News from August 2024


House Judiciary Committee releases interim report on illegal immigrant assault case

House Judiciary Committee releases interim report on illegal immigrant assault case

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee and its Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement released an interim report regarding Grevi Geovanni Rivera Zavala, an illegal alien from Honduras who assaulted a teenage girl in Prattville, Alabama.


Commissioner Ferguson and NCTA to discuss unfair fees rulemaking in closed meeting

Commissioner Ferguson and NCTA to discuss unfair fees rulemaking in closed meeting

Commissioner Ferguson and the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) will be participating in an ex parte meeting on the Unfair or Deceptive Fees Rulemaking. This meeting is closed to the public.


HHS Secretary Becerra addresses efforts on International Overdose Awareness Day

HHS Secretary Becerra addresses efforts on International Overdose Awareness Day

Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra released a statement in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day.


U.S. condemns China's actions against Philippines in South China Sea

U.S. condemns China's actions against Philippines in South China Sea

The United States has expressed its support for the Philippines and condemned actions by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the South China Sea. On August 31, a China Coast Guard vessel deliberately collided three times with a Philippine Coast Guard vessel near Sabina Shoal, an area within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The incident caused damage to the Philippine vessel and endangered the crew's safety.


U.S. government extends warm wishes on Uzbekistan Independence Day

U.S. government extends warm wishes on Uzbekistan Independence Day

On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I send warm wishes to the people of Uzbekistan on September 1 as they celebrate their Independence Day.



Weekend Interview: Fentanyl, War, and Global Ambitions, Gordon Chang Warns of China’s Increasing Aggression

Weekend Interview: Fentanyl, War, and Global Ambitions, Gordon Chang Warns of China’s Increasing Aggression

Gordon Chang is the author of "China is Going to War", "The Great U.S.-China Tech War", "Losing South Korea", and "The Coming Collapse of China." He worked as an attorney in China and Hong Kong for almost two decades


Weekend Interview: Physician Advocacy in Action, Dr. Marion Mass on the Urgent Need for Reform

Weekend Interview: Physician Advocacy in Action, Dr. Marion Mass on the Urgent Need for Reform

Doctor Marion Mass is the co-founder of the Practicing Physicians of America. She earned an MD PhD from the Duke University School of Medicine.


Million dollar ticket giveaway announced for ‘City of Dreams’ movie

Million dollar ticket giveaway announced for ‘City of Dreams’ movie

Movie fans are getting a sneak peek at "City of Dreams" through a series of early previews. Roadshow Attractions announced the giveaway in an August 26 news release.


Apple TV+ ‘Cowboy Cartel’ 4-part series focuses on Scott Lawson’s take down of the brothers behind Los Zetas cartel

Apple TV+ ‘Cowboy Cartel’ 4-part series focuses on Scott Lawson’s take down of the brothers behind Los Zetas cartel

Apple TV+ will premiere a four-part documentary on August 2, detailing rookie FBI agent Scott Lawson’s efforts to dismantle the Trevino brothers' leadership of the Los Zetas cartel. This announcement was made in a news release on July 23.


Biden-Harris administration opens comments on new worker heat protection rule

Biden-Harris administration opens comments on new worker heat protection rule

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the opening of the public comment period for its proposed rule aimed at protecting workers from extreme heat, following its publication in the Federal Register.


Justice Department secures deal on conditions for minors at Connecticut's adult facility

Justice Department secures deal on conditions for minors at Connecticut's adult facility

The Justice Department announced today that it has reached an agreement with the Connecticut Department of Correction addressing conditions for children at Manson Youth Institution, an adult correctional facility housing children charged in the criminal justice system.


Former president pleads guilty to price-fixing conspiracy affecting $50 million sales

Former president pleads guilty to price-fixing conspiracy affecting $50 million sales

An executive of a steel distributor in Carolina, Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty today to conspiring with competitors to fix prices for sales of reinforcing bar, or rebar.


DHS collaborates with Japan on maritime cybersecurity

DHS collaborates with Japan on maritime cybersecurity

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Government of Japan conducted a tabletop exercise from August 21-22 to enhance maritime cybersecurity and incident response capabilities. The exercise simulated a significant cyber incident at a Japanese port, testing response policies and fostering discussions on improving mutual preparedness for threats to interconnected critical infrastructure.


FTC fines Verkada $2.95 million over data breaches and spam email violations

FTC fines Verkada $2.95 million over data breaches and spam email violations

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has mandated that security camera firm Verkada develop and implement a comprehensive information security program to settle allegations of inadequate information security practices, which allowed a hacker to access customers' security cameras.


USTR initiates USMCA dispute consultation over Canada's digital services tax

USTR initiates USMCA dispute consultation over Canada's digital services tax

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced today it is requesting consultations with Canada over its digital services tax (DST) under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement (USMCA), marking the first step in an official dispute.


Federal judge blocks enforcement of new Texas social media law

Federal judge blocks enforcement of new Texas social media law

A federal district court judge in Texas has largely blocked a new Texas social media law from being enforced while the Computer & Communications Industry Association’s (CCIA) First Amendment challenge proceeds through the legal system.


Biden-Harris Administration celebrates American workers' contributions on Labor Day

Biden-Harris Administration celebrates American workers' contributions on Labor Day

This Labor Day, the Biden-Harris Administration is honoring American workers and celebrating the strength and diversity of the nation's workforce. The administration emphasizes its commitment to ensuring equitable access to job opportunities for all workers, including women, people of color, veterans, and historically marginalized groups.


Secretary Raimondo reaffirms U.S. support for Ukraine in meeting with Deputy PM Svyrydenko

Secretary Raimondo reaffirms U.S. support for Ukraine in meeting with Deputy PM Svyrydenko

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo met with First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko on August 30, 2024. During the meeting, Secretary Raimondo reaffirmed the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and the Department of Commerce’s support for Ukraine in its response to Russia’s continued aggression.


United States condemns enforced disappearances on international observance day

United States condemns enforced disappearances on international observance day

On the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, the United States stands with all victims of enforced disappearance and calls upon perpetrators to cease this practice and return victims to their families.