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Daily Archives: April 29, 2009

World Health Organization: Current level of influenza pandemic alert raised from phase 4 to 5

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Follow up to previous postings on swine flu, from the World Health Organization (WHO) today: “Based on assessment of all available information and following several expert consultations, Dr Margaret Chan, WHO’s Director-General raised the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5. She stated that all countries should immediately activate their pandemic preparedness plans. At this stage, effective and essential measures include heightened surveillance, early detection and treatment of cases, and infection control in all health facilities.”

Treasury: Protecting American Credit Card Owners

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News release: “Today, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, joined by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, met with consumer groups, civil rights leaders and credit card consumers to discuss the national need for credit card reform. The discussion centered on the House Bill, Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights of 2009, (HR 627) which is set for a vote… Continue Reading

New GAO Reports: Recovery Act, Civil Rights Issues, VA Health Care

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Recovery Act: Consistent Policies Needed to Ensure Equal Consideration of Grant Applications, GAO-09-590R, April 29, 2009 Recovery Act: Initial Results on States’ Use of and Accountability for Transportation Funds, GAO-09-597T, April 29, 2009 U.S. Department of Agriculture: Recommendations and Options Available to the New Administration and Congress to Address Long-Standing Civil Rights Issues, GAO-09-650T, April… Continue Reading

Brennan Center for Justice – Transparency in the First 100 Days: A Report Card

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“President Obama has pledged to take a different approach. Upon taking office, he heralded a “new era of openness” in which “this administration stands on the side not of those who seek to withhold information, but those who seek to make it known.” His commitment to transparency is heartening—but promises and action are two different… Continue Reading

US Courts: Wiretap Applications Decline in 2008

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“A total of 1,891 applications to federal and state judges for orders authorizing the interception of wire, oral or electronic communications were reported in 2008. No applications were denied. This is a 14 percent decrease in the total of applications reported, compared to 2007. Fewer states—22 states compared to 24 in 2007—reported wiretap activity and… Continue Reading

Human Rights Commitments and Pledges of the United States of America

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State Department, Washington, DC, April 27, 2009: “On March 31, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Susan Rice announced that the United States will seek a seat this year on the United Nations Human Rights Council with the goal of working to make it a more… Continue Reading

Tracking the Swine Flu in the United States and Around the World

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By Dan Mitchel, California State Library, this resource guide to selected reliable sources for tracking the global status of the swine flu: National Institutes of Health which links to and expands upon the MedlinePlus Swine Flu page. The SIS web page contains information from several U.S. and international agencies and organizations, treatment information, genetic sequence… Continue Reading