By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced nearly $125 million in selections under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act National Grants Program. This initiative aims to upgrade or retire older diesel engines, promoting cleaner and zero-emission solutions. The program targets areas impacted by air quality issues, particularly those benefiting disadvantaged communities facing public health or environmental justice challenges.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
On October 18, 2024, the United States, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and Japan met to discuss human rights in North Korea. The meeting aimed to promote respect for human rights in the region, marking the 10th anniversary of a significant United Nations report that identified North Korea's actions as crimes against humanity.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) took part in the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Eighth Session of the Committee on Environment and Development (CED8) in Bangkok, Thailand. Representing the United States was Marion McFadden, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Community Planning and Development, along with other HUD officials.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced nearly $125 million in selections under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants Program. This initiative aims to upgrade or retire older diesel engines, replacing them with cleaner and zero-emission solutions to improve air quality and public health. The awards are currently in final workplan negotiations with the selected applicants.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
A Peruvian national, Jose Alejandro Zuñiga Cano, has been sentenced to 98 months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $700,000 in restitution for his involvement in a transnational fraud scheme. The scheme targeted over 1,100 Spanish-speaking immigrants in the United States.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Ambassador Bonnie D. Jenkins, is set to visit Atlanta, Georgia on October 19-20, 2024. During her visit, she will address the Spelman College Nuclear Deterrence Forum.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
Takedown requests from authorities have led to increased Facebook censorship for Hong Kong residents, with a significant rise in such actions over the past five years, according to an October 14 report from Radio Free Asia (RFA).
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Mike Hammer, is visiting Boston, Massachusetts from October 18 to 22. During his stay, he will engage with students and faculty at several academic institutions.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
Jonathan Czin, a former CIA China expert, has taken on the role of the Michael H. Armacost Chair in Foreign Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution as of September 30, 2024. Czin's career includes significant positions such as a member of the Senior Analytic Service at the CIA and director for China at the White House National Security Council from 2021 to 2023. He also served as an advisor for Asia-Pacific Security Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and overseas at a CIA field station in Southeast Asia.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a settlement with Keystone-Conemaugh Projects, LLC, based in Blairsville, Pennsylvania. The agreement requires the company to monitor and potentially remediate groundwater at its Conemaugh Generating Station in New Florence, Pennsylvania. Additionally, Keystone-Conemaugh Projects will pay a civil penalty of $185,927.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
Xie Yang has been detained for the past 32 months by Chinese authorities. This is not the first time he has faced detention, according to a news release from the Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) on October 9.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 17, 2024
TD Bank’s U.S. unit has agreed to pay $3.09 billion in penalties and face growth restrictions following charges it failed to effectively monitor money laundering activities linked to drug cartels and Chinese criminal organizations. The settlement exposes flaws in federal anti-money-laundering (AML) systems related to international schemes by networks based in China.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 17, 2024
A report from Social Capital Markets revealed an increase in the fines levied by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against the crypto currency industry. According to the report, SEC fines increased from $150.26 million in 2023 to $4.68 billion in 2024, marking a 3018% rise in penalties.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 17, 2024
Richard Weber, a former chief of IRS Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), has called for the U.S. government to intensify efforts to secure the release of Binance employee Tigran Gambaryan from a Nigerian prison. Weber made his remarks during an October 3 podcast.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 17, 2024
An Alabama resident, Eric Council Jr., was arrested by the FBI in Athens for his alleged involvement in hacking the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) social media account on X, previously known as Twitter. The incident occurred in January when unauthorized control of the SEC’s account led to a false announcement regarding bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds, attributed to SEC Chair Gary Gensler. This misinformation caused bitcoin prices to rise by over $1,000 before plummeting more than $2,000 after the SEC clarified the breach.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 17, 2024
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the approval of an additional $4.5 billion in student loan relief for over 60,000 public service workers nationwide. This development is part of ongoing reforms to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which aims to alleviate student debt burdens for those in public service roles. The administration's efforts have resulted in a total of over $175 billion in loan forgiveness for more than 4.8 million Americans, with $74 billion specifically allocated through PSLF.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 17, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced selections amounting to nearly $125 million under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act National Grants Program. This initiative aims to upgrade or retire older diesel engines, promoting cleaner and zero-emission solutions that enhance air quality and public health. Entities in New Jersey, New York, and the tri-state area will receive about $15 million for related projects.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 17, 2024
Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party have raised concerns regarding China's military research activities in the Arctic. They addressed these issues in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, highlighting potential national security risks posed by Chinese dual-use military research in Iceland and Norway.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 17, 2024
Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya is set to embark on a diplomatic mission to Ukraine, Poland, and the United Kingdom from October 18-22, 2024.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 17, 2024
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, according to Spokesperson Matthew Miller. The discussion centered on the death of Yahya Sinwar and emphasized the significance of ongoing efforts to end the conflict and secure the release of hostages.
