Bailout Update: Treasury Provides TARP Funds to Local Banks

The U.S. Treasury Department announced today details of a $2.8 billion investment in 49 banks made on Friday, December 19 through its Capital Purchase Program.  Treasury also closed $1.9 billion in transactions with 43 banks today. Bailout Update: Treasury Provides TARP Funds to Local Banks

Sri Lanka Travel Warning Issued to American Citizens

The Department of State warns American citizens traveling to or living in Sri Lanka about the continuing danger of terrorist attacks throughout the country. This replaces the Travel Warning for Sri Lanka dated June 13, 2008 and highlights changes in locations of security concerns, and notes recent terrorist attacks. Sri Lanka Travel Warning Issued to American Citizens

IRS' January Tax Talk Today Focuses on Filing Season

The Internal Revenue Service's next Tax Talk Today program, "Getting Ready for Filing Season 2009 -- Individual and Business," will be Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 2 p.m. This special, 100-minute program will give tax preparers a head start on the 2009 filing season. IRS' January Tax Talk Today Focuses on Filing Season

Prostate Cancer: Dietary Supplements Fail to Prevent Prostate Cancer

Two large-scale clinical trials found that regular intake of vitamin E, vitamin C or selenium does not reduce the risk of prostate cancer or other cancers in older men, as some previous studies had suggested. Prostate Cancer: Dietary Supplements Fail to Prevent Prostate Cancer

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All Post Offices Open on Christmas Eve

All Post Offices nationwide will be open Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24, but most will shorten retail lobby hours and close at noon. Regular mail delivery for Dec. 24 will be unaffected by the change. All Post Offices Open on Christmas Eve

Travel Deals: Economic Downturn Creating Travel Deals Not Seen In Years

One bright spot in the economic downturn is the great deals available for those planning to take a vacation. With the travel industry offering great deals, those considering a cruise, a European tour or another type of pre-paid vacation should consider travel insurance to protect their financial investment, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).  Travel Deals: Economic Downturn Creating Travel Deals Not Seen In Years

Nomination of Tom Vilsack as the Next Secretary of Agriculture

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer today commended g President-Elect Barack Obama's nomination of former Iowa overnor Tom Vilsack to be the 30th Secretary of Agriculture, citing the former governor's experience in agricultural issues and expressing confidence in Vilsack's ability to effectively continue USDA's success in expanding America's agricultural economy. Nomination of Tom Vilsack as the Next Secretary of Agriculture

Comprehensive Tax Guide Available for Free at IRS.gov

The IRS has placed its comprehensive tax guide for individuals on  IRS.gov, updating it for tax year 2008. The updated on-line version of IRS Publication 17, "Your Federal Income Tax," contains more than 900 interactive links. Comprehensive Tax Guide Available for Free at IRS.gov

BMW Recalling Mini Cooper S Vehicles for Tailpipe Burns

After NHTSA issued an initial decision that MY 2007 and some MY 2008 Mini Cooper S vehicles contained a safety-related defect that could result in burns due to contact with the tail pipes, BMW has decided to recall the vehicles rather than contest NHTSA's initial decision in a public hearing on the issue...... BMW Recalling Mini Cooper S Vehicles for Tailpipe Burns

Bogus computer scan for free: Court Halts Bogus Computer Scans

At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a U.S. district court has issued a temporary halt to a massive "scareware" scheme, which falsely claimed that scans had detected viruses, spyware, and illegal pornography on consumers' computers. According to the FTC, the scheme has tricked more than one million consumers into buying computer security products such as WinFixer, WinAntivirus, DriveCleaner, ErrorSafe, and XP Antivirus. The court also froze the assets of those responsible for the scheme, to preserve the possibility of providing consumers with monetary redress. Bogus Computer Scareware Scans: Court Halts Bogus Computer Scans

Sony BMG Music Settles Charges Its Music Fan Websites Violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act

Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Sony Music) has agreed to pay $1 million as part of a settlement to resolve Federal Trade Commission charges that it violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the Commission’s implementing Rule.  Sony BMG Music Settles Charges Its Music Fan Websites Violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act

OCC, Wachovia Enter Revised Agreement to Reimburse Consumers Directl

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has entered into an amended settlement agreement with Wachovia Bank, National Association directing the bank to issue checks to consumers that may have been harmed by payment processors for telemarketers that had account relationships with Wachovia. OCC, Wachovia Enter Revised Agreement to Reimburse Consumers Directly

IRS: Interest Rates Drop for the First Quarter of 2009

The Internal Revenue Service today announced in Revenue Ruling 2008-54 that interest rates for the calendar quarter beginning Jan. 1, 2009 will drop by one percentage point. The new rates will be... IRS: Interest Rates Drop for the First Quarter of 2009

Do Foreclosures Lead to Increased Violent Crime?

A sobering fact repeated in many of these stories is that an increase in the foreclosure rate in a neighborhood can lead to an increase in the rate of violent crime. Do Foreclosures Lead to Increased Violent Crime?

IRS Offers Tips for Year-End Donations

Individuals and businesses making contributions to charity should keep in mind several important tax law provisions that have taken effect in recent years. IRS Offers Tips for Year-End Donations

FDIC Increase: Your New, Higher FDIC Insurance Coverage

With banks and the economy in the news so much lately, many people are thinking more about the safety of their money. The FDIC has some good news â€" your FDIC deposit insurance coverage has significantly increased. FDIC Increase: Your New, Higher FDIC Insurance Coverage

Struggling to Balance Your Budget? I.I.I. Offers Ways to Save Money on Your Auto Insurance in a Recession

With the Dow in the tank and the recession now “official”, finding ways to save money can be daunting. If you’re shopping for new auto insurance, or if you haven’t changed or updated your policy in the past year or two, check with your agent or insurance company representativeâ€"you may be surprised by the discounts out there, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) Struggling to Balance Your Budget? I.I.I. Offers Ways to Save Money on Your Auto Insurance in a Recession

Ripoff Artists Target Grandparents

Complaints are on the rise about a scam that preys on a grandparent’s love, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Ripoff Artists Target Grandparents

IRS Announces 2009 Standard Mileage Rates

The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2009 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. IRS Announces 2009 Standard Mileage Rates