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Olympic organisers commit to July games date despite COVID-19 outbreak

While major events are being cancelled and postponed around the world, those behind the Tokyo Olympics say they don't have to make a decision about the games with just four months to go.




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By delaying Tokyo Games, the International Olympic Committee finally admits it's not the main game in town

It was welcomed by athletes around the world, but the decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympics until 2021 was easy in comparison to what comes next, writes Tracey Holmes.




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Sports will reap the benefits of committing to women's leagues during the coronavirus pandemic

It would be a short-sighted and costly move for Australia's sporting bodies to abandon women's leagues to help them cope with the financial fallout caused by coronavirus, writes Richard Hinds.




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'Never Have I Ever' is the L.A. immigrant tale I never thought I'd see on TV: My own

Critic Lorraine Ali writes of seeing her immigrant upbringing in the San Fernando Valley reflected in the Mindy Kaling Netflix comedy 'Never Have I Ever.'




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Trump's message to Central America: Want ventilators? Help us with immigration

The Trump administration appears to be conditioning coronavirus assistance in Central America on immigration policy




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U.S. implicates Honduran president in drug trafficking as it seeks his help on immigration

U.S. prosecutors accused a former commander of the Honduran police of importing tons of cocaine into the United States on behalf of the country's president, a Trump ally.




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L.A. Times wins Pulitzer Prizes for art criticism, immigration reporting

Los Angeles Times journalists Christopher Knight and Molly O'Toole won Pulitzer Prizes on Monday, bringing the newspaper's total to 47.




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Elastomers 2020 US Summits to be delivered in a virtual format

In light of Covid-19, Smithers Thermoplastic and Silicone Elastomers US Summits will now take place in a virtual format.




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E&C Committee Members Hold Teleconference Forum with Admiral Giroir on COVID-19 Testing

Energy and Commerce Committee members held a bipartisan teleconference forum with Admiral Brett P. Giroir, M.D., Assistant Secretary of Health at the Department of Health and Human Services, on the Administration’s COVID-19 testing efforts. Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR) released a joint statement following the call: “The Committee continued its discussions with federal health leaders today on the Administration’s ongoing response to the coronavirus pandemic.  During the call, members received an update on federal efforts to increase COVID-19 testing and encouraged the Administration to continue working to get more testing supplies to communities in need. “The members asked for more specifics on the testing needs that states have identified, how the federal government is going to increase capacity and what level of testing is necessary to reopen the economy. “Testing is an essential tool in reducing the spread of this horrible virus, and we thank Admiral Giroir for providing the Committee an update today.” ###




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E&C Leaders Announce Committee Teleconference Forum on COVID-19 Testing, Contact Tracing and Surveillance on May 8

Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR) today announced that the Full Committee will hold a teleconference forum on Friday, May 8, at 12 pm (EDT) on COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and surveillance. “Our nation cannot effectively combat this terrible pandemic in the weeks and months ahead without significant testing, contact tracing and surveillance,” Pallone and Walden said.  “We look forward to hearing from health experts about what actions they believe are necessary to ensure our communities have the resources they need to fight this pandemic and to confidently reopen their local economies.” During the forum, the Committee will hear from three health experts:  Andy Slavitt, former Acting Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from 2015-2017.  Mark McClellan, M.D., Ph.D., former Administrator of CMS from 2004-2006 and former Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from 2002-2004.  Avik Roy,Co-founder and President of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity. This forum is open to the press.  Credentialed reporters interested in listening to the forum live should RSVP to cj.young@mail.house.gov by 4 pm today, Thursday, May 7. ###




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Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee Announces Teleconference Forum with FTC Chairman Simons on May 11

Washington, D.C. – Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) today announced that the Subcommittee will hold a teleconference forum on Monday, May 11, at 12 p.m. (EDT) with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Joseph J. Simons to discuss critical consumer protection issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant consumer protection concerns that fall under the purview of the FTC, including COVID-19 related scams, price gouging, privacy and data security issues, and more,” Schakowsky and McMorris Rodgers said.  “We look forward to hearing from Chairman Simons about the steps FTC is taking to ensure consumers are protected during this pandemic.”      This forum is open to the press.  Credentialed reporters interested in listening to the forum live should RSVP to Evan.Gilbert@mail.house.gov by 5 pm on Friday, May 8.   ###




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COVID-19 is a Perfect Storm of Hardship for US Immigrant Communities

Immigrant communities, along with communities of color and people experiencing existing health inequities, are expected to face disproportionate effects.

The post COVID-19 is a Perfect Storm of Hardship for US Immigrant Communities appeared first on Bill of Health.




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At Joe Biden’s Urging, Airbnb, WeWork, And Others Commit To Help Cancer Patients

The companies are committing to find ways to use their businesses to help patients with cancer.




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Clinical tests imminent for Junshi's COVID-19 antibody

A new collaboration between Shanghai’s Junshi Biosciences and Eli Lilly will seek to develop novel…



  • Anti-virals/Biotechnology/China/Coronavirus/Drug Trial/Eli Lilly & Company/Focus On/JS016/Junshi Biosciences/Research/USA

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FDA commissioner in self-quarantine after exposure to person with COVID-19

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn is in self-quarantine for a couple of weeks after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, an FDA spokesman told Reuters late on Friday.




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Puerto Rico Senator Jorge De Castro Font Pleads Guilty to Honest Services Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Extortion

Jorge De Castro Font, 45, a former senator in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty today to 20 counts of honest services wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit extortion.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Former Lobbyist Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Fraud

A former lobbyist pleaded guilty today to conspiring with others to commit honest services fraud. Todd A. Boulanger, 37, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard W. Roberts in the District of Columbia. According to court documents, Boulanger worked as a lobbyist from 1999 through 2004 with Jack Abramoff and others.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Former U.S. Tax Court Official Sentenced for Engaging in a Conspiracy to Commit Bribery

A former official of the U.S. Tax Court was sentenced today in connection with a bribery conspiracy involving contracts at the U.S. Tax Court in the District of Columbia. Fred Fernando Timbol Jr., 43, of Mount Airy, Md., was sentenced by Judge Ricardo M. Urbina of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Former Congressional Staffer Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Fraud

A former congressional staffer pleaded guilty today to conspiring with others to commit honest services fraud. Ann Copland, 52, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard W. Roberts in the District of Columbia.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Attorney Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud

A securities attorney pleaded guilty today to defrauding investors in stock manipulation schemes involving 19 different publicly traded companies. David B. Stocker, 49, of Phoenix pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., for his participation in a stock manipulation conspiracy known as a “pump-and-dump” scheme.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Announces Public Education Campaign Grants to Fight Immigration-Related Employment Discrimination

The Department is making grant funding available for public education programs concerning immigration-related employment discrimination. The Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC), a section of the Department’s Civil Rights Division, announced the availability of funds for public education programs regarding employees’ rights and employers’ obligations under the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).



  • OPA Press Releases

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Deputy Attorney General David Ogden at the Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Summit

"Community policing in the United States is built on two partnerships: first, and fundamentally, the partnership between state, local and tribal law enforcement and the communities they serve. And second, the partnership between these law enforcement agencies and the Department of Justice."




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Kansas Man Charged with Immigration Crimes in Connection with 1994 Genocide in Rwanda

Lazare Kabaya Kobagaya, 82, of Topeka, Kan., was arrested today on charges of naturalization fraud and misuse of an alien registration card. According to the indictment, Kobagaya allegedly participated in genocidal activities during the 1994 Rwandan conflict including mobilizing attackers to commit arson and murder. Kobagaya is alleged to have failed to disclose his alleged participation in these activities during his immigration and naturalization processes.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Former Head Securities Trader for Lancer Group Hedge Funds Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Mail, Wire and Securities Fraud

The former head securities trader for Lancer Group hedge funds pleaded guilty on April 28, 2009, to one count of conspiracy to commit mail, wire and securities fraud. Eric Hauser, 65, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Adalberto Jordan in Miami. Hauser admitted to participating in a scheme to manipulate trading of stocks owned by the Lancer Group hedge funds.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Three Ohio Residents Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud for Fraudulent Real Estate Loan Scheme

Todd Gongwer of Dublin, Ohio; Lance Parker of Dublin, Ohio; and Joel Lee, of Galena, Ohio, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Gongwer, a licensed real estate agent, also pleaded guilty to tax evasion in the hearing before Judge Michael H. Watson in Columbus, Ohio. Parker also pleaded guilty to illegally structuring cash transactions.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli Before the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary in a Hearing Entitled “Helping State and Local Law Enforcement”

"If our partnership with state, local and tribal law enforcement is to endure, federal financial support cannot be a one time occurrence. This country is facing prolonged problems that require steadfast commitment and long-term cooperation."




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Eight Uzbekistan Nationals Among 12 Charged with Racketeering, Human Trafficking & Immigration Violations in Scheme to Employ Illegal Aliens in 14 States

Twelve defendants, including eight Uzbekistan nationals, have been charged in a 45-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on May 6, 2009, on RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) charges related to labor racketeering, forced labor trafficking and immigration and other violations in 14 states.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Former Political Action Committee Contractor Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Funds

Melissa Thomas, 34, pleaded guilty today to one count of forgery in connection with a scheme to embezzle more than $17,000 from a political action committee (PAC), which was a client of her employer.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Attorney General Vacates Compean Order, Initiates New Rulemaking to Govern Immigration Removal Proceedings

Attorney General Eric Holder today vacated the order issued in Matter of Compean by Attorney General Mukasey in January and announced his intention to initiate a new rulemaking proceeding for regulations to govern claims of ineffective assistance of counsel in removal proceedings.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden at the ATF Firearms Trafficking Summit

"Keeping guns out of the hands of the Mexican drug warlords is a top priority for the Department. It is a priority that the President and the Attorney General have promised to address quickly and aggressively."




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Attorney General Appoints New Chief Immigration Judge

Attorney General Eric Holder announced the appointment of Brian M. O’Leary as the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s (EOIR) Chief Immigration Judge. Prior to his appointment, Judge O’Leary served as an immigration judge from May 2007 to June 2009 at the Arlington, Va., Immigration Court. He served as a temporary board member on the Board of Immigration Appeals from May 2006 to May 2007 and as a deputy chief immigration judge in the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge from March 2003 to May 2006.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Attorney General Holder Appoints New Member to the Board of Immigration Appeals

Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., announced today the appointment John H. Guendelsberger as a new member of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). The BIA is part of the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review located in Falls Church, Va., and is responsible for hearing appeals of decisions rendered by immigration judges or certain Department of Homeland Security officers.



  • OPA Press Releases

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B. Todd Jones to Chair Attorney General’s Advisory Committee

Attorney General Eric Holder has appointed U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota B. Todd Jones to chair the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC) of U.S. Attorneys.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to Hold Workshops Concerning Horizontal Merger Guidelines

The Department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that they will solicit public comment and hold joint public workshops to explore the possibility of updating the Horizontal Merger Guidelines that are used by both agencies to evaluate the potential competitive effects of mergers and acquisitions.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Former Alaska State Representative Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Bribery

Beverly Masek was sentenced today to six months in prison.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Announced Public Education Campaign Grants to Fight Immigration-Related Employment Discrimination

The Department today awarded $723,000 in grants to twelve groups serving communities throughout the country.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Three Sentenced for Conspiring to Commit Terrorist Acts Against Americans Overseas

Three Ohio residents, Mohammad Zaki Amawi, 29, Marwan Othman El-Hindi, 46, and Wassim I. Mazloum, 28, have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from more than 8 years to 20 years for conspiring to commit terrorist acts against Americans overseas, including U.S. military personnel in Iraq, and other terrorism-related violations.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Attorney General Holder Expands U.S. Attorney Advisory Committee

“This is a critical and exciting time for the Department of Justice and I will rely heavily on these U.S. Attorneys as we work to further the Department’s efforts to reduce violent crime and gang violence, promote civil rights, ensure fairness in the marketplace and above all, preserve our national security,” said Attorney General Holder.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Antitrust Division Issues Statement on the European Commission’s Decision Regarding the Proposed Transaction Between Oracle and Sun

After conducting a careful investigation of the proposed transaction between Oracle and Sun, the Department’s Antitrust Division concluded that the merger is unlikely to be anticompetitive.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Releases Video Explaining Federal Protections Against Immigration-Related Discrimination in the Workplace

The Department released a new video aimed at educating employers about worker rights and employer responsibilities under the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Georgia Couple Charged with Human Trafficking and Immigration Violations for Exploiting Woman from Swaziland

A federal grand jury in Atlanta has indicted an Ellenwood, Ga., husband and wife, Juna Gwendolyn Babb, 54, and Michael J. Babb, 53, on charges of conspiracy, forced labor, document servitude, which is confiscating someone’s passport and visa, and harboring an alien for financial gain, the Justice Department announced.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Statement of Associate Attorney General Thomas J. Perrelli Before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee of Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Entitled "H.r. 1924, the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2009"

"The challenges facing law enforcement in tribal communities are enormous. The basic level of police protection that most Americans take for granted simply does not exist in many parts of Indian Country. We have a duty to change that."




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Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, Christine Varney, Issues Statement on European Commission Microsoft Settlement

“The Antitrust Division commends the efforts of the European Commission and Microsoft Corporation, which have announced that they have reached a comprehensive settlement resolving their disputes under European competition law."



  • OPA Press Releases

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Arkansas Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Commit Murders of African-Americans

Paul Schlesselman pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, one count of threatening to kill and inflict bodily harm upon a presidential candidate, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Attorney General Eric Holder Testifies Before the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission

"We must be vigilant in our efforts to safeguard and strengthen the American economy. Our efforts to fight economic crime are a vital component of our broader strategy - a strategy that seeks to foster confidence in our financial system, integrity in our markets, and prosperity for the American people."




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General Manager of Houston Medical Supply Company Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud

Manual Deluna has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with his role in Memorial Medical Supply, a Houston durable medical equipment company.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Attorney General Holder, Secretary Sebelius Convene National Summit on Health Care Fraud, Unveil Historic Commitment to Fighting Fraud in President’s FY 2011 Budget

“Health care fraud affects all Americans and demands a coordinated, national response,” said Attorney General Holder.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the National Summit on Health Care Fraud

"Today’s summit marks a critical step forward in the work being done by HEAT, our Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team," said Attorney General Holder.




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Attorney General Holder Appoints Three New U.S. Attorneys to Advisory Committee

Attorney General Eric Holder today announced the appointment of three new U.S. Attorneys to serve on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC): Sanford Coats of the Western District of Oklahoma; Steven M. Dettelbach of the Northern District of Ohio; and Jim Letten of the Eastern District of Louisiana.



  • OPA Press Releases

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West Palm Beach, Florida, Resident Charged in Multi-Million Dollar Cramming Scheme

Willoughby Farr, 46, of West Palm Beach, Fla., has been charged with perpetrating what is known as a cramming scheme, which was designed to place charges on consumers’ telephone bills for collect calls that were not made, the Justice Department and the U.S. Postal Inspector’s Miami Field Office announced today.



  • OPA Press Releases