News from April 2024
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
A Florida man, Frederick Eugene Pierallini III, 27, has been sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for committing two federal hate crimes by attacking two Black women with a gun. Pierallini had previously pleaded guilty to these crimes on July 6, 2023.Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division stated, “The defendant is being held accountable for targeting two Black women with a gun on two separate days because of their race.”U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Microsoft Corp. has made public its fiscal year 2024 third-quarter financial results, which are now accessible on its Investor Relations website. The direct link to the earnings press release can be found at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Investor/earnings/FY-2024-Q3/press-release-webcast.This announcement was made on Thursday, April 25, 2024, with Microsoft encouraging investors and interested parties to review the detailed information provided in the released report.As the company continues to navigate through the fiscal year, the availability of these financial...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Three individuals, Michael Elliott Kohn, Catherine Elizabeth Chollet, and David Shane Simmons, have been convicted of conspiring to defraud the United States in a tax shelter scheme. The scheme involved the promotion and operation of a fraudulent tax shelter known as the Gain Elimination Plan.According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the defendants designed the plan to hide clients' income from the IRS by inflating business expenses through fictitious royalties and management fees. These fees were paid to a limited partnership owned by a charity, but...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Commissioner Kristin N. Johnson delivered opening remarks at the FIA L&C Panel on the future-proofing of financial markets through AI and derivatives markets on April 25, 2024. In her address, she emphasized the transformative potential of innovations like generative AI, stating, "Innovations such as generative AI have the power and the potential to alter many aspects of our markets and lives."Johnson highlighted the importance of policing derivatives markets, a cornerstone of the CFTC's mission, and advocated for heightened penalties for the misuse of AI in activities...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the expansion of its Close to Me cancer care program as part of the Biden Cancer Moonshot initiative. This expansion aims to bring cancer diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance services closer to thousands of Veterans across the country.Under the Close to Me program, VA clinicians travel to provide Veterans with comprehensive cancer care at community-based outpatient clinics, reducing the need for extensive travel to medical centers. VA Secretary Denis McDonough highlighted the importance of this expansion,...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
The Biden-Harris Administration, in partnership with Micron Technology, has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to bolster U.S. competitiveness in leading-edge memory semiconductor production. The U.S. Department of Commerce has proposed up to roughly $6.14 billion in direct funding for Micron to expand domestic DRAM chip production in Idaho and New York, creating approximately 20,000 jobs and catalyzing up to $125 billion in private capital over the next two decades."Leading-edge memory chips are foundational to all advanced technologies, and thanks to President Biden’s...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is making significant strides in prioritizing resilient, efficient, and green homes and community development under the Biden-Harris Administration.HUD's commitment to improving the lives of families and communities by reducing energy and insurance costs while enhancing resilience has led to various initiatives and partnerships aimed at combating climate change and advancing environmental justice.Efforts to enhance climate resilience in vulnerable communities have been highlighted, with HUD...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Blockchain Association CEO Kristin Smith expressed strong support for Consensys in their legal battle against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Smith stated, "Blockchain Association – and the entire digital asset ecosystem – stands shoulder to shoulder with Consensys as they take the fight to the SEC, challenging the Commission’s ever-expanding overreach and aggression."Smith emphasized the significance of Consensys' lawsuit in defending the Ethereum ecosystem, highlighting its role as a platform for numerous innovations, including stablecoins. She pointed out...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Carl Harris, criticized the recent announcement by the Biden administration regarding new regulations impacting housing affordability. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will now only insure mortgages for new homes if they adhere to the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).Harris expressed his concerns stating, "Without adequate review and consideration of how it will affect home buyers or renters, HUD and USDA have rammed through a...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen Pat Ryder announced that Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III engaged in a conversation with Netherlands Minister of Defense Kajsa Ollongren to address the urgent necessity for additional air defense capabilities for Ukraine. During the call, Secretary Austin commended the Netherlands for their ongoing leadership in offering security assistance to Ukraine and their significant contributions thus far. Ryder emphasized that both Secretary Austin and Minister Ollongren anticipate further collaboration via the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Pending home sales increased 3.4% in March.Month over month, contract signings rose in the Northeast, South and West but dropped in the Midwest.Compared to one year ago, pending home sales declined in the Northeast and South while the Midwest and West improved.WASHINGTON (April 25, 2024) – Pending home sales in March climbed 3.4%, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. The Northeast, South and West posted monthly gains in transactions while the Midwest recorded a loss. Year-over-year, the Northeast and South registered decreases but the Midwest and West...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
The United States, in collaboration with the United Kingdom and Canada, has taken decisive action against entities and individuals facilitating the illicit transfer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in support of Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL).Among the targets of the sanctions is Sahara Thunder, identified as a key front company for MODAFL's illicit financing and a central player in Iran's UAV design, development, manufacture, and sale activities. The company has been involved in the transfer of thousands of UAVs to Russia, which have...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has concluded a compliance review at the Redlands Unified School District in California, resulting in a resolution agreement to address violations of Title IX related to responses to sexual assault and harassment of students.According to Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon, the district failed to adequately address reported incidents of sexual assault by both employees and students. Lhamon stated, "The Redlands Unified School District failed to fulfill its Title IX obligations to...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
An indictment was unsealed today charging two Chinese nationals, Han Li, also known as Anson Li, 44, and Lin Chen, 64, with crimes related to a conspiracy to illegally export U.S. technology, including a machine manufactured by a California-based company that is used to process silicon wafer microchips, to prohibited end users in China, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Chen was arrested in Chicago yesterday."As alleged, the defendants sought to evade export controls to obtain U.S....
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Commissioner Summer K. Mersinger has been announced as a participant in the Commodities/End-User Panel at FIA’s Law and Compliance Division Conference. The event is scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. (EDT) at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD 20745.The panel discussion is anticipated to be a significant aspect of the conference, focusing on commodities and end-user perspectives in the industry. Commissioner Mersinger's involvement is expected to bring valuable insights and expertise to the...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 25, 2024) – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has expressed strong opposition to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) final rule on non-compete clauses. Beth Milito, Executive Director of NFIB’s Small Business Legal Center, voiced concerns about the potential negative impact of the rule on small business owners.Milito highlighted the challenges that small business owners may face under the new rule, stating, "Without teams of compliance officers and lawyers at their disposal, this rule’s vaguely defined and open-ended...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a meeting with Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining, as confirmed by Spokesperson Matthew Miller. During the meeting, concerns about trade policies and economic practices were addressed. Miller stated, "The Secretary raised concerns about PRC trade policies and non-market economic practices and stressed that the United States seeks a healthy economic competition with the PRC and a level playing field for U.S. workers and firms operating in China."The discussions between Secretary Blinken and Party Secretary Chen Jining focused on...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Bowral, a charming town in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, recently bid farewell to a weeklong celebration of the upcoming third season of the iconic Shondaland series, Bridgerton. The event, aptly named "Bridgerton in Bowral," captivated fans from across Australia and around the globe, transforming the town into a regency-inspired haven from April 16 to April 23.The culmination of the festivities saw a twilight screening where stars Nicola Coughlan, Luke Newton, and showrunner Jess Brownell surprised guests, offering them an exclusive preview of the...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has voiced concerns regarding the Mexican competition authority’s (COFECE) preliminary report on competition in the e-commerce retail market. The report highlighted that Amazon and Mercado Libre collectively dominate 85 percent of the Mexican market.In response, CCIA criticized COFECE's market definition, stating that it overlooks the fierce competition between e-commerce platforms and brick-and-mortar stores, as well as the omnichannel competitive dynamics of the retail market. CCIA cautioned against...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 25, 2024
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have revealed the adoption of new Minimum Energy Standards for single and multifamily homes, aiming to reduce monthly costs for homeowners and renters across the nation.Marion McFadden, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, emphasized the importance of these updated standards, stating, "Families should never have to find themselves making hard choices about whether to heat their home in winter or use cooling during a...
