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Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell will travel to Tonga, Vanuatu, and New Zealand from August 28 to 31.

The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Tony’s Auto Center Inc., operating as Tony’s Auto Center in Chula Vista, California. The suit alleges that the company illegally auctioned off a deployed U.S. Navy Lieutenant's vehicle, violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). The SCRA mandates that towing companies must secure a court order before auctioning vehicles owned by servicemembers.

The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $124,670 in back wages and damages for 84 workers at Swahili Village Bar and Grill in Newark, New Jersey. The Wage and Hour Division's investigation revealed that the restaurant failed to pay overtime to servers, cooks, and bussers who worked more than 40 hours per week, violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Today, the United States announced its list of critical sectors and key goods for potential cooperation under the IPEF Supply Chain Agreement to strengthen supply chain resiliency. This marks a significant milestone in implementing the agreement, which aims to establish a framework for deeper collaboration to prevent, mitigate, and prepare for supply chain disruptions.

A former Memphis, Tennessee, Police Department (MPD) officer facing federal civil rights charges for the tragic killing of Tyre Nichols pleaded guilty in federal court today.

Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya will travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Hanoi, Vietnam from August 25-31, 2024. The visit aims to engage partners on human rights, humanitarian cooperation, and human-centered civilian security.

The U.S. Department of State celebrated the tenth anniversary of the U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program (USFSIP) on August 15-16, 2024, with a reception and alumni conference at the George C. Marshall Conference Center. The event was hosted by Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Global Talent Marcia S. Bernicat.

Washington, D.C. (Aug. 22, 2024) – The DeFi Education Fund (DEF) and Blockchain Association (BA) have jointly filed an amicus brief supporting a challenge to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT) program. This brief highlights the unprecedented privacy concerns posed by the CAT, particularly for digital asset market participants.

On August 22, 2024, the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India (IN MoD) entered into a bilateral, non-binding Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA). The SOSA was signed by Dr. Vic Ramdass, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, on behalf of the United States, and Mr. Samir Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisitions), on behalf of the IN MoD.

The U.S. Department of State has announced the launch of the Clean Energy Transition Accelerator (CETA) project in Argentina. Through this initiative, the United States will provide the government of Argentina with $500,000 in technical assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Experts from these labs will assist Argentine counterparts in developing national strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate Argentina’s clean energy transition.

Over the past decade, American democracy has witnessed a pronounced breakdown in foundational political norms, posing deep challenges to the rule of law and free and fair elections, while eroding trust in government. The spread of dangerous extremism has been accompanied by a real or perceived permission structure that helps spur political threats and violence. Just weeks ago, the nation witnessed an assassination attempt against a presidential candidate—simultaneously shameful and unsurprising in this incendiary political environment.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the 2024 Back to School Bus Tour, scheduled from September 3 to September 6. The tour aims to highlight the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts in public education and will include stops in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

On August 22, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the selection of five recipients for $34 million in grants aimed at addressing indoor air pollution in schools. These selected applications will fund initiatives to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and indoor air pollution in K-12 schools within low-income, disadvantaged, and tribal communities nationwide. These grants are made possible by the President's Inflation Reduction Act, marking a significant investment in climate...

EVANSVILLE, IN – The U.S. Department of Labor has secured a consent order and judgment mandating an Evansville diner owner and his restaurant to pay $390,000 in back wages and liquidated damages to 44 employees. This resolution follows litigation prompted by a department investigation that revealed the restaurant operated an invalid tip pool, denied workers overtime pay, and retaliated against employees who cooperated with investigators.

WASHINGTON – Today, August 22, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the allocation of $26 million in grants to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. This funding will be utilized by 55 states and territories, as well as the District of Columbia, to reduce lead exposure in places where children learn and play, advancing the goals of the Biden-Harris Administration's Lead Action Plan.

A former energy trader pleaded guilty yesterday for his role in a scheme to bribe Mexican government officials to secure contracts for his then-employer, Vitol Inc. (Vitol), the U.S. affiliate of the largest independent energy trading firm in the world.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the allocation of $352,000 in grants to Louisiana aimed at reducing lead exposure in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. This funding is part of a broader initiative encompassing 55 states and territories, as well as the District of Columbia, to mitigate lead risks where children learn and play. The effort aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan.

The U.S. Department of Labor has mandated the Southlake location of a national childcare provider to reinstate an employee and compensate them with $43,295 in back wages and damages. The employee was terminated after reporting concerns about unsanitary and unsafe conditions in the facility’s kitchen to Texas health officials.

The University of Utah has been selected to receive $6.5 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda. The funding will support the development of indoor air quality management and greenhouse gas reduction plans for schools in urban and rural areas in Utah and Nevada, as well as with the Northern Arapaho Tribe in Wyoming.

The Department of Defense has announced the selection of a team of American and Finnish academic researchers to investigate fundamental questions that could lead to significant advancements in future communication systems.

Over the past decade, American democracy has faced increasing levels of extremism and threats of political violence, posing significant challenges to the rule of law and the ability to conduct free and fair elections.

As people age, they face higher risks of extreme heat-related health conditions and deaths. With nearly 1 in 4 Americans projected to be age 65 or older by 2050, urgent federal, state, and local policy action is needed to address extreme heat and protect older adults. A new report from the Center for American Progress reviews how older adults’ health status, energy insecurity, neighborhood conditions and housing quality, and social connectedness uniquely impact their ability to stay protected from extreme heat. This report also outlines federal, state, and local policy...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $267,000 in funding for Arkansas to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. This grant will be used by 55 states and territories, including the District of Columbia, to reduce lead exposure where children learn and play, aligning with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan.

Washington, D.C. – In over one million restaurants across the United States, employees are responsible for ensuring both a delightful dining experience and adherence to food safety protocols. Consistent food safety practices, such as those outlined in ServSafe® training, significantly reduce the likelihood of foodborne illness incidents.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today the commencement of hazardous waste cleanup at the former Goo Smoke Shop and Select Distributors Warehouse in Clinton Township, Michigan. The site, located at 19100 15 Mile Road, was the scene of a fire and multiple explosions earlier this year.