News from April 2024
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
Leading technology advocacy organizations, including the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT), have come together to urge Congress to support the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) funding request for responsible AI innovation. In a collective effort, more than 80 organizations, companies, and universities have joined a letter directed at congressional appropriators, calling for the full funding of the NIST budget requests for AI-related work in the upcoming fiscal year.This coalition's objective is to emphasize the importance of investing in NIST's...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
The Biden-Harris administration has taken a significant step to safeguard the interests of retirement savers by updating the definition of an investment advice fiduciary. The U.S. Department of Labor has finalized the Retirement Security Rule, aiming to protect workers diligently saving for retirement who rely on trusted professionals for investment advice.According to Acting Secretary Julie Su, "America’s workers and their families rely on investment professionals for guidance as they save for retirement." The rule seeks to ensure that investment advice providers offer...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
"On behalf of the United States of America, I am honored to join in commemorating ANZAC Day this April 25, 2024, alongside Australia and New Zealand. Today, we pay homage to the valor and sacrifice of the ANZAC forces who epitomized courage during the Gallipoli Campaign. We reflect, too, on the debt of gratitude we all owe our servicepeople. Their unwavering dedication to defending freedom and democracy serves as an enduring testament to the ideals we hold dear. In recognizing the sacrifices of the past and the steadfast commitment of our service members, we reaffirm the...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor has once again cited Hanover Foods Corp. for exposing workers to numerous safety and health hazards, proposing penalties totaling $761,876. The violations were discovered at the company's Centre Hall facility in Pennsylvania.According to OSHA Area Director Kevin T. Chambers, the company was cited for 70 violations, including repeat, serious, and other-than-serious infractions related to Process Safety Management failures. Chambers stated, “Hanover Foods Corp. put its employees at risk of serious safety and health hazards by not complying with...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation Ambassador Jessye Lapenn co-hosted the forum “Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation: Innovative Financing Solutions for Marine Conservation” with The Pew Charitable Trusts and The Nature Conservancy on April 19. During the event, the first public event held under the banner of the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, speakers shared experiences and best practices for countries seeking financing to support ambitious environmental and ocean conservation goals."The Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation supports Atlantic countries in...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
The United States Department of State has taken decisive action in the fight against terrorism by designating several individuals linked to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and al-Murabitoun as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT).Among the individuals designated, Messaoud Belhireche, also known as Usama Abu-‘Abd-al-Wahid al-Jaza’iri, and Talha al-Libi, also known as Sidi Mohamed Ould Mohamed Salem, were recognized for their roles within JNIM. Belhireche was identified as a senior JNIM leader overseeing the group's finances, while al-Libi was...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced an investment of $17.5 million in four projects aimed at developing a domestic supply chain for critical minerals and materials. These projects, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will focus on reducing costs and environmental impacts of producing rare earths and other essential minerals from coal and its by-products.U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “Imagine that: turning the byproducts from coal into a domestic source for the critical minerals...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) will be receiving $86,600,000 to develop long-lasting solar programs for low-income and disadvantaged communities in Oregon. This funding is part of the Solar for All grant competition, which is a component of the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund established under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "President Biden committed to making the largest investment in...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
Washington, D.C. - In a recent statement released by the Department of State on April 23, 2024, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken announced the designation of several leaders affiliated with Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and al-Murabitoun for their involvement in the hostage-taking of U.S. nationals in West Africa.Secretary Blinken highlighted the actions taken, stating, "The Department of State is today designating a total of seven Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and al-Murabitoun leaders for their involvement in the hostage-taking of U.S....
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
WASHINGTON — In a move to enhance access to environmental justice resources, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled an unprecedented online collection of materials. The Environmental Justice Clearinghouse, as it is called, is part of President Biden's ambitious environmental justice agenda.Theresa Segovia, Assistant Principal Deputy Director of the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, emphasized the collaborative effort needed to achieve the administration's environmental justice goals, stating, "Fulfilling the ambitious environmental...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Census Bureau have released new residential sales statistics for March 2024. According to the joint announcement, sales of new single‐family houses in March 2024 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 693,000.The median sales price of new houses sold in March 2024 was $430,700, with the average sales price reported at $524,800. Additionally, the seasonally‐adjusted estimate of new houses for sale at the end of March was 477,000.These figures show positive trends in the housing...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
Department of Defense Spokesman Maj. Charlie Dietz provided a readout of the U.S.-Slovakia High Level Defense Group meeting that took place on April 23, 2024. The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Lisa Sawyer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy, and Mr. Igor Melicher, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence for the Slovak Republic, in Bratislava, Slovakia.During the meeting, various topics related to the global security environment were discussed. This included issues such as countering Russian aggression in Ukraine, the influence of the...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
Sacramento, Calif. – As California legislators approach milestone legislative deadlines, they are expected to consider various tech bills across committee hearings in the Assembly and Senate Tuesday. The Computer & Communications Industry Association’s State Policy Director Khara Boender will submit written statements and testify opposing up to five bills, including SB 1154, SB 1504, SB 1444, SB 1228, and AB 2655.SB 1154 would harm numerous businesses and industries statewide by prohibiting the use of pricing algorithms to set or recommend a price or commercial term that...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Indian Health Service (IHS) has revealed a significant development in water and sanitation infrastructure funding for Tribal communities. At the White House Clean Water Summit, $700 million in funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) was announced alongside a memorandum of understanding with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to enhance collaboration and streamline Tribal access to resources.HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Investing in critical...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo held a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to delve into various aspects of the U.S.-Italy commercial relationship and cooperation within the G7. The discussions also touched upon critical transatlantic issues of concern.During the meeting, Secretary Raimondo emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Italy commercial relationship, stating, "Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to discuss the U.S.-Italy commercial relationship and cooperation within the G7."...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
Federal workplace safety investigators have determined that a Tampa-area construction contractor could have prevented a 37-year-old aerial lift operator from suffering fatal injuries after being struck by a boom as a crane tipped over during work on an Orlando highway ramp in October 2023.“The death of any worker is a terrible loss that leaves their family, friends and co-workers devastated. Their pain only worsened when learning the tragedy could have been prevented,” said OSHA Area Office Director Erin Sanchez in Orlando, Florida. “Our investigation found Concrete...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor recently secured a significant judgment against a Virginia concrete contractor, Village Concrete Inc., ordering the company to pay almost $1.2 million in back wages, damages, and penalties. This judgment stems from the Department's investigation, which revealed that Village Concrete had misclassified 29 employees as independent contractors and failed to provide proper overtime pay.According to Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman, the misclassification of employees has serious consequences, as it denies them essential benefits and...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced the unveiling of the Unaccompanied Children Program Foundational Rule, aimed at setting clear standards and protections for unaccompanied children in its care. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the department's commitment to the well-being of these children, stating, "The Foundational Rule underscores HHS’ unwavering commitment to the health, safety, and welfare of unaccompanied children in our care."The final rule not only implements the 1997 Flores...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
Leaders from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), and Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) came together to celebrate Earth Week and launch the new ad campaign 'Trash Free Waters Begin with YOU!' in Philadelphia. The campaign, featuring artwork by Helen Munnelly, aims to raise awareness about the impact of litter on waterways and engage the community in keeping the environment clean.EPA Deputy Regional Administrator Cathy Libertz emphasized the importance of collaboration in protecting the environment, stating,...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 23, 2024
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs Amy Holman recently traveled to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to engage with the creative industries and provide support for the country's intellectual property space. During her visit, Holman delivered a keynote address at a Creative Industries Ecosystem event in partnership with UNESCO, emphasizing the importance of intellectual property protection for the creative sectors.Holman also held meetings with key figures in Côte d’Ivoire, including the Minister of Culture and the Ivoirian Bureau of Authors...
