OAIRC responds to U.S. Emergency Declaration, reports of forcible return of children to Mexico
New York, NY, February 14, 2019 - The U.S. administration’s use of an emergency declaration to build a physical barrier on the southern border, alongside reports of the first forcible return of an asylum-seeking child and their family into Mexico, is of exceptional concern to the International Rescue Committee.
Said Jennifer Sime, Senior Vice President, U.S. Programs, International Rescue Committee –
“The developments out of the U.S. administration place some of the most vulnerable people on earth in harm’s way. This emergency declaration, alongside reports of the first forcibly returned children, fatally undermine the United States’ strategic leadership and moral clarity on humanitarian issues.
“This is clearly a manufactured ‘emergency.’ Not only are the number of irregular border crossings at their lowest - the real crisis, once again, is the instability in Central America which is forcing people to flee for their lives, coupled with the administration’s systematic attacks on these same vulnerable individuals.
“Rather than offering safe haven, the U.S. administration continues to block people from claiming asylum, separate families as part of its ‘zero tolerance’ effort, and forcibly return asylum seekers to Mexico as part of the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy.
“Seeking asylum is legal. Turning asylum seekers away is not. The ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy robs asylum seekers of their due process rights, including access to legal counsel, and will expose thousands of families and children to unsafe conditions.
“The IRC calls on the U.S. Administration to rescind this cruel and irresponsible policy, follow domestic and international law, and uphold America’s humanitarian commitments.
“The IRC recognizes that the principle of sovereignty enshrined in international law guarantees that every nation has the right to control its border, but both U.S. and international law also provide for the safe and legal movement of vulnerable people - including Central American refugees and asylum seekers - and the right to seek asylum.
“The result of these new lows in U.S. policy, means that children and families who have already fled persecution, torture, and violence will be exposed to even more danger and uncertainty.
“IRC Staff who have been on the ground in Tijuana have noted pervasive fear, security issues both for those trying to help asylum seekers and those awaiting asylum claims, and credible risk of being targeted while awaiting to present themselves. Colleagues have called the idea of sending people back appalling, and sending children in particular, unthinkable.”
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For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact communications@rescue.org
ABOUT THE IRC
The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and 26 offices across the U.S. helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future, and strengthen their communities. Learn more at www.rescue.org and follow the IRC on Twitter & Facebook.
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Washington, DC - U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that the United States, together with Canada, submitted a counter notification in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Agriculture (COA) on India’s market price support for five pulses: chickpeas, pigeon peas, black matpe, mung beans, and lentils.
Based on United States/Canadian calculations, it appears that India has substantially underreported its market price support for chickpeas, pigeon peas, black matpe, mung beans, and lentils. When calculated according to WTO Agreement on Agriculture methodology, India’s market price support for each of these pulses far exceeded its allowable levels of trade-distorting domestic support. The United States expects a robust discussion on how India implements and notifies its policies at the next COA meeting, which is scheduled for February 26-27, 2019.
Background:
On February X, 2019, the United States submitted a counter notification, co-sponsored by Canada, in the WTO Committee on Agriculture on India’s market price support for chickpeas, pigeon peas, black matpe, mung beans, and lentils – based on publicly available information. The United States has identified several areas of potential concern with India’s notification of its market price support for chickpeas, pigeon peas, black matpe, mung beans, and lentils. These include issues with the quantity of production used in market price support calculations, exclusion from India’s notification of information on the total value of production for each category of pulse (information necessary to assess compliance with WTO commitments), issues with currency conversions, and issues regarding the prices used in India’s calculations.
This is the third U.S. COA counter notification regarding another country’s measures. Previous U.S. counter notifications have addressed India’s market price support for cotton, rice and wheat. Australia has submitted a counter notification regarding India’s market price support for sugarcane.
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Clear Aligners Are Popular Alternative
To Metal Braces, But Myths Persist
Instead of traditional metal braces, more people are opting for the clear aligners on the market such as Invisalign, Candid Co., Byte and similar products, but plenty of myths and misconceptions surround them.
“There are a lot of new clear aligner products hitting the market now, but many patients seem to be misinformed about them,” says Dr. Michael McCarthy, DMD, author of the new book The Smile of Your Dreams” (bhamorthodontics.com). “Patients should consult their orthodontist if they are confused about the issues concerning these devices.”
Clear aligners are almost invisible, are used to help adjust teeth, and are often considered a good alternative to metal braces, Dr. McCarthy says. They are customized for each patient’s mouth to fit snugly and securely.
“They can also be removed by the patient for sports and eating. They can be also be easily removed and put back in place for regular cleaning of the teeth and the aligner,” says Dr. McCarthy.
The aligners, over time, will begin to move teeth both horizontally and vertically as needed, Dr. McCarthy says. Patients typically visit the orthodontist every eight to twelve weeks to receive new sets of aligners and to check on progress.
Dr. McCarthy says some of the myths surrounding these products include:
More expensive. One of the biggest misconceptions about these products is that they are more expensive than traditional braces. However, the cost is about the same.
Not as effective as metal braces. Clear aligners work just as effectively as metal braces, even though they may not seem as sturdy, McCarthy says. However, more significant problems may require the metal braces.
Insurance doesn’t cover it. Most insurance companies that cover metal braces will cover the clear aligners as well.
Patient is too old. Braces and aligners will work well for people of almost all ages.
Too much maintenance. Clear aligners require about the same maintenance as traditional braces and may be even easier, since they can be taken out of the mouth for regular cleaning.
There is no discomfort: People often think that because they are clear aligners and are not made of metal, they are a painless alternative. Since teeth are being shifted into a new position, it may not be a comfortable experience regardless of what type of braces are used. The clear aligners may not be as uncomfortable as traditional braces because of the absence of metal wires, but patients should expect some discomfort and gum soreness.
Faster than metal braces. The teeth are slowly and slightly moving into position in very small increments, just as you would see with metal braces. Both types of braces take about the same amount of time.
“I think the use of clear aligners will continue to increase as more people find out about the advantages,” McCarthy says. “But they aren’t right for everyone, and you should consult with your orthodontist to determine what type of treatment is best for you.”
About Dr. Michael McCarthy
Michael McCarthy, DMD, received his orthodontic training while serving in the military. During his 10 years in the US Army, Dr. McCarthy rose to the rank of Major and served as a Green Beret. Dr. McCarthy author of the new book “The Smile of Your Dreams” (bhamorthodontics.com), is a board-certified orthodontist with more than 25 years of experience. He has been recognized as one of America’s top dentists by the Consumer Research Council every year for the past decade.
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USDA prioritizes investments in telemedicine to address opioid crisis in Rural America
Contact:
Jay Fletcher
(202) 690-0498
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2019 – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is giving funding priority in a key grant program for applications to address opioid misuse in rural communities.
“The opioid epidemic is dramatically impacting prosperity in many small towns and rural places across the country,” Hazlett said. “With this focused investment, we are targeting our resources to be a strong partner to rural communities to build innovative local responses to this significant challenge.”
USDA may award up to 30 special consideration points for Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) program applications for projects that provide opioid treatment services in 220 at-risk counties identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The deadline for these applications is April 15, 2019.
USDA may award 10 special consideration points for opioid-related DLT projects or for those that provide Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education as their primary purpose. The application deadline for these projects is May 15, 2019.
All DLT applications can be submitted electronically at grants.gov or in hard copy to: USDA Rural Development Telecommunications Programs, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 2844, Mail Stop 1597, Washington, DC 20250-1597.
President Donald J. Trump has mobilized his entire Administration to address opioid misuse by directing the declaration of a nationwide Public Health Emergency. To help local leaders respond to this epidemic, USDA has worked to build infrastructure for prevention, treatment and recovery, facilitate partnerships, and drive innovation in rural communities.
Last year, USDA worked with the Office of National Drug Control Policy to establish a White House Rural Opioid Federal Interagency Working Group that is improving coordination of federal resources in rural America. In December, USDA launched the Community Opioid Misuse Toolbox. This initiative includes the Community Resource Guide (PDF, 1.7 MB), a comprehensive directory of federal resources that can help rural communities address the opioid crisis, and the Community Assessment Tool, an interactive database to help community leaders assess how and why the opioid epidemic is impacting their regions. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/topics/opioids.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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lthough the origins of St. Valentine’s day are largely lost in the mists of the past, it is universally acknowledged as a day to celebrate love and devotion. Our message today is one of celebrating your love and devotion to quality education opportunities for all of America’s school children.
Our wish today is that wherever you are, whatever your partisan beliefs or details of your views on CER’s education agenda, that you have a day full of love. Our favorite definition of it appears in I Corinthians, verse 13.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
May you have that never failing love all of your days.
Sent with…well…with love…from all of us at CER.
ur wOur wish today is that wherever you are, whatever your partisan beliefs or details of your views on CER’s education agenda, that you have a day full of love. Our favorite definition of it appears in I Corinthians, verse 13.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
May you have that never failing love all of your days.
Sent with…well…with love…from all of us at CER.
ish today is that wherever you are, whatever your partisan beliefs or details of your views on CER’s education agenda, that you have a day full of love. Our favorite definition of it appears in I Corinthians, verse 13.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
May you have that never failing love all of your days.
Sent with…well…with love…from all of us at CER.
