News from May 2024
By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma met Colombian President Gustavo Petro in Bogotá, Colombia, on the margins of the 11th U.S.-Colombia High-Level Dialogue.
By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
On May 29, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition. Funded by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, these rebates will facilitate the purchase of 116 clean school buses across 18 school districts in Virginia.
By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
Today, on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, the United States reaffirmed its support for UN peacekeeping efforts. The nation recognized the contributions of over two million women and men from more than 120 countries who have participated in 71 peacekeeping operations since 1948. Additionally, it honored the nearly 4,200 peacekeepers who have lost their lives in service.
By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A former Aldi executive and a general contractor from Breese, Illinois, have admitted guilt to federal fraud offenses involving rigging the bid system for construction projects of grocery stores throughout southern Illinois and Missouri.
By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
On May 29, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the allocation of $12.1 million to support energy efficiency and clean energy projects in three states and 14 local governments. This funding is part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean addressed the press at the Chisinau Power Substation in Moldova on May 29, 2024. The event highlighted the United States' ongoing support for Moldova, particularly in energy security.
By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
On May 29, 2024, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore, alongside Region 2 Administrator Lisa Garcia and Region 3 Administrator Adam Ortiz, joined Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and other partners to emphasize the significance of Great Lakes restoration in revitalizing communities along Lake Erie's shoreline.
By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will embark on his tenth trip to the Indo-Pacific region starting May 29, 2024. This visit aims to bolster U.S. relationships with allies and partners in the region, focusing on advancing peace, stability, and deterrence.
By Federal Newswire | May 29, 2024
Spinal device manufacturer Innovasis Inc. and senior executives Brent Felix and Garth Felix have agreed to pay $12 million to resolve allegations of violating the False Claims Act by paying kickbacks to spine surgeons. Brent Felix is the founder, President, and Chairman of the Board of Innovasis, headquartered in Utah. Garth Felix has held various leadership roles, including Chief Financial Officer.
By Federal Newswire | May 28, 2024
Calli Schroeder, senior counsel and global privacy counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, has raised concerns regarding AI programs that monitor user actions. "Constant screenshots of user actions for Recall and other AI programs is a form of surveillance," she stated. "Keeping the data on-device addresses some of the risks of that surveillance but doesn’t change the fact that user activities are being monitored and recorded in great detail and volume."
By Federal Newswire | May 28, 2024
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking public input on protocols for a new Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program, the main initiative under the Growing Climate Solutions Act. The information will be collected through a Request for Information and will inform a proposed rule to establish the program.
By Federal Newswire | May 28, 2024
Secretary Blinken spoke by phone with Sudanese Armed Forces General Burhan on May 28, 2024. The conversation addressed the urgent need to end the conflict in Sudan and facilitate unhindered humanitarian access to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.
By Federal Newswire | May 28, 2024
Washington, D.C. — States now have a significant opportunity to boost their clean energy economies through direct pay, a policy enabling public and nonprofit organizations to access substantial discounts on self-built and owned clean energy projects.
By Federal Newswire | May 28, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Senior Advisor for International Climate Policy John Podesta, National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard, and National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi announced the publication of a Joint Statement of Policy and new Principles for Responsible Participation in Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs). These markets have the potential to channel private capital to drive decarbonization efforts.
By Federal Newswire | May 28, 2024
The latest installment of Shonda Rhimes' "Bridgerton" continues to captivate audiences, with Part 1 of Season 3 maintaining its position at the top of the English TV List for a second consecutive week, amassing 25.3 million views. Additionally, earlier seasons of the series remain popular, with Season 1 reaching #2 (6.4 million views), Season 2 at #4 (5.3 million views), and "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" at #8 (3.1 million views). Part 2 is scheduled for release on June 13.
By Federal Newswire | May 28, 2024
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s Interagency Labor Committee for Monitoring and Enforcement has requested a review by the Mexican government regarding findings that workers' rights were denied at a Volkswagen assembly plant in Puebla, Mexico. This follows an April 25, 2024, petition filed by ten dismissed workers who allege that Volkswagen Mexico violated their freedom of association and collective bargaining rights at the country's largest auto factory.
By Federal Newswire | May 28, 2024
The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has filed an amicus brief at the Federal Circuit, urging it to uphold a ruling that Idaho's bad faith patent law is not preempted. The legislation was enacted to address the misuse of demand letters by patent trolls.
By Federal Newswire | May 28, 2024
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo will travel to Singapore from June 3 to June 6 to participate in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)’s Ministerial meeting. Raimondo will also lead 22 American companies to the inaugural IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum, aiming to accelerate sustainable infrastructure and climate technology investments in the region.
By Federal Newswire | May 28, 2024
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Government in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, challenging the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its beneficial ownership reporting requirements.
By Federal Newswire | May 28, 2024
Ambassador Steve Lang, U.S. Coordinator for International Information and Communications Policy, and Special Envoy Eileen Donahoe, Coordinator for Digital Freedom, are in Geneva, Switzerland, leading a U.S. interagency delegation for the WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event and AI for Good Global Summit from May 27-31.
