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The Justice Department filed a statement of interest last week in a lawsuit brought in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, alleging that conditions in an Alabama state prison violate the Constitution. The statement emphasizes that, under the Eighth Amendment, prison officials must respond reasonably when they know people in their custody face a substantial risk of serious harm, including harm from other incarcerated individuals.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a reminder to communities affected by Hurricane Beryl to be aware of potential safety concerns in homes and other buildings. The agency emphasizes the importance of operating portable generators according to instructions and always running them outside, far away from buildings. Improper use of portable generators can lead to injury or death from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today the selection of California organizations Ignited and Sierra Streams Institute to receive competitive grants for environmental projects in the state. These organizations have been recognized for their work in promoting youth ecological stewardship and environmental education, focusing on environmental justice, water resource challenges, and watershed health.

This op-ed, authored by CDT’s Gabriel Nicholas, first appeared in Foreign Policy on July 8, 2024. A portion of the text has been pasted below.

The U.S. Department of Labor will host an information session in Lisle, Illinois, on July 18 for current and former nuclear weapons workers employed at covered facilities to discuss benefits available under the federal Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. The session is also open to these workers’ survivors.

During emergency events, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) collaborates with federal, state, local, and non-governmental partners to support affected populations. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) remind the public that sites providing emergency response and relief are considered protected areas. ICE and CBP generally refrain from conducting immigration enforcement activities at these locations, which include evacuation routes, shelters, distribution points for emergency supplies, food or water, and...

The Justice Department has reached a settlement in a civil forfeiture case involving a mansion in the Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles, owned by the family of Gagik Khachatryan, a former government official in the Republic of Armenia.

DENVER - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc. last week, alleging that the Commerce City refinery failed to comply with air emissions laws.

Secretary Blinken to Deliver Remarks at the NATO Summit’s Women, Peace and Security Reception

Secretary Mayorkas announces extension and redesignation of Yemen for Temporary Protected Status

On the occasion of North Korea Freedom Week, the United States recognizes the tenacity and courage of North Korean escapees and human rights advocates, as well as the continued suffering of millions of North Koreans at the hands of the DPRK government. This year’s North Korea Freedom Week culminates in the Republic of Korea’s North Korean Defector Day on July 14. In recognition of the critical role escapees play in advancing North Korean human rights, the U.S. reaffirms its commitment to supporting a survivor-centered approach to accountability and amplifying defector voices.

On July 2, the United States and Philippines' Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (or "123 Agreement") entered into force. The agreement aims to enhance cooperation on clean energy and energy security while strengthening long-term bilateral diplomatic and economic relationships.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on July 8, 2024, that four organizations in New England have been selected to receive a total of $380,000 in environmental education grants. These grants aim to empower youth to address environmental challenges, foster community resilience, and advance environmental justice in underserved communities. The four New England recipients are part of 38 organizations nationwide receiving over $3.6 million under the EPA's Environmental Education Grants Program.

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David Moschella is a nonresident senior fellow at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. His latest book is “Tech Fears and Scapegoats: 40 Myths About Privacy, Jobs, AI, and Today’s Innovation Technology,” coauthored with Robert Atkinson.

Federal aid supports state, tribal, and local recovery for June 2024 Minnesota storms and flooding.

On July 5, 2024, the International Service for Human Rights delivered a joint statement at the 56th Session of the UN Human Rights Council under Item 6: Interactive Dialogue on the adoption of China’s 4th Universal Periodic Review.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released data on consumer submissions regarding air travel for June-December 2023 and the full calendar year 2023. The number of submissions in 2023 was the highest on record, except for 2020.

An indictment was unsealed last week in Boston charging Christy Parker, 26; Alexander Smalls, 25; Cory Primo, 42; Avvani Jeffers, 22; Tre’sean Reid, 21; and Tyreik Reid, 20, with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and other related charges.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) recently released reports for 124 facilities inspected in the New Mexico Permian Basin area in April. Fourteen EPA inspectors and five NMED inspectors participated in these joint inspections, finding that 75 of the facilities—60 percent—had emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and could face penalties and other enforcement actions under the Clean Air Act (CAA). VOCs contribute to ozone formation, which can lead to health issues such as asthma, lung infections,...

São Paulo, July 4, 2024 - Netflix will premiere the reunion episode of "Love is Blind: Brazil - A Fresh Start" on July 10. This fourth season reunion promises to reveal developments after participants exchanged their vows or decided to part ways at the altar.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has released translated versions of 19 single-family mortgage documents in Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. These documents are intended to assist lenders, servicers, housing counselors, and other FHA program participants in explaining information related to FHA-insured mortgages to individuals with limited English proficiency before they sign the official English versions.

The Biden-Harris administration has taken a position opposing best practice gender-affirming surgeries for transgender youth, according to a report by the 19th. These surgeries, which are very rare and typically available only for older teenagers, can sometimes be part of lifesaving medical care for transgender individuals.

WASHINGTON – Today, global tech trade association ITI called on the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to make its incident reporting regulation more effective and actionable to safeguard U.S. cybersecurity. ITI responded to CISA’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) implementing the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 (CIRCIA) with key recommendations to target the scope of the rule and take a more proactive role in harmonization in the U.S. and globally.

BOSTON, MASS (July 3, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a plan to clean up the Collins & Aikman Plant (former) Superfund Site and will hold a public meeting and hearing to update the community on the proposed remediation plan and to accept comments.