News from May 2024
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
In observance of Air Quality Awareness Week (May 6-10), the Office of Management Strategy & Solutions’ Greening Diplomacy Initiative (GDI) has unveiled a machine learning-powered particulate air pollution forecast, now accessible in the ZephAir web version for all cities that host a U.S. diplomatic mission worldwide. This innovative forecast was developed by NASA using machine learning, satellite data, and data from the Department’s air quality monitors at 75 embassies and consulates.
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), via the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), has unveiled a new regulation designed to broaden access to legal representation for children eligible for title IV-E foster care, their parents, kinship caregivers, Indian custodians, and tribes. This will be achieved by permitting state and tribal child welfare agencies to utilize federal funds in providing legal representation.
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
A Michigan-based doctor was found guilty by a federal jury today for instigating the submission of fraudulent claims exceeding $6.3 million to Medicare. These claims were linked to medically unnecessary orthotic braces ordered through a telemarketing scheme.
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on three Nicaragua-based entities: the Training Center of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in Managua (RTC); Compania Minera Internacional, Sociedad Anónima (COMINTSA); and Capital Mining Investment Nicaragua, Sociedad Anónima (Capital Mining). These actions are taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13851, as amended.
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
On National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families (ACF) unveiled new policy guidance and resources to broaden access to legal representation for children eligible for title IV-E foster care, their parents, kinship caregivers, Indian custodians, and tribes. The initiative allows state and tribal child welfare agencies to use federal funds to provide legal representation. This move aligns with President Biden’s Unity Agenda priority of addressing the mental health crisis and...
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), and Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) have introduced the bipartisan BIOSECURE Act. This legislation aims to protect American patient data and taxpayer dollars from falling into the hands of foreign adversaries' biotechnology companies by prohibiting Federal contracting with these entities. The bill builds upon previous efforts in the 118th Congress.
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
The Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) has released a new report detailing the risks and benefits of nonbank mortgage servicers, as well as their rapidly growing share of the industry. The report also recommends actions for increased oversight to ensure these companies are safer and more reliable.
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has released the Treasury International Capital (TIC) data for March 2024. The subsequent release, which will report on data for April 2024, is slated for June 18, 2024.
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
A Hawaii-based man, Curtiss E. Jackson, was convicted by a federal jury for his involvement in a decade-long fraudulent scheme that cost investors of Semisub Inc. and Semisub LLC (collectively referred to as "Semisub") over $28 million.
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
Online actions, no matter how trivial they may seem, can have significant consequences. Clicking on a seemingly harmless link in an email could expose your device to malware. Unbeknownst to many, cellphone plan providers might be tracking all the websites you visit. In certain countries, accessing some websites might not even be possible. This is largely due to the fact that one of the fundamental technologies that power the internet was not initially designed with security, privacy and censorship considerations.
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
A Kentucky-based dentist, Dr. Jay M. Sadrinia, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the unlawful prescription of opioids, including morphine that led to the death of a patient. Court documents and evidence presented at trial revealed that Sadrinia, 61, owned and operated dental clinics in Crescent Springs, Kentucky.
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced today that it has sanctioned Ali Yagoub Gibril and Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed, leaders of the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) war campaign in Sudan. The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order (E.O.) 14098 due to the RSF's recent attacks in North Darfur, which have resulted in numerous civilian casualties, including children.
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has recovered $151,444 in back wages and liquidated damages for 32 home healthcare aides employed by Renee’s Helping Hands, an Indianapolis-based company. The division found that the employer paid aides who traveled to clients’ homes to provide services straight time for hours over 40 in a workweek.
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
The Department of Defense (DoD), representing all Federal agencies, has announced a partnership with Dominion Energy Virginia to jointly strive towards the carbon pollution-free electricity targets set out in President Biden's Federal Sustainability Plan and Executive Order 14057 of December 8, 2021. The plan reestablishes the federal government as a sustainability leader.
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) has expressed its appreciation towards the Georgetown University community for their advocacy in accelerating Uyghur asylum claims. Georgetown Law students, under the guidance of Human Rights Initiative Executive Director Elisa Massimino and Distinguished Fellow and CFU Advisory Board Member Scott Busby, recently composed a persuasive letter to Secretary Mayorkas of the Department of Homeland Security. The letter detailed the dire circumstances encountered by Uyghurs and other ethnic Turkic groups in the Uyghur region, emphasizing the need for...
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) today issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to further specify types of event contracts that fall within the scope of Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) section 5c(c)(5)(C) and are contrary to the public interest.
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has released two white papers that explore the history of cross-border data flow commitments and underscore the advantages of digital trade. These publications, titled “USTR’s Revisionist History on Data and Trade Agreements” and “Responding to the Myths Holding Back U.S. Action on Digital Trade,” address quotes from recent testimonies of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) during oversight hearings before the House Ways & Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee.
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
On May 10, 2024, the United States announced a significant new package of military assistance for Ukraine. The $400 million package is aimed at supporting the Ukrainian people as they defend their country against Russia's aggression.
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
Washington, D.C. — Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a report today that criticized Israel's conduct in Gaza. However, the report stopped short of finding that Israel violated the conditions for its use of U.S. weapons. Patrick Gaspard, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress (CAP), expressed his disappointment with this conclusion.
By Federal Newswire | May 10, 2024
The Disruptive Technology Strike Force, a specialized unit focused on advanced technology threats, recently convened with US government and private sector partners. The conference was centered around discussions about the threat posed by hostile foreign governments to advanced U.S. technology and the ongoing efforts to counteract these threats.
