The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a trilateral meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov today in New York during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week. Secretary Blinken commended both ministers on the progress Armenia and Azerbaijan have made toward a durable and dignified peace and encouraged continued progress by both countries to finalize an agreement as soon as possible. The Secretary underscored that a peace agreement would bring increased stability and prosperity to the region. Source_link
Author: admin
Whistleblower investigation finds TrueStart Transport violated federal protectionsMAUGANSVILLE, MD – The U.S. Department of Labor has ordered a Maugansville transportation company to reinstate an employee and pay them nearly $30,000 in back wages and damages after finding the employer wrongly terminated the worker for refusing to drive an oversized load in an unsafe manner.The decision follows an investigation by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration that found TrueStart Transport LLC violated the whistleblower provision of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act by firing an employee who raised safety concerns when directed to transport an oversized load without the required escort vehicle. OSHA learned the…
Today, as part of the surge of assistance that President Biden directed ahead of his meeting with President Zelenskyy, the Department notified Congress of the intent to direct the drawdown of up to approximately $5.55 billion in defense articles and services from DoD stocks for military assistance to Ukraine under Presidential Drawdown Authority. This drawdown utilizes the remaining authority of the Presidential Drawdown Authority under section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance for fiscal year 2024 provided by the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, which will expire on September 30, 2024. We are taking this step to ensure this Authority…
Who: U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration Emergency and recovery response crews, residents in areas affected by Hurricane HeleneWhat: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration urges response and recovery crews, as well as residents in areas affected by Hurricane Helene to be aware of hazards caused by flooding, power loss, structural damage, fallen trees and storm debris. Storm recovery efforts may involve hazards related to restoring electricity and communications, clearing and removing debris, repairing or replacing roofs, and trimming trees. People involved in recovery and cleanup activities should have experience and proper training and be…
In a groundbreaking effort to enhance access to vaccines, medicines, and health technologies in Africa, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and Team Europe Initiative on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies (“MAV+”) have collaborated on an ambitious initiative. The result? A two-week study tour across Germany and Belgium in September 2024, bringing together health experts from Africa to explore the vaccine and pharmaceutical ecosystem in Europe.Seventeen health experts representing five African Union Member States, a Regional Economic Community, and Africa CDC participated in the tour. Each participant was selected based on their work…
The text of the following statement was released by the Government of the United States of America and the European Commission. Begin text: The United States and the European Commission hosted Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) Forum members today in New York City on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week and Climate Week NYC to discuss opportunities, priorities, and challenges in responsible mining, processing, and recycling of critical minerals needed for the energy transition. The meeting was Co-Chaired by Jose W. Fernandez, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, and Maive Rute,…
The second draft timeline suggests holding the hearings between Nov. 4 and 12, with the MEPs’ vote coming in the final week of November, and the Commission taking office on Dec. 1. On Tuesday, the Conference of Committee Chairs — led by German Social Democrat Bernd Lange — will recommend one of the two options to the Conference of Presidents, which is chaired by Parliament President Roberta Metsola and brings together the political group leaders. The Conference of Presidents will make a final decision on Wednesday. However, Lange said he only created the October timeline to show how impossible it…
Today, the European Commission announced the winners of the 2024 edition of the Symposium on Fusion Technology (SOFT) Innovation Prize. These awards give recognition to outstanding proposals that foster collaboration between researchers and industry. The European Union funds the SOFT Innovation Prize through the Euratom Research and Training Programme in order to support innovative ideas in fusion research with market potential.Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: “The innovative breakthroughs achieved by this year’s SOFT Innovation Prize winners demonstrate the immense potential of scientific creativity and collaboration to drive progress. By supporting and celebrating cutting-edge solutions, we are…
Bulletproof Plumbing & Heating Inc. paid straight time for overtime hours worked.Employer: Bulletproof Plumbing & Heating Inc. Investigation site: 6920 Ropers Point Colorado Springs, CO 80908Findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found Bulletproof Plumbing & Heating Inc. paid 27 non-exempt plumbers straight time for hours over 40 in a workweek, when time and one-half was required by federal law. Back wages recovered: $69,050 in back wages for 27 employeesDamages…
Today, on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly, Acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Lee Satterfield joined Ukraine’s Prosecutor General, leaders from across Europe, and key stakeholders where she announced two new projects funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Ukraine Cultural Heritage Response Initiative and underscored continued U.S. support for the people of Ukraine and their efforts to protect and preserve Ukrainian culture. First, in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania’s Cultural Heritage Center, the United States will help ensure Ukrainians have the data and skills they need to repair and restore…