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The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on two Russian individuals and three Russia-based entities for facilitating weapons transfers between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). This action aligns with U.S. government objectives to disrupt and expose arms transfers between the DPRK and Russia, building upon previous sanctions imposed by the Department of the Treasury and the Department of State related to DPRK-Russia arms transfers.

Washington, D.C. — The right to safety is a universal one, irrespective of race, wealth, health, ability, or background. Ensuring protection from crime and violence is a crucial responsibility of government and community leaders. It also plays a pivotal role in fostering thriving, healthy, and resilient communities. Despite the decline in several categories of crime, concerns over public safety continue to be a pressing issue for many Americans. Constituents are looking to their elected leaders for prompt and effective solutions that yield tangible results. A new report from...

Commissioner Caroline D. Pham is set to participate in a panel discussion titled "Working Together: CFTC and SEC" at the Digital Chamber's 2024 Blockchain Summit. She will be sharing the stage with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissioner Hester Pierce.

The Department of State announced today that it has imposed visa restrictions on over 250 members of the Nicaraguan government. This includes police and paramilitary personnel, penitentiary officials, prosecutors, judges, and public higher education officials, as well as select non-government actors. These individuals have been targeted for their roles in supporting the Ortega-Murillo regime in its attacks on human rights and fundamental freedoms, repression of civil society organizations, and profiting off vulnerable migrants.

During Construction Safety Week, which took place from May 6-10 this year, the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) reinforced its commitment to exemplary construction safety practices. OBO and its partners have consistently set high standards for international construction safety, emphasizing the importance of safety measures, sharing best practices, and reinforcing safety protocols on construction sites.

The Center for American Progress' (CAP) Reel Progress series has announced its sponsorship of the 2024 DC/DOX Documentary Film Festival. Based in Washington, D.C., DC/DOX is a documentary film festival committed to promoting nonfiction storytelling through moderated discussions with leading subject matter experts and filmmakers.

The Justice Department has reached a settlement with Maxim Healthcare Services, a Maryland-based home healthcare company operating in 35 states. The agreement resolves allegations that Maxim violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) at its Gardena, California office by discriminating against a non-U.S. citizen worker.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on May 15 a final rule aimed at enhancing public understanding and accessibility of annual drinking water quality reports. These reports, which are used by drinking water systems to inform residents about water quality and potential contaminants, will be made more readable and available in multiple languages from 2027. The EPA is also encouraging the use of electronic methods to streamline report delivery.

MEXICO CITY (May 15, 2024) – Second Century Ventures, the strategic investment arm of the National Association of Realtors®, has announced the selection of eight companies for the second annual REACH Latin America (LATAM) cohort. The selected companies will join a portfolio of more than 250 technology firms across six major markets worldwide.

As the United States grapples with finding a diplomatic resolution to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, the Center for American Progress (CAP) has issued a new set of principles and positions on Israel and Palestine. These are designed to lay the groundwork for U.S. initiatives aimed at ending the conflict, securing the return of hostages, and fostering enduring peace in the region.

The Justice Department has announced a statewide investigation into conditions at eight youth detention centers and one youth development center run by the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice. The probe will assess whether Kentucky safeguards children in these facilities from harm caused by excessive force by staff, prolonged and punitive isolation, and inadequate protection from violence and sexual abuse. Additionally, the investigation will scrutinize whether Kentucky provides sufficient mental health services and necessary special education to children with disabilities.

On May 15, 2024, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken had a phone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The dialogue was centered around efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire, aiming to secure the release of hostages and alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. This information was confirmed by Spokesperson Matthew Miller.

From May 20-24, the U.S. Department of State's Special Representative for Global Partnerships, Dorothy McAuliffe, and Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of State, Patricia Gruber, will spearhead a "Deep Tech Inclusion" Partnership Opportunity Delegation (POD) to London, United Kingdom. The objective of this visit is to foster business-government and business-business partnerships between emerging technology companies and research institutions in the United States and the United Kingdom. The focus will be on fields pertinent to national security — artificial...

On May 15, 2024, a bipartisan group of lawmakers unveiled a roadmap aimed at addressing the challenges and implications of artificial intelligence (AI). In response to this development, Patrick Gaspard, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, released a statement.

The Department of Labor has announced that its Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) will host its second annual 'Stand Down to Save Lives' on May 22. This event is part of a national campaign aimed at encouraging the mining community to take proactive measures to prevent fatalities and injuries.

The Subcommittee on Federal Lands held an oversight hearing today to review the Fiscal Year 2025 budget request for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the National Park Service (NPS). In response to the budget request, Subcommittee Chairman Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) stated, "To no surprise, President Biden’s FY25 budget request caters to green lobby radicals, fails to address the environmental degradation from illegal immigration, and puts the American people on the back burner. Americans depend on access to federal lands for their way of life, and it’s time that this...

The Chairwoman of the Education and Workforce Committee, Virginia Foxx (R-NC), has issued a letter to University of California system President Michael Drake, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block, and University of California Board of Regents Chair Richard Leib. The letter requests documents and information pertaining to UCLA's handling of an unlawful antisemitic encampment, several instances of antisemitic violence, harassment, and exclusion on campus, as well as the university administration's alleged failure to ensure a safe learning environment for students, faculty, and staff. The...

The Departments of State, Homeland Security, and the Treasury have jointly issued an alert to airlines, air charter operators, travel agents, and service providers. The alert is in response to migrant smuggling and human trafficking networks exploiting legitimate transportation services to facilitate irregular migration to the United States. This statement outlines the U.S. government’s efforts to promote responsible practices in the industry, prevent and disrupt illicit activity, and enhance compliance with lawful immigration and migration pathways.

On May 15, Lithuania became the 40th signatory to the Artemis Accords in a ceremony held in Vilnius. The Artemis Accords were established in 2020 by the United States and seven other countries to set out a practical set of principles to guide space exploration.

Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources, Geoffrey R. Pyatt, is set to travel to Amman, Jordan, and Baghdad and Erbil in Iraq. During his visit to Amman, he will engage in discussions with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Dr. Saleh Kharabsheh about Jordan’s energy security, renewable energy goals, and green hydrogen potential. They will also discuss electricity interconnections with neighboring countries including Iraq, as well as partnerships with U.S. companies.

The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered over $153,000 in back wages and damages from a South Carolina convenience store that failed to pay its workers overtime rates as required by law. The investigation revealed that Samer Express LLC, a West Columbia gas station and convenience retailer, paid 29 employees straight time for all hours worked without considering the overtime premium of time and one-half employees’ hourly rates for hours exceeding 40 in a workweek. This practice was found to be in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The Governments of the United States of America and Portugal released a joint statement on May 15, 2024, detailing the outcomes of the 51st U.S.-Portugal Standing Bilateral Commission (SBC) meeting. The session, held in Washington on May 14, focused on strengthening the bilateral relationship and security partnership in light of NATO's 75th anniversary.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has published its Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report, providing an overview of the agency's efforts to safeguard consumers and foster competition. FTC Chair Lina M. Khan emphasized the organization's commitment to ensuring that American consumers, workers, and entrepreneurs can benefit from fair and free markets.

On May 15, the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Access Board and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). The partnership aims to advance the interests of disabled people in the design and governance of artificial intelligence (AI).

The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered over $153,000 in back wages and damages from a South Carolina store that denied overtime pay to its workers. The employer, Samer Express LLC, located at 295 Glenn Road, West Columbia, SC 29172, was found by the department's investigators to have failed to pay 29 employees the overtime rates required by law.