News from April 2024
By Federal Newswire | Apr 16, 2024
Video editors and creative professionals have exciting developments to look forward to with the latest advancements in technology. Blackmagic Design’s DaVinci Resolve version 19 has introduced new AI features that aim to enhance video editing workflows. According to a recent NVIDIA blog post, the IntelliTrack AI point tracker and UltraNR AI-powered features in DaVinci Resolve are designed to streamline the editing process efficiently.The NAB 2024 trade show has brought together numerous content professionals, including video editors and livestreamers, who are keen on...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 16, 2024
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) has introduced a new avenue for incarcerated borrowers to exit default through loan consolidation, offering them a chance to enhance their credit and access better repayment options. This initiative allows borrowers with student loans prior to their incarceration to consolidate their loans and access income-driven repayment plans like the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona emphasized the importance of this step, stating, "Every person deserves the opportunity to become the best...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 16, 2024
Washington – Global tech trade association ITI expressed disappointment in the United States Trade Representative's (USTR) handling of U.S. global trade leadership during a recent House Trade Agenda Hearing. ITI's President and CEO, Jason Oxman, criticized Ambassador Katherine Tai's responses during her testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee.In a statement, Oxman highlighted concerns about the Biden Administration's approach to digital trade leadership, stating, "Her responses downplayed the critical importance of U.S. digital trade to...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 16, 2024
In a recent report unveiled by the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, it was stated that "the fentanyl crisis is one of the most horrific disasters that America has ever faced." The Committee attributed the fentanyl epidemic to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), labeling it as "the ultimate geographic source of the fentanyl crisis."The investigation conducted by the Select Committee revealed alarming findings regarding the CCP's involvement in the illicit fentanyl trade. The report highlighted that the...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 16, 2024
Apr 16 2024WASHINGTON – Global tech trade association ITI has called on Congress to prioritize the passage of crucial research and development (R&D) tax provisions to stimulate economic growth. In a statement released today, ITI's President and CEO, Jason Oxman, emphasized the significance of these provisions, urging Congress to take action promptly."Research and development fuel the U.S. economy. Yet once again, Congress failed to pass key R&D tax provisions to allow investment expenses to be taken in the current year. Failing to invest in R&D puts U.S....
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
Federico Valenzuela Ruiz, a 39-year-old man, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role as an east coast source for trafficking fentanyl. The sentencing took place on April 10 in the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
Fifty-five organizations and communities have been awarded funding from the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Shelter and Services program for their work with migrants awaiting the completion of their immigration process. In addition to this, DHS has also announced a competitive grant opportunity through the Shelter and Services (SSP) program.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has found an operator of seven Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers franchise locations in Alabama guilty of violating child labor laws. The investigation revealed that 149 children under the age of 16 were allowed to work longer than legally permitted, and a 15-year-old employee was unlawfully allowed to operate a manual deep fryer.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said it is 'critical that the Chinese Communist Party end its aggression against its neighbors' and security be ensured in the Indo-Pacific region.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
Kansas Attorney General, Kris Kobach, has declared the new Clean Water Act proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as illegal. This statement was made in a letter addressed to the EPA on March 25.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
Washington, D.C. — The Commodity Futures Trading Commission today announced the entry of a consent order in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California imposing restitution and a civil monetary penalty against Eshaq M. Nawabi, d/b/a/ Nawabi Enterprise, and Hyperion Consulting Inc. The order requires the defendants to pay $4.5 million in restitution to victims of the fraud and a $4.5 million civil monetary penalty. According to the CFTC, "Today’s order fully resolves the CFTC action filed on April 26, 2022."The CFTC also emphasized the challenges in...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
Builder sentiment remained unchanged in April as mortgage rates held steady at 7%, and the latest inflation data showed no signs of improvement in the first quarter of 2024. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today, builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes stayed at 51, the same as in March.NAHB Chairman Carl Harris, a custom home builder from Wichita, Kan., highlighted the importance of policy changes, stating, "With many frustrated buyers back on the fence waiting for...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Supreme Court granted an emergency stay request in Poe v. Labrador, siding with Idaho’s ultraconservative Legislature and allowing the state’s ban on transgender medical care for minors to go into effect for the first time since the case began more than two years ago. Although the stay will remain until litigation is resolved, it does not apply to the families who brought the lawsuit, as their children are in the process of receiving transgender medical care. In response to the Supreme Court's decision, Cait Smith, director of LGBTQI+...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
In the past three years, the United States has made significant progress in global ocean conservation efforts. As the ninth Our Ocean Conference approaches, stakeholders are gearing up to discuss the way forward in securing President Biden's ocean legacy.One of the key focuses is on achieving the 30x30 conservation target. A statement mentioned, "The United States is on the cusp of achieving 30×30 on ocean, especially if strong fisheries measures are counted as 'other effective area-based conservation measures.'" However, there is a call for new protected area...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) have jointly issued a Notice to financial institutions regarding the increasing use of counterfeit U.S. passport cards in identity theft and fraud schemes.FinCEN Director Andrea Gacki expressed gratitude for the partnership with DSS, stating, "FinCEN appreciates our partnership with DSS to highlight what is a concerning increase in the use of U.S. passport cards by illicit actors to impersonate and defraud individuals at...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management released a final rule to update the federal oil and gas program. These reforms will ensure that oil and gas companies, not taxpayers, pay decommissioning costs for oil and gas wells and infrastructure in publicly owned federal waters. In response to the announcement, Nicole Gentile, senior director for Conservation at the Center for American Progress, commended the move, stating, "Today, the Biden administration ends a sweetheart deal for oil and gas companies that are drilling in publicly owned waters...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) has raised concerns about the safety of personal phone data, stating, "Depending on the network, the data at risk can include location information, health information, religious identity, sexual orientation, facial recognition imagery, private messages, personal photos, and more."EPIC also highlighted that personal data held by social media platforms is vulnerable to being accessed and misused by third parties, including law enforcement agencies. The organization's statement brings to light the potential risks associated...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
WASHINGTON—Heritage Foundation tax policy expert Preston Brashers has issued a statement criticizing the Biden-Harris administration's economic policies on Tax Day. Brashers highlighted the burden placed on American taxpayers under the current administration, stating, “While Tax Day only comes once a year, under the Biden-Harris administration, every day feels like Tax Day as the American people foot the bill for their radical economic inflation-inducing agenda."Brashers pointed out the significant impact of the administration's policies on the economy, mentioning that...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
In a recent development, the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has joined forces with 40 organizations to press the Biden Administration to reaffirm its commitment to robust digital trade rules and uphold U.S. economic interests in the digital sphere globally. The call to action comes ahead of crucial hearings featuring the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee this week.The coalition of industry organizations, representing a diverse array of sectors, expressed concerns about the USTR's...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
The National Park Service (NPS) has announced a solicitation for electronic comments on the significance of properties nominated before April 6, 2024, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places. Comments should be submitted electronically by April 30, 2024.
