Thursday, December 27, 2007

Ford Motor Co. Settles Class Racial Bias Lawsuit

CINCINNATI â€" Ford Motor Co., along with two related companies and a national union, will pay $1.6 million and provide other remedial relief to a class of nearly 700 African Americans to settle a major race discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.

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Assassination of Benazir Bhutto

On behalf of the United States, I want to express our deepest sympathy on the tragic death of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. We extend our sincere condolences to the Bhutto family and to the families of others who were killed and wounded in the attack. We condemn in the strongest terms possible this cowardly and murderous attack.

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IRS Update: 2008 Excise Taxes on Air Transportation

WASHINGTON -- Today the Internal Revenue Service announced the 2008 inflation adjustments to the excise taxes on air transportation. Excise taxes apply to the domestic segments of taxable air transportation and to the use of international air facilities. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, signed into law on Dec. 26, 2007, extends these excise taxes to air transportation that begins or is paid for no later than Feb. 29, 2008.

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Computer Software Industry Prevailing Wage: Effective January 1, 2008

As it relates to Hourly Rate for Employees in the Computer Software Industry: Existing law exempts a professional employee in the computer software field from the overtime compensation requirement if the employee is primarily engaged in work that is intellectual or creative, the employee's hourly rate of pay is not less than $41, and the employee meets other requirements. This bill decreases the hourly rate of pay requirement for this exemption to not less than $36.



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ITC Investigates Certain Noise Cancelling Headphones

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain noise cancelling headphones. The products at issue in this investigation are headphones that have features that reduce ambient noise, which are most often used to improve the experience of listening to an audio source. The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Bose Corporation of Framingham, MA, on November 29, 2007.



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Shopping Channel HSN Agrees to Pay $875,000 Civil Penalty

CPSC alleged that from September 2001 through about October 2004, HSN received at least 25 reports from consumers indicating that the pressure cookers contained a defect that could create a substantial product hazard or that the pressure cookers created an unreasonable risk of serious injury. CPSC alleged that HSN failed to immediately report this information as required by federal law. HSN LP finally reported information to CPSC in February 2005. In June and October 2005, these pressure cookers were the subject of a recall .



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Minivan bumper test results: Nissan Quest is by far the worst performer

None of 6 minivans, all 2008 models, is designed to resist vehicle damage in many low-speed collisions. The front and rear bumper systems on these minivans allowed $5,000 or more damage in a series of 4 crash tests conducted at 3 and 6 mph. The Nissan Quest was the worst, sustaining damage that cost more than $8,000 to repair.

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Adobe Updates for Multiple Vulnerabilities

Adobe Flash is affected by multiple vulnerabilities. Adobe has released Security Update APSB07-20 to address these vulnerabilities, the most serious of which may allow a remote attacker to take control of your computer.

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Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Public Relations Contract Opportunity for the California Office of Homeland Security

California Volunteers received federal grant funds through the California Office of Homeland Security to implement a disaster readiness initiative. CV has elected to target $250,000 of these funds to construct a tool kit that can be used by the various trained disaster volunteer organizations, i.e. Community Emergency Response Teams, Medical Reserve Corps, Fire Corps and others, to identify themselves as part of the state Disaster Volunteer Corps.

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Canned Green Beans recalled due to Clostridium botulinum Contamination

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers about a potential Clostridium botulinum  (C. botulinum) contamination of canned cut green beans manufactured by New Era Canning Company, New Era, Mich., and labeled as "GFS Fancy Blue Lake Cut Green Beans." C. botulinum is the bacterium that causes botulism.

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Having Mortgage Difficulties? Uncle Sam Offers Help.

Do your mortgage payments have you stressed out? If you’re like some people who bought or refinanced homes in the last few years, you may be facing a major increase in your mortgage’s interest rate and monthly payments. Here are some tips to help you manage your payments and maintain ownership of your home.


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Federal Trade Commission Closes Google/DoubleClick Investigation

The Federal Trade Commission today announced that it will not seek to block Google Inc.'s proposed $3.1 billion acquisition of Internet advertising server DoubleClick Inc. In a 4-1 vote to close its eight-month investigation of the transaction, the Commission wrote in its majority statement that "after carefully reviewing the evidence, we have concluded that Google’s proposed acquisition of DoubleClick is unlikely to substantially lessen competition."

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Summer Interships Offered by the FCC

The Federal Communications Commission offers legal and non-legal internship opportunities throughout the year. Internships provide opportunities for interested students to increase their knowledge of the issues and technologies that are shaping the telecommunications market, while at the same time providing invaluable support to the Commission. The FCC is always looking for bright and motivated students who want to participate in one of our many programs and gain valuable experience with a federal agency.

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The Daytona 500: The Census Bureau Reports

The 50th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17 is being billed as the "most anticipated event in racing history." NASCAR’s 200-lap, 500-mile stock-car race that began in 1959 at Daytona International Speedway has evolved into a worldwide phenomenon. A global TV audience of more than 50 million is expected to watch, with the winner pocketing about $1.5 million. To commemorate this automotive milestone, the Census Bureau has compiled a collection of facts and figures relating to our nation, Florida and Daytona Beach during the past 50 years

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Daily Death Toll from Drunk Driving Crashes Highest During Holiday Season, New Data Shows

Daily Death Toll from Drunk Driving Crashes Highest During Holiday Season, New Data Shows

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Domestic Partnership: Tax Information for Registered Domestic Partners (RDPs) is now an official publication.

Domestic Partnership: Tax Information for Registered Domestic Partners (RDPs) is now an official publication.

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IRS Update: IRS Releases Final 2008 Form 990 for Tax-Exempt Organizations, Adjusts Filing Threshold to Provide Transition Relief

IRS Update: IRS Releases Final 2008 Form 990 for Tax-Exempt Organizations, Adjusts Filing Threshold to Provide Transition Relief

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SUMMER INTERSHIPS OFFERED BY THE FCC

The Federal Communications Commission offers legal and non-legal
internship opportunities throughout the year. Internships provide
opportunities for interested students to increase their knowledge of
the issues and technologies that are shaping the telecommunications
market, while at the same time providing invaluable support to the
Commission. The FCC is always looking for bright and motivated
students who want to participate in one of our many programs and gain
valuable experience with a federal agency.

Title : SUMMER INTERSHIPS OFFERED BY THE FCC
WebLink : http://communitydispatch.com/Job_Search_90/Summer_Interships.shtml

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Saudia Arabia Travel Warning Alert Issued to U.S. Citizens

The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to consider carefully the risks of traveling to Saudi Arabia.  The security threat level remains high due to the continued presence of terrorist groups, some affiliated with al Qaida, who may target Western interests, housing compounds, and other facilities where Westerners congregate.  These terrorist groups may also target Saudi Government facilities and economic/commercial targets within the Kingdom.

SAUDIA ARABIA TRAVEL WARNING ALERT ISSUED TO U.S. CITIZENS

The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to consider carefully the
risks of traveling to Saudi Arabia. The security threat level remains
high due to the continued presence of terrorist groups, some
affiliated with al Qaida, who may target Western interests, housing
compounds, and other facilities where Westerners congregate. These
terrorist groups may also target Saudi Government facilities and
economic/commercial targets within the Kingdom.

WebLink : http://communitydispatch.com/Travel_Warnings_54/Travel_Warning.shtml

Domestic Partnership: Tax Information for Registered Domestic Partners (RDPs) is now an official publication.

Tax Information for Registered Domestic Partners (RDPs) is now an official publication.

346,000 Cordless Drills Recalled

DEWALT has received 11 reports of trigger switches overheating. No injuries or property damage have been reported.

13,000 Christmas Candle Sets recalled

The snowman candle could tip over and the exterior coating on both candles can ignite, posing a fire hazard

Misclassified Workers to File New Social Security Tax Form

The Internal Revenue Service has developed a new form for employees who have been misclassified as independent contractors by an employer.

Division of Workers" Compensation reminds Community of New 2008 laws

The Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) is reminding injured workers, employers, claims administrators, attorneys and others of three changes to workers' compensation law that take effect Jan. 1, 2008