News from July 2024
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Maldives as they celebrate the anniversary of their country’s independence on July 26.
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
The letter focuses on four key pillars:
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
The Centre for Democracy & Technology Europe has released its final Tech Policy Brief before the summer break, set to return in September. This edition addresses key technology and internet policy issues under debate in Europe, the U.S., and internationally, offering CDT’s perspective on their impact on digital rights.
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
Washington, D.C. — In a recent letter to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chair Bob Latta (R-OH), and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) have requested information regarding the agency’s internet domain name registry agreement with Verisign, Inc.
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
Internet governance and human rights are currently at the forefront of the United Nations' agenda. Recently, delegates convened in New York to discuss the Global Digital Compact, a two-year process that will culminate in a globally negotiated text affirming the central role of governments in governing the internet. The internet is considered a global public good, governed by various stakeholders across different bodies. Civil society organizations, such as the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT), play a crucial role in ensuring that human rights are protected, enabled,...
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $100,541,769 in funding for seven selected applications aimed at addressing environmental and climate justice challenges in disadvantaged California communities. This initiative is part of the $2 billion national Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant program, which represents the largest single investment in environmental justice in history. The program is funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
The United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia have reached an $863,934 civil settlement with certain substance use disorder treatment clinics serving patients from Virginia to resolve allegations that these clinics submitted false and fraudulent claims to the Medicaid program. The clinics – Crossroads Treatment Center of Petersburg P.C., ARS Treatment Centers of New Jersey P.C., Crossroads Treatment Center of Greensboro P.C., and Starting Point of Virginia P.C. – are part of a chain called Crossroads, headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina.
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen met with Italy’s Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti today in Rio de Janeiro on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting. The discussion highlighted several key global economic issues, including support for Ukraine amid ongoing conflict, and concerns over Chinese industrial capacity.
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
A pre-trial conference for Pastor Zhou Songlin and Elder Ding Zhongfu of Ganquan Church in Hefei, Anhui province, charged with suspicion of fraud, is scheduled for July 31, 2024. The two church leaders were arrested on November 30, 2023, and have been detained for nearly eight months. On the day of their arrest, public security officers conducted home searches on 16 Christians from the church, including Zhou and Ding, taking them into custody on fraud charges. Fourteen individuals were subsequently released or granted bail pending trial, while Zhou and Ding remained in...
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
ORONO, Maine, July 25, 2024 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is allocating $190 million to assist private forest landowners in adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change while retaining working forestlands.
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
Bipartisan House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders have issued a letter to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Witold Banka, seeking answers about WADA's handling of doping cases within China's national swimming team ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. The letter comes as athletes prepare for the Paris Olympics and follows Mr. Banka's refusal to attend an oversight hearing by the Energy and Commerce Committee.
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced nearly $1 million in funding for the Bronx River Alliance and Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice to support environmental and climate justice projects in the South Bronx. This funding is part of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which aims to tackle environmental challenges by reducing pollution, increasing community resilience, and building capacity.
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo to discuss the upcoming 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro in Manila.
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
As Prepared for Delivery
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, administered by the Diplomatic Security Service, is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of any person who, while acting at the direction or under the control of a foreign government, engages in certain malicious cyber activities against U.S. critical infrastructure in violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
Recent AI incidents have underscored the urgent need for robust governance to mitigate risks and ensure responsible development of AI-powered systems. For example, 4chan users leveraged AI tools to create violent and explicit images of female celebrities, and Google’s Gemini generated offensive images of “historical” figures. These incidents are part of a long history of AI failures, from chatbots spewing hate speech to algorithms exacerbating racial disparities in healthcare. Ongoing AI incidents raise a crucial question: Why do AI failures persist? The answer, while...
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and House Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions Chairman Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) introduced the PRC Risk Transparency Act today. The bill aims to ensure transparency regarding the material and systemic risk posed by U.S. investment in and reliance on China.
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
Leagues Cup, the first in-season club tournament in North America across all men’s professional sports, begins tomorrow, July 26. MLS Season Pass will be the exclusive platform where fans can watch every match. The World Cup-style, monthlong tournament features all 47 clubs from Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX. All clubs pause their regular seasons to participate in the tournament, which concludes with the top three teams receiving automatic bids to the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup.
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken engaged in a conversation with Kenyan President William Ruto on July 25, 2024. The discussion, as reported by Spokesperson Matthew Miller, centered around several key issues.
By Federal Newswire | Jul 25, 2024
Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI), Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-IA), and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) introduced the bipartisan Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act today. Original co-sponsors include House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL), Glenn Ivey (D-LA), Nate Moran (R-TX), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Ben Cline (R-VA), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Kevin Kiley (R-CA), Deborah Ross (D-NC), and Lou Correa (D-CA).
