News from October 2024
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new partnership with farmers and small business owners in Pennsylvania to expand access to clean energy, create jobs, and reduce energy costs. This initiative is part of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program. The funding includes 654 grants for small businesses and farms across the country to implement cost-saving, clean energy systems.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced an allocation of nearly $2 billion for 38 projects aimed at enhancing the resilience of the U.S. power grid against extreme weather threats. This initiative, part of the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program, will increase grid capacity by over 7.5 gigawatts and support approximately 6,000 jobs.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee are seeking answers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the vetting process for Afghan national Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi. Recent media reports suggest Tawhedi, who was arrested in connection with a plot to carry out a violent attack on behalf of ISIS in the United States on Election Day, was not vetted for a special immigrant visa as previously claimed by the Biden-Harris Justice Department.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen convened a meeting of the Financial Stability Oversight Council (Council) on October 18, 2024, at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The meeting was held in executive session.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
A recent investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has revealed that safety failures by a Massachusetts waterproofing contractor led to the death of an employee in February 2024. The incident occurred when part of a foundation collapsed, crushing the worker in a trench at a residence in Hanson.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
Nearly 100 emerging leaders from the Middle East, Africa, and South and Central Asia concluded the 2024 TechWomen program this week. The Department of State's exchange program for women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), TechWomen offers mentoring opportunities with U.S. women leaders in these fields to encourage more women and girls to pursue STEM careers.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced nearly $125 million in selections under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act National Grants Program. This initiative aims to upgrade or retire older diesel engines, promoting cleaner and zero-emission solutions. The program targets areas impacted by air quality issues, particularly those benefiting disadvantaged communities facing public health or environmental justice challenges.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
On October 18, 2024, the United States, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and Japan met to discuss human rights in North Korea. The meeting aimed to promote respect for human rights in the region, marking the 10th anniversary of a significant United Nations report that identified North Korea's actions as crimes against humanity.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) took part in the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Eighth Session of the Committee on Environment and Development (CED8) in Bangkok, Thailand. Representing the United States was Marion McFadden, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Community Planning and Development, along with other HUD officials.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced nearly $125 million in selections under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants Program. This initiative aims to upgrade or retire older diesel engines, replacing them with cleaner and zero-emission solutions to improve air quality and public health. The awards are currently in final workplan negotiations with the selected applicants.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
A Peruvian national, Jose Alejandro Zuñiga Cano, has been sentenced to 98 months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $700,000 in restitution for his involvement in a transnational fraud scheme. The scheme targeted over 1,100 Spanish-speaking immigrants in the United States.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Ambassador Bonnie D. Jenkins, is set to visit Atlanta, Georgia on October 19-20, 2024. During her visit, she will address the Spelman College Nuclear Deterrence Forum.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
Takedown requests from authorities have led to increased Facebook censorship for Hong Kong residents, with a significant rise in such actions over the past five years, according to an October 14 report from Radio Free Asia (RFA).
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Mike Hammer, is visiting Boston, Massachusetts from October 18 to 22. During his stay, he will engage with students and faculty at several academic institutions.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
Jonathan Czin, a former CIA China expert, has taken on the role of the Michael H. Armacost Chair in Foreign Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution as of September 30, 2024. Czin's career includes significant positions such as a member of the Senior Analytic Service at the CIA and director for China at the White House National Security Council from 2021 to 2023. He also served as an advisor for Asia-Pacific Security Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and overseas at a CIA field station in Southeast Asia.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a settlement with Keystone-Conemaugh Projects, LLC, based in Blairsville, Pennsylvania. The agreement requires the company to monitor and potentially remediate groundwater at its Conemaugh Generating Station in New Florence, Pennsylvania. Additionally, Keystone-Conemaugh Projects will pay a civil penalty of $185,927.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 18, 2024
Xie Yang has been detained for the past 32 months by Chinese authorities. This is not the first time he has faced detention, according to a news release from the Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) on October 9.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 17, 2024
TD Bank’s U.S. unit has agreed to pay $3.09 billion in penalties and face growth restrictions following charges it failed to effectively monitor money laundering activities linked to drug cartels and Chinese criminal organizations. The settlement exposes flaws in federal anti-money-laundering (AML) systems related to international schemes by networks based in China.
By K. R. Nelson | Oct 17, 2024
On October 7, Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-48) and Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (WI-5) introduced the Litigation Transparency Act of 2024, a bill aimed at reforming third-party litigation funding (TPLF) by mandating the disclosure of financial backers in civil lawsuits. This legislation directly addresses the growing concern that undisclosed financiers, including hedge funds and foreign entities, are driving lawsuits that place higher burdens on small businesses and large industries alike.
By Federal Newswire News Reports | Oct 17, 2024
Mike Prado is the deputy assistant director of the Homeland Security Investigations, a cybercrime center at the Department of Homeland Security.
