U.S. Department of Commerce adds 24 Chinese Companies to the Entity List for Helping Build Military Islands in the South China Sea

U.S. Department of Commerce adds 24 Chinese Companies to the Entity List for Helping Build Military Islands in the South China Sea | site |



(August 26, 2020} - - Today, August 26, 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce published the following information:

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in the Department of Commerce (Commerce) added 24 Chinese companies to the Entity List for their role in helping the Chinese military construct and militarize the internationally condemned artificial islands in the South China Sea. Despite protests from the United States and other countries, the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has been rapidly building the artificial islands since 2013, enabling the Communist Chinese Party’s (CCP) militarization of disputed outposts in the South China Sea to undermine the sovereign rights of U.S. partners in the region.

“The United States, China’s neighbors, and the international...

Agencies issue Statement providing Additional Information for certain Bank Secrecy Act Due Diligence Requirements | site |



(August 21, 2020) - - Today, August 21, 2020, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System published the following information:

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
National Credit Union Administration
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency


WASHINGTON—The Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency today issued a joint statement clarifying that Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) due diligence requirements for customers who may be considered "politically exposed persons" (PEPs) should be commensurate with the risks posed by the PEP...

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides $100 Million in CARES ACT Funding to Native American Tribes to support Coronavirus Recovery Efforts | site |



(August 31, 2020) - - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development published (today) the following information:

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson announced that HUD has awarded a total of $100 million to Tribes across the Nation as part of HUD’s Indian Community Development Block Grant Imminent Threat program (ICDBG-CARES). This funding helps address problems that pose an imminent threat to public health or safety of Tribal residents and will be used to help Tribes prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. See list of funding here.

“The Trump Administration is committed to helping families throughout Indian Country to access essential resources during the coronavirus outbreak,” said Secretary...

U.S. Department of Agriculture Extends Free Meals for Kids Through December 31, 2020 | site |



Summer meal programs can continue operating as funding allows


(August 31, 2020) - - The U.S. Department of Agriculture published today (August 31, 2020) the following information:

(Washington, DC, August 31, 2020) – Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will extend several flexibilities through as late as December 31, 2020. The flexibilities allow summer meal program operators to continue serving free meals to all children into the fall months. This unprecedented move will help ensure – no matter what the situation is on-the-ground – children have access to nutritious food as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. USDA has been and continues to be committed to using the Congressionally appropriated funding that has been made available.

“As...

National Transportation Safety Board says First Officer, Captain Actions, Aviation Industry Practices, Led to Fatal Atlas Air Crash | site |



(July 14, 2020) - - Today, July 14, 2020, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published the following information:

WASHINGTON (July 14, 2020) — The National Transportation Safety Board determined during a public board meeting held Tuesday that Atlas Air flight 3591 crashed in Trinity Bay, Texas, because of the first officer’s inappropriate response to an inadvertent activation of the airplane’s go-around mode, resulting in his spatial disorientation that led him to place the airplane in a steep descent from which the crew did not recover.

The accident happened Feb. 23, 2019, when the Atlas Air Boeing 767 cargo jet entered a rapid descent from about 6,000 feet and impacted a marshy bay about 40 miles from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The captain, first...

National Transportation Safety Board says First Officer, Captain Actions, Aviation Industry Practices, Led to Fatal Atlas Air Crash | site |



(July 14, 2020) - - Today, July 14, 2020, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published the following information:

WASHINGTON (July 14, 2020) — The National Transportation Safety Board determined during a public board meeting held Tuesday that Atlas Air flight 3591 crashed in Trinity Bay, Texas, because of the first officer’s inappropriate response to an inadvertent activation of the airplane’s go-around mode, resulting in his spatial disorientation that led him to place the airplane in a steep descent from which the crew did not recover.

The accident happened Feb. 23, 2019, when the Atlas Air Boeing 767 cargo jet entered a rapid descent from about 6,000 feet and impacted a marshy bay about 40 miles from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The captain, first...

FDIC Proposes to Update Policy Statement on Minority Depository Institutions | site |




(August 21, 2020) - - Today. August 21, 2020, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation published the following information:

WASHINGTON—The Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today approved a new proposed Statement of Policy to enhance the agency’s efforts to encourage and preserve Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs). The proposed revisions would update, strengthen, and clarify the FDIC’s policies and procedures related to the agency’s existing MDI framework. The FDIC seeks public comment on the proposal over a 60-day period.

Specifically, the proposed revisions describe the initiatives the FDIC has taken and will take to promote the preservation of MDIs and enhance communication between the FDIC and these minority-owned and managed institutions. The proposed Statement of Policy would also define...

FDIC Proposes to Update Policy Statement on Minority Depository Institutions | site |




(August 21, 2020) - - Today. August 21, 2020, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation published the following information:

WASHINGTON—The Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today approved a new proposed Statement of Policy to enhance the agency’s efforts to encourage and preserve Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs). The proposed revisions would update, strengthen, and clarify the FDIC’s policies and procedures related to the agency’s existing MDI framework. The FDIC seeks public comment on the proposal over a 60-day period.

Specifically, the proposed revisions describe the initiatives the FDIC has taken and will take to promote the preservation of MDIs and enhance communication between the FDIC and these minority-owned and managed institutions. The proposed Statement of Policy would also define...

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Charges Ponzi Scheme Targeting African Immigrants | site |




(August 28, 2020) - - Today, August 28, 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published the following information:

Washington D.C., Aug. 28, 2020 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged two Maryland companies and their principals for a scheme that allegedly defrauded approximately 1,200 investors, many of them African immigrants, of more than $27 million.

According to the SEC’s complaint, Dennis Jali, John Frimpong, and Arley Johnson, directly and through their companies 1st Million LLC and The Smart Partners LLC, falsely told investors that their funds would be used by a team of skilled and licensed traders for foreign exchange and cryptocurrency trading, promising risk-free returns of between 6% and 42%. The complaint alleges that the defendants often targeted vulnerable African immigrants...

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Charges Ponzi Scheme Targeting African Immigrants | site |




(August 28, 2020) - - Today, August 28, 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published the following information:

Washington D.C., Aug. 28, 2020 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged two Maryland companies and their principals for a scheme that allegedly defrauded approximately 1,200 investors, many of them African immigrants, of more than $27 million.

According to the SEC’s complaint, Dennis Jali, John Frimpong, and Arley Johnson, directly and through their companies 1st Million LLC and The Smart Partners LLC, falsely told investors that their funds would be used by a team of skilled and licensed traders for foreign exchange and cryptocurrency trading, promising risk-free returns of between 6% and 42%. The complaint alleges that the defendants often targeted vulnerable African immigrants...

U.S. Department of Transportation modifies Order Regarding Chinese Carriers | site |



(August 18, 2020) - - The U.S. Department of Transportation published today, August 18, 2020, the following information:

Today, the Department of Transportation issued an Order that to allow the four Chinese airlines currently performing scheduled passenger services to the United States to increase their services to eight weekly round-trip flights. This aggregate level of service is equivalent to the total number of flights now permitted by the Chinese aviation authorities for U.S. carriers. As of August 12, the two U.S. carriers currently operating scheduled passenger service in the U.S.-China passenger market, United Airlines (“United”) and Delta Air Lines (“Delta”), had qualified for additional flight frequencies pursuant to the terms of the Civil Aviation Authority of China (“CAAC”) Notice of March 26, 2020. Accordingly, United and Delta are...

U.S. Department of Transportation modifies Order Regarding Chinese Carriers | site |



(August 18, 2020) - - The U.S. Department of Transportation published today, August 18, 2020, the following information:

Today, the Department of Transportation issued an Order that to allow the four Chinese airlines currently performing scheduled passenger services to the United States to increase their services to eight weekly round-trip flights. This aggregate level of service is equivalent to the total number of flights now permitted by the Chinese aviation authorities for U.S. carriers. As of August 12, the two U.S. carriers currently operating scheduled passenger service in the U.S.-China passenger market, United Airlines (“United”) and Delta Air Lines (“Delta”), had qualified for additional flight frequencies pursuant to the terms of the Civil Aviation Authority of China (“CAAC”) Notice of March 26, 2020. Accordingly, United and Delta are...

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services posts Guidance for Implementing New Testing Requirements in Nursing Homes and Labs | site |




(August 26, 2020) - - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published today (August 26, 2020) the following information:

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance for nursing homes and clinical laboratories to assist in enhancing their abilities to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to nursing home residents and their front line staff.

Nursing homes are particularly vulnerable to the prevalence and spread of COVID-19. CMS continues to take proactive steps to enhance infection control policies, including practices that limit potential transmission, and prevent outbreaks within these facilities to protect residents. Today’s guidance requires all nursing homes to test all residents and staff for COVID-19. A new survey...

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services posts Guidance for Implementing New Testing Requirements in Nursing Homes and Labs | site |




(August 26, 2020) - - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published today (August 26, 2020) the following information:

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance for nursing homes and clinical laboratories to assist in enhancing their abilities to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to nursing home residents and their front line staff.

Nursing homes are particularly vulnerable to the prevalence and spread of COVID-19. CMS continues to take proactive steps to enhance infection control policies, including practices that limit potential transmission, and prevent outbreaks within these facilities to protect residents. Today’s guidance requires all nursing homes to test all residents and staff for COVID-19. A new survey...

FHA Extends Foreclosure and Eviction Moratorium for Homeowners through Year End | site |


Third extension will allow FHA-insured homeowners economically impacted by COVID-19 to focus on financial recovery


(August 27, 2020) - - Today, August 27, 2020, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published the following information:

WASHINGTON - Today, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced the third extension of its foreclosure and eviction moratorium through December 31, 2020, for homeowners with FHA-insured single family mortgages covered under the Coronavirus Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This extension provides an additional four months of housing security to homeowners, as they will not fear losing their homes as they work to recover financially from the adverse impacts of the pandemic. With this third extension, FHA has now provided more than nine months of foreclosure and eviction relief...

FHA Extends Foreclosure and Eviction Moratorium for Homeowners through Year End | site |


Third extension will allow FHA-insured homeowners economically impacted by COVID-19 to focus on financial recovery


(August 27, 2020) - - Today, August 27, 2020, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published the following information:

WASHINGTON - Today, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced the third extension of its foreclosure and eviction moratorium through December 31, 2020, for homeowners with FHA-insured single family mortgages covered under the Coronavirus Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This extension provides an additional four months of housing security to homeowners, as they will not fear losing their homes as they work to recover financially from the adverse impacts of the pandemic. With this third extension, FHA has now provided more than nine months of foreclosure and eviction relief...

IRS says Deadline to Return Distributions to Retirement Accounts is Aug. 31 | site |




(August 24, 2020) - - Today, August 24, 2020, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published the following information:

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminds IRA owners, beneficiaries or workplace retirement plan participants who received a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) this year that they have until August 31 to rollover or repay the distribution to avoid paying taxes.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, waives RMDs during 2020 for IRAs and retirement plans, including for beneficiaries with inherited accounts. This waiver includes RMDs for individuals who turned age 70 ½ in 2019 and took their first RMD in 2020. Roth IRAs don't require withdrawals until after the death of the owner.

Individuals who took RMDs in 2020, including those who turned 70 ½ during 2019, have...

IRS says Deadline to Return Distributions to Retirement Accounts is Aug. 31 | site |




(August 24, 2020) - - Today, August 24, 2020, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published the following information:

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminds IRA owners, beneficiaries or workplace retirement plan participants who received a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) this year that they have until August 31 to rollover or repay the distribution to avoid paying taxes.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, waives RMDs during 2020 for IRAs and retirement plans, including for beneficiaries with inherited accounts. This waiver includes RMDs for individuals who turned age 70 ½ in 2019 and took their first RMD in 2020. Roth IRAs don't require withdrawals until after the death of the owner.

Individuals who took RMDs in 2020, including those who turned 70 ½ during 2019, have...

IRS takes New Steps to Ensure People with Children Receive $500 Economic Impact Payments | site |



(August 14, 2020) - - Today, August 14, 2020, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published the following information:

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service continues to look for ways to help people who were unable to provide their information in time to receive Economic Impact Payments for their children. As part of that effort, the Internal Revenue Service announced today it will reopen the registration period for federal beneficiaries who didn't receive $500 per child payments earlier this year.

The IRS urges certain federal benefit recipients to use the IRS.gov Non-Filers tool starting August 15 through September 30 to enter information on their qualifying children to receive the supplemental $500 payments.

Those eligible to provide this information include people with qualifying children who receive Social Security...

IRS takes New Steps to Ensure People with Children Receive $500 Economic Impact Payments | site |



(August 14, 2020) - - Today, August 14, 2020, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published the following information:

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service continues to look for ways to help people who were unable to provide their information in time to receive Economic Impact Payments for their children. As part of that effort, the Internal Revenue Service announced today it will reopen the registration period for federal beneficiaries who didn't receive $500 per child payments earlier this year.

The IRS urges certain federal benefit recipients to use the IRS.gov Non-Filers tool starting August 15 through September 30 to enter information on their qualifying children to receive the supplemental $500 payments.

Those eligible to provide this information include people with qualifying children who receive Social Security...