U.S.A.'s interesting latest

Thank you for your patience while we work toward the development of new Job Alerts. We have developed a temporary solution that will allow you to pull up current job opportunities for the area(s) that you have subscribed. Clicking on the link below will take you to the current postings for GSA that are Open to the Public (All U.S. Citizens). GSA All Public Vacancies Thank you for your patience while we work toward the development of new Job Alerts. We have developed a temporary solution that will allow you to pull up current job opportunities for the area(s) that you have subscribed. Clicking on the link below will take you to the current postings for GSA open to Federal Employees and Special Appointment Eligibles. GSA All Status Vacancies May is National Military Appreciation Month. The SBA offers support for veterans as they enter the world of business ownership such as funding programs, training, and federal contracting opportunities. Learn More It may be easier to expand your market than you think. Even small businesses can get into exporting with guidance. Learn how to get started during a free webinar series presented by multiple federal agencies for World Trade Month in May. Learn More Blogs Five Strategies for Winning at Working Solo Here are strategies you can use to make your business work — even though you don’t have any employees working with you. Read More What Is a POS and Why Does Your Business Need One? The term Point of Sale (POS) describes the place where retail transactions are made. Investing in a POS system is hailed as being one of the best things you can do for your business. Read More SCORE Live Webinar: Why Direct Mail Marketing Still Works May 29, 2018 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT Data from the U.S. Postal service showed that 98% of people check their mail daily. During this webinar, SCORE will talk about how to integrate direct mail into your marketing mix to get the best bang for your buck! You will learn: Why direct mail is still an effective advertising medium The myths of using direct mail How to create an effective direct mail campaign How to integrate physical postal mail into your digital marketing strategies FREE innovative automation tools to simplify your direct mail marketing Register Here SCORE Live Webinar: Inspire Innovation in Your Small Business May 31, 2018 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT Do you know why your company struggles with innovation? What obstacles stifle your creativity? How can you develop your next product or sell your next service? During this webinar, award-winning inventor, entrepreneur and author Lon Safko will show you how to get creative and inspire innovative thinking to make your small business thrive. You will learn: How your brain functions (or doesn’t) About difficulty in being creative through demonstrations How to teach your brain to generate new ideas through example exercises, including “random association” How to overcome obstacles and excel at creativity everyday How to become your own “Innovation Thought Leader!” Register Here Contracting Opportunities for Veteran Entrepreneurs This is an introduction to federal contracting opportunities for veterans. You will get basic information about veteran-owned businesses and opportunities, services available to small veteran-owned businesses, small business incentives, and government procurement methods. Launch the Course U.S. Small Business Administration 409 3rd St, SW. Washington DC 20416 www.sba.gov U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS reminds F-1 students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) that transferring to another school or beginning study at another educational level (for example, beginning a master’s program after completing a bachelor’s degree) automatically terminates their OPT as well as their corresponding employment authorization document (EAD). Although authorization to engage in OPT ends upon transferring to a different school or changing educational level, students in F-1 status will not be otherwise affected as long as they comply with all requirements for maintaining their student status. These requirements include not working with a terminated EAD, because termination means that students are no longer authorized to work in the United States. Working in the United States without authorization has serious immigration consequences, including removal from the country and bars on reentry. Furthermore, remaining in the United States in violation of lawful nonimmigrant status could lead to an accrual of unlawful presence which includes another set of penalties under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Currently, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) informs USCIS of the termination date, and the OPT termination is automatic under current regulations. USCIS has updated its systems and will begin to enter the EAD termination date into these systems after being notified by SEVP. USCIS will notify affected students and provide them with an opportunity to correct any errors in the record via their designated school official (DSO). This process is intended to strengthen the integrity of the F-1 and OPT programs, to ensure consistency between SEVP and USCIS systems, and to inform students of possible consequences of working with a terminated EAD. The following Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) reports were released on Thursday, May 17, 2018. Australia: Dairy and Products Semi-annual Milk production is forecast at 9.5 million metric tons in 2018, up two percent from last year due to favorable seasonal conditions in southern dairy regions. Cheese production is expected to increase to 350,000 metric tons as processors focus on exports, with imports also continuing to increase. In 2017, the value of U.S. cheese exports to Australia increased by almost 80 percent. Butter and skim milk powder (SMP) production are forecast to remain stable. Whole milk powder (WMP) production is expected to increase by 6.7 percent while demand for infant formula is anticipated to rise, especially from China. Netherlands: Current Market Opportunities for Wood Pellets in The Netherlands The Dutch Government subsidizes the co-firing of biomass, but the funding is linked with complex sustainability criteria which eventually must be demonstrated by the forest owner. To support small landowners, the Dutch legislation provides some flexibility that will still be in compliance with the requirements. Currently one of the most feasible opportunities is the supply of wood pellets made from saw dust. For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov. News: May 18, 2018 Skills & Jobs in Louisiana In New Orleans, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta visited a nonprofit cafe that helps at-risk youth develop in-demand job skills. Earlier, while addressing the National Council of Field Labor Locals Leadership Conference, he discussed how the Department’s regional staff help ensure that all Americans have access to safe, good, family-sustaining jobs. #PeaceOfficersMemorialDay Secretary Acosta joined President Trump and Vice President Pence in honoring America’s fallen law enforcement officers at the 37th annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service this week. OSHA Leads Stand Down For Safety Deputy Assistant Secretary Loren Sweatt provides a wrap up of OSHA’s “National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction,” which she kicked off with Deputy Secretary Patrick Pizzella. In Case You Missed It Retirement Restitution The former owner of North Carolina’s House of Lights will restore $1.6 million to the company’s profit-sharing plan, after a Department investigation. Trench Collapse OSHA cited a contractor and staffing agency for multiple violations after a temporary employee was fatally injured in a trench collapse at an Alabama work site. Pay Discrimination The Department recovered nearly $3 million in back wages to resolve alleged pay discrimination at four Dell EMC locations in California and North Carolina. Fatal Hazards Following a fatal fire in November 2017, OSHA cited a New York cosmetics manufacturer for 11 safety and health violations. Retirement Theft A Tennessee eye care company and former fund trustees will restore more than $971,000 to the company’s profit-sharing plan. Wages Recovered An Alabama framing contractorwill pay $110,641 in back wages, damages, and penalties for overtime and recordkeeping violations. DOL Working For You A Fresh Start An apprenticeship gave Yana the tools she needed to transition in

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION update

4 Awesome Discoveries You Probably Didn't Hear About This Week - Episode 1

05/18/2018 01:00 AM EDT

Your weekly briefing on the latest discoveries you might not hear about anywhere else, all with funding from the National Science Foundation. This week: 1. Finding cancer through the eye of a butterfly 2. Killer whales in rivers? Get used to it. 3. An "everything-repellent" coating ...

This is an NSF Multimedia Gallery item.

Division of Chemistry Newsletter, Spring 2018

Available Formats:
PDF: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2018/nsf18074/nsf18074.pdf?WT.mc_id=USNSF_94

Document Number: nsf18074

This is an NSF Newsletters/Journals item.

Online access to mental health therapy  TAO Connect

05/17/2018 01:00 AM EDT

TAO Connect, a small business funded by the National Science Foundation, provides online mental health therapy. The company uses artificial intelligence to create low-cost, accessible, software-based practice tools for treatment for anxiety, depression, substance abuse, resiliency and pain ...

This is an NSF Multimedia Gallery item.

κ. ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗ ΝΑΤΣΙΟΥ,Δασκάλου Κιλκίς,Μέλους IHA,άρθρο

«Ό,τι κάμουμε, θα το κάμουμε μονάχοι και δεν έχομε καμιά ελπίδα από τους ξένους»

του Δημήτρη Νατσιού,μέλους του ΙΗΑ
«Ρωμαίικος καβγάς, τούρκικος χαλβάς»
παροιμία


«Τρία πράγματα εχάλασαν την Ρωμανίαν όλην: ο φθόνος η φιλαργυρία και η κενή ελπίδα», σημειώνει άγνωστος ποιητής μετά την Άλωση της Πόλης. Μπορεί όμως τότε ο λαός να θρηνεί και να στενάζει για το μαγάρισμα της Βασιλεύoυσας Πόλεως από τους προγόνους του Ερντογάν, αλλά «ει και εάλω η Πόλις , το έθνος ουδαμώς, εξερριζώθη» κατά τον Νεκτάριο Ιεροσολύμων. Ανθεί και φέρει κι άλλο η Πονεμένη Ρωμηοσύνη, γιατί «έλαμπε η πίστις του Χριστού και το μυστήριον της ευσεβείας». (Κύριλλος Λούκαρις).


Το Γένος είχε πνευματικά αντισώματα, τα καντήλια έκαιγαν, στα πετραχήλια του ταπεινού ιερέα, οι κοπιώντες και πεφορτισμένοι Ρωμηοί, έβρισκαν παραμυθία και ανάπαυση. Χάθηκε η πολιτεία , η αυτοκρατορία, το έθνος συντρίβεται κάτω από τα σιδερένια πέλματα βάρβαρων κατακτητών, όμως στην θέση του προβάλλει το Γένος. Ο Ελληνισμός κάτω από την ασφυκτική πίεση της αμείλικτης πραγματικότητας, συσπειρώνεται στο Γένος.


Το Γένος!…Όποιος διαβάζει κείμενα της Τουρκοκρατίας και του ’21 συναντά συνεχώς την κατανυκτική αυτή λέξη. Την καταγράφουν οι σκλάβοι Ρωμηοί με δέος και χαρά, με πόνο και πάθος. Η λέξη περικλείει μεγαλείο και μαρτύριο, θρίαμβο και κατατρεγμό. Κρύβει στα φυλλώματά της, όχι μόνο το παρόν, αλλά και το ένδοξο παρελθόν και την ελπίδα. Είναι λέξη αναστάσιμη. Υποδηλώνει και τον ηρωικώς μαχόμενο τελευταίο αυτοκράτορα, αλλά και τον μαρμαρωμένο βασιλιά.


Το Γένος, εν μέσω ερειπίων, σπεύδει και παρηγορεί το Ρόδον το Αμάραντο της Ορθοδοξίας, την Θεοτόκο, βέβαιο για το Ποθούμενο. «Σώπασε Κυρά Δέσποινα και μην πολυδακρύζεις/πάλι με χρόνια με καιρούς πάλι δικά μας θα ‘ναι». Είναι το χερουβικό του Γένους που θεριεύει στα πικρά κα μαυροφόρα χρόνια της αιχμαλωσίας, την αποσταμένη ελπίδα. Μέσα από τα χαλάσματα άνθησε τότε η Ρωμανία.


Τώρα και πάλι φθόνος και φιλαργυρία και κενές ελπίδες. Αυτά τα τρία «χαλούν» και πάλι…πώς να γράψουμε, όπως ο άγνωστος ποιητής, την Ρωμανία. Είμαστε σήμερα Ρωμανία; χώρα των Ρωμηών; Ναι, υπάρχουν πολλές ομοιότητες της τωρινής εποχής με την προ της αλώσεως της Πόλης κατάσταση.


Και τότε ο φθόνος. (Ο Θεός μας χαρίζει αφθόνως, άφθονα τα αγαθά του. Κι εμείς φθονούμε, φθίνουμε, λιώνουμε). Θα γράψει το 1350 ο λόγιος Δημ. Κυδώνης: «Στην χώρα μας αυτοί που την κυβερνούν, έχουν την δύναμη των σεισμών και λοιμών και όλοι εύχονται να ιδούν το κακό του γείτονα. Ειρήνη υπάρχει μόνο με τους εχθρούς και συνεχής πόλεμος εναντίον των ομοεθνών και ο καθένας εδώ είναι θρασύς και έτοιμος να αρπάξει τα όπλα εναντίον των συγγενών του». (Απ. Βακαλόπουλου, Ιστορία, Ι, εκδ. Β’, σελ. 53). Είναι αλήθεια ότι οι άθλιες οικονομικές συνθήκες δοκιμάζουν πολύ σκληρά και τις ανθρώπινες σχέσεις. Δεν υπάρχει αγάπη , αδελφών ομόνοια «ουδαμού σπλάγχνον χριστιανικόν, ουδαμού δάκρυον συμπαθές» θρηνολογεί ο Ιωσήφ Βρυέννιος. (Βακαλόπουλος, σελ.164). Κόντεψε να φτάσει στον αφανισμό και στον όλεθρο το έθνος από τα πρώτα βήματα της Επανάστασης του 21’ εξαιτίας του φθόνου των καπεταναίων. Τότε έγραψε ο Οδ. Ανδρούτσος στον Κολοκοτρώνη βλέποντας να ερίζουν οι Πελοποννήσιοι για πρωτοκαθεδρίες: «Σας στέλνω τον Δράμαλη με 30.000 ασκέρι να μονοιάσετε». (Ας το θυμόμαστε και σήμερα. Μόνο που δεν υπάρχουν πια Κολοκοτρωναίοι).


Το χειρότερο είναι «η κενή ελπίδα». Πριν από την Άλωση ελπίζαμε σε βοήθεια από τους Φράγκους. Στην ψευτοσύνοδο της Φερράρας- Φλωρεντίας (1438-1439) παραδώσαμε τα άγια τοις κυσί. Ευρέθη ο στύλος της Ορθοδοξίας άγιος Μάρκος ο Ευγενικός και η τιμή της Εκκλησίας και του Γένους σώθηκε. Υπέγραψαν «οι δείλαιοι εθελοακουσίως» την υποταγή στον πάπα ελπίζοντας βοήθεια κατά των Τούρκων. Τίποτε δεν έγινε. Οι δυτικοί δεν επιθυμούσαν αναμέτρηση με τους Τούρκους, γιατί δεν αντιμετωπίζουν οι ίδιοι άμεση απειλή. Μισούν τους ασεβείς και σχισματικούς «Γραικούς» και βέβαια επιθυμούν καλές σχέσεις με τους Τούρκους μωαμεθανούς, γιατί οι οικονομικές σχέσεις και διεισδύσεις στο χώρο της Μ. Ασίας και της ανατολικής Μεσογείου αποτελούν πηγή πλούτου. «Μη βαυκαλίζεσθε» γράφει ο Βρυέννιος «με μάταιες ελπίδες ότι συμμαχικά στρατεύματα θα έρθουν από την Δύση να μας σώσουν. Αλλά και αν εκστρατεύσουν δεν θα το κάνουν για να μας υπερασπιστούν, όπως λένε, αλλά για να καταστρέψουν τις πόλεις μας και το Γένος μας, για να εξαφανίσουν ακόμα και το όνομά μας». (Κ. Σιμόπουλου, Ξενοκρατία, σελ. 289). Πόσες «κενές ελπίδες», «άδεια καρύδια κι ασκιά γιοματ’αγέρα» (Μακρυγιάννης/ δεν πιστέψαμε τα τελευταία χρόνια;


«Ρίζα πάντων των κακών εστιν η φιλαργυρία» θα γράψει ο απ. Παύλος (Α΄, Τιμ. 6,10). Λίγο πριν από την Άλωση καλεί και παρακαλεί ο Ιωσήφ Βρυέννιος τους πλούσιους να ανοίξουν τα θησαυροφυλάκιά τους και να βοηθήσουν στην επισκευή των τειχών της Πόλης. «Δέκα μονάχα από σας θα μπορούσατε να έχετε ξανακαινουργώσει τα τείχη που έχουν ερειπωθεί». « Οι πλούσιοι», γράφει ο καθ. Βακαλόπουλος , «την εποχή εκείνη, ενώ κατέρρεαν τα τελευταία υπολείμματα της βυζαντινής αυτοκρατορίας, ξένοι τελείως προς το πνεύμα του Χριστιανισμού ήταν σκληρότεροι απέναντι στους φτωχούς και ταπεινούς της ζωής».(Απ. Βακαλόπουλος, ο χαρακτήρας των Ελλήνων, σελ.80). «Οι άρχοντες συμμετέχουν στις παρανομίες, οι διαχειριζόμενοι τα κοινά είναι κλέφτες…» συνεχίζει ο αείμνηστος καθηγητής στο σπουδαίο βιβλίο του. Για να σημειώσει αυτό που προλογικά γράψαμε «Οι χρόνοι της Τουρκοκρατίας, χρόνοι διωγμών των Ελλήνων, των χριστιανών, διαχέουν σ’ αυτούς έντονη θρησκευτική πνοή στην καθημερινή τους ζωή και κάνουν αυστηρότερα τα ήθη». Η Εκκλησία γίνεται το καταφύγιο των ψυχών, ώστε να λέγει ο πατριάρχης Ιερεμίας Β’ (1572-1594): «ει και δουλεία το Γένος ημών υπέπεσεν αλλ’ευσεβεία ανένευσεν». (=αναβιώνω, ανασηκώνομαι). Δύο μόνο θα πω για το σήμερα γεγονότα, που εξεικονίζουν την κατάπτωση αρχόντων και λαού. Οι φοβερές καταγγελίες του καθηγητή κ. Κριμιζή για τις πλεκτάνες του νεοϊδρυθέντος οργανισμού για το διάστημα και η αποκάλυψη της σπείρας των φαρμάκων του καρκίνου. Δείγμα της τωρινής απελπιστικής κατάστασης είναι το εξής: Κάποτε το δίλημμα ήταν «να κλέψω ή να μην κλέψω» Τώρα… προόδευσε. Το ερώτημα του καθάρματος είναι «θα με πιάσουν ή δεν θα με πιάσουν».

Ξεβαφτιστήκαμε και ξεμυρωθήκαμε για να γίνουμε Ευρωπαίοι και… να οι προκοπές μας!! Μας πετούσαν όπως τα σκυλιά ένα ξεροκόκκαλο οι ποικιλώνυμοι κομματάρχες-πρωθυπουργοί και εμείς σπεύδαμε, τυφλωμένοι, σ’ αυτό, τρέφαμε κενές ελπίδες, αφήνοντας τιμημένα πρωτοτόκια. «Ανήκομεν εις την Δύσιν» (Καραμανλής), «Η Ελλάδα ανήκει στους Έλληνες» (Ανδρέας), «εκσυγχρονισμός» (Σημίτης), «επανίδρυση του κράτους» (νέος Καραμανλής), «θα σχίσω τα Μνημόνια» (Αλέξης) και τόσες άλλες κενές τιποτολογίες. Και στο τέλος «μηδέν στο πηλίκιο» από τον ανεπρόκοπο, του «λεφτά υπάρχουν», ΓΑΠ.

Κάποτε πρέπει να σκεφτούμε σοβαρά, κολοκοτρωναίικα. Έλεγε ο Γέρος του Μοριά γύρω στο 1810: «Ό,τι κάμουμε θα το κάμουμε μονάχοι και δεν έχομε καμιά ελπίδα από τους ξένους». Θα συμπληρώναμε κι από τους ημέτερους τοποτηρητές τους, μνημονιακούς λακέδες.

Δημήτρης Νατσιός-Δάσκαλος-Κιλκίς
INTERNATIONAL HELLENIC ASSOCIATION

"ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΕΝΩΣΗ ΓΙΑ ΤΑ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΜΑΤΑ ΤΟΥ ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΥ":ΠΡΌΣΚΛΗΣΙΣ

Ανακοίνωση - Πρόσκληση
Μάρτυρες δημοσίου συμφέροντος (whistleblowers): Δημοσιογραφία και έννομη τάξη
Τρίτη 29/05/2018, ώρα 19.00
Αίθουσα Λόγου
Στοά του Βιβλίου
Αθήνα, 17 Μαϊου 2018
Η Ελληνική Ένωση για τα Δικαιώματα του Ανθρώπου, οι Reporters United και το Ιnvestigate Europe σας καλούν σε ανοιχτή εκδήλωση με θέμα:
«Μάρτυρες δημοσίου συμφέροντος (whistleblowers): Δημοσιογραφία και έννομη τάξη»
Εισηγήσεις θα πραγματοποιήσουν οι:
Γιάννης Παπαδόπουλος, δημοσιογράφος: Το τίμημα της αποκάλυψης της αλήθειας και η ελλιπής προστασία των πληροφοριοδοτών. Από τα Pentagon Papers στη Χρυσή Αυγή

Νικόλας Λεοντόπουλος, δημοσιογράφος: Γιατί δεν έχουμε whistleblowers στην Ελλάδα και τι να κάνουμε για να αποκτήσουμε
Φερενίκη Παναγοπούλου-Κουτνατζή, επίκουρη καθηγήτρια Συνταγματικού Δικαίου στο Πάντειο Πανεπιστήμιο: Η συνταγματική θεώρηση του μάρτυρα δημοσίου συμφέροντος
Μαρία Εφίμοβα, whistleblower: H υπόθεση της Pilatus Bank στη Μάλτα

Τη συζήτηση θα συντονίσει η Κλειώ Παπαπαντολέων, δικηγόρος, Πρόεδρος της Ελληνικής Ένωσης για τα Δικαιώματα του Ανθρώπου.

Η εκδήλωση θα πραγματοποιηθεί την Τρίτη 29 Μαΐου 2018, και ώρα 19:00 μμ, στην Αίθουσα Λόγου της Στοάς του Βιβλίου, Πεσμαζόγλου 5 και Σταδίου, Αθήνα.

Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες μπορείτε να επικοινωνήσετε:
Ελληνική Ένωση για τα Δικαιώματα του Ανθρώπου
info@hlhr.gr
Τηλ. +30 2130264975

"ΝΕΑ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ":ΒΟΥΛΕΥΤΩΝ Δραστηριότητα-Ενημέρωση

Αθήνα, 17 Μαΐου 2018  On camera Ο Τομεάρχης Εσωτερικών της Νέας Δημοκρατίας, βουλευτής Αττικής, κ. Μάκης Βορίδης, μετά τη σύσκεψη που συγκάλεσε ο Υπουργός Εσωτερικών κ. Π. Σκουρλέτης, για την κατάτμηση των μεγάλων εκλογικών περιφερειών, έκανε την ακόλουθη δήλωση: «Το εκλογικό σύστημα και ο εκλογικός νόμος δεν πρέπει να είναι αντικείμενο πολιτικής εκμεταλλεύσεως και ευκαιριακών ρυθμίσεων. Το ζήτημα της κατατμήσεως της Β’ Αθηνών είναι ένα θέμα το οποίο ούτως ή άλλως η Νέα Δημοκρατία έχει, εδώ και καιρό, θίξει, αναδείξει και συμφωνήσει. Με αυτήν την έννοια, λοιπόν, δεν υπάρχει κάτι πρόσθετο να ειπωθεί, αλλά επαναλαμβάνουμε ότι, για εμάς – και αυτό είναι ξεκάθαρο – είναι απόλυτα συνδεδεμένο με τη ρύθμιση του θέματος της ψήφου των Ελλήνων κατοίκων εξωτερικού. Είναι συνδεδεμένο γιατί αυτό είναι ζήτημα ισοπολιτείας, ισονομίας, βασικών εκλογικών δικαιωμάτων που σήμερα αποστερούνται οι Έλληνες οι οποίοι έχουν φύγει από τη Πατρίδα μας όλα αυτά τα τελευταία χρόνια, αλλά και προγενέστερα. Στο ζήτημα αυτό είμαστε ξεκάθαροι: Θέλουμε ενιαία ρύθμιση. Θα συναινέσουμε και θα συμπράξουμε, μόνο σε περίπτωση που υπάρχει ενιαία ρύθμιση και σε καμία άλλη περίπτωση».

THE WHITE HOUSE's latest news

REAL NEWS PRESIDENT TRUMP DOESN'T WANT YOU TO MISS

Trump Donates First-Quarter 2018 Salary to VA

- Politico

President Donald J. Trump is donating his first-quarter salary for 2018 to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Eli Okun reports for Politico. The President has pledged to donate his salary to government agencies; most recently, he donated to the Department of Transportation.

-------------------------

Gina Haspel Confirmed As New CIA Director

- The Associated Press

Gina Haspel has been confirmed as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency after a number of Democrats joined with Republicans in a Senate confirmation vote on Thursday. Haspel, who was supported by many in the CIA rank-and-file, will be the first female director in the Agency’s history.

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U.S. Companies Seen Investing More in Business This Year After Tax Cuts

- Reuters

Because of President Trump’s massive reform of America’s tax code, more U.S. companies are investing in technology, equipment, and facilities this year. “First-quarter capital expenditures total $159 billion, up more than 21 percent from a year ago and on track to be the highest year-over-year growth since the third quarter of 2011, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices data,” Caroline Valetkevitch writes.

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Melania Trump Feels 'Great,' Going Home 'Soon' from Hospital

- USA Today

First Lady Melania Trump tweeted on Wednesday a “sincere thank you to Walter Reed Medical Unit & to all who have send good wishes & prayers.” She added that she is feeling great and looks forward to returning to the White House after a successful embolization procedure this week.

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Donald Trump: We Need Merit-Based Immigration to Fill Jobs in Growing Economy

- Breitbart

At a roundtable discussion on sanctuary cities this week, President Trump emphasized that “the United States was not opposed to immigration based on skills,” Charlie Spiering reports. “We want people to come into our country based on merit. We’re not looking to keep them out, we need to bring them in,” the President added.

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Trump: Countries Not Meeting NATO Obligations Will Be 'Dealt With'

- Reuters

The President reminded our NATO partners this week that members who do not contribute fully to the alliance will be “dealt with.” President Trump called on countries to “demonstrate leadership in the alliance by addressing its longstanding shortfall in defense contributions.”

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Mothers of the White House: Sarah Sanders, Kellyanne Conway, and Mercedes Schlapp

- The Daily Caller

Meet the working moms of the White House—Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway, and White House Director of Strategic Communications Mercedes Schlapp—who have a total of 12 children between them. They hold some of the most influential roles in our government while executing the duties that all working moms share.

Μάι 17 τις 5:41 μ.μ.

The White House • May 17, 2018
The Day Ahead

President Donald J. Trump will meet with Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg at the White House.
The community movement against ‘sanctuary’ laws

Sanctuary jurisdictions hinder Federal immigration enforcement. These jurisdictions often refuse even basic requests for information, such as notification to Federal officials before the release of dangerous criminals from custody. The consequences of such actions can be fatal.

California has passed statewide sanctuary policies that restrict cooperation between Federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement. Now, communities across the state have started coming out in opposition to the new laws. Many of these local leaders cite fidelity to the U.S. Constitution over California state law.

Yesterday, President Trump met with local officials who spoke first-hand about how these sanctuary policies jeopardize the safety of their communities. "Our people are the ones hurting," San Jacinto Mayor Crystal Ruiz said. “All of us need help getting this solved.”

What you need to know about the movement against “sanctuary” policies

Watch: President Trump’s full meeting with California community leaders

America, Uzbekistan, and a new era of partnership

President Trump hosted President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan yesterday, marking President Mirziyoyev’s historic first visit to the White House. The bilateral meeting ushers in a new era of strategic partnership between the two countries.

America has an important partnership with Uzbekistan in fighting terrorism. In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks on the United States, Uzbekistan provided crucial access and support to drive al Qaeda terrorists from Afghanistan. President Mirziyoyev reaffirmed his full support for President Trump’s South Asia strategy yesterday, including the effort to bring stability to Afghanistan.

The two leaders also committed to exploring deeper economic ties. President Mirziyoyev pledged to open Uzbek markets for American companies and investors by introducing international standards of transparency. During the visit, Uzbekistan signed more than 20 major business deals with U.S. companies.

Watch President Trump welcome President Mirziyoyev to the White House.

Learn more: A new era of strategic partnership between the U.S. and Uzbekistan

Photo of the Day

Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

President Donald J. Trump participates in a California Sanctuary State roundtable | May 16, 2018

The White House • May 18, 2018
The Day Ahead

• President Donald J. Trump will address a summit on prison reform at the White House this morning. Watch his remarks live at 11:30 a.m. ET.

• The President will meet with Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres in the Oval Office this afternoon.

‘Congratulations to our new CIA Director’

The Senate confirmed President Trump’s pick to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, Gina Haspel, in a bipartisan vote yesterday. Director Haspel drew extensive support from the CIA workforce, as well as former intelligence leaders from both Republican and Democratic administrations. She replaces Mike Pompeo, who was confirmed as America’s 70th Secretary of State last month.

“The safety and security of the American people depend on capable intelligence leadership. Gina Haspel is the right woman at the right time," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said. President Trump tweeted his congratulations shortly after the Senate’s vote.

Director Haspel’s biography made her an easy choice. A 33-year veteran of the CIA, she’s earned multiple high-level honors, including the George H. W. Bush Award for Excellence in Counterterrorism. Years later, with the fight against al Qaeda heating up, she requested a transfer to the CIA’s Counter Terrorism Center. Her first day on the job was September 11, 2001.

Meet Gina Hapsel, the new face of America’s intelligence community.

Think again: ‘Sanctuary’ laws aren’t pro-immigrant

America’s immigration challenge doesn’t end at our border. Because of “sanctuary city” jurisdictions—many recently emboldened by new state laws in California—law enforcement officers face dangerous obstacles to protecting our communities from the effects of a broken immigration system.

Under the guise of being pro-immigrant, these jurisdictions privilege a small group of often-violent criminals at the expense of the safety and well-being of American citizens, law enforcement, and law-abiding immigrants alike. In effect, these jurisdictions assert a special exemption from Federal law. The consequences of their decisions, of course, do not remain in their own backyards.

“They’re releasing these criminals, not by their houses. . . . They’re releasing them by our houses,” San Jacinto Mayor Crystal Ruiz said at a White House forum with community leaders this week. “Every day we’re getting more and more reports from the police department about how they can’t arrest these people.”

California’s ‘sanctuaries’ aren’t pro-immigrant—and local leaders are pushing back.

More: What you need to know about the stand against sanctuary state laws
Photo of the Day



Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead

President Donald J. Trump with U.S. Air Force SSGT Charles Edwards of Mary Esther, FL, and CAPT Mark Kobelja, Director of WRNMMC at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center | May 16, 2018

Russian-German talks

On 21 May, Dmitry Medvedev and President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev will discuss the implementation of joint projects
18 May 2018 13:25

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev will discuss current matters concerning Russian-Bulgarian trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation as well as the implementation of joint projects in energy, industry, transportation and other areas.

President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev will be in Russia on an official visit at the invitation of President of Russia Vladimir Putin.

Russian-German talks

Vladimir Putin had a meeting with German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Bocharov Ruchei residence in Sochi.
May 18, 2018
16:30
Sochi






German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives for talks with President of Russia Vladimir Putin.

The discussion focused on the development of Russian-German ties and current international affairs.

Following the talks, the President of Russia and the Federal Chancellor of Germany made statements for the press and answered journalists’ questions.

Joint news conference with Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel

May 18, 2018
16:45
Sochi

Joint news conference with German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Madam Chancellor, ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to thank Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel for accepting Russia’s invitation to come to Sochi on a working visit.

We have many subjects to discuss. We completed the first part of the talks, and after the news conference, we will continue in an extended format.

We have already exchanged views on bilateral political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties. We also discussed pressing international matters.

Russia and Germany believe that maintaining regular contacts is necessary and important, despite the challenging international environment and the diverging views we have on a number of global issues. Russia is ready to work with our German colleagues on a mutually beneficial basis, taking into consideration the interests of our peoples.

Germany has traditionally been one of Russia’s main foreign trade partners, second only to the People’s Republic of China. In 2017, bilateral trade increased by 23 percent, and was up by 13 percent in the first two months of 2018.

Investment cooperation is on the rise. Russian investment in Germany currently exceeds $8 billion, while Germany has invested more than $18 billion, almost five percent of the total direct foreign investment in the Russian economy.

Almost 5,000 German companies operate in Russia with a total turnover that exceeds $50 billion, and some 270,000 jobs. At the same time, about 1,500 Russian companies operate in Germany.

Joint news conference with German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel.

We believe that the governments of the two countries must remain proactive in their efforts to facilitate bilateral trade, as well as cooperation in industry and technology.

Energy is a priority area in terms of the partnership between our countries. We discussed all aspects of our cooperation in this field, including infrastructure projects such as Nord Stream 2.

Let me point out that we always viewed this as a purely economic project, which has always been handled by business entities, and has always been kept free from any political considerations.

I would also like to note that Russia does not intend to stop gas transit though Ukraine once Nord Stream 2 is launched. Madam Federal Chancellor and I also discussed this today, since she raised the question. Let me emphasise that transit will continue, if it makes economic sense for the economic actors involved.

I would like to mention our humanitarian and cultural cooperation. We are now completing the Year of Municipal and Regional Partnerships between the two countries. We are getting ready to hold the Year of Scientific and Educational Partnerships, and a large concert programme Russian Seasons in 2019. We continue active contacts between our civil societies, in particular, the St. Petersburg Dialogue, Potsdam Meetings and the Germany-Russia Forum.

I discussed in detail with Ms Chancellor a number of key international issues. First, we exchanged views on the situation around the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear issue after the unilateral withdrawal of the US from the agreement. We also exchanged opinions on the exacerbated situation in the Middle East.

We discussed the problem of the Syrian crisis. We stated that it is necessary to make a contribution to a political settlement, in particular at the Astana and Geneva venues, to stabilise the situation on the ground, and provide humanitarian relief to the population of Syria.

We acknowledge the striving of the Federal Republic of Germany to take a serious part in restoring the socio-economic structure of that country. It is important that any assistance be granted by agreement with the legitimate authorities.

We touched on the situation in Ukraine. We both believe that there is no alternative to the Minsk Agreements in terms of a settlement. Of course, we will continue to work together in the Normandy format and facilitate the productive activities of the Contact Group in Minsk. We instructed our foreign policy offices to seriously consider the creation of a UN mission on facilitating the protection of OSCE observers in Donbass.

Joint news conference with German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel.

In conclusion, I would sincerely like to thank Ms Federal Chancellor once again for a meaningful and open exchange of views that was timely and useful.

Thank you for your attention.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (retranslated): I am also grateful for the opportunity to be here today and to participate in the talks. Last year, around this time, I was here as well, when we discussed preparations for the G20 summit, and we enjoyed close and friendly cooperation.

We discussed bilateral cooperation. There are also economic ties, and the Petersburg Dialogue, which the President mentioned. For my part, I stressed that media issues are crucial in some cases and proposed reviewing them again, as well as issues pertaining to freedom of culture.

We always welcome Russia’s cultural institutions’ activities, such as concerts; though the Year of Science will also be important for cooperation and civil society, and we support it.

We maintain a regular and open exchange with each other to discuss differences of opinion.

Of course, we covered Ukraine extensively in our conversation. There are the Minsk Agreements, which are the only foundation that we can use to conduct our work. Unfortunately, major ceasefire violations took place today. Therefore, we need to continue to think about the UN mission.

We coordinate our actions, and our foreign ministers should continue to work on this. It would be a step forward in terms of stabilising the situation in order to carry out certain political steps, which were agreed upon in Minsk.

We also discussed the importance of gas transit for Ukraine. Germany is convinced, and Peter Altmaier, our Economics Minister also held talks this week to make sure that even after the construction of Nord Stream 2, Ukraine's role as a transit country should continue, as it is of strategic importance.

Germany is also willing to play its part and provide assistance. We also consider Nord Stream 2 an economic and commercial project, but it has other angles as well, so we need to think about guarantees for Ukraine in this regard.

We spoke about Syria; we had a very intensive exchange on Syria. I think the UN-led process presents an opportunity we must explore. There is the Astana group and the so-called small group of states.

Further steps need to be taken to work out a joint action plan that would be discussed in working groups. We are doing all we can to support the work of the UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura.

We discussed the complex situation brought about by the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. The agreement has the support of Germany, Britain, France and all our European Union colleagues. We will continue to adhere to it. An unusual situation has arisen and we on the European side are discussing it with Iran.

I do not think this agreement is perfect, but it is better than no agreement, so these negotiations with Iran should continue and we agree that the ballistic missile programme should continue to be discussed.

In general, the situation in the region is fairly tense, so everything should be done to conduct the political negotiations that would gradually lead to a political solution. Therefore, it would be good if what we have agreed upon in Sochi – the constitutional process – that representatives be appointed for it. That would create one element sought for by Mr de Mistura.

These are important negotiations. I think these major problems can only be resolved if we discuss the topics on which our opinions differ, discuss these topics, analyse them, and try to bridge the gaps, to discuss the facts together and to seek solutions; therefore, the negotiations have been important and we will continue these negotiations later.

Question (retranslated): A question for the Federal Chancellor. You spoke about a renaissance in German-Russian relations against the backdrop of problems with the US President. Ms Chancellor, German and other Western companies are complaining that the Russian Parliament is drafting a law that will require foreign companies to not abide by the sanctions and will threaten them with fines if they do. Does this not subvert the efforts of German and other foreign companies to invest in Russia? Why do you think this law makes sense?

Angela Merkel: We have a firm trans-Atlantic friendship that has endured many opinions and positions in history. I think this time it will be the same. This does not call into question the intensity of trans-Atlantic relations.

It is in our strategic interests to maintain good relations with Russia, and in the most difficult times, I have always been for the continued work of the Russia-NATO Council and EU contacts. I believe it is absolutely vital to maintain a dialogue.

Our civil societies maintain extensive ties, and this German-Russian cooperation has to withstand serious and fundamental differences. But again, I will emphasize that if we want to solve problems, we need to communicate with each other, we need to conduct a dialogue.

Joint news conference with German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Ομιλία του Προέδρου της Νέας Δημοκρατίας κ. Κυριάκου Μητσοτάκη ..

Ομιλία του Προέδρου της Νέας Δημοκρατίας κ. Κυριάκου Μητσοτάκη

 κατά τη συζήτηση στη Βουλή επί του πορίσματος

της Ειδικής Κοινοβουλευτικής Επιτροπής Προκαταρκτικής Εξέτασης

για την υπόθεση «Novartis» 

Κυρίες και κύριοι συνάδελφοι, πριν από τρεις μήνες, από το βήμα της Βουλής, είχα μιλήσει για πολιτική σκευωρία. Είχα καταγγείλει τις παρεμβάσεις των ΣΥΡΙΖΑ και ΑΝΕΛ στο Κράτος, καθώς και το παρακράτος που πάει να στηθεί στη Δικαιοσύνη. Όλα αυτά με αφορμή ένα υπαρκτό εταιρικό σκάνδαλο, και αναφέρομαι βέβαια στην υπόθεση Novartis, που η Κυβέρνηση προσπαθεί να μετατρέψει σε υποτιθέμενο πολιτικό σκάνδαλο. Πρόκειται για ωμή παραβίαση των αρχών και των κανόνων του Κράτους Δικαίου.

Με βάση καταθέσεις άφαντων μαρτύρων και πρωτοφανείς μεθοδεύσεις στοχοποιήθηκαν και συκοφαντήθηκαν δύο τέως Πρωθυπουργοί, ο Ευρωπαίος Επίτροπος, ο Διοικητής της Τράπεζας της Ελλάδας και έξι Υπουργοί. Ήρθαν για δεύτερη φορά, μέσα σε τρεις μήνες, σε αυτήν την αίθουσα να υπερασπιστούν την αθωότητα τους. Και για δεύτερη φορά, ο κ. Τσίπρας, ο ενορχηστρωτής αυτής της σκευωρίας, δεν είχε το θάρρος να καθίσει στο έδρανο του Πρωθυπουργού να τους ακούσει. Κρύφτηκε στο γραφείο του.

Πριν από τρεις μήνες είχα επισημάνει αναλυτικά πώς παραβιάζεται το Σύνταγμα και ο Κανονισμός της Βουλής. Είχα μιλήσει για θεσμική εκτροπή. Είχα εξηγήσει ότι με τους χειρισμούς της Κυβέρνησης ουσιαστικά συγκαλύπτεται το ελληνικό σκέλος ενός αναμφισβήτητου οικονομικού σκανδάλου με διεθνή διάσταση. Είχα καταθέσει μια σειρά από συγκεκριμένες προτάσεις για περαιτέρω εξυγίανση του φαρμακευτικού κυκλώματος, μια προσπάθεια που ξεκίνησε και απέδωσε καρπούς την περίοδο 2012-2015. Αλλά σε αυτές τις  πολύ συγκεκριμένες προτάσεις δεν βρήκα, για άλλη μια φορά, καμία ανταπόκριση. Αντίθετα οι άθλιες συμμορίες συνεχίζουν τη δράση τους, εκμεταλλευόμενες τον πόνο των πιο αδύναμων συμπολιτών μας και κυρίως την αδιαφορία και την ανικανότητα της σημερινής κυβέρνησης. Κάτι που επιβεβαίωσε και η πρόσφατη τραγική ιστορία με τα αντικαρκινικά φάρμακα.

Είχα επίσης προβλέψει ότι η στημένη αυτή υπόθεση θα καταλήξει σε ένα θλιβερό σκηνικό με δέκα κάλπες ντροπής. Και είχα πει με καθαρά λόγια ότι πρόκειται για χυδαία απόπειρα της Συμπολίτευσης να σπιλώσει τους πολιτικούς της αντιπάλους. Σήμερα δικαιωνόμαστε πλήρως.