positively to that food allergen.

Help for Homeowners who are Delinquent in their Mortgage

Help for Homeowners who are Delinquent in their MortgageThe federal government and the mortgage industry have partnered to assist those homeowners who have been negatively impacted by recent changes in the economy, or are concerned about the future. The mortgage lenders listed below are voluntarily participating in this special effort. If your lender is listed here, you can help protect your home by contacting them immediatelyAug 3, 2005, 06:36

Pros and Cons of Adjustable-Rate Mortgages

Pros and Cons of Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are popular because they usually start with a lower interest rate and a lower monthly payment. The lower rate (and lower monthly payments) may also allow a higher loan amount. However, the interest rate can change during the life of the loan, which would mean that your monthly payment would increase (or decrease).

Do You Have Poor Credit? How To Be Credit Smart

Do You Have Poor Credit? How To Be Credit Smart
A free online interactive guide to help consumers build, understand and maintain good credit.

New Website for Funding Opportunities and Grants Offered by the CDC

New Website for Funding Opportunities and Grants Offered by the CDC
Effective immediately, you can find all grant funding opportunity announcements through their new site. As of October 1, 2005, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will discontinue publishing grant funding opportunity announcements in the Federal Register.Aug 2, 2005, 06:25

Need A Restraining Order?

Need A Restraining Order?
A restraining order is court order that protects you from physical, emotional, or financial abuse. It can also protect you from being stalked or harassed. This self-help guide provides Californians with the help they need in obtaining a restraining order.

California Identify Theft Statistics

California Identify Theft Statistics
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. Victims come from all walks of life - from everyday people to celebrities like Tiger Woods and Rosie O'Donnell.

Breastfeeding and Travel - A How to Guide

Breastfeeding and Travel - A How to GuideTravel need not be a reason to stop breastfeeding. A mother traveling with a nursing infant may find breastfeeding makes travel easier than it would be if traveling with a bottle-fed infant. A mother traveling without her nursing infant or child may take steps to preserve breastfeeding and maintain her milk supply while separated. The major factors for a mother traveling without her nursing infant or child to consider are the amount of time she has to prepare for her trip, her flexibility of time while traveling, her options for storing expressed milk while traveling, the duration of her travel, and her destinationAug 2, 2005, 06:47

State Contractors Board Stings Unlicensed Operators in San Diego Area Undercover Operation

State Contractors Board Stings Unlicensed Operators in San Diego Area Undercover Operation
SACRAMENTO -- The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is alerting consumers to the dangers of hiring unlicensed contractors following a successful sting and sweep in Chula Vista. CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT), in partnership with the Chula Vista Police Department and Chula Vista Planning and Building Department, conducted the two-day undercover operation. California’s huge underground economy is fueled in part by unlicensed contractors who prey upon consumers and hurt legitimate business people. It is estimated that California loses between $60 and $140 billion a year in revenue due to this underground economy.

Screening for Peripheral Arterial Disease - Summary of Recommendations

Screening for Peripheral Arterial Disease - Summary of Recommendation
The USPSTF found fair evidence that screening with ankle brachial index can detect adults with asymptomatic PAD. The evidence is also fair that screening for PAD among asymptomatic adults in the general population would have few or no benefits because the prevalence of PAD in this group is low and because there is little evidence that treatment of PAD at this asymptomatic stage of disease, beyond treatment based on standard cardiovascular risk assessment, improves health outcomes.

BAY AREA MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN $4 MILLION FRAUDULENT INSURANCE POLICY SCHEME

BAY AREA MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN $4 MILLION FRAUDULENT INSURANCE POLICY SCHEME
BENICIA – A former insurance broker/agent faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty in New York to conspiracy charges related to insurance fraud. The case stems from the findings of a joint investigation by the California Department of Insurance Investigation Division (CDI), and United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

How to Change Your Name in California

How to Change Your Name in California
A guide by the California Courts Department on how to change your name in the state of California

Sportcraft Announce Recall of Treadmills

Sportcraft Announce Recall of Treadmills
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using the recalled product Tredex 6.0, TX 440 and TX 550 Treadmills immediately unless otherwise instructed.

CPSC, American Suzuki Motor Corp. Announce Recall of ATVs

CPSC, American Suzuki Motor Corp. Announce Recall of ATVs
The following product safety recall was conducted voluntarily by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Customers should stop using the : Suzuki 2004-2005 TwinPeaks™ All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Perrigo Company Announces Nationwide Recall of Infants’ Oral Drops Containing Enclosed Syringe

Perrigo Company Announces Nationwide Recall of Infants’ Oral Drops Containing Enclosed Syringe
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Allegan, MI -- July 29, 2005 -- The Perrigo Company (Nasdaq: PRGO; TASE) is voluntarily recalling all lots of concentrated infants’ drops that are packaged with a dosing syringe bearing only a “1.6 mL” mark containing:

Rival® Slow Cookers ( Crock Pot) Emergency Recall

Rival® Slow Cookers ( Crock Pot) Emergency Recall
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using the Rival® Crock-Pot® slow cookers with model numbers 3040, 3735, 5025, 5070 and 5445 immediately unless otherwise instructed

Using Second Mortgages ( Reverse Mortgages) to Pay For Long-Term Care

Using Second Mortgages ( Reverse Mortgages) to Pay For Long-Term Care
A reverse mortgage is a special type of home loan that lets a homeowner convert a portion of the equity in his or her home into cash. The equity built up over years of home mortgage payments can be paid to you. But unlike a traditional home equity loan or second mortgage, no repayment is required until the borrower(s) no longer use the home as their principal residence. HUD's reverse mortgage provides these benefits, and it is federally-insured as well. To obtain a HUD-insured reverse mortgage you must be 62 years of age or older; own your home outright, or have a low mortgage balance that can be paid off at the closing with proceeds from the reverse loan; and must live in the home.