News published on Federal Newswire in August 2024

News from August 2024


Deputy Secretary Verma to discuss U.S.-India relations at CSEP

Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma is scheduled to deliver remarks at the Centre for Social & Economic Progress (CSEP) in New Delhi, India on Wednesday, August 21. The address will focus on the progress made in the U.S.-India bilateral relationship and highlight key areas of cooperation aimed at enhancing global prosperity and security.


Court revives privacy lawsuit against Google over Chrome tracking

Calhoun and others appealed to the 9th Circuit, drawing attention from external parties such as the Electronic Privacy Information Center.


Blinken discusses ceasefire efforts with Qatari Prime Minister

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a conversation with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on August 20, 2024. The discussion focused on ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire agreement aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people and securing the release of hostages.


EPA begins contaminated soil removal at former roundhouse site in Elkhart

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has commenced the removal of asbestos, lead, and arsenic from the former roundhouse site at 613 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Elkhart, Indiana. The EPA estimates that the cleanup will take approximately two months and cost over $2.5 million.


Houston peace officer sentenced to 10 years for possession and intent to distribute heroin

U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced that a Houston man and peace officer received his sentencing after being convicted of attempted possession with intent to distribute heroin and money laundering. Mohammed "Alex" Ahmed Kassem, 50, will serve 121 months in a federal prison.


DCG: 1 in 5 voters say cryptocurrency is a key issue in 2024 US elections

In a Harris Poll survey commissioned by Digital Currency Group (DCG), respondents from swing states called for greater discourse on the topic, saying it was a significant part of their election considerations. This news came in a May 7 news release from DCG.


Hidalgo County, New Mexico Sheriff Chadborn on border crisis: ‘I'd like to see them get serious about it and quit blaming each other in Washington’

Border county Sheriff William Chadborn of Hidalgo County, New Mexico has noted the multifaceted challenges facing law enforcement in a border region fraught with complex issues, from drug trafficking to managing the human costs of illegal crossings.


The Digital Chamber: Nigerian government's excessive fines could have 'a chilling effect on foreign direct investment'

The Digital Chamber, a blockchain industry advocacy group, expressed concerns about excessive fines levied against multinational companies operating in Nigeria. The group indicated that such actions could negatively impact international participation in Nigeria's business community. The statement was shared with Federal Newswire on August 15.


Blinken discusses regional tensions with Israeli defense minister

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv on August 19, 2024. The meeting, as reported by Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel, focused on efforts to de-escalate regional tensions.


Study finds swiping through online videos increases feelings of boredom

Swiping through online videos to relieve boredom may actually increase feelings of boredom and reduce satisfaction or engagement with the content, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.


U.S. and Philippines agree on processing Afghan SIV applicants

The United States and the Philippines have reached an agreement to allow a limited number of Afghan nationals to transit through the Philippines to complete their visa processing for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) and resettlement in the United States. The U.S. government is providing necessary services for these Afghans during their temporary stay in the Philippines, including food, housing, security, medical care, and transportation to complete visa processing.


Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 criticized for potential impact on global climate action

On July 22, 2024, the world experienced its hottest day in recorded history. In the United States, deaths from heat exposure are rising annually as extreme climate events become more frequent. Scientific consensus indicates that this decade is crucial for mitigating the worst impacts of climate change, achievable only through a global transition away from fossil fuels. To address this, countries are setting new emissions reduction targets and implementation plans by early next year to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.


Center for American Progress criticizes Project 2025's impact on national security

The far-right policy proposals in Project 2025 will fundamentally undermine the national and economic security of the United States, benefiting its adversaries and making all Americans less safe, according to a new analysis from the Center for American Progress.


United States-China Financial Working Group holds fifth meeting in Shanghai

The United States and the People’s Republic of China convened the fifth meeting of the Financial Working Group (FWG) in Shanghai on August 15-16, 2024. Senior officials from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the People’s Bank of China led the two-day discussions, which included participants from various agencies.


Secretary Haaland highlights conservation efforts during Maine visit

STACYVILLE, Maine — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Shannon Estenoz concluded a multi-day visit to Maine this weekend, focusing on conservation and preservation efforts through the National Park Service.


Former Congressman George Santos pleads guilty to multiple fraud charges

Former U.S. Representative George Anthony Devolder Santos pleaded guilty today to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.


Department of Labor recovers $73K in back wages from North Dakota home care provider

The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $73,680 in overtime wages for 76 employees of Lasting Love Homecare LLC after an investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division. The Bismarck-based employer was found to have incorrectly claimed an exemption under North Dakota state administrative code and violated federal overtime regulations. Additionally, the home care provider incurred recordkeeping violations.


New report highlights China's uneven progress towards semiconductor self-sufficiency

China still lags two to five years behind the United States and its allies in most facets of semiconductor design and fabrication, despite the Chinese government’s massive strategic investments in the industry. However, its firms’ intellectual property (IP) and innovation capabilities are accelerating rapidly, according to a new report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a leading think tank for science and technology policy.


EPA reaches settlement with AES over Clean Air Act violations in Puerto Rico

La empresa operará monitores de aire y pagará una multa de $3.1 millones


FTC files amicus brief challenging forced arbitration under COPPA

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed an amicus brief in a lawsuit initiated by a group of parents against IXL Learning, Inc. The FTC's brief challenges the company's assertion that under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the COPPA Rule, schools' agreements to binding arbitration also apply to parents.