News from August 2024
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
The United States has designated former Haitian President Michel Martelly for his involvement in the global illicit drug trade. According to a press statement by Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Martelly abused his influence to facilitate drug trafficking and sponsored multiple Haiti-based gangs. The activities related to narcotics trafficking and gang violence have significantly contributed to political instability and insecurity in Haiti, creating a difficult living situation for its citizens.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, stated that the bipartisan Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act aims to address the "fentanyl crisis" by targeting drug traffickers in China and Mexico. Brown shared his statement in an Aug. 18 post on X.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty today in Al Alamein.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo engaged in a virtual call with Ukrainian Minister of Finance Sergii Marchenko on August 20, 2024. During the discussion, Deputy Secretary Adeyemo reaffirmed the Administration’s unwavering support for Ukraine amid its defense against Russia's ongoing conflict. He praised Ukraine’s efforts to boost domestic revenues and assured that the international community would continue its support.
By A. D. Bamburg | Aug 20, 2024
American Property Casualty Insurance Association Vice President of Auto and Claims Policy Bob Passmore told Federal Newswire on Aug. 9 that a growing volume of litigation and "unchecked legal system abuse" such as third-party litigation funding (TPLF) and large advertising campaigns are causing car insurance to get more expensive for policyholders.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
The Digital Chamber (TDC) stated that the Nigerian government's treatment of the crypto exchange Binance and the imprisonment of Binance employee Tigran Gambaryan could lead other companies to reconsider their operations in Nigeria. TDC shared its statement with Federal Newswire on August 15.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
Congressman Jim Banks, Chairman of the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee, stated he has asked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for answers regarding Governor Tim Walz’s trips to China while he was a member of the National Guard. Banks shared his statement in an August 13 press release.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
From gamescom’s Opening Night Live in Cologne, Germany, fans received their first look at "Squid Game: Unleashed" and "Monument Valley 3," both set to debut exclusively on Netflix later this year. Additionally, "Monument Valley" and "Monument Valley 2" will soon be available on the platform, making Netflix the exclusive home for the entire Monument Valley collection. These games, like all Netflix Games, are included with memberships without ads or in-app purchases.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
The Justice Department announced today the initiation of an investigation into conditions at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, a Tennessee Department of Correction facility managed by CoreCivic. Located approximately an hour outside Nashville, Trousdale Turner is Tennessee’s largest correctional facility.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced seven additional awards to bioindustrial firms through the Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program (DBIMP). This brings the total number of DBIMP awards to 13, amounting to $23 million.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the allocation of $25.5 million in grants aimed at supporting drinking water systems in underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities while mitigating the impacts of climate change. This initiative marks the first round of funding under the Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability grant program.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
Project 2025 threatens to unravel decades of conservation and climate progress. This initiative, developed by the Heritage Foundation as a road map for a far-right presidential administration, proposes a dramatic increase in offshore drilling, which could have significant environmental and economic repercussions.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
When Halle Berry hosts a watch party, fans respond enthusiastically. Her new action comedy, "The Union," in which she and Mark Wahlberg star as high school sweethearts reuniting to tackle an international crime syndicate, debuted at #1 on the English Films List with 33.1 million views, making it the most-watched title of the week. The film was #1 in 63 countries and reached the Top 10 in 93.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
Morcon Construction Company, Inc., a general contractor based in Fridley, Minnesota, has agreed to pay $5.9 million to resolve allegations of False Claims Act violations.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
Intrepid U.S.A. Inc., headquartered in Dallas, and its subsidiaries have agreed to pay $3,850,000 to resolve allegations of violating the False Claims Act. The allegations concern claims submitted to Medicare for home healthcare services and hospice care for patients who did not qualify for these benefits. The settlement is based on Intrepid’s ability to pay.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
On August 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled its final Herbicide Strategy, a pioneering initiative aimed at safeguarding over 900 federally endangered and threatened species from the potential impacts of herbicides. This strategy will be employed when registering new herbicides and during the reevaluation of existing ones under the registration review process. The strategy integrates extensive stakeholder input to ensure protection for species while maintaining a variety of pesticides for agricultural use.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
A federal jury convicted seven defendants today of federal civil rights offenses stemming from their blockade of a reproductive health care clinic in Sterling Heights, Michigan, on August 27, 2020. The defendants were each found guilty of a felony conspiracy against rights and a Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act offense. Two defendants faced additional convictions for a second FACE Act offense related to another blockade at a clinic in Saginaw, Michigan.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will receive Dyson Inc.’s comment on proposed changes to the Energy Labeling Rule at an oral hearing scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on September 19, 2024. The public can view the hearing via webcast on FTC.gov.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
A Maryland woman was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for not paying employment taxes to the IRS and embezzling from an employee benefit plan.
By Federal Newswire | Aug 20, 2024
On August 20, 2024, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs Jana Nelson chaired the 7th U.S.-Brazil Strategic Defense Talks with Rear Admiral Fernando De Luca Marques de Oliveira, Chief of the International Affairs Section at the Brazilian Ministry of Defense. The meeting took place at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
