(NewsUSA) - The Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO) is a resource for advocates, legal representatives, and family members of detained individuals to file complaints about misconduct or poor living conditions in U.S. immigration detention and custody.

The Office’s intake form, DHS Form 405, enables individuals who have been detained---or their representatives---to submit confidential claims about treatment and conditions in immigration detention facilities. This includes issues such as staff misconduct, inadequate medical treatment, poorly maintained bathrooms or rest areas, lack of access to counsel, or safety issues that could result in harm to detainees.

Created by Congress in 2019, OIDO is an independent office within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—separate from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The Office is charged with investigating complaints about treatment and conditions in U.S. detention facilities that hold individuals in federal immigration custody. OIDO also provides oversight to ensure facilities comply with the law and standards for immigration detention.

“Our mission involves assessing individual complaints, conducting announced and unannounced inspections, reviewing detention contracts, and carrying out studies and surveys on trends in immigration detention to report to the DHS Secretary, ICE, CBP, and Congress,” said acting Immigration Detention Ombudsman David Gersten. “Our unique role distinguishes OIDO as an important and objective conduit of information regarding immigration detention for policymakers and the public.”

A key objective for OIDO is accessibility, and this includes translating information and resources, including complaint forms, into multiple languages and making those resources readily available to detainees in facilities and the public online.

OIDO has established a persistent presence inside detention and custody settings. Case managers and detention oversight investigators who understand detention matters and can recommend solutions to complaints about detainee treatment and facility conditions regularly visit detention facilities. By having this independent oversight consistently present in ICE and CBP facilities, OIDO can be proactive and timely in helping to resolve detention issues.

“The staff of OIDO embody passion for and are trained in immigration, civil detention care and custody, and protecting the rights of individuals in immigration detention,” Gersten said. “We are committed to serving as a trusted and neutral resource for the community of detainees and their advocates as we collectively work to create a more safe and humane immigration detention system.”

OIDO has completed numerous observations and inspections of detention sites and facilities throughout the U.S., strengthening its capabilities and field perspective, spreading public awareness of its purpose and activities, and building a cooperative network of stakeholders.

While OIDO’s charge is broad, it does not have the authority to handle matters related to release, community supervision, alternatives to detention, immigration status, or claims for asylum. The results of an OIDO inspection do not affect the status of a detainee’s immigration case, either positively or negatively.

OIDO’s complaint process also is not meant to supersede or replace existing complaint processes used at detention facilities; rather, it is considered an additional line of support for advancing a complaint toward resolution and is designed to complement existing oversight functions within DHS.  

While OIDO officials fulfill their role of independence and neutrality, they also recognize the benefits of partnering with ICE and CBP to ensure its recommendations for improving detention facility conditions are implemented as Congress intended. OIDO has team members working with CBP’s Joint Intake Center to review complaints filed regarding that agency to ensure responsiveness and impartiality. OIDO also coordinates with the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Office of Inspector General, and component Offices of Professional Responsibility to facilitate appropriate handling of matters within their respective areas of responsibility.

Looking forward, OIDO’s vision is to build awareness of and enhance its role as an accessible and responsive entity providing redress to individuals in immigration detention. This includes building and strengthening relationships with DHS component agencies as well as external partners, leveraging information and expertise to inform decision makers and the public, hiring additional oversight staff, and creating a workforce culture built on trust, transparency, and impact.

“Our goal for 2023 is to build on the substantial organizational growth we experienced in 2022, while fulfilling our role as an objective, independent watchdog and intermediary for complaints filed by immigration detainees,” Gersten said.

To learn more about OIDO or file a complaint, visit DHS.gov/OIDO.

(NewsUSA) - See the Great Cities of Europe on a Mediterranean Cruise

The pandemic is over, COVID restrictions are gone and the cruise lines are back in business. So, there has never been a better time to book a Mediterranean cruise.

On a seven-day Mediterranean cruise you can visit Trevi Fountain in Rome, the lavender fields of Provence and Barcelona’s famous cathedrals, with side trips to the Italian riviera and a Spanish vineyard.

With the dollar nearly on par with the euro for the first time in decades and a new generation of cruise ships plying its waters, a Mediterranean cruise vacation has never been more attractive or affordable.

Convenient and Inclusive

On a cruise you unpack once — no lugging bags from hotel to hotel or bus to train. Plus, your meals, onboard activities and entertainment are included in the cruise fare.

A Different Country (Almost) Every Day

A typical seven-day Mediterranean cruise will stop at five or six ports in several countries. Costa Cruises offers shore excursions that immerse you in the culture and history of the most popular European destinations.

Amazing Value

With the euro and dollar nearly equal in value for the first time in 20 years, your vacation budget can go farther, giving you up to 20% more buying power.

Also, Costa Cruises makes it easy to recoup the value-added tax, or VAT, charged in European Union countries while you are on the ship, avoiding lines at the airport.

In terms of value, Costa Cruises’ offers in the Med are unparalleled. Savvy shoppers can find cruise fares of about $100 to $150 per person per day — some as low as $65 — often with deals where kids sail free or amenities and add-ons such as drink packages and onboard credits are included.

Costa Cruises has been sailing the Mediterranean for more than 70 years, and is the undisputed leader in the region, offering 195 cruises of three to 17 days through 2024. And Costa’s “Cruise Tours” and “Golf & Cruise” packages are easy to book online.

For an immersive, European experience of the Mediterranean on an Italian-style cruise, contact your travel professional, visit costacruises.com or call Costa Cruises North America at 1-800-GO-COSTA (800-462-6782).

(NewsUSA) - With food costs on the rise, many people are looking for meals and recipes that stretch their dollar. According to The Peanut Institute, peanuts and peanut butter are some of the most affordable, nutrient-dense sources of protein available.

A one-ounce serving of peanuts, which is approximately 35 nuts, costs about 15 cents, delivers seven grams of plant-based protein plus 19 vitamins and minerals, heart-healthy fats and fiber.

“Research has shown that substituting plant protein for animal-based protein can help add years to your life,” said Dr. Samara Sterling, a nutrition scientist and research director for The Peanut Institute. “Making smart food choices each and every day adds up to a healthy lifestyle that’s beneficial for you and your family.”

Since they’re packed with vitamins and minerals, peanuts and peanut butter deliver both short-term and long-term benefits that can have a positive impact on every stage of life.

• For children, healthy development of the brain, bones, muscles and immune system. Peanuts also contain arginine, which is an amino acid associated with higher growth velocity.

• In adults, healthy weight management by delivering greater hunger satisfaction. A recent study found that participants who snacked on peanuts and peanut butter tended to consume fewer calories than those who ate other nuts, including almonds. 

• In older adults, protection against certain cancers with antioxidants and phytosterols that have been shown to be beneficial against brain, skin, stomach, colon, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancers.

• For everyone, keeping minds sharp during aging thanks to compounds that increase brain blood flow, protect against Alzheimer’s disease and even fight anxiety and depression. Niacin in particular is associated with a reduced rate of cognitive decline.

Peanuts and peanut butter are great any time of day.

Check out this quick and healthy PB&J smoothie for a protein-enhanced start to the day.

You need:

• 1 cup frozen berries
• 1 large banana
• 1 cup of milk
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1 cup of vanilla Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon of natural or heated peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon of chopped peanuts

For extra texture and fiber, add half a cup of frozen cauliflower. Another option: Add 2 tablespoons of ground flax or peanut powder.

Blend together the frozen blueberries, banana, milk, peanut butter and, if desired, cauliflower, peanut powder or flax until very smooth.

For tasty recipes and health and nutrition information, visit PeanutInstitute.com.

Nearly 90% of the 350,000 people who experience a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year will not survive.

(NewsUSA) - ​​​​​​There’s more to be sweet about in February then just Valentine’s Day. February is National Cherry Month, and you can find sweet, juicy Chilean cherries in your supermarket all month long.

Although cherries are available domestically in the United States in the summer, they bring a much-needed burst of color and flavor during the cold winter months. Winter cherries come from the Southern Hemisphere, primarily from Chile in South America!

Some people say that National Cherry Month was inspired by the legend of George Washington, whose birthday is a February holiday, and who chopped down a cherry tree as a youngster.

No matter the reason, it’s the perfect season to enjoy Chilean cherries. Treat your Valentine, or yourself, with delicious cherry-filled treats for Valentine’s Day, such as Chocolate Cherry Brownie Bites. Just get some Chilean Cherries, a box of brownie mix, and a cup of melted dark chocolate, and you are good to go. Add some sprinkles for an extra touch! You can find the full recipe at www.fruitsfromchile.com.

Chilean cherries don’t just taste great, they’re also great for you!

Cherries are rich in antioxidants, as well as vitamin C, which is important to maintaining a healthy immune system. They also contain vitamins A and K, along with potassium, magnesium, and even some of the recommended daily amount of calcium. Cherries are a tasty source of fiber, too.

A one-cup serving of cherries provides 25% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C, according to the Chilean Cherry Committee. Cherry consumption also may help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. Finally, cherries contain a healthy dose of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin.

Cherries from Chile is celebrating this month with a chance to win a trip to Los Angeles to catch some of music’s biggest superstars in the 2023 “We Can Survive” concert. Check out www.audacy.com/contests/cherries-from-chile by February 4 to enter. The prize package includes two concert tickets, access to a VIP party at the Hollywood Bowl, airfare for two, and spending money.

“Cherrish Every Moment with Cherries from Chile.”

(NewsUSA) - It is estimated that every year more than 1 million patients undergo an embolization procedure — an interventional procedure to stop or intentionally reduce blood flow. When Scott Lynn started treatment for bowel cancer in 2017, the possibility of an embolization treatment was never on his radar. However, an unexpected turn of events happened after Scott began chemotherapy, leading him to require an embolization to stop internal bleeding and ultimately save his life.

“I had a cardiac reaction to chemotherapy; I had a heart attack,” he explains.

To prevent further cardiac stress, Scott stopped chemotherapy and underwent a total colectomy surgery earlier than initially planned. Just a week after that surgery, Scott suffered a major complication—a massive internal bleed, which required embolization treatment.

A Life-Saving Coincidence

Little did Scott know that his story would become closely tied to someone he’d long known, David Cole, a medical device sales representative.

Scott worked for many years with David’s father and became a mentor to David. In fact, shortly following Scott’s surgery, the two had the chance to catch up at David’s father’s retirement party. David says that on his way home that evening, he felt an obligation to make a quick stop at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, a local level one trauma center, to drop off a supply of the Concerto™ Detachable Coil System, used for peripheral embolization procedures.

The next day, Scott was rushed to the same Carolinas Medical Center, where he underwent a life-saving embolization procedure performed by Dr. Eric Wang, a vascular and interventional radiologist with Charlotte Radiology. Dr. Wang quickly removed nearly half a gallon of blood from Scott’s abdomen and performed the procedure using the same coils David had dropped off less than 24 hours prior, saving Scott’s life.

The Right Device at the Right Time

Dr. Wang explains that when treating a complex bleed, time is of the utmost importance to minimize the loss of blood. Scott later learned that had he waited just ten more minutes to call 911, his life could have been even more at risk.

Medtronic Concerto coils block the area of an active bleed and its thrombogenic fibers accelerate clot formation. While embolization is a critical— and often life-saving procedure— it requires the right device and the proper training for success. Fortunately, Dr. Wang was familiar with Concerto coils, as he often uses them in his medical practice.

An Extraordinary Outcome

This full-circle story is largely due to a trifecta of fortunate events. Scott received the lifesaving care he needed because of his instinct to call 911 immediately. Just the day before, David had ensured that Carolinas Medical Center had Concerto coils on hand. And Dr. Wang trusted that those coils were the right choice to quickly stop Scott’s bleed.

“I am eternally grateful that I was able get the embolization care I needed. I’m absolutely convinced that the shared knowledge of David and my physician on trauma procedures and how to stop active bleeds using these coils was instrumental in saving my life,” said Scott.

Embolization can be used for a variety of procedures that aim to stop blood flow— both elective procedures and emergent instances of bleeding, such as internal bleeds associated with surgery.

Patients should talk to their doctor about risks associated with the Concerto Detachable Coil System. The Concerto™ detachable coil system is indicated for arterial and venous embolizations in the peripheral vasculature. Potential complications include, but are not limited to puncture site hematoma, thromboembolic episodes, vessel perforation, neurological deficits including stroke and death, vasospasms, vascular thrombosis, hemorrhage, and ischemia.

Learn about Peripheral Vascular Health at Medtronic at Medtronic.com/PVH

(NewsUSA) - Most good thriller novels keep readers guessing until the end. Then there are some that cause jaws to drop.

TKO Rogue has launched debut author Janet Porter’s intriguing, intricate and gory psychological thriller FREE RIDER, a dark coming-of-age story set in 1970s New York City that follows twin sisters as corruption, decadence, and greed engulf any vestiges of innocence, trust, and security they may have left. 

Khalika and Violet, twin girls growing up in a privileged hell, are on the cusp of adulthood after barely surviving a childhood that threatened to shred their psyches before devouring them both in a seismic swirl of pure evil.

Violet and Khalika have grown up in a posh Westchester, NY, estate previously owned by the girls’ parents but later the domain of their stepparents Dick and Bianca. That is, until the stepparents are found brutally murdered. The stepparents’ murders are not the only ones that remain unsolved, and there are signs that point to one killer.

It takes several months, but Detective Mark Vincente follows the investigation and eventually locates Violet, whom he wants to question. Vincente is a subtle but dogged investigator, describing his work as “trying to put a puzzle together where the pieces have been scattered like gory confetti.” Eventually, he and Violet develop a romantic interest. Is it real or is it his way to get closer to his ultimate quest?

For fans of gore, horror and “the dark side,” FREE RIDER has it all. But Porter’s work is much more than that. It is a complex psychological study of two sisters, their slightly different paths, their inner thoughts and their resultant actions. The author does a marvelous job of getting into their heads and souls.

And what an ending – it will leave readers stunned!

Praise is already pouring in for FREE RIDER:

"Thought-provoking and atmospheric!” says one Amazon reviewer.

"Captures the darkness and grittiness of New York City in the Seventies and Eighties,” says another.

“Astute observations on the evil that human beings perpetrate,” says another reviewer.

The author, Janet Porter, was born in Pittsburgh and immediately began trying to injure herself by roller skating over broken pavement. Subsequently, the family moved to New York City, where the family lived in a series of ramshackle apartments in the borough of Queens. Janet has no writing credentials except those of anybody who has processed the daily grind and decided to fictionalize it. She lives by the words, “Write the book you want to read.”

In writing Free Rider, Porter said she keeps in mind the words of the dead guy in the movie “Ghost,” doomed to ride the subway for eternity after jumping in front of a train: “You take all your emotions, all your pain, all your love, all your passion, all your rage. Just push it all the way down into the pit of your stomach. And then let it explode, like a reactor! Pow!”

“Pow” is right. Pick up Free Rider and you’ll know what we mean.

Purchase at https://bit.ly/3uxbKil.

(NewsUSA) - Inverter generators and portable battery stations are trending solutions for take-anywhere power. Small footprints, manageable weights, and simple charging or fueling options make both inverters and batteries an ideal solution for off-grid excursions, working where power is not available, or providing needed electricity during a power outage.

Inverter generators and battery-powered portable power stations have unique characteristics that can make the choice a little more challenging. The power experts at Generac Power Systems have outlined how both categories of ultra-portable power solutions stack up for use around the home.

The Mutual Benefits of Portable Inverter Generators and Battery Power Stations

Sized for Easy Transport and Storage. Lightweight design, built-in handles, and a compact footprint are all hallmarks of both portable inverters and battery power stations.

From Quiet to Silent. Don't worry about being a noisy neighbor while using an inverter generator, thanks to their fully enclosed design helping with quieter operation. Battery-powered portable power stations go the extra mile, operating silently.

Suitable for Sensitive Electronics. Generator energy has a THD – total harmonic distortion – percentage. Electronic devices like laptops and mobile devices require a lower THD. Portable inverters produce energy with a THD below 5%, making them generally suitable for sensitive electronics, tools, and appliances. Similarly, battery-powered power stations are also an ideal solution as they provide clean, emission-free energy.

Key Differences Between Portable Inverters and Battery Power Stations

Emissions. Inverter generators cannot be used indoors or in enclosed spaces due to the production of carbon monoxide. All gas-, diesel-, or LP-powered generators must be operated outdoors and away from windows and doors. Battery-powered solutions are ideal for use inside or outside of the home, as they release no carbon monoxide or other emissions.

Fuel and Charging. The Generac Portable Power Station can be charged via a wall outlet, 12V car outlet, or by compatible solar panels for truly on-the-go power. Charging sources can even be combined for an even faster recharge. Small inverter generators are powered by gasoline via a splash-lubricated engine that requires routine oil changes.

Price. As an emerging technology with indoor-outdoor capabilities, battery-powered solutions are typically priced higher when compared to inverter generators with a similar output. Over time, a battery powered solution doesn’t require any additional fuel or oil, making it a higher initial investment without downline costs.

Maintenance and Care. The difference between a gasoline engine and a battery creates a very different maintenance regimen for each unit. The splash-lubricated engine of an inverter needs adequate oil in order to run, and it’s best to check on the oil status before any planned use. Additionally, you should do an annual maintenance check on inverter generators. Meanwhile, for portable battery stations, follow the usual best practices for charging most battery-powered electronic devices: don’t let it fall all the way to 0% charge, try to reach above 80% when charging, and ensure its stored in a temperate environment.

Open-Frame Generators for Powering Even More

With tubular frames, large tires, and visible components, an open-frame generator is likely what comes to mind when one thinks of portable power. The product marketplace for open-frame generators is vast, and no one model is one-size-fits-all. While open-frame generators are available in significantly higher outputs, you can hear them run, and they offer less portability than fully enclosed generators.

If short term emergency backup power is a main concern, open-frame generators provide the best dollar-per-watt value on the market. For more information, portable generator sizing tools can be found at: www.generac.com/portable-sizer.

(by Shelby Doyle) - Parents across the country are seriously rethinking what they and their children need when it comes to K-12 education. From considering switching to new schools to using tutoring, or out-of-school co-ops and learning pods, parents are getting creative. While some might have expected the pace of change and exploration to slow down after two long years of learning disruptions, parents remain motivated and curious about ways to make sure their child is learning and progressing.

In a survey conducted this month by the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, 53.7 percent of parents said they had considered in the last year, or were currently considering, choosing a new or different school for their child. And 86.1 percent of them are concerned about their child's academic progress.

For parents wanting to find a new school, this is the best time of the year to start the process. It's National School Choice Week January 22 through 28, and the news media, school leaders, teachers, and parents across the country are talking about education options. Parents can research their options at schoolchoiceweek.com and attend community events designed to help them choose.

January's not an arbitrary time for the Week to fall. It's a time when these decisions for the fall come to a head. Many enrollment deadlines fall in the winter months, no matter how far away they feel from the coming August. With the first half of the school year completed, families start to have a clearer idea of whether they need to make a change.

Dozens of states around the country in the last few years have expanded educational opportunities for parents to choose traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online learning, or homeschooling. Families can benefit from checking in to see if the landscape of options in their community have changed.

If you want to help spread the word about educational opportunity this week, here are some ideas. First, start a conversation with your child about what they like about school and what they wish were different. Second, learn more about educational options, or share that information with a friend. Third, show appreciation for the school(s) you've chosen by volunteering or saying thank you to a teacher this week.

Every parent, student, teacher, and community leader who is celebrating National School Choice Week proudly supports and empowers families to choose the right educational fit for their child. Will you join them?

Shelby Doyle is the vice president of public awareness at the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that hosts National School Choice Week each January and maintains the nation’s largest online portfolio of English- and Spanish-language school navigation resources.

(NewsUSA) - Financial planning can help you reach your goals in life. It is also a profession that offers rewarding, flexible careers. These careers provide many benefits, including work-life balance, growth potential and the opportunity to make a difference in other people’s lives.

Financial planners who go on to earn professional certifications may enjoy even greater benefits. Becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TMprofessional, for example, shows potential clients and employers that you have met extensive training and experience requirements and are committed to high ethical and professional standards. CFP^® professionals consistently say their certification gives them a competitive edge over other advisors, increases their credibility with clients and boosts their income and career satisfaction.

If you decide to become a CFP^® professional, you must complete the following four requirements:

• Education: You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and complete a financial planning program that has been approved by CFP Board. If you have an advanced degree or hold other professional designations, you may be able to skip some of these coursework requirements.

• Exam: Once you’ve completed the education requirement, you are ready to take the CFP^® exam. This comprehensive exam tests your ability to apply financial planning knowledge to real-life situations, emphasizing critical thinking and problem-solving skills over factual recall or recognition. It covers the financial planning process, risk management and insurance, and other important topics.

• Experience: You must also complete at least two to three years of financial planning experience to qualify for CFP^® certification. This experience may be gained through a professional position or an apprenticeship, and it may be completed either before or after you pass the CFP^® exam. You can earn qualifying experience in several ways, from engaging with clients directly to supporting the financial planning process to teaching financial planning-related courses.

• Ethics: All CFP^® professionals commit to CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, meaning they agree to adhere to high ethical and professional standards for the practice of financial planning. Importantly, the Code and Standards include a commitment to CFP Board to act as a fiduciary — that is, to put their clients’ best interests first — when providing financial advice. You will also need to disclose information about your background, as CFP Board will conduct a detailed background check.

Visit CFP.net to learn more about these requirements and how to get started.

The path to CFP^® certification is a rigorous process, but it provides you with the knowledge and skills you need for a fulfilling financial planning career.