News from October 2024
By D. D. Diggs | Oct 15, 2024
Drew Maloney, the president and CEO of American Investment Council (AIC) said the "top policy priority" after the upcoming presidential election will be "economic growth" and protecting jobs across the country.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha to express the United States' continued support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. The discussion included future diplomatic events and interactions with European Union leaders.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
A report by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) forecasts that 233 million U.S. adults, or 89% of the population, are expected to purchase tech products during the 2024 holiday season. This represents an eight percent increase over last year and an 11% rise compared to 2022.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is set to embark on a trip to Brussels, Belgium, from October 16-18, 2024. The visit will include participation in several multilateral meetings such as the NATO Defense Ministerial and the Ministerial of the force contributing members of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS (D-ISIS). These meetings aim to strengthen NATO's collective defense posture, adapt the D-ISIS Coalition to evolving threats from ISIS globally, and enhance military support for Ukraine.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation has reported that Nigerian authorities have denied bail to Binance employee Tigran Gambaryan, who is being held as a means to exert control over the cryptocurrency exchange. The foundation shared this information in an October 11 post on X.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
CDT Europe, in collaboration with eleven other organizations from the Spyware Coordination Group, has expressed significant concerns to the European Parliament about spyware technologies in Slovakia and Greece.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
The United States and Italy have released a joint statement following their inaugural bilateral Space Dialogue, held in Rome on October 10-11, 2024. This event was a significant step forward in the collaboration between the two nations on space-related matters.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
Medicare reform is gaining significant bipartisan support in the House of Representatives, with 233 members urging action on a pending Medicare payment cut. This majority is calling on the Speaker to address Medicare reform during the upcoming lame-duck session.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
The Department of Defense has announced significant progress in reviewing the military records of service members affected by the now-repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III highlighted that the department has taken proactive measures to address past injustices experienced by LGBTQ+ troops.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA) will pay $72,600 in civil penalties and undertake two supplemental environmental projects (SEPs) to address water contamination issues on the Pueblo of Isleta lands.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
Netflix is set to debut its first Brazilian musical reality show, "Rhythm and Flow: Brazil," with a trailer and poster now available. The competition features 18 participants vying for the title of rising star in Brazil's rap scene. Part 1 of the series, comprising four episodes, will premiere on November 12, followed by Part 2 with two final episodes on November 19.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
The Centre for Democracy and Technology Europe (CDT Europe) has engaged with the French national data protection authority, Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL), regarding the General Data Protection Regulation's (GDPR) application to artificial intelligence systems. This engagement is part of CNIL's consultation process.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that its Wage and Hour Division will conduct online seminars aimed at contractors, contracting agencies, unions, workers, and other stakeholders. These seminars will focus on prevailing wage requirements for federally funded construction and service contracts in fiscal year 2025.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
An administrative law judge has ordered JRW Service Group LLC, a federal contractor based in Pennsylvania, to pay $85,284 in back wages. This decision follows an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor into the company's failure to pay prevailing wages, fringe benefits, and overtime to workers on federal construction projects.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
On October 15, 2024, the global tech trade association ITI addressed a letter to U.S. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith and other congressional leaders. The letter outlined significant tax policies impacting U.S. innovation, competitiveness, economic growth, and job creation.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
The United States is taking significant steps to bolster economic security and strengthen partnerships in Central America. Last week, Troy Miller, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner, visited El Salvador for meetings with senior officials from President Nayib Bukele’s administration.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
On October 15, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted an awards ceremony at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., where 350 employees were honored with the Secretary’s Award for their significant contributions to the department's mission.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a call for applications for the 2025 President’s Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) and Presidential Innovation Awards for Environmental Educators (PIAEE). This initiative, established under the 1990 National Environmental Education Act, aims to recognize outstanding environmental projects by students in Grades K-12 and educators who integrate environmental education into their curricula.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
CBP officers at the Calexico West Port of Entry recently intercepted a significant quantity of blue fentanyl pills, weighing approximately 122 pounds, concealed in a vehicle. The discovery occurred last Wednesday around 10:06 p.m. when officers encountered a 47-year-old male driving a gray sedan seeking entry into the United States from Mexico.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 15, 2024
In a joint effort with Canada, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network as an international fundraiser for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a terrorist organization. The PFLP was classified as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. Department of State in 1997 and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2001. Samidoun, along with Khaled Barakat, a member of PFLP's leadership, plays significant roles in fundraising activities for the group.
