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“That day left deep scars on individuals, families, and the collective memory of the State of Israel and the world,” said Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, who is based in Jerusalem. “Today, we mourn for the over 1,200 people, including many women and children, who were murdered in cold blood. Even a year later, the brutality is impossible to comprehend.” Release all hostages Mr. Wennesland added that more than 250 people were also abducted from Israel and taken into Gaza, and hostages continue to be held in abhorrent and unimaginable conditions. “My thoughts are…

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ATLANTA – As states across the Southeast address Hurricane Helene’s impacts, the U.S. Department of Labor reminds employers in disaster recovery and their workers that even when disaster strikes, worker protections apply.The department’s Wage and Hour Division has resources available to help workers and employers understand their rights and responsibilities, including its natural disaster compliance assistance toolkit. The toolkit highlights how to avoid Fair Labor Standards Act violations, focusing on commonly found compliance failures when the department investigates employers engaged in disaster recovery, clean-up and rebuilding efforts.Concerns highlighted in the toolkit include minimum and overtime wages, misclassification of employees as independent contractors,…

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TAMPA, FL – Rather than address the 15 existing safety and health hazards cited by federal workplace safety inspectors in July 2023, a Pinellas Park boat manufacturer continues to jeopardize the safety and health of its workers, according to a follow-up inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor.Prompted by the failure of Blacktip Boatworks LLC to submit required proof of abatement to the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, inspectors returned to the worksite in March 2024 and discovered the company had not corrected hazardous conditions, including failing to institute a workplace respiratory protection program and procedures for workers required to wear tight fitting respirators, and…

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Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez will travel to Portugal and Spain from October 6-9 to engage key partners across Europe on critical minerals supply chains and promote trade and economic opportunities with the United States. In Lisbon, Portugal, October 6-8, Under Secretary Fernandez will meet with officials from the Ministry of Economy and Ministry of the Presidency as well as representatives from the Portuguese and U.S. private sectors, including leading critical minerals, telecom, data center, and energy companies. He will reaffirm U.S. support for strengthening economic, critical minerals, and energy cooperation in Portugal…

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WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su issued the following statement on the agreement reached between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance.“As President Biden, Vice President Harris and this administration have said again and again, collective bargaining works. I congratulate the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance for reaching a tentative agreement on a strong wage package that allows the East Coast and Gulf ports to reopen while the parties finish bargaining on a new contract. “I applaud the longshoremen who do such important work and deserve to be valued for it, and…

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The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot.  The two discussed the evolving situation in the Middle East and the importance of coordinating efforts on a diplomatic resolution that would allow citizens of Israel and Lebanon to return to their homes.  They also discussed joint efforts to increase humanitarian aid in Gaza and secure the release of hostages.  The Secretary reiterated the United States condemnation in the strongest terms of Iran’s military attack against Israel on October 1. Source_link

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WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su issued the following statement on the September 2024 Employment Situation report: “Today’s jobs report shows that our economy continues to thrive, adding 254,000 jobs in September, with the unemployment rate falling to 4.1 percent. With an average of 186,000 jobs added over the past three months, it’s clear that people who need a job are finding a job. That’s how strong our economy is. “We’re seeing steady growth across sectors like Private Education & Health Services (+81,000), Leisure & Hospitality (+78,000), Government (+31,000) and Construction (+25,000). At the same time, wages have risen 4.0…

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SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, good afternoon, everyone.  It’s a great pleasure to be here with my friend Espen – friend, colleague – and also for me, for the United States, our partnership with Norway on so many things, especially in moments of challenge, is deeply appreciated, deeply meaningful. As NATO founding members, our countries have an extraordinary history, a longstanding history, of working to address global challenges – not just the bilateral relationship, but between Norway and the United States, one that focuses on regional issues but also on global issues. In April, we agreed to tackle one of the greatest…

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Grant supports employment, humanitarian assistance, training in affected communitiesWASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the approval of up to $5 million in initial emergency grant funding to Florida to support disaster-relief jobs and training services in 31 counties to help respond to Hurricane Helene.On Sept. 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm at Dekle Beach in Taylor County as the strongest hurricane on record to make landfall in the state’s Big Bend area. The third hurricane to hit the area in about 13 months, Helene was a deadly storm that brought catastrophic flooding…

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Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide today in Washington and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to further strengthen the U.S.-Norway relationship. The Secretary thanked Norway for its commitment to Ukraine, including its decision to donate six F-16 fighter jets and provide over $7 billion in long-term security and humanitarian assistance. The Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed concerns for the PRC’s support to the Russian defense industrial base. They also discussed the situation in the Middle East and underscored the importance of continued diplomatic efforts to bring stability to the region, including by reaching…

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