Federal Executive Branch
Here's a look at documents from the U.S. Executive Branch
Featured Stories
State Dept.: Terrorist Designation of The Resistance Front
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued the following statement on July 17, 2025, announcing the designation of The Resistance Front as a foreign terrorist organization. TRF, a proxy of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, claimed responsibility for a deadly April 22, 2025, attack in Pahalgam, India. This action demonstrates the Trump Administration's commitment to countering terrorism.
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Here is the text of the statement:
Today, the Department of State is adding The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued the following statement on July 17, 2025, announcing the designation of The Resistance Front as a foreign terrorist organization. TRF, a proxy of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, claimed responsibility for a deadly April 22, 2025, attack in Pahalgam, India. This action demonstrates the Trump Administration's commitment to countering terrorism.
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Here is the text of the statement:
Today, the Department of State is adding The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
TRF, a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) front and proxy, claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack which killed 26 civilians. This was the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks conducted by LeT. TRF has also claimed responsibility for several attacks against Indian security forces, including most recently in 2024.
These actions taken by the Department of State demonstrates the Trump Administration's commitment to protecting our national security interests, countering terrorism, and enforcing President Trump's call for justice for the Pahalgam attack.
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TRF and other associated aliases have been added to LeT's designation as a FTO and SDGT pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, respectively. The Department of State has also reviewed and maintained the FTO designation of LeT. Amendments to FTO designations go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register.
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Original text here: https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/07/terrorist-designation-of-the-resistance-front/
NRLB Issues Operations-Management Memo on Nominations for Bilingual Pay Incentive
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The National Labor Relations Board issued the following Operations-Management memo (No. OM 25-09):
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TO: All Regional Directors, Officers-in-Charge, and Resident Officers
FROM: Joan A. Sullivan, Associate General Counsel
SUBJECT: Nominations for Bilingual Pay Incentive
Pursuant to Article 12, Section 2(b) of the Collective-Bargaining Agreement (Agreement) between the General Counsel and the National Labor Relations Board Union (NLRBU) covering field office professional and support staff employees, this memorandum announces the nomination period for FY 2025 bilingual
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The National Labor Relations Board issued the following Operations-Management memo (No. OM 25-09):
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TO: All Regional Directors, Officers-in-Charge, and Resident Officers
FROM: Joan A. Sullivan, Associate General Counsel
SUBJECT: Nominations for Bilingual Pay Incentive
Pursuant to Article 12, Section 2(b) of the Collective-Bargaining Agreement (Agreement) between the General Counsel and the National Labor Relations Board Union (NLRBU) covering field office professional and support staff employees, this memorandum announces the nomination period for FY 2025 bilingualpay incentive. The nomination period for bilingual awards will begin on July 21, 2025. Nominations for bilingual pay incentives shall be submitted to the Regional Director, who shall forward approved nominations to their Assistant General Counsel in the Division of Operations Management no later than August 1, 2025. Nominations may be submitted to the Regional Director (through appropriate supervisory channels) by any employee, the NLRBU, or any local NLRBU. All nominations must be in writing. Nominations for the Language Specialists should be submitted to Deputy Associate General Counsel Kathy Drew King.
To be eligible for a bilingual pay incentive, an employee must meet the following criteria: (1) the employee must, on a regular basis rather than occasionally, utilize his or her bilingual skills in the performance of Agency work and (2) the employee's current summary rating must be at the "fully successful" level, or higher. The awards approved by the Regional Director shall be designated as level 1, Level 2, or Level 3, depending on the employee's contribution to Agency work, with Level 3 being the greatest contribution. Employees who are approved for an award will be granted a monetary award as set forth in the Agreement. In addition, these employees will receive a certificate of commendation from the General Counsel. Questions about this program should be directed to your AGC.
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Original text here: https://www.nlrb.gov/guidance/memos-research/operations-management-memos
IDB Approves 2025-2028 Country Strategy for Argentina
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Approves 2025-2028 Country Strategy for Argentina
The plan, developed in close collaboration with the government of Argentina, aims to foster sustained economic growth led by the private sector, reduce poverty, and strengthen the sustainability and efficiency of the public sector.
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The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved the new 2025-2028 Country Strategy for Argentina, a roadmap developed jointly with the Argentine government to support the country in consolidating its transformation
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Approves 2025-2028 Country Strategy for Argentina
The plan, developed in close collaboration with the government of Argentina, aims to foster sustained economic growth led by the private sector, reduce poverty, and strengthen the sustainability and efficiency of the public sector.
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The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved the new 2025-2028 Country Strategy for Argentina, a roadmap developed jointly with the Argentine government to support the country in consolidating its transformationand strengthening a sustainable and resilient development model. This model is led by the private sector and aims to contribute to the social and economic progress of the population, particularly the most vulnerable segments.
As part of this strategy, the IDB Group plans to provide a financial support package totaling $10 billion over the next three years. Of this amount, the IDB will allocate $7 billion to support public-sector initiatives, while IDB Invest will channel $3 billion to strengthen private investment.
Aligned with the IDBImpact+ initiative, the plan is structured around three key pillars:
* Anchoring fiscal reforms to promote sustainability and efficient public spending, while also strengthening tax administration.
* Advancing economic liberalization to unlock private investment and growth through regulatory reforms, productive modernization in strategic sectors, physical connectivity, expansion of the energy matrix, and integration into the global economy.
* Supporting vulnerable populations to reduce poverty, with a focus on strengthening social-protection systems, improving the efficiency of healthcare, developing essential literacy and numeracy skills, enhancing urban conditions and sanitation, and promoting citizen security.
"The 2025-2028 Country Strategy reflects our long-term commitment to Argentina. We will work alongside the national and subnational governments to promote sustained and resilient economic growth that is led by the private sector, contributing to the creation of quality jobs, poverty reduction, and greater connectivity, with high social returns," said Viviana Alva-Hart, IDB representative in Argentina.
"The approval of this strategy clearly supports the priorities of the government of President Javier Milei: fiscal balance, economic openness, and institutional strengthening. This support package from the IDB Group will help consolidate ongoing structural reforms and continue fostering a more dynamic and predictable environment for private investment, which is the true engine of sustained growth and genuine job creation in Argentina," stated Pablo Quirno, the country's finance secretary.
The strategy also includes a cross-cutting focus on institutional strengthening, aimed at improving the efficiency and transparency of the public sector and promoting digitalization and innovation in public management.
Implementation will involve close collaboration among the IDB, which works with the public sector; IDB Invest, which supports the private sector; and IDB Lab, the IDB Group's innovation laboratory. This synergy will maximize the impact of interventions and foster an enabling environment for private investment and inclusive development.
The IDB will continue to support Argentina with financing, technical assistance, and knowledge generation, aligned with the country's priorities and a long-term development vision.
About the IDB Group
The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) is the leading source of financing and knowledge for improving lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. It comprises the IDB, which works with the region's public sector and enables the private sector; IDB Invest, which directly supports private companies and projects; and IDB Lab, which spurs entrepreneurial innovation.
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-approves-2025-2028-country-strategy-argentina
Fed: Generative AI at the Crossroads - Light Bulb, Dynamo, or Microscope?
WASHINGTON, July 18 (TNSres) -- The Federal Reserve issued the following white paper abstract (No. 2025-053) on July 17, 2025, by Martin Neil Baily, David M. Byrne, Aidan T. Kane, and Paul E. Soto entitled "Generative AI at the Crossroads: Light Bulb, Dynamo, or Microscope?."
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Generative AI at the Crossroads: Light Bulb, Dynamo, or Microscope?
Abstract:
With the advent of generative AI (genAI), the potential scope of artificial intelligence has increased dramatically, but the future effect of genAI on productivity remains uncertain. The effect of the technology on the innovation process
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 18 (TNSres) -- The Federal Reserve issued the following white paper abstract (No. 2025-053) on July 17, 2025, by Martin Neil Baily, David M. Byrne, Aidan T. Kane, and Paul E. Soto entitled "Generative AI at the Crossroads: Light Bulb, Dynamo, or Microscope?."
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Generative AI at the Crossroads: Light Bulb, Dynamo, or Microscope?
Abstract:
With the advent of generative AI (genAI), the potential scope of artificial intelligence has increased dramatically, but the future effect of genAI on productivity remains uncertain. The effect of the technology on the innovation processis a crucial open question. Some inventions, such as the light bulb, temporarily raise productivity growth as adoption spreads, but the effect fades when the market is saturated; that is, the level of output per hour is permanently higher but the growth rate is not. In contrast, two types of technologies stand out as having longer-lived effects on productivity growth. First, there are technologies known as general-purpose technologies (GPTs). GPTs (1) are widely adopted, (2) spur abundant knock-on innovations (new goods and services, process efficiencies, and business reorganization), and (3) show continual improvement, refreshing this innovation cycle; the electric dynamo is an example. Second, there are inventions of methods of invention (IMIs). IMIs increase the efficiency of the research and development process via improvements to observation, analysis, communication, or organization; the compound microscope is an example. We show that GenAI has the characteristics of both a GPT and an IMI--an encouraging sign that genAI will raise the level of productivity. Even so, genAI's contribution to productivity growth will depend on the speed with which that level is attained and, historically, the process for integrating revolutionary technologies into the economy is a protracted one.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Productivity, Technological Growth
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17016/FEDS.2025.053
PDF: Full Paper
Disclaimer: The economic research that is linked from this page represents the views of the authors and does not indicate concurrence either by other members of the Board's staff or by the Board of Governors. The economic research and their conclusions are often preliminary and are circulated to stimulate discussion and critical comment. The Board values having a staff that conducts research on a wide range of economic topics and that explores a diverse array of perspectives on those topics. The resulting conversations in academia, the economic policy community, and the broader public are important to sharpening our collective thinking.
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View full text here: https://www.federalreserve.gov/econres/feds/generative-ai-at-the-crossroads-light-bulb-dynamo-or-microscope.htm
[Category: Fed]
FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Issues Public Notice: Seeking Comment Airspan Network's Request to Waive Section 27.53(n) of Commission's Rules
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau issued the following public notice (WT Docket No. 25-234) on July 17, 2025:
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The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology seek comment on a petition for waiver filed by Airspan Networks, Inc. (Airspan)./1 Airspan seeks a waiver of section 27.53(n) of the Commission's rules,/2 which sets out-of-band emission limits for the 3.45 GHz Service. Airspan requests this waiver to facilitate the marketing and operation of base station radios that would be operated in
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau issued the following public notice (WT Docket No. 25-234) on July 17, 2025:
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The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology seek comment on a petition for waiver filed by Airspan Networks, Inc. (Airspan)./1 Airspan seeks a waiver of section 27.53(n) of the Commission's rules,/2 which sets out-of-band emission limits for the 3.45 GHz Service. Airspan requests this waiver to facilitate the marketing and operation of base station radios that would be operated inthe 3.45 GHz and 3.7 GHz Services, either simultaneously or on a stand-alone basis./3
Ex Parte Rules. The proceeding shall be treated as a "permit-but-disclose" proceeding in accordance with the Commission's ex parte rules. Persons making ex parte presentations must file a copy of any written presentation or a memorandum summarizing any oral presentation within two business days after the presentation (unless a different deadline applicable to the Sunshine period applies). Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must: (1) list all persons attending or otherwise participating in the meeting at which the ex parte presentation was made, and (2) summarize all data presented and arguments made during the presentation. If the presentation consisted in whole or in part of the presentation of data or arguments already reflected in the presenter's written comments, memoranda or other filings in the proceeding, the presenter may provide citations to such data or arguments in his or her prior comments, memoranda, or other filings (specifying the relevant page and/or paragraph numbers where such data or arguments can be found) in lieu of summarizing them in the memorandum. Documents shown or given to Commission staff during ex parte meetings are deemed to be written ex parte presentations and must be filed consistent with rule 1.1206(b). In proceedings governed by rule 1.49(f) or for which the Commission has made available a method of electronic filing, written ex parte presentations and memoranda summarizing oral ex parte presentations, and all attachments thereto, must be filed through the electronic comment filing system available for that proceeding, and must be filed in their native format (e.g., .doc, .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf). Participants in this proceeding should familiarize themselves with the Commission's ex parte rules.
Filing Requirements. Interested parties may file comments and reply comments on or before the dates indicated on the first page of this document and must reference WT Docket No 25-234. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS).
* Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs.
* Paper Filers: Parties filing by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing.
- Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial courier, or by the U.S. Postal Service. All filings must be addressed to the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
- Hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission's Secretary are accepted between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by the FCC's mailing contractor at 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of before entering the building.
- Commercial courier deliveries (any deliveries not by the U.S. Postal Service) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701.
- Filings sent by U.S. Postal Service First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express must be sent to 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554.
People with Disabilities. To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530.
Availability of Documents. Comments, reply comments, and ex parte submissions will be available via ECFS. Documents will be available electronically in ASCII, Microsoft Word, and/or Adobe Acrobat.
Additional Information. For further information about this proceeding, contact Paul Powell, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Mobility Division at Paul.Powell@fcc.gov.
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Footnotes:
1/ Airspan Networks, Inc. Petition for Waiver, WT Docket No. 25-234 (filed June 25, 2025) https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/10625180963876/1 (Airspan Petition).
2/ 47 CFR Sec. 27.53(n).
3/ Submissions related to the Airspan Petition received prior to the release of this public notice will be added to WT Docket No. 25-234.
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Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-25-637A1.pdf
CPSC Issues Recall Alert Involving Primark DTR Stitch Scented Highlighters
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert on July 17, 2025:
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Name of Product: Primark DTR (direct-to-retail) Stitch Scented Highlighters (4-pack)
Hazard: The scented highlighters, which resemble cups with straws, contain phthalates; a violation of the federal phthalates ban. Phthalates are toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
Remedy: Refund
Recall Date: July 17, 2025
Units: About 2,600
Consumer Contact: Primark at 617-946-3236 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.primark.com/recall
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert on July 17, 2025:
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Name of Product: Primark DTR (direct-to-retail) Stitch Scented Highlighters (4-pack)
Hazard: The scented highlighters, which resemble cups with straws, contain phthalates; a violation of the federal phthalates ban. Phthalates are toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
Remedy: Refund
Recall Date: July 17, 2025
Units: About 2,600
Consumer Contact: Primark at 617-946-3236 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.primark.com/recallor at www.primark.com and click "Recall" at the bottom of the page for more information.
Recall Details
Description: This recall involves the DTR Stitch Scented Highlighters 4-pack in yellow, blue, pink and green colors. The highlighters are shaped like slushie containers with a drinking straw. Each highlighter portrays a Stitch character. The product's Kimball Number is 0688701 and can be found on the price tag located at the back of the packaging.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled scented highlighters and return them to a Primark store for a full refund in the form of the original payment.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Sold Exclusively At: Primark stores located in the northeast and in Florida, Maryland and Illinois from May 2024 through May 2025 for $5.
Importer(s): Primark US Corp., of Boston, Massachusetts
Manufactured In: China
Recall number: 25-388
Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.
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Original text here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Primark-Recalls-DTR-Stitch-4-pack-Scented-Highlighters-Due-to-Risk-of-Phthalate-Exposure-Violates-Federal-Phthalates-Ban-Sold-by-Primark
CPSC Issues Recall Alert Involving Babyletto Kiwi Electronic Recliner & Swivel Gliders With USB Port
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert on July 17, 2025:
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Name of Product: Babyletto Kiwi Electronic Recliner and Swivel Gliders with USB port
Hazard: The USB module in the recliner arm can overheat and spark, posing an overheating hazard.
Remedy: Repair
Recall Date: July 17, 2025
Units: About 9,030 (Additionally, about six were sold in Canada)
Consumer Contact: Babyletto toll-free at 866-621-9483 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, email at kiwi.recall@babyletto.com, or online at babylettorecall.com/ or www.babyletto.com
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 18 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert on July 17, 2025:
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Name of Product: Babyletto Kiwi Electronic Recliner and Swivel Gliders with USB port
Hazard: The USB module in the recliner arm can overheat and spark, posing an overheating hazard.
Remedy: Repair
Recall Date: July 17, 2025
Units: About 9,030 (Additionally, about six were sold in Canada)
Consumer Contact: Babyletto toll-free at 866-621-9483 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, email at kiwi.recall@babyletto.com, or online at babylettorecall.com/ or www.babyletto.comand click "Product Recalls" at the bottom of the page.
Recall Details
Description: This recall involves Babyletto Kiwi Electronic Recliner and Glider fabric-covered chairs with two USB device charging ports. The chair is covered in various color fabrics and is approximately 29 inches wide by 36 inches deep and 41 inches high, and weighs approximately 125 pounds. Units included in the recall include the following production colors, SKUs, and batch numbers. Batch numbers are printed on a white label found underneath the footrest.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled recliners and contact Babyletto to receive a free repair kit. Consumers should register at babylettorecall.com/ to receive their free repair kit and installation instructions. Once consumers have completed the repair, consumers should dispose of the original USB module in their household trash.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 37 reports of incidents of overheating, smoking or sparking including one minor injury. No fires or property damage have been reported.
Sold At: Crate Kids and online at Babyletto.com, Amazon.com, Babylist.com, Target.com, Pottery Barn Kids.com, Wayfair.com and other websites from May 2023 through February 2025 for about $800.
Importer(s): Bexco Enterprises, Inc. of Pico Rivera, California
Manufactured In: China
Recall number: 25-392
Fast Track Recall
Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.
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Original text here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Bexco-Enterprises-Recalls-Kiwi-Electronic-Recliner-and-Swivel-Gliders-with-USB-Port-Due-to-Overheating-Hazard
