News from September 2024
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a settlement agreement with COBB Tuning Products to resolve claims related to the manufacture and sale of automotive emission defeat devices in violation of the Clean Air Act. The settlement requires COBB to pay a civil penalty of just over $2.9 million, based on the company’s limited ability to pay, and to cease the manufacture and sale of defeat devices.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
Lawrence Kadish, a member of the board of governors for the Gatestone Institute, said that the level of surveillance in China indicates that the government is allowing its fentanyl exports to continue. Kadish shared his statement in a September 11 commentary.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) said that his Hong Kong Autonomy Act contains tools that could be used to counter attacks on freedom of the press in Hong Kong. Van Hollen shared his statement in an August 29 post on X.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has expressed encouragement over the Korea Fair Trade Commission's (KFTC) recent decision to shift away from ex-ante regulation of select digital service providers. The CCIA noted that such regulation is not suitable for a leading digital economy like Korea. However, there are still bills under consideration in the Korean National Assembly proposing ex-ante regulation of digital platforms, which could negatively impact the global export competitiveness of both U.S. and Korean companies.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned five individuals and one entity associated with the Intellexa Consortium for their involvement in developing, operating, and distributing commercial spyware technology. This action is part of broader U.S. government efforts to counter commercial spyware vendors.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Justice Department announced a settlement agreement with COBB Tuning Products on September 16, 2024, to address claims related to the manufacture and sale of automotive emission defeat devices in violation of the Clean Air Act. The agreement mandates that COBB pay a civil penalty exceeding $2.9 million and cease the production and sale of these devices.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
The NRF Foundation today announced the honorees of The List of People Shaping Retail’s Future 2025, a group of retail leaders who will be celebrated at the 10th annual NRF Foundation Honors in New York City in January.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
As the United States approaches the end of its "year of elections," concerns over the integrity and accuracy of election-related information continue to grow. The rise in popularity and availability of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots introduces a new vector for potential misinformation, particularly affecting voters with disabilities.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a court order to prevent Lifeline Inc., a Maryland-based home care agency, and its owner Rhoda Makinde from retaliating against employees amid an ongoing investigation.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced new measures to enforce U.S. laws and protect Americans by addressing the significant increase in the abuse of the de minimis exemption, particularly focusing on China-founded e-commerce platforms and shipments that violate U.S. laws.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
Siouxland Surgery Center LLP, doing business as Dunes Surgical Hospital (Dunes), United Surgical Partners International Inc. (USPI), and USP Siouxland Inc. have agreed to pay approximately $12.76 million to resolve alleged False Claims Act violations relating to improper financial relationships between Dunes and two physician groups. Dunes is a surgical hospital located in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota. Since July 1, 2014, USPI has maintained partial ownership of Dunes through USP Siouxland, a wholly owned subsidiary of USPI. Dunes and USPI disclosed the arrangements at issue to...
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
Department of Defense Spokesman Lt. Col. Garron Garn, USMC, provided the following readout:
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is distributing more than $2.6 million in refunds to consumers affected by the deceptive practices of online cash advance provider FloatMe. The company had misled consumers with false promises of "free money" and discriminated against certain applicants for cash advances.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
President Joseph R. Biden announced on Saturday that the Department of State has selected 29 Fulbright U.S. Students as Fulbright-John Lewis Civil Rights Fellows. In his remarks at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Phoenix Awards dinner, President Biden highlighted the significance of this new Fulbright opportunity for Americans. Established with the direction and support of the U.S. Congress, these fellowships honor the legacy of the late John Lewis, a civil rights leader and member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and aim to promote understanding of...
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
Today, Ambassador Jonathan Henick and First Deputy Minister of Geology Omonullo Nasritdinxodjaev signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Uzbekistan on critical minerals. The signing ceremony took place in Tashkent, ahead of the Government of Uzbekistan’s participation in MINExpo INTERNATIONAL, the mining industry’s largest global event, taking place in Las Vegas.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
The U.S. Department of Education announced today that it is awarding grants to eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) under the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Program (Hawkins) and the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP). Additionally, an award will be made to establish a National Technical Assistance Center to Diversify the Workforce Serving Children with Disabilities.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
The U.S. Department of Education announced today the awarding of grants to eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) under the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Program (Hawkins) and the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP). Additionally, an award will be made to establish a National Technical Assistance Center to Diversify the Workforce Serving Children with Disabilities.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
Microsoft Corp. on Monday announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.83 per share, reflecting an 8 cent or 10% increase over the previous quarter’s dividend. The dividend is payable Dec. 12, 2024, to shareholders of record on Nov. 21, 2024. The ex-dividend date will be Nov. 21, 2024.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is collaborating with states, Tribes, and local partners to celebrate SepticSmart Week from September 16-20, 2024. This weeklong nationwide public education campaign aims to provide homeowners and renters with essential information about protecting public health and properly maintaining septic systems. The initiative targets the one-fifth of U.S. households that utilize onsite or small community cluster septic systems for wastewater treatment.
By Federal Newswire | Sep 16, 2024
Federal safety inspectors found a crew working aboard the Cuyahoga, a commercial iron ore vessel moored at the Port of Ashtabula, narrowly avoided disaster after a large fire erupted as they welded off paint in a cargo hold, an incident their employer could have avoided by following U.S. Department of Labor safety regulations.
