News published on Federal Newswire in September 2022

News Release: BOSTON - A heavy equipment operator doing demolition on the eighth floor of the Government Center garage in downtown Boston died on March 26, 2022, when the partially demolished floor collapsed, and the 11,000-pound excavator and its operator fell 80 feet. It was the employee’s first day on the job.

US Department of Labor cites Ashland cabinet manufacturer after 33-year-old technician suffers fatal electrocution

News Release: ASHLAND, AL - A federal workplace safety investigation into a maintenance technician’s fatal electrocution found an Ashland cabinet manufacturer might have prevented the incident by following required safety standards.

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Danish Foreign Minister Kofod

News Release: The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod today about the apparent sabotage along the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines. The United States remains united with our Allies and partners in our commitment to promoting European energy security.

Gaylord Opryland will pay $630K in back wages, interest to 250 applicants to resolve race, gender hiring discrimination allegations

News Release: NASHVILLE, TN - A Nashville resort and conference center has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor in which the employer will pay $630,722, in back wages and interest to resolve allegations that they discriminated against 250 Black, Asian and female applicants for housekeeping positions during a two-year period.

US Labor Department recovers $8,149 in back wages, liquidated damages for 2 workers terminated by Tucker Brewing Co. after asking about pay practices

Release: Employer: Tucker Brewing Co. LLC Investigation site: 2003 S. Bibb Drive Tucker, GA 30084 Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found the employer retaliated illegally against two employees after each of them emailed the Tucker Brewing Co.’s owner and asked ...

Special Representative for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim’s Calls with Republic of Korea (ROK) Special Representative Kim and Japanese Director General Funakoshi

News Release: The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: U.S. Special Representative for the DPRK Sung Kim discussed the DPRK’s September 25 ballistic missile launch with ROK Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Kim Gunn and Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Funakoshi Takehiro in separate calls on September 25.

Special Representative for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim’s Calls with Republic of Korea (ROK) Special Representative Kim and Japanese Director General Funakoshi

News Release: The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: U.S. Special Representative for the DPRK Sung Kim discussed the DPRK’s September 25 ballistic missile launch with ROK Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Kim Gunn and Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Funakoshi Takehiro in separate calls on September 25.

Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at a Joint Press Availability

News Release: SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good morning, everyone. Mr. Minister, my friend, welcome back to Washington. It is always a pleasure to meet Minister Jaishankar, whether it’s here, in New York, in Delhi, Melbourne, Bali, or anywhere else.

Deputy Secretary Sherman’s Meeting with Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Tkatchenko

News Release: The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman met today with Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko in advance of the White House Pacific Island Country Summit. The Deputy Secretary congratulated the Foreign Minister on Papua New Guinea’s ...

Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Belizean Prime Minister Briceño

News Release: The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met yesterday with Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño.  Secretary Blinken and Prime Minister Briceño discussed our shared democratic values and continued cooperation on migration, security, and counternarcotics. The Secretary welcomed Belize’s efforts to support irregular migrants through its amnesty program.

U.S. Support of ECOWAS Sanctions on Guinea

News Release: The United States commends the strong actions taken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in defense of democracy in Guinea following its Extraordinary Summit on September 20 in New York City. We share ECOWAS’ concern that the transition government has not made progress towards establishing ...

Sixteen Tribes Selected for Participation in Program Enhancing Tribal Access to National Crime Information Databases

News Release: The Department of Justice has selected an additional 16 federally recognized Tribes to participate in the continued expansion of the Tribal Access Program for National Crime Information (TAP), a program that provides Tribal governments with means to access, enter and exchange data with national crime information systems, including those maintained by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division.

Opening of the Trial of Former Séléka Commander for Atrocity Crimes in the Central African Republic

News Release: The United States welcomes the opening of trial proceedings at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the prosecution of Mahamat Said Abdel Kani, a former Séléka commander in the Central African Republic (CAR). This case marks the first Séléka-rebel defendant to face charges at the ICC for atrocities committed against civilians in CAR.

United States Awards $3.9 Million to Establish a Sustained Dialogue on the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Science and Technologies

News Release: The U.S. Department of State has awarded $3.9 million to CRDF Global under a cooperative agreement to support the “Sustained Dialogue on Peaceful Uses,” the United States’ new initiative in partnership with the United Kingdom. The Sustained Dialogue initiative will focus on promoting the applications ...

Department of Justice Announces Results of Enforcement Surge to Reduce the Fentanyl Supply Across the United States

News Release: The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced today the results of an enforcement operation that spanned from May to September and resulted in significant fentanyl seizures across the United States.

Owner of Farm Labor Contracting Company Pleads Guilty in Racketeering Conspiracy Involving the Forced Labor of Mexican Workers

News Release: Bladimir Moreno, 55, pleaded guilty in federal court in Tampa, Florida, to charges of conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and conspiracy to commit forced labor. A federal grand jury in the Middle District of Florida had previously returned a six-count indictment ...

The United States Congratulates São Tomé and Príncipe on Elections

News Release: The United States congratulates São Tomé and Príncipe on its elections. The Santomean people have had the opportunity to have their votes counted and their voices heard in building their own future. We expect that the incoming government will continue to build on São Tomé and Príncipe’s democratic traditions and give diverse perspectives a chance to help develop a safe, prosperous, and healthy future for all Santomeans.

Passport Preparedness for Future Travel

News Release: As the busy summer travel season ends, the U.S. Department of State encourages U.S. travelers to assess their passport needs now ahead of any future holiday travel and trips in 2023. Maintaining a valid passport for both adults and children reduces the risk of missing a trip and prepares travelers for last-minute travel opportunities. The Department encourages U.S. citizens to stay prepared by knowing their passport’s expiration date and applying well before travel.

Former Government Contractor Executive Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Campaign Contributions

News Release: A former government contractor executive pleaded guilty today to conspiring to make unlawful campaign contributions to a candidate for Congress and a political action committee (PAC), making unlawful campaign contributions, and causing the submission of false information to the Federal Election Commission.

Justice Department Files Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Against St. Louis, Missouri, Apartment Complex