News published on Federal Newswire in November 2023

A suspected drug mule was recently arrested in Oklahoma, as law enforcement on the scene found large amounts of cocaine allegedly labeled by a Mexican drug cartel. This development sparks concerns about an uptick in drug trafficking, coming only a month after 16 individuals were detained in Oklahoma for alleged connections to drug cartels.

Former DOJ money laundering specialist: Crypto transactions 'leave breadcrumbs for investigators to follow'

Jane Khodarkovsky, a partner of Arktouros and former Human Trafficking Finance Specialist with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, said during a Congressional hearing that the traceability of blockchain enables prosecutors and other professionals to track bad actors who are trying to use cryptocurrency for illicit activities. Khodarkovsky offered several recommendations on how to reduce the volume of criminal activity related to crypto both within the U.S. and in other jurisdictions.

Consensys senior counsel: 'Any policy response to the threat of money laundering should embrace the transparency of the blockchain'

Bill Hughes, senior counsel & Director of Global Regulatory Matters at Consensys, a blockchain software company, said during a Congressional hearing that blockchain technology offers unprecedented insights into the movement of funds, so anti-money laundering efforts should optimize blockchain's traceability. Hughes previously served as an associate deputy attorney general at the Department of Justice.

AI’s pivotal moment: Industry and government stakeholders move toward comprehensive framework

As the opportunities and risks surrounding the development of artificial intelligence (AI) accelerate, key global entities from government bodies to industry leaders are converging around the need for a comprehensive international framework for AI governance. This shift is in response to AI's rapid technological advancements in the past year and its growing impact across various sectors.

Michigan-based Forge Industrial Staffing challenges Department of Labor, citing business threats

In a legal showdown with the Department of Labor, Michigan-based Forge Industrial Staffing, Inc. is fighting back against what it says is an over-reaching investigation that could devastate its business.

The Fight for Access and Management: Kerry White Unveils the Challenges of Federal Land Use

Kerry White is the President of Citizens for Balanced Use.

Border Patrol Chief: 'El Paso Confined Space Entry Team discovered 12 undocumented subjects in a storm drain'

Border Patrol agents in El Paso recovered a dozen illegal migrants left behind by human smugglers.

Biden meets with Xi: 'we seek to reduce the flow of precursor chemicals and pill presses fueling the fentanyl crisis'

President Biden posted on X about a plan to combat the flow of precursor chemicals coming from China to combat the flow of fentanyl into the United States. People's Republic of China (PRC) President Xi Jinping met with Biden in California on Nov. 15.

$Chainalysis co-founder: 'Illicit activity constitutes only a small fraction of all cryptocurrency transaction activity'$

Chainalysis co-founder: 'Illicit activity constitutes only a small fraction of all cryptocurrency transaction activity'

Jonathan Levin, co-founder and chief strategy officer of leading blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, said during a Congressional hearing that criminal activity represents a small portion of cryptocurrency transactions, and terror-related activity is a small quantity of those transactions. Levin offered several recommendations for the U.S. government to reduce those numbers even further.

PERC launches innovative program compensating ranchers for providing elk habitat

The Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) has introduced a novel payment-for-presence program aimed at compensating ranchers for providing elk habitat in Montana's Paradise Valley. This initiative, which employs advanced AI-powered camera traps alongside landowners' expertise, marks the first of its kind in the region. Unlike traditional livestock compensation programs that focus on predator losses, PERC's payments are based on elk presence to address elk-livestock conflicts.

Chairman Jordan Subpoenas Bank of America for Information on Sharing Customers' Private Financial Data with the FBI

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) has issued a subpoena to Bank of America (BoA) for documents and communications related to an investigation into major banks sharing Americans' private financial data with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) without legal process for transactions made in the Washington, D.C., area around January 6, 2021.This move comes after it was revealed that in 2021, Bank of America provided the FBI with a list of individuals who made transactions in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area using a BoA credit or debit card between...

Janet Yellen provides remarks on analysis over Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

U.S. Department of the Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen gave remarks on the New Treasury Department Analysis of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Million Veteran Program reaches one millionth Veteran in the club

The Million Veteran Program, which paves way for life-saving and groundbreaking research, hits its one millionth Veteran member.

Veterans Affairs launches new medical education program to help Veterans in underserved communities

The goal of the new medical education program launched by the Veteran Affairs is to help expand health care access to Veterans that reside in underserved communities.

Alex Wong: 'They [CCP] are anti-reciprocity, and we have to recognize that and formulate a proper response'

Alex Wong spoke about reciprocity and the CCP's opposition to the idea on the Federal Newswire China Desk Podcast on Nov. 14. Wong is Vice Chair of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) and a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.

Google & Alphabet unveil comprehensive AI opportunity agenda

Google announced its AI Opportunity Agenda, presenting policy recommendations for governments worldwide that they believe ensure the broadest possible distribution of artificial intelligence's advantages. The company's outline aims to serve as a framework for governments worldwide in developing and managing AI technology.

Sanctions on narcotics trafficker placed by US and Costa Rica

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned a Costa Rican narcotics trafficker who moves a high volume of drugs with violence on Nov 15th.

Paksn Inc. settles with Department of Justice for $45.6 million over kickback allegations

Paksn Inc. and six skilled nursing facilities have agreed to a consent judgement of $45.6 million to resolve allegations of paying kickbacks for an increase in false claims to Medicare.

U.S. and European Union meet to reaffirm transatlantic partnership and discuss Russia-Ukraine War

The United States and European Union (EU) met in Washington D.C. to reaffirm the strong transatlantic partnership and the joint commitment of a regular dialogue between the two. Both sides remain committed to uphold democratic values while strengthening the respect for the rule of law.

National Spectrum Strategy launched to help advance U.S. wireless leadership