Washington, DC - President Obama will host NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the White House on April 4, 2016.  The President will reiterate that the United States stands together with NATO in the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks that struck Brussels, Belgium, the site of NATO Headquarters, on March 22. 

Charlotte, North Carolina - The CEO of Preferred Merchants LLC, a financial services company based in Napa, California, pleaded guilty yesterday to engaging in an elaborate obstruction of justice scheme to conceal millions of dollars—which were subject to a freeze order and seizure warrant—from the government using a series of offshore accounts, domestic and foreign nominee accounts, a shell company and related bank and brokerage accounts.

Washington, DC - Rural Business Cooperative-Service Administrator Sam Rikkers today announced that USDA is seeking applications for loans and grants to help support the start-up or expansion of rural businesses.

Washington, DC - Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s denial of certiorari in McWane Inc. v. FTC. The Court declined to review an April 2015 decision of the Eleventh Circuit upholding a Commission cease and desist order against McWane for unlawfully maintaining its monopoly in the market for domestically manufactured ductile iron pipe fittings.

Washington, DC - Julie Brill, who has served as a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission since April 2010, will resign her position at the end of this month.

Washington, DC - The Department of State has established the Secretary of State’s Advisory Committee on Public Private Partnerships. The Committee will provide advice and assistance in the formulation of U.S. policies, proposals, and strategies for developing public-private partnerships that promote shared value with the private sector worldwide. The Committee will also review and recommend public-private partnership opportunities for advancing foreign policy objectives.