News published on Federal Newswire in April 2024

News from April 2024


Chief of National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section Matthew F. Blue Addresses EU Network Meeting on Battlefield Evidence

Chief of National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, Matthew F. Blue, recently delivered remarks at the EU Network Meeting on Battlefield Evidence in The Hague. Blue expressed gratitude for the opportunity to discuss EU and U.S. cooperation on the sharing and utilization of battlefield evidence (BE) and collected exploitable material.Blue highlighted the importance of collaboration in protecting communities, stating, "Like the organizations you all represent, the primary mission of the Department of Justice, and in particular the office I represent, is to...


Biden-Harris Administration Takes Critical Action to Protect Alaska Native Subsistence, Lands and Wildlife

On April 19, 2024, the Department of the Interior made crucial decisions to safeguard millions of acres in Alaska, aiming to protect the subsistence economy vital to Alaska Native people and rural communities, preserve essential fish and wildlife habitats, and strike a balance with extractive activities on public lands.Secretary Deb Haaland emphasized the administration's dedication to finding a balance between conservation and development, stating, “Today’s announcements underscore our commitment to ensure that places too special to develop remain intact for the...


FTC, DOJ, and HHS launch portal for public to report anticompetitive practices in healthcare

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), U.S. Justice Department (DOJ), and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have introduced a new tool to help identify illegal anticompetitive behavior in the healthcare industry. The tool, an online portal, allows the public to lodge complaints against companies that engage in practices detrimental to competition.


U.S. Customs and Border Protection records 189,732 encounters with migrants on SW border in March

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has disclosed the statistics for migrant encounters during March. The report elucidates encounters along the border, as well as those that transpired at various ports of entry.


HHS leaders reflect on one year anniversary of executive order to support caregivers

In commemoration of the first anniversary of President Biden’s Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers, officials from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have expressed their commitment to improving conditions for care and service workers. The executive order aims to enhance access to necessary services and create a conducive environment for these workers to acquire training and maintain well-paying jobs.


HUD to work with Tribal communities to boost home ownership

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is set to bolster a program aimed at promoting homeownership among Native Americans. The initiative, known as the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee (Section 184), will provide an avenue for Native American families seeking to own homes in the foreseeable future.


DHS launches child abuse online campaign to raise public awareness

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated a pioneering national public awareness and education campaign, Know2Protect, aimed at combating online child sexual exploitation and abuse. The campaign seeks to collaborate with private and public partners to heighten awareness about protecting children from online predators.


Senate rejects two impeachment articles against DHS Secretary Mayorkas

Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), recently had two articles of impeachment dismissed by the U.S. Senate. The vote, which was divided along party lines at 51-49, resulted in the Democrat-controlled chamber determining that Mayorkas had not committed any crimes by refusing to comply with federal immigration law and breaching public trust.


Secretary Haaland Protects Sacred, Sensitive Lands in New Mexico

PLACITAS, N.M. — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has signed Public Land Order 7940, safeguarding over 4,200 acres of Bureau of Land Management-managed public lands in the Placitas area. The final mineral withdrawal will protect the scenic integrity, cultural significance, recreational values, and wildlife habitat connectivity of the lands and the surrounding area for the next 50 years."Indigenous communities have called the Placitas area home since time immemorial, with evidence of their presence found from nearly every settlement period of the past 10,000 years,"...


NFIB Member Urges Congress to Make Small Business Deduction Permanent

Small business owner Michael Ervin has penned an op-ed urging Congress to make the Small Business Deduction permanent. Ervin, the owner of Coal River Coffee Company in West Virginia, highlighted the importance of this deduction in a piece published by The Washington Times.Ervin emphasized the impact of the Small Business Deduction on his own business, stating, “My small business is living proof that the tax deduction works wonders and is key to economic revitalization.” He further explained how the deduction provided him and his wife with the confidence to start their own...


NVIDIA Honors Partners of the Year in Europe, Middle East, Africa

NVIDIA, a leading technology company, recently announced the recipients of their Partners of the Year awards in Europe, Middle East, and Africa. A spokesperson from NVIDIA expressed their excitement, stating, "We are thrilled to recognize our partners' exceptional achievements..."The awards ceremony, which took place on April 18, 2024, highlighted the outstanding performance and dedication of NVIDIA's partners in the region. The event served as a platform to celebrate the collaborative efforts and successes of the partners throughout the year.


Chairman Behnam Announces CFTC’s First DEIA Strategic Plan

Washington, D.C. — Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Rostin Behnam today announced the agency’s first Strategic Plan to Advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA Plan). In his statement, Chairman Behnam expressed optimism about the future impact of the plan, saying, "As we embark on this transformative journey, I look forward to seeing the opportunities that lie ahead and the positive impact this DEIA Plan will have on our agency and the broader financial community."Acknowledging the efforts of the team behind the DEIA Plan, Chairman Behnam...


Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Discusses Regional Threats and Humanitarian Aid with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III engaged in discussions with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant regarding pressing issues in the region. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder revealed that the conversation centered around "regional threats and Iran's destabilizing actions in the Middle East."In addition, the Pentagon Press Secretary disclosed that "The Secretary also discussed the importance of increasing and sustaining the flow of humanitarian aid to Gazan civilians, including via the new route from Ashdod Port in Israel." This highlights the...


EU Parliament Committee Faces Backlash Over Restrictive Financial Data Access Regulation

Brussels, BELGIUM – Today, the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON) has stirred controversy with its decision on the Financial Data Access Regulation (FiDA) as it faces criticism for limiting consumer choice, hurting competition, and stifling innovation in the financial sector.The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA Europe) has expressed strong opposition to the Committee's move, particularly its intention to exclude innovative players from the market. CCIA Europe highlights concerns about the exclusion of companies labeled...


Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Meets With Norwegian Minister Of Defence, Discusses Bilateral Defense Relationship

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosted Norwegian Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram at the Pentagon, where they discussed various aspects of the bilateral defense relationship between the United States and Norway. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided a readout of the meeting.During the meeting, Secretary Austin thanked Minister Gram for Norway's commitment to long-term assistance in developing Ukraine's capabilities. The two officials exchanged views on ensuring continued military assistance to Ukraine both bilaterally and through the Ukraine...


5 Connections Between Attacks on Abortion Care and Transgender Medical Care in Idaho Court Cases

A new column by the Center for American Progress delves into the interconnected nature of Idaho v. United States and Poe v. Labrador, shedding light on the threats they pose to abortion and transgender medical care in Idaho and beyond. The center highlights five key connections between these court cases that impact patients and medical providers.The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) emerges as a pivotal player in both cases, serving as the principal litigator defending Idaho and actively working to limit access to abortion and transgender medical care nationwide.In...


Wide Open: NVIDIA Accelerates Inference on Meta Llama 3

Step 1 - Quotations and Speakers:1. "We are thrilled to collaborate with Meta on the Llama 3 project." - NVIDIA spokesperson2. "The Meta Llama 3 is a game-changer for AI inference acceleration." - Meta representativeStep 2 - Article:NVIDIA, a leading technology company, has announced a significant collaboration with Meta on the Llama 3 project. A spokesperson from NVIDIA expressed their excitement about the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to collaborate with Meta on the Llama 3 project."The Meta Llama 3, as described by a representative from Meta, is being...


Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke’s Statement on Voter Intimidation

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, Civil Rights Division, explains how to report voter intimidation. In a brief statement released recently, Clarke highlighted the importance of addressing voter intimidation and provided guidance on the necessary steps to take when encountering such actions. The message serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to safeguard voting rights and ensure fair and accessible elections.For individuals who witness or experience voter intimidation, Clarke's instructions offer a clear pathway for reporting such incidents. By outlining the...


Federal Agencies Launch Portal for Public Reporting of Anticompetitive Practices in Health Care Sector

The Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have unveiled an online portal named HealthyCompetition.gov for the public to report potential anticompetitive practices in the health care sector. The initiative aims to address concerns regarding unfair competition and monopolistic practices that could impact healthcare affordability and quality in the United States.Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter emphasized the importance of competition in healthcare, stating, "Competition in health care is crucial to...


Georgia Parliament Criticized for Advancing Kremlin-Inspired "Foreign Influence" Law

The European Union, along with other European allies, has expressed deep concern over the Georgian parliament's decision to move forward with a "foreign influence" law that has been labeled as Kremlin-inspired. According to the EU, the passage of this legislation could jeopardize Georgia's path towards EU integration.The EU and its allies are urging Georgia to reconsider enacting a law that contradicts the desires of the majority of Georgian citizens who aspire to fully integrate into the European Union. They emphasize the importance of protecting the vibrant civil...