Budget Rent-A-Car Settles FTC Charges on Fuel Fees

Budget Rent-A-Car Settles FTC Charges on Fuel Fees: "Budget Rent-A-Car has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it failed to adequately disclose a “fuel” fee automatically charged to customers who drove fewer than 75 miles. According to the FTC, Budget falsely claimed that renters who returned a car with a full gas tank would not incur any fuel charges. The agency alleges that renters who drove fewer than 75 miles incurred a fuel charge whether or not they returned the car full. The settlement bars Budget from misrepresenting any charge, fee, cost, or material term or condition related to renting a car, and requires the company to clearly and conspicuously disclose any fuel-related fee or requirement."

Health games and Game Technologies Grant

Health games and Game Technologies Grant: "The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is accepting applications for its Health Games Research grant program. Health Games Research: Advancing Effectiveness of Interactive Games for Health is a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) that funds research to enhance the quality and impact of interactive games that are used to improve health. The goal of the program is to advance the innovation, design and effectiveness of health games and game technologies so that they help people improve their health-related behaviors and, as a result, achieve significantly better health outcomes."

Lottery Check Scam: Court Halts Bogus Check Scam Targeting Lottery Winners; Money Transfers Used to Defraud Consumers

Lottery Check Scam: Court Halts Bogus Check Scam Targeting Lottery Winners; Money Transfers Used to Defraud Consumers: "A federal district court has halted a bogus lottery and prize-promotion scam that provides victims with counterfeit cashier’s checks and false promises of large cash prizes, pending trial."

Toy Recall: Brown Sues Toy Companies For Lead

Toy Recall: Brown Sues Toy Companies For Lead: "California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Los Angeles City Attorney Rockard J. Delgadillo today sued twenty companies for manufacturing or selling toys with 'unlawful quantities of lead"

Honda Hybrid Begins Phase-Out on January 1

Honda Hybrid Begins Phase-Out on January 1: "WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service announced today that American Honda Motor Company, Inc, has submitted quarterly reports indicating that its cumulative sales of qualified vehicles to retail dealers reached the 60,000-vehicle limit during the calendar quarter ending Sept. 30, 2007."

IRS Reminds Charities and Churches of Political Activity Ban

IRS Reminds Charities and Churches of Political Activity Ban: "WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded section 501(c)(3) organizations, including charities and churches that federal law prohibits them from becoming directly or indirectly involved in campaigns of political candidates."

Title Insurance Kickbakcs: HUD And State Of Florida Settle Case Against First American Title Co. In Alleged Kickback Scheme

Title Insurance Kickbakcs: HUD And State Of Florida Settle Case Against First American Title Co. In Alleged Kickback Scheme: "Under the terms of the settlement agreement announced today, First American will shut down 84 partnerships and pay $5 million to the U.S. government and the State of Florida."

12,682 Harmful Cosmetic Eye Product Seized ( eyelash)

12,682 Harmful Cosmetic Eye Product Seized ( eyelash): "For patients using the prescription drug, using the Age Intervention Eyelash in addition to the drug may increase the risk of optic nerve damage because the extra dose of bimatoprost may decrease the prescription drug's effectiveness. Damage to the optic nerve may lead to decreased vision and possibly blindness."

Update: Beware of Mortgage Scams

Update: Beware of Mortgage Scams: "Mortgage foreclosure fraud is on the rise, with thieves posing as lenders or housing counselors offering to 'help' people at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure. More than likely, the consumer pays high upfront fees for questionable services, and in the worst cases, thieves have tricked people into signing over ownership of their homes."

Timely Tips for Tax Season: FDIC Reports

Timely Tips for Tax Season: FDIC Reports: "Make good use of your refund. Consider paying down or paying off your loans and other bills, starting with the ones that charge the highest interest rates on unpaid balances. Start or add to an existing savings account. Or, fund a retirement account or college savings plan"

Attention Military Spouses: DOD & DOL Announce New Career Program for Military Spouses

Attention Military Spouses: DOD & DOL Announce New Career Program for Military Spouses: "The Departments of Defense and Labor today announced plans to jointly provide military spouses with opportunities to pursue portable careers in high-demand, high-growth occupations. This three-year Military Spouse Career Advancement Initiative, offered at 18 sites in eight states with large military populations, will enable military spouses to develop the skills needed to successfully start, navigate and advance their careers"

Holiday Shopping on the Web: Buyer Beware

Holiday Shopping on the Web: Buyer Beware: "FTC and National Cyber Security Alliance Offer Safe Shopping Practices"

Student 2008 Summer Internship Opportunities Now Available with The National Institute on Drug Abuse

Student 2008 Summer Internship Opportunities Now Available with The National Institute on Drug Abuse The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), announced that today kicks off the application period for summer research training opportunities at its Intramural Program (IRP) facility in Baltimore, Maryland. The internship program - now in its 21st year - is part of NIDA's commitment to introducing the science of addiction to some of the best and brightest young scientists in America.

Race-Based Insurance Policies - California Obtains Benefits for Victims

Race-Based Insurance Policies - California Obtains Benefits for Victims: "SACRAMENTO ― The California Department of Insurance (CDI), as part of a multi-state effort including Georgia, Florida, Ohio and Texas, has reached a settlement with Americo Life, Inc. to secure benefits for African-American consumers historically sold insurance policies using discriminatory practices, such as charging or collecting higher premiums for life insurance products based upon race; limiting the amount, extent or type of coverage available by race; and, assigning risk classifications based on race"

December 1st is World AIDS Day

December 1st is World AIDS Day: "December 1st is World AIDS Day. Established by the World Health Organization in 1988, World AIDS Day serves to focus global attention on the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Observance of this day provides an opportunity for governments, national AIDS programs, faith organizations, community organizations and individuals to demonstrate the importance of the fight against HIV/AIDS."

Undergraduate Scholarship: Up to $29,050 Available per Student for Studies and Internships

Undergraduate Scholarships: Up to $29,050 Available per Student for Studies and Internships: "NOAA is accepting applications for a scholarship program in honor of retired South Carolina Sen. Ernest F. Hollings, who promoted oceanic and atmospheric research throughout his career. This is the fourth year this scholarship is being made available to students interested in pursuing degrees in ocean and atmospheric sciences and education. "

California Wildfires Federal Assistance

California Wildfires: FEMA And State Disaster Assistance Programs Serve Those In NeedPASADENA, Calif. -- Federal and state assistance programs can help Californians as they start to rebuild their lives-changed drastically by the recent wildfires

8900 Bassettbaby Baby Cribs Recalled

Bassettbaby has 85 reports of bolts loosening, including one report of a 13 month-old children's hand becoming entrapped between the railings. 8900 Bassettbaby Baby Cribs Recalled

Entertainment Producer for Pacific Amphiteatre for the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center RFP Announcement

The Board of Directors of the 32nd District Agricultural Association in releasing this RFP intends to award a contract for the purpose of Entertainment Producing Services at the Pacific Amphiteatre for the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009 with three (3) one-year options to renew. The agreement options are to be exercised independently and at the sole discretion of the District. Certification of satisfactory performance is required. Entertainment Producer for Pacific Amphiteatre for the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center RFP Announcement

Super Rich Food Antioxidants: New Data on Food Antioxidants Released

Super Rich Food Antioxidants: New Data on Food Antioxidants Released: "Measures of the antioxidant capacities of 277 selected foods were released today by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists. The new database provides easy access to antioxidant values for a wide variety of foods, many of which may be excellent sources of healthful compounds"