News from April 2024
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the winners of the Clean Power for Hours Challenge, awarding a total of $835,000 to recipients for their innovative clean energy solutions. The competition aimed to find promising clean energy storage solutions to keep essential services functioning during power outages.Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas highlighted the importance of the challenge, stating, "When disaster strikes, restoring electric power can quickly become a matter of life or death." The challenge empowers citizen innovators to...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken is scheduled to make a significant announcement regarding the release of the 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. The event will take place at 2:00 p.m. EDT on April 22, 2024, from the Press Briefing Room at the U.S. Department of State. Following Secretary Blinken's remarks, Senior Bureau Official Robert Gilchrist from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor will address questions, with Spokesperson Matthew Miller conducting the department press briefing thereafter.In a statement emphasizing the United States'...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
On April 22, 2024, Secretary Antony J. Blinken unveiled the 2023 Human Rights Report during a press briefing at the State Department. The report, which covers human rights practices in nearly 200 countries and territories, emphasized the importance of upholding universal rights and freedoms.Blinken highlighted the significance of standing up for human rights, stating, "Standing up for freedom and human rights is simply the right thing to do." He underscored that promoting human rights is not only a moral imperative but also essential for national interests, as countries...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
The Governments of the United States and Poland convened the 15th session of the U.S.-Poland Strategic Dialogue in Washington on April 22, 2024. The meeting focused on reaffirming the strong bilateral cooperation between the two nations. The commitment to defend NATO territory was reiterated, with both sides emphasizing the importance of collective security and readiness.During the dialogue, the United States commended Poland on the 25th anniversary of its NATO accession and expressed support for Poland's robust defense spending and modernization efforts. The ongoing...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
Luxury handbag company Gzuniga Ltd., its founder Nancy Teresa Gonzalez de Barberi and Gonzalez’s associate Mauricio Giraldo were sentenced to prison today for illegally importing merchandise from Colombia to the United States that was made from protected wildlife. All had previously pleaded guilty.Gzuniga was ordered to forfeit all handbags and other previously seized product, banned for three years from any activities involving commercial trade in wildlife and sentenced to serve three years of probation. Gonzalez was sentenced to 18 months in prison with credit for time...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
On Monday, April 22, 2024, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman, along with local children from HUD’s neighboring daycare, Children’s House, participated in an annual planting event in honor of Earth Week."We are excited to continue an annual tradition to have children come and participate in an activity that contributes to the environment and teaches early the importance of taking care of our planet," expressed HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman.Todman emphasized the significance of Earth Day, stating, “Earth Day is...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense have joined forces to expand healthcare access for Veterans and service members in New York. The collaboration aims to provide care for enrolled Veterans, soldiers, cadets, and other beneficiaries at the Keller Army Community Hospital (KACH) on the West Point Army Installation and at the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System.Under this partnership, enrolled Veterans can now receive mammograms and orthopedic care from KACH providers, as well as surgical services from VA surgeons at Keller Army...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
Cognizant and Microsoft have announced a global partnership aimed at expanding the adoption of generative AI in the enterprise and driving industry transformation. The partnership will leverage Microsoft Copilot and Cognizant’s advisory and digital transformation services to help employees and enterprise customers operationalize generative AI and realize strategic business transformation.Cognizant's CEO, Ravi Kumar S, highlighted the potential of generative AI, stating, "Generative AI can be a game-changer for virtually every business in every industry, opening up new...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
BOSTON (April 22, 2024) - In a significant move to advance environmental justice and lower energy costs, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced that the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources will receive over $156 million to deliver residential solar projects. This funding is part of the Solar for All grant competition under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, established to address climate change and support disadvantaged communities.EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan emphasized the administration's commitment by stating, "Today we're delivering on President...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Supreme Court has announced that it will hear the Biden administration’s appeal of a 5th Circuit ruling regarding regulations on "ghost guns." In response to this development, Nick Wilson, senior director of Gun Violence Prevention at the Center for American Progress, expressed his views on the matter."We welcome today’s announcement by the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the Biden administration’s appeal of the 5th’s Circuit’s decision prohibiting the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) from regulating untraceable...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
In response to a speech by the Financial Conduct Authority regarding tech companies in finance, the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) issued a statement through its Senior Director, Matt Sinclair, expressing concerns about the regulator's stance.Sinclair criticized the FCA's focus on the potential impact of data held by technology firms, noting that these firms have not been linked to significant harms in the financial services sector. He stated, "With so many actual barriers to entry and real consumer harms in financial services, it is striking that...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
On April 22, 2024, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a reminder to financial institutions to stay alert in detecting and reporting suspicious activities linked to environmental crimes. The call comes as the nation observes Earth Day, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the environment.According to FinCEN, environmental crimes often involve cross-border criminal operations associated with various Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) National Priorities, such as corruption, fraud, human trafficking, and drug...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
The Biden-Harris Administration, through the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has announced a new rule to enhance privacy protections for medical records and health information related to lawful reproductive health care. The Final Rule, titled "HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy," aims to safeguard patient confidentiality and prevent the unauthorized disclosure of protected health information (PHI) in certain circumstances.HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of this...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
WASHINGTON – On Friday, April 19, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) convened a meeting with the National Economic Council and leaders from ports up and down the East Coast to address supply chain disruptions following the suspension of vessel traffic at the Port of Baltimore. The meeting aimed to mitigate the impacts of the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and coordinate responses among key stakeholders.During the meeting, DOT provided an update on the timeline to reopen the Port of Baltimore, assuring that the reopening is on schedule. East Coast...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
Secretary Buttigieg and other administration officials, along with various dignitaries, gathered in Las Vegas for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Brightline West High-Speed Rail Project. The project, a 218-mile high-speed rail line between Las Vegas, Nevada, and Rancho Cucamonga, California, is set to become one of the greenest forms of transportation in America, operating as a fully electric, zero-emission system and expected to open in 2028.At the event, Secretary Buttigieg expressed gratitude towards all those involved in making the high-speed rail project a...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
BOSTON (April 22, 2024) - The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a significant investment in solar energy, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency revealing that the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will receive nearly $62.5 million through the Solar for All grant competition.EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan expressed the administration's commitment, stating, "Today we're delivering on President Biden's promise that no community is left behind by investing $7 billion in solar energy projects for over 900,000 households in...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that the Executive Office of the State of Arizona has been selected to receive $159,000,000 through the Solar for All grant competition. This funding aims to enable low-income and disadvantaged communities in Arizona to benefit from residential solar energy and lower their energy costs. Martha Guzman, EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator, expressed, "For years, the benefits of household solar – such as the significant savings on energy bills – have been out of reach for too many in...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
The Criminal Division has unveiled a new pilot program aimed at encouraging individuals to come forward and disclose corporate wrongdoing. This initiative, announced earlier this week, focuses on voluntary self-disclosures for individuals involved in criminal conduct, with the promise of a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) for those who meet specific criteria.According to a statement from the Criminal Division, the program is designed to incentivize individuals to report misconduct that was previously unknown to the department. Individuals who voluntarily, truthfully, and...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
OVW conducted a live web-based pre-application information session for its Fiscal Year 2024 Restorative Practices Pilot Program Evaluation 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 22, 2024
Spokesperson Matthew Miller has revealed that Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken engaged in a conversation today with Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The discussion between Secretary Blinken and the Crown Prince revolved around the situation in the Middle East, emphasizing their joint dedication to averting the escalation of regional conflicts. Secretary Blinken conveyed gratitude for Bahrain's efforts in enhancing maritime security. Furthermore, the two leaders delved into the significance of collaboration within the Comprehensive...
