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U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new partnership with farmers and small business owners in Pennsylvania to expand access to clean energy, create jobs, and reduce energy costs. This initiative is part of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program. The funding includes 654 grants for small businesses and farms across the country to implement cost-saving, clean energy systems.

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen convened a meeting of the Financial Stability Oversight Council (Council) on October 18, 2024, at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The meeting was held in executive session.

A recent investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has revealed that safety failures by a Massachusetts waterproofing contractor led to the death of an employee in February 2024. The incident occurred when part of a foundation collapsed, crushing the worker in a trench at a residence in Hanson.

Nearly 100 emerging leaders from the Middle East, Africa, and South and Central Asia concluded the 2024 TechWomen program this week. The Department of State's exchange program for women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), TechWomen offers mentoring opportunities with U.S. women leaders in these fields to encourage more women and girls to pursue STEM careers.

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.

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.

Mike Prado is the deputy assistant director of the Homeland Security Investigations, a cybercrime center at the Department of Homeland Security.

Netflix is expanding the celebration of its hit series, Stranger Things, beyond the traditional November 6 "Stranger Things Day" to what it now calls "Stranger Season." The streaming giant plans to mark this occasion with a variety of events and merchandise offerings for fans worldwide.

The Department of Commerce has announced the 2024 Class of Sustainability, Energy, and Environmental (SEE) Ambassadors. This program highlights departmental employees who have excelled in implementing projects that enhance sustainability, energy efficiency, climate adaptation, and environmental performance.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached an agreement with AES Puerto Rico, L.P. regarding its generating plant in Guayama.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on 18 companies, individuals, and vessels connected to Sa’id al-Jamal, a financial official linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and supporting Houthi operations. The entities involved are accused of facilitating illicit oil shipments that fund Houthi attacks in the region.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced measures to offer temporary immigration relief to eligible Lebanese nationals currently in the United States. This includes details on Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) and a new Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Lebanon.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $1 million in awards to six organizations aimed at addressing asthma, radon, and other indoor air health risks. These cooperative agreements are intended to advance national policy and systems-level changes that reduce indoor air risks, leading to measurable improvements in environmental and public health.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a settlement with Hell’s Kitchen Geothermal LLC (HKG) concerning activities in Imperial County, California, that affected wetlands linked to the Salton Sea. The company conducted dredging and ditching on leased land from the Imperial Irrigation District as part of a lithium extraction and geothermal power project. This work resulted in material discharge into wetlands, leading to water flow changes that impacted about 1,200 acres of wetlands.

Global tech trade association ITI has called on the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to address restrictions impacting U.S. digital trade in its upcoming 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report. In comments submitted to the USTR, ITI highlighted barriers faced by American and multinational tech companies in over 30 key markets worldwide. The association emphasized that these barriers could hinder job creation and innovation in data-driven products and services.

Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su recently unveiled the U.S. Department of Labor’s AI Best Practices, a roadmap aimed at enhancing job quality and safeguarding workers' rights and well-being through artificial intelligence. The online event, held on October 16, 2024, gathered leaders from labor, business, non-profit sectors, and government to discuss the ethical use of AI in workplaces across the nation.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) marked a milestone in its Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative during a gathering in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This program aims to enhance markets for commodities produced through climate-smart methods, aiding farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in adopting practices that improve soil health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The United States government is prioritizing the safety and security of its citizens in Lebanon. Efforts are underway to assist U.S. citizens by providing various options to ensure their safety.

In August, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) introduced a new rule impacting how businesses can use endorsements and testimonials in their marketing strategies.

Acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Lee Satterfield, is set to attend the Middleburg Film Festival in Virginia from October 17 to 20, 2024. During her visit, she will deliver remarks and engage with industry leaders to highlight film as a diplomatic tool and an economic driver.

Four executives and a corporation have been sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy involving price-fixing, bid-rigging, and job allocation in the ready-mix concrete industry in Savannah, Georgia. The individuals charged were James Clayton Pedrick, Gregory Hall Melton, John David Melton, Timothy “Bo” Strickland, along with Evans Concrete LLC. These charges were initially filed in September 2020.

The Justice Department, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) have reached a settlement with Hilcorp Energy Company regarding violations of the Clean Air Act and New Mexico state law at its oil and gas production sites in New Mexico.

Federal agencies are collaborating with state and local partners to clear debris left by Tropical Storm Helene in southwestern Virginia. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have committed millions to remove debris from Claytor Lake State Park and the South Holston Lake Area.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a settlement with AES Puerto Rico, L.P., concerning its electrical generating plant in Guayama, Puerto Rico. This agreement mandates AES to address issues related to groundwater monitoring and ensure accurate reporting on its coal ash landfill under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Additionally, AES will pay a penalty of $71,845.

The U.S. Department of State, in collaboration with the Recording Academy®, has announced the launch of the American Music Mentorship Program (AMMP). This initiative is part of a broader effort to use music as a tool for unity, peace, and economic development within the creative economy.