News from April 2024
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...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
El Departamento de Trabajo de EE. UU. ha logrado recuperar casi $85,000 para 32 conductores de transporte que fueron erróneamente clasificados como contratistas independientes por una empresa de transporte de casas móviles en Texas.La investigación realizada en Paredes Inc., que opera como Superior Service en Maxwell, Texas, reveló que la empresa había clasificado incorrectamente a los trabajadores como contratistas independientes en lugar de empleados. Los conductores se encargaban de transportar viviendas móviles, mientras que otros trabajadores realizaban diversas...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
The upcoming 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit in Chicago from June 25-27 will see the collaboration of two key U.S. Department of Commerce agencies to advance public safety communications technology.The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology Public Safety Communications Research Division (NIST PSCR) have been working together for over a decade on various projects aimed at enhancing public safety innovation and technology development.The summit aims to bring together leaders in public safety,...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
Per the U.S. State Department, U.S. Ambassador to Niger Kathleen FitzGibbon and Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command Director of Strategy, Engagement and Programs, will meet with National Council for Safeguarding the Homeland (CNSP) officials on April 25 in Niamey, Niger to initiate discussions on an orderly and safe withdrawal of U.S. forces from Niger. Following this, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict Christopher Maier and Lt. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Joint Staff Director for Joint Force Development, will conduct...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has announced new rules that aim to provide better protections for airline passengers and save consumers money by preventing surprise junk fees in air travel. Speaking about the importance of these rules, Secretary Buttigieg stated, “Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them - without having to ask.”The first rule requires airlines to automatically provide cash refunds to passengers when owed due to flight cancellations, significant changes, delayed...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
A federal jury in Camden, New Jersey, has convicted Bolaji Bolarinwa, 50, and Isiaka Bolarinwa, 67, both of Burlington County, New Jersey, of forced labor and other crimes related to their coercive scheme. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke stated, “The defendants confiscated the victims’ passports, threatened them, degraded them, physically abused them and kept them under constant surveillance, all to coerce the victims’ labor and ruthlessly exploit them for the defendants’ own profit.” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger added, “Forced labor and human trafficking are...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
The U.S. Supreme Court's landmark 2010 decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission has sparked a debate over the authority of corporations to spend in candidate elections. The ruling, which allowed corporations to spend corporate funds in elections, has faced criticism for its broad application to for-profit corporations.According to the court, the right to expend funds in elections belongs to the U.S. citizenship of the individuals associated with the corporation, not to the corporation itself. This has raised concerns about the constitutional rights of...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a $362 million loan to CelLink Corporation (CelLink) to support the manufacturing of essential components for electric vehicles (EVs) at a new facility in Georgetown, Texas. The loan will help finance the production of flexible circuit wiring harnesses that are crucial for EV assembly, with the facility expected to create over 1,300 jobs.U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm highlighted the importance of domestic manufacturing of EV components, stating, "EV sales have quadrupled since President Biden took...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has taken a significant step towards reducing emissions from federal buildings by finalizing standards that aim to decrease emissions for new and renovated federal buildings across the nation. This move is expected to slash harmful carbon emissions by 2 million metric tons.In a statement, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm highlighted the administration's commitment to energy efficiency, stating, "The Biden-Harris Administration is practicing what we preach. Just as we are helping households and businesses across the nation...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has issued a statement in response to the UK Competition and Markets Authority's examination of AI partnerships between tech giants. Matthew Sinclair, Senior Director, UK at CCIA, expressed concerns about the potential disruptive effects of regulatory scrutiny on partnership agreements, stating, “The CMA needs to be cautious as a formal investigation into a modest partnership agreement, based on speculative concerns, could be hugely disruptive and deter investment in vitally important AI innovation." Sinclair...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
The Biden-Harris Administration has made a significant move in the realm of airline passenger rights by announcing a final rule that mandates airlines to provide automatic cash refunds to passengers when owed. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of this rule, stating, “Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them - without headaches or haggling.”The new rule sets clear guidelines for when airlines must issue refunds, aiming to create certainty for consumers. Previously, airlines had varying refund policies, making...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
NVIDIA has announced its plans to acquire GPU orchestration software provider Run:ai. The acquisition, aimed at enhancing NVIDIA's capabilities in the AI orchestration space, marks a significant development in the tech industry.According to Manuvir Das, Head of Enterprise Computing at NVIDIA, "Run:ai has built the next generation of AI orchestration software." This acquisition is expected to further strengthen NVIDIA's position in the AI market by integrating Run:ai's cutting-edge technology into its own suite of products.In response to the acquisition, Omri Geller, CEO...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg delivered remarks at Washington National Airport to announce two final rules aimed at enhancing consumer protection for airline passengers. The rules, part of the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to promote fairer and more transparent markets, will provide automatic cash refunds to passengers owed refunds and protect consumers from surprise airline fees.In his speech, Secretary Buttigieg expressed gratitude to advocates and stakeholders in the aviation industry, highlighting the collaborative effort that led to the...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
A federal jury in Miami has convicted the former Comptroller General of Ecuador, Carlos Ramon Polit Faggioni, for his involvement in a $10 million international bribery and money laundering scheme. According to court documents, Polit solicited and received bribes from Odebrecht S.A. and an Ecuadorian businessman in exchange for various favors.Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, stated, “As Comptroller General of Ecuador, Carlos Ramon Polit Faggioni was entrusted to protect the people of...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
On April 24, 2024, the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) provided testimony on Alabama HB 167, a device filter bill, before the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development in Montgomery, Ala.HB 167 proposes that smartphones and tablets activated in Alabama should automatically activate content filters for "obscene material" for users under 18. CCIA highlighted the challenges of implementing a state-specific default filter, citing technological limitations of mobile devices. The association expressed concerns that the bill's...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has the potential to reshape America's infrastructure landscape, with a focus on rural communities. The act, with expenditures totaling over $1.8 trillion, aims to address long-standing infrastructure deficiencies across the nation. Duane Sherman Sr., former chairman and CEO of Hoopa Valley Tribe, emphasized the importance of ensuring that federal infrastructure projects benefit local communities directly. To achieve this goal, the Biden administration is urged to adopt principles that prioritize community engagement and...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled a new grant program aimed at advancing the transition to clean heavy-duty vehicles in America. The Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act under President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, will allocate nearly $1 billion to support projects that reduce climate and air pollution from heavy-duty vehicles, create new job opportunities, and enhance air quality in communities across the nation."EPA’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program will slash climate and air...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior has announced the allocation of $36.9 million in the first phase of formula grant funding through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Kentucky, Mississippi, and Missouri to address legacy pollution.Kentucky, Mississippi, and Missouri will receive funding to clean up orphaned oil and gas wells in their states. Kentucky is awarded $25 million, Mississippi $6.8 million, and Missouri $5.1 million for this purpose.Secretary Deb Haaland highlighted the impact of this initiative, stating, "President Biden’s Investing in...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
A federal grand jury in Seattle has indicted a Washington man for tax evasion and filing false tax returns in connection with his commercial property business. The man in question, Steven Loo, is alleged to have orchestrated a scheme to conceal income earned from his real estate ventures.According to the indictment, Loo controlled and operated several companies that owned commercial real estate properties. The indictment states that Loo diverted income by directing property management companies to issue checks to entities under his control, ultimately totaling over $4.8...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 24, 2024
The U.S. Ambassador to Niger Kathleen FitzGibbon and Major General Ken Ekman, Director of Strategy, Engagement and Programs for U.S. Africa Command, will be meeting with CNSP officials in Niamey on April 25 to discuss the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Niger. This meeting is part of ongoing negotiations with the National Committee for Safeguarding the Homeland.In a statement, it was mentioned that the United States is proud of the partnership and collaboration between U.S. forces and Nigerien forces, which has significantly contributed to stability in Niger and the...
