News from April 2024
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
Washington, D.C. (April 24, 2024) – Today, the Federal Trade Commission held an informal hearing on its recently proposed ban on so-called “junk fees.” The proposed rule has sparked concerns within the restaurant industry, with operators fearing potential price hikes and a shake-up in service practices."If the FTC bans delivery fees, we will again be forced to raise our prices to absorb the cost of offering delivery to our customers," expressed Michael P. LaMarca, owner and CEO of the Master Pizza Franchise Group in Cleveland. LaMarca emphasized the importance of these...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
NAIROBI, Kenya – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo engaged in discussions with Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade, and Industry, Rebecca Miano. The meeting focused on exploring opportunities to enhance bilateral commercial ties across various sectors. The discussions encompassed the digital economy, infrastructure, agriculture, clean energy, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence.During the meeting, Secretary Raimondo commended Kenya's progress in digital transformation, stating, "Kenya as a leader on the continent on digital...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
The American Medical Association (AMA) has praised the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for introducing new rules aimed at enhancing access to care for Medicaid patients. The AMA expressed gratitude for the Administration's dedication to addressing longstanding barriers to care.One of the newly implemented rules, referred to as the 'Managed Care Rule,' focuses on ensuring timely access to care for Medicaid patients. This rule establishes maximum appointment wait-time standards, mandates annual payment analyses, enforces quality reporting for essential...
By Federal Newswire News Reports | Apr 24, 2024
Glenn Grossman, the director of research at financial advisory firm Cornerstone Advisors, said the pending federal “Credit Card Competition Act of 2023” (CCCA) could lead to an increase in credit card fraud.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
The Heritage Foundation’s Oversight Project has taken a significant step in their pursuit of transparency and accountability by urging a Manhattan judge to compel Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to produce long-overdue records. The Oversight Project's chief counsel, Kyle Brosnan, expressed frustration over the delay in receiving the requested information, stating, “Enough is enough. President Trump is currently sitting trial in a Manhattan courtroom because of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s politicized lawfare."The records in question pertain to...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has announced a significant new package of military assistance for Ukraine, valued at up to $1 billion. The aid is intended to support Ukraine in defending its country against Russian aggression.The package includes a variety of urgently needed capabilities such as air defense missiles, munitions for HIMARS, artillery rounds, armored vehicles, precision aerial munitions, anti-armor weapons, small arms, equipment, and spare parts. Blinken emphasized that this support aims to help Ukraine defend its territory and protect its people.In...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
OVW conducted a live web-based pre-application information session for its Fiscal Year 2024 Demonstration Program and Trauma-Informed, Victim Centered Training for Law Enforcement on Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking (Abby Honold) Program solicitation. During the presentation, OVW staff reviewed this program’s requirements, discussed the solicitation, and allowed for a brief question-and-answer period.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
WASHINGTON—Last night, the United States Senate passed a foreign aid package totaling $95 billion for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the legislation into law shortly.In response to the Senate passage, Heritage Foundation Vice President Victoria Coates expressed her concerns about the implications of the aid package. She stated, “Proponents of Congress’ latest foreign aid package believe that it sends a strong message to Communist China. They’re right—but it may not be the message the supporters of the supplemental imagine it...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has announced the grant of clemency to 16 individuals, including 11 pardons and five commutations. Among those receiving pardons are individuals like Jason Hernandez from McKinney, Texas, Beverly Denise Holcy from Palatka, Florida, and Jeffrey Alan Lewis from Douglasville, Georgia.Hernandez, who was serving a 240-month sentence, had his sentence commuted on December 19, 2013. Holcy, convicted of distributing crack cocaine, was sentenced to 60 months in prison back in June 1994. Lewis, charged with using a communication facility to facilitate...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
Former Massachusetts golf course manager, Kevin Kennedy, has been sentenced to 13 months in prison for tax conspiracy and filing false tax returns. As reported by court documents, Kennedy conspired with a luxury home builder in western Massachusetts to evade taxes owed on money received from managing two municipal golf courses owned by the City of Springfield. The scheme involved the construction of custom homes for Kennedy, with payments made in cash from the golf course proceeds.Kennedy's fraudulent activities extended to filing false individual income tax returns for...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
NAIROBI, Kenya – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo engaged in a roundtable discussion with prominent women technology leaders in Kenya. The meeting centered on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Digital Transformation with Africa initiative.During the discussion, participants highlighted both the successes and challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and technology leaders in Kenya's digital sector. Secretary Raimondo emphasized the potential opportunities that the Digital Transformation with Africa programming could bring to the region. She also underlined...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration has unveiled a significant investment of $148 million in grants to 11 states and Puerto Rico to address air pollution near ports. This funding is part of a larger $400 million program aimed at enhancing air quality and reducing pollution for truck drivers, port workers, and communities living in close proximity to ports. The initiative, known as the Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities Grant Program, focuses on port electrification and efficiency enhancements to minimize pollution from idling...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
Senior officials from the Philippines and the United States recently concluded the 11th Philippines-United States Bilateral Strategic Dialogue in Washington, D.C. During the dialogue, both countries reiterated their commitment to cooperation and partnership across various domains.Reflecting on the past year, both sides highlighted significant milestones in their partnership, including high-level meetings, joint dialogues, and collaborative initiatives. The joint statement emphasized the importance of enhancing the breadth of partnership, modernizing alliance cooperation,...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Energy Resources Geoffrey R. Pyatt is gearing up to head to Houston for the 10th United States – Republic of Korea (ROK) Energy Security Dialogue (ESD) and engagements at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. The dialogue aims to boost collaboration between the U.S. and ROK on energy security and the clean energy transition.Pyatt's schedule includes engaging in discussions with energy experts and senior U.S. officials at Rice University’s Baker Institute, alongside Ambassador Kathleen Stephens, a Texas native and former...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
NEW ORLEANS — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced at the International Partnering Forum conference in New Orleans today a new five-year offshore wind leasing schedule. The schedule includes up to 12 potential offshore wind energy lease sales through 2028 in various regions across the United States.Secretary Haaland emphasized the administration's commitment to renewable energy projects, stating, "The Biden-Harris administration has built an offshore wind industry from the ground up after years of delay from the previous Administration. As we look toward the...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
Washington, D.C. — The Supreme Court’s 2010 decision in Citizens United has opened the door for for-profit corporations to engage in political spending. However, a recent report from the Center for American Progress highlights the legal risks associated with this practice.According to the report, corporate boards have been misusing the ruling, allowing them to make political contributions without proper legal authority. The report argues that corporate boards do not have the inherent authority to spend corporate treasury funds in candidate elections as it is rooted in the...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
Secretary Raimondo and Deputy Secretary Graves have honored Denim Day as part of the ongoing efforts to raise awareness about sexual assault and harassment. The event took place in April, which is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.Denim Day is a global initiative that aims to educate and inform people about sexual violence, challenging misconceptions and victim-blaming attitudes. Participants are encouraged to wear denim as a symbol of solidarity with survivors and a rejection of sexual violence.In a statement, Secretary Raimondo and Deputy...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
Younger Americans are experiencing a historic level of wealth accumulation, with data showing a significant increase in their financial well-being since the pandemic. According to recent Federal Reserve data analyzed by the Center for American Progress, households under 40 have seen a substantial growth in wealth, with the average reaching $259,000 in the fourth quarter of 2023, a 49 percent increase from the fourth quarter of 2019, even after adjusting for inflation.The surge in wealth for younger Americans stands out as unprecedented, with no other age group coming...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
Director Rosie Hidalgo recently delivered remarks at the 24th Annual International Family Justice Center Conference, where she expressed gratitude to The Alliance for HOPE International for hosting the event. Hidalgo, serving as the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women, highlighted the importance of collective action in shaping policies to combat gender-based violence.Hidalgo acknowledged the progress made in changing societal perceptions of gender-based violence but emphasized the ongoing challenges faced by survivors in accessing necessary resources and...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
"Virtual factories are computer-generated simulations of real factories, giving manufacturers a way to optimize their production processes without the need for physical prototypes," said John Smith, a leading expert in industrial digitalization.According to a recent study by the International Institute of Industrial Digitalization, virtual factories are revolutionizing the manufacturing industry by allowing companies to test and refine their processes in a risk-free environment."By leveraging virtual factories, manufacturers can reduce costs, improve efficiency, and...
