News from October 2024
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
The Stimson Center's latest CORVI rapid risk assessment highlights the growing climate vulnerabilities faced by Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island nation. The assessment reveals that Mauritius is increasingly threatened by sea-level rise, loss of coastal ecosystems, flooding, and tropical cyclones. These environmental challenges have significant implications for the nation's economy and public health.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced a significant investment in rural infrastructure projects across the United States. The USDA is allocating $1.3 billion to fund 116 projects aimed at improving access to clean and reliable electric grids, safe drinking water, and job opportunities in rural and Tribal communities. This initiative aligns with President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which focuses on economic growth from the middle out and bottom up.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a settlement with Argos Puerto Rico Corp. regarding violations of the Clean Air Act. The company, which operates a Portland cement manufacturing plant in Dorado, Puerto Rico, will pay a $111,000 fine and invest over $200,000 in Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEP). These projects involve installing solar energy systems at a nearby school and a center for children facing issues related to abuse and neglect.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, along with Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Shannon Estenoz and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Kathryn Isom-Clause, visited Carlisle, Pennsylvania as part of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative. This initiative, launched in June 2021 by Secretary Haaland, aims to address the legacy of federal Indian boarding school policies and their impact on Indigenous communities.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
Argos Puerto Rico Corp. has agreed to settle Clean Air Act violations by paying a $111,000 penalty and investing over $200,000 in Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the settlement today, which includes installing solar energy systems at a school and a childcare facility.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
Precision Toxicology, operating as Precision Diagnostics, has agreed to pay $27 million to resolve allegations of violating the False Claims Act and similar state statutes. The company was accused of billing Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs for medically unnecessary urine drug tests and providing free items to physicians who referred laboratory testing business to Precision. Based in San Diego, Precision is one of the largest urine drug testing laboratories in the United States.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
Commissioner Bedoya's office and NCTA will participate in a virtual ex parte meeting on the Unfair or Deceptive Fees Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The meeting is scheduled for October 2, 2024.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
Netflix has announced the release of a new documentary film, "It's All Over: The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football," set to premiere globally on November 1st. Produced by You First Originals, the film delves into a pivotal moment in women's sports history following Spain's victory in the 2023 Women's World Cup.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has expressed its opposition to the South Dakota Age Verification Act. In a letter to the state's legislature, CCIA highlighted concerns about data privacy and security associated with age verification and parental consent requirements outlined in the bill. The organization supports digital citizenship programs that promote responsible online behavior and empower parents with tools to manage their children's internet use.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the inclusion of two companies from the People's Republic of China on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List. This action increases the total number of entities on the list to 75, as part of efforts to combat forced labor and address human rights abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey have taken legal action against the State of New Jersey, filing a complaint concerning conditions at state-run veterans homes. A proposed consent decree has been filed to address findings of unconstitutional conditions at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes located in Menlo Park and Paramus.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
The United States recently hosted the second in-person meeting of the U.S.-India CEO Forum, co-chaired by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and India's Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal. This forum serves as a platform for leaders from both nations' business communities to collaborate on strengthening commercial ties and expanding trade and investment between India and the United States.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the allocation of $6 million in grants aimed at increasing the participation of women in pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship programs, as well as nontraditional occupations. These funds are intended to support training initiatives across eight states and the District of Columbia, focusing on skilled building trades, advanced manufacturing, and information technology.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
The U.S. Department of Justice has reached a settlement with the Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP) over allegations that its hiring practices for state troopers violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The claims centered on the use of a written test, which allegedly discriminates against Black candidates, and a physical fitness test, which allegedly discriminates against female candidates. A federal judge must still approve the agreement.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
The Justice Department has announced a settlement with the Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP) concerning allegations of discriminatory hiring practices. The United States claims that MDSP's hiring process for state troopers violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. According to these allegations, the written test used by MDSP discriminates against Black candidates, while the physical fitness test discriminates against female candidates. The settlement agreement is pending approval from a federal judge.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Area Port of San Luis have seized over 175 pounds of narcotics during a smuggling attempt. The incident occurred on Saturday, September 28, at around 10:30 p.m., involving an 18-year-old male U.S. citizen driving a Chevrolet SUV from Mexico to the San Luis I Port of Entry.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated one individual and three companies for facilitating weapons procurement and smuggling operations for Ansarallah, also known as the Houthis. The targeted entities are based in Iran and China and have allegedly assisted the Houthis in acquiring materials needed for advanced missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
A senior executive from a Michigan-based asphalt paving company has admitted to his involvement in two separate bid-rigging conspiracies. David A. Coppola, vice president of Al’s Asphalt Paving Company Inc., based in Taylor, Michigan, entered a guilty plea today for conspiring with Asphalt Specialists LLC (ASI), F. Allied Construction Company Inc. (Allied), and their employees to manipulate bids for asphalt paving services contracts within the state.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mid-Atlantic Region, alongside U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (VA-03), organized a roundtable at Norfolk State University to address environmental justice concerns in Norfolk. The meeting brought together around 20 experts and focused on strategies to tackle the city's pressing environmental challenges.
By Federal Newswire | Oct 2, 2024
Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues Julie Turner and Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack are set to visit the Republic of Korea from October 7-11, 2024. During their stay in Seoul, they will co-host a strategic workshop on accountability for human rights violations in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). This event is organized by the Center for Justice and Accountability with funding from the State Department’s Office of Global Criminal Justice.
