Washington, DC - Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate:

Washington, DC - Last week, the FTC announced a proposed settlement with Nomi Technologies, a retail tracking firm that monitors consumers’ movements through stores, for failing to adhere to their opt-out promises.

Washington, DC - Secretary of State John Kerry: "I am deeply encouraged and very pleased by President Obama’s decision to nominate Gayle Smith to serve as USAID Administrator for the remainder of his term. Gayle knows as well as anyone that defense and diplomacy aren’t enough in the globalized world we live in today. As we respond to terrible emergencies, such as that now occurring in Nepal, or work to address the root causes of complex challenges like violent extremism, epidemic disease, global hunger and climate change, the third pillar of our foreign policy – development – is more important than ever.

Washington, DC - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is amending its regulations under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to improve management of international student programs and increase opportunities for study by spouses and children of international students.

Washington, DC - At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, a federal court halted a sham operation that allegedly told financially distressed homeowners it would help get their mortgages modified, but instead effectively stole their mortgage payments, leading some to foreclosure and bankruptcy. The FTC seeks to permanently stop the scheme and its participants’ illegal practices. It also filed a contempt action against one of the scheme’s principals, Brian Pacios, who is under a previous court order that prohibited him from mortgage relief activities.

Washington, DC - NASA has awarded 26 grants totaling $9.9 million to help bolster the capacity and competitiveness of 28 states and territories (jurisdictions) in the area of technology research and development.