News from April 2024
By Federal Newswire | Apr 21, 2024
On April 21, 2024, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken engaged in a conversation with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as confirmed by Spokesperson Matthew Miller. The discussion revolved around crucial topics aimed at safeguarding Israel’s security and addressing the ongoing negotiations concerning the release of hostages, the implementation of an immediate ceasefire, and the facilitation of increased humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Additionally, Secretary Blinken emphasized the significance of adopting measures to de-escalate tensions in the region.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 21, 2024
Department of State Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Elizabeth Richard is set to travel to Ankara, Türkiye on April 22 for the U.S.-Türkiye Counterterrorism Consultation. The visit comes after the relaunch of counterterrorism consultations between the United States and Türkiye at the Strategic Mechanism meetings in Washington D.C. in March 2024.During the consultation, Ambassador Richard and Turkish government counterparts will focus on broadening and strengthening U.S.-Türkiye counterterrorism cooperation. This includes efforts to thwart terrorist travel,...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 21, 2024
Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons Jessica Stern is set to visit Nadi, Fiji, from April 22 to 26. She will be speaking at the 3rd Pacific Human Rights Conference on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression and Sex Characteristics. According to Special Envoy Stern, "Special Envoy Stern will address the unique opportunities and challenges that LGBTQI+ persons in all of their diversity, Indigenous persons, and other communities face in the Pacific, as well as pledge the United States’ commitment to supporting efforts to promote and protect...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 21, 2024
In a recent report on abortion access disparities, it was revealed that women facing long travel times to access abortion care often experience financial challenges. According to the data analysis, women who travel more than eight hours round trip for an abortion tend to earn lower wages than those with shorter driving times.Moreover, disparities were found based on the demographic makeup of congressional districts. Women in districts with high proportions of Black and Hispanic women were reported to have significantly longer travel times compared to those in districts...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 20, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Chairman Gallagher today released the following statement after the passage of the House National Security Supplemental.“I am proud that the House took bipartisan action to support our allies in the face of authoritarian aggression from China, Russia, Iran, and Hamas. This package provides critical support to Taiwan, Israel, and Ukraine as they defend the frontlines of the free world and renews the authority to sanction terrorist organizations like Hamas for using human shields. This legislation also defends our interests at home by including my...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 19, 2024
Julie Singleton, Communications Director for Congressman Rich McCormick (GA-06), stated that the Congressman is "working with the appropriate officials" to secure the release of Tigran Gambaryan, Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance. Gambaryan was detained by the Nigerian government on February 26. Singleton relayed her statement to Federal Newswire on April 17.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 19, 2024
Bjorn Solstad, CEO of Devenia, a digital marketing firm, recently commented on Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the co-founder and former CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Binance. In an April 15 post, Solstad said that CZ is "among the most important drivers of innovation in the crypto space."
By Federal Newswire | Apr 19, 2024
U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), who is on the Senate Banking Committee, and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), who is on the Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced bipartisan legislation to create a regulatory framework for stablecoins.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 19, 2024
The House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party has determined China subsidizes the manufacturing and export of fentanyl precursors. The Select Committee released its finding in an April report titled "The CCP's Role in the Fentanyl Crisis."
By Federal Newswire | Apr 19, 2024
Nicole Shanahan, the associate of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., stated that children are undergoing "unspeakable cruelty at the hands of the cartels," who are manipulating policies at the southern border. Shanahan conveyed her remarks in a post on April 12 on X.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 19, 2024
Dr. Phil McGraw, widely recognized as Dr. Phil, has stated that Mexican drug cartels are smuggling migrants into the United States by "charging people $50,000." This assertion was made in an April 17 post on X.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 19, 2024
House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) has expressed concern over what he termed as "rampant fraud" and a "bloated bureaucracy" in Washington. This comes in the wake of a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that estimated financial losses due to fraud ranging from $233 billion to $521 billion. Arrington made these remarks in a press release issued by the House Budget Committee on April 17.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 19, 2024
Former Attorney General William Barr has accused the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of actively sponsoring, encouraging, and facilitating the fentanyl crisis in the United States. Barr presented his testimony during a Congressional hearing on fentanyl, organized by the House Select Committee on the CCP on April 16.
By A. I. Benavidez | Apr 19, 2024
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released their Consumer Price Index (CPI) summary for March 2024 with a 22% increase in motor insurance rates nationwide. Motor insurance rates rose an average of 2.6% nationally in March.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 19, 2024
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland took a moment to reflect on the 29th anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing that occurred on April 19, 1995. Garland expressed his sentiments in a statement released by the Justice Department.Garland acknowledged the solemn occasion by stating, "Twenty-nine years after the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, we continue to remember the 168 people, including 19 children, who were stolen from their loved ones, as well as the hundreds who were injured and forever changed."Recalling his personal experience during the...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 19, 2024
WASHINGTON—Following a vote by the Federal Communications Commission to regulate broadband Internet service under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, expressed strong opposition to the decision.Joe Kane, ITIF’s director of broadband and spectrum policy, criticized the FCC's move, stating, "The FCC's decision to impose Title II regulation on the Internet marks a significant setback for consumers who rely on broadband. The new regulations subject...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 19, 2024
The U.S. Department of Education has taken a significant step towards advancing educational equity and opportunity by releasing the Final Rule under Title IX, which aims to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. The regulations, effective on Aug 1, 2024, are designed to provide vital protections against sex discrimination in schools.U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona emphasized the importance of Title IX, stating, "For more than 50 years, Title IX has promised an equal opportunity to...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 19, 2024
Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim addressed a gathering at a volunteer service event in Washington, D.C., to mark Earth Day. He expressed gratitude to Washington Parks & People for their partnership in revitalizing greenspaces and highlighted the importance of their work in line with the Earth Day theme of "Planet versus Plastics." Kim also drew attention to Marvin Gaye's advocacy for the environment and the ongoing global efforts to negotiate a treaty to end plastic pollution.Kim commended the dedication of those working towards environmental causes and emphasized the...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 19, 2024
In a recent bilingual roundtable event hosted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Puerto Rico, over 150 stakeholders gathered to learn about the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) and other federal funding sources aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and climate resilience in affordable housing.During the event, HUD officials shared insights on the GRRP and various funding opportunities available under the Inflation Reduction Act to support upgrades and renovations for properties to withstand extreme weather events caused by climate...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 19, 2024
The Department of Defense (DoD) has officially recognized April 2024 as the Annual Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. This designation serves as a call to action for Service members to actively contribute to preventing and responding to sexual violence within the military community.Dr. Nate Galbreath, acting director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, emphasized the importance of the ongoing "STEP FORWARD" campaign, stating, "Each of us has a moral duty to step forward to prevent this crime, increase reporting, and advocate for a safer...
