Federal Executive Branch
Here's a look at documents from the U.S. Executive Branch
Featured Stories
Treasury, IRS Provide Guidance on a New Method for Recovering Federal Excise Tax Paid on Dyed Fuel Established Under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill
WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service issued the following news on April 30, 2026:
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Treasury, IRS provide guidance on a new method for recovering federal excise tax paid on dyed fuel established under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill
The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service today issued temporary regulations and the accompanying notice of proposed rulemaking on a new method for recovering federal excise tax paid on dyed fuel established under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.
These temporary regulations provide the procedures by
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WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service issued the following news on April 30, 2026:
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Treasury, IRS provide guidance on a new method for recovering federal excise tax paid on dyed fuel established under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill
The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service today issued temporary regulations and the accompanying notice of proposed rulemaking on a new method for recovering federal excise tax paid on dyed fuel established under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.
These temporary regulations provide the procedures bywhich a taxpayer may recover federal excise taxes paid on clear diesel fuel or kerosene if that taxpayer later removed the fuel from a terminal as dyed fuel for nontaxable use. They also limit the claimants to taxpayers that paid to the IRS the original tax on the dyed fuel to which the claim relates.
Submitting a dyed fuel refund claim
The temporary regulations provide guidance to determine eligibility and rules for filing a claim for a dyed fuel refund. Taxpayers who paid tax on diesel fuel or kerosene and later removed the fuel from a terminal as eligible dyed fuel on or after Dec. 31, 2025, can submit a claim for refund, provided the following requirements are met:
1. The dyed fuel was previously taxed, and the tax was not credited or refunded.
2. The fuel is indelibly dyed by mechanical injection and removed from an approved terminal for a nontaxable use on or after Dec. 31, 2025.
3. The claimant must be the taxpayer that paid the prior fuel excise tax imposed on such fuel.
4. The claimant meets the reporting requirements as described in today's guidance.
5. The claimant uses updated Form 8849, Claim for Refund of Excise Taxes PDF and Schedule 5 (Form 8849), Section 4081(e) and 6435 Claims PDF, including all information and documentation required by the forms and form instructions.
6. The claimant follows all other procedures listed in the guidance.
Treasury and IRS recognize the importance of providing clarity to taxpayers through guidance that can be relied on to file claims and structure business arrangements as soon as possible. To enable this, the temporary regulations are effective immediately. They will expire no later than 3 years from today's effective date and will be replaced with permanent regulations. Treasury and IRS also note that absent a statutory change, they currently lack the authority to pay the claims to anyone other than the person that paid the prior fuel excise tax to the IRS.
Treasury and IRS welcome public comments
The notice of proposed rulemaking invites comments and requests for a public hearing on the proposed regulations.
For more information, see One, Big, Beautiful Bill Provisions on IRS.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/treasury-irs-provide-guidance-on-a-new-method-for-recovering-federal-excise-tax-paid-on-dyed-fuel-established-under-the-one-big-beautiful-bill
President Trump Approves Bridger Pipeline Expansion at Montana-Canada Border
WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The White House issued the following Presidential permit on April 30, 2026:
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PRESIDENTIAL PERMIT: AUTHORIZING BRIDGER PIPELINE EXPANSION LLC TO CONSTRUCT, CONNECT, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN PIPELINE FACILITIES AT THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AT PHILLIPS COUNTY, MONTANA, BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States of America (the "President"), I hereby grant this Presidential permit, subject to the conditions herein set forth to Bridger Pipeline Expansion LLC (the "permittee"). The permittee is a privately
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WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The White House issued the following Presidential permit on April 30, 2026:
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PRESIDENTIAL PERMIT: AUTHORIZING BRIDGER PIPELINE EXPANSION LLC TO CONSTRUCT, CONNECT, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN PIPELINE FACILITIES AT THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AT PHILLIPS COUNTY, MONTANA, BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States of America (the "President"), I hereby grant this Presidential permit, subject to the conditions herein set forth to Bridger Pipeline Expansion LLC (the "permittee"). The permittee is a privatelyheld limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Wyoming and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridger Pipeline LLC. Permission is hereby granted to the permittee to construct, connect, operate, and maintain pipeline Border facilities, as described herein, at the international border of the United States and Canada in Phillips County, Montana, for the transport between the United States and Canada of crude oil and petroleum products of every description, refined or unrefined (inclusive of, but not limited to, naphtha, liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas liquids, jet fuel, gasoline, kerosene, and diesel), but not including natural gas subject to section 3 of the Natural Gas Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 717b).
This permit does not affect the applicability of any otherwise-relevant laws and regulations. As confirmed in Article 2 of this permit, the Border facilities shall remain subject to all such laws and regulations.
The term "Facilities" as used in this permit means the portion in the United States of the international pipeline project associated with the permittee's January 30, 2026, application for a new permit, and any land, structures, installations, or equipment appurtenant thereto.
The term "Border facilities" as used in this permit means those parts of the Facilities consisting of a 36-inch diameter pipeline extending from the international border between the United States and Canada in Phillips County, Montana, to and including the first mainline shut-off valve or pumping station in the United States located less than 2,000 feet from the international border, and any land, structures, installations, or equipment appurtenant thereto.
This permit is subject to the following conditions:
Article 1. The Border facilities herein described, and all aspects of their operation, shall be subject to all the conditions, provisions, and requirements of this permit and any subsequent Presidential amendment to it. The permittee shall make no substantial change in the Border facilities, in the location of the Border facilities, or in the operation authorized by this permit unless the President has approved the change in an amendment to this permit or in a new permit. Such substantial changes do not include, and the permittee may make, changes to the average daily throughput capacity of the Border facilities to any volume of products that is achievable through the Border facilities, and to the directional flow of any such products.
Article 2. The standards for, and the manner of, operation and maintenance of the Border facilities shall be subject to inspection by the representatives of appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies. Officers and employees of such agencies who are duly authorized and performing their official duties shall be granted free and unrestricted access to the Border facilities by the permittee. The Border facilities, including the operation and maintenance of the Border facilities, shall be subject to all applicable laws and regulations, including pipeline safety laws and regulations issued or administered by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The permittee shall obtain requisite permits from relevant State and local governmental entities, and relevant Federal agencies.
Article 3. Upon the termination, revocation, or surrender of this permit, unless otherwise decided by the President, the permittee, at its own expense, shall remove the Border facilities within such time as the President may specify. If the permittee fails to comply with an order to remove, or to take such other appropriate action with respect to, the Border facilities, the President may direct an appropriate official or agency to take possession of the Border facilities -- or to remove the Border facilities or take other action -- at the expense of the permittee. The permittee shall have no claim for damages caused by any such possession, removal, or other action.
Article 4. When, in the judgment of the President, ensuring the national security of the United States requires entering upon and taking possession of any of the Border facilities or parts thereof, and retaining possession, management, or control thereof for such a length of time as the President may deem necessary, the United States shall have the right to do so, provided that the President or his designee has given due notice to the permittee. The United States shall also have the right thereafter to restore possession and control to the permittee. In the event that the United States exercises the rights described in this article, it shall pay to the permittee just and fair compensation for the use of such Border facilities, upon the basis of a reasonable profit in normal conditions, and shall bear the cost of restoring the Border facilities to their previous condition, less the reasonable value of any improvements that may have been made by the United States.
Article 5. Any transfer of ownership or control of the Border facilities, or any part thereof, or any changes to the name of the permittee, shall be immediately communicated in writing to the President or his designee, and shall include information identifying any transferee. Notwithstanding any such transfers or changes, this permit shall remain in force subject to all of its conditions, permissions, and requirements, and any amendments thereto.
Article 6. (1) The permittee is responsible for acquiring any right-of-way grants or easements, permits, and other authorizations as may become necessary or appropriate.
(2) The permittee shall hold harmless and indemnify the United States from any claimed or adjudged liability arising out of construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of the Border facilities, including environmental contamination from the release, threatened release, or discharge of hazardous substances or hazardous waste.
(3) To ensure the safe operation of the Border facilities, the permittee shall maintain them and every part of them in a condition of good repair and in compliance with applicable law.
Article 7. The permittee shall file with the President or his designee, and with appropriate agencies, such sworn statements or reports with respect to the Border facilities, or the permittee's activities and operations in connection therewith, as are now, or may hereafter, be required under any law or regulation of the United States Government or its agencies. These reporting obligations do not alter the intent that this permit be operative as a directive issued by the President alone.
Article 8. Upon request, the permittee shall provide appropriate information to the President or his designee with regard to the Border facilities. Such requests could include, for example, information concerning current conditions or anticipated changes in ownership or control, construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of the Border facilities.
Article 9. This permit is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
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Original text here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/04/presidential-permit-authorizing-bridger-pipeline-expansion-llc-to-construct-connect-operate-and-maintain-pipeline-facilities-at-the-international-boundary-at-phillips-county-montana-between-the/
Office of Finance Announces First Quarter 2026 Combined Operating Highlights for the Federal Home Loan Banks
WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank System Office of Finance issued the following news release:
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Office of Finance Announces First Quarter 2026 Combined Operating Highlights for the Federal Home Loan Banks
The first quarter 2026 combined operating highlights are prepared from the preliminary unaudited financial information of each Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBank) and are subject to change. The combined and individual FHLBank statements of condition and statements of income highlights are attached as Tables I and II. Each of the FHLBanks has released its unaudited financial
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WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank System Office of Finance issued the following news release:
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Office of Finance Announces First Quarter 2026 Combined Operating Highlights for the Federal Home Loan Banks
The first quarter 2026 combined operating highlights are prepared from the preliminary unaudited financial information of each Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBank) and are subject to change. The combined and individual FHLBank statements of condition and statements of income highlights are attached as Tables I and II. Each of the FHLBanks has released its unaudited financialresults for the period ended March 31, 2026, and filed a Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Combined Highlights
Net income was $1,297 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, a decrease of 7% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. As of March 31, 2026, total assets were $1,303.4 billion, total liabilities were $1,226.0 billion, and total GAAP capital was $77.4 billion, all of which increased 4%, compared to December 31, 2025.
Table: Combined Financial Condition
The FHLBanks' assets and liabilities expand and contract as the needs of member financial institutions and their communities change over time.
* Advances totaled $734.3 billion at March 31, 2026, an increase of 9% resulting primarily from an increase in advances to depository and insurance company members.
* Investments were $480.7 billion at March 31, 2026, a decrease of 1%.
* Mortgage loans held for portfolio were $80.7 billion at March 31, 2026, an increase of 2% as mortgage loan purchase volume outpaced repayments.
* Consolidated obligations totaled $1,198.9 billion at March 31, 2026, an increase of 4% consisting of a 6% increase in consolidated bonds and a 2% increase in consolidated discount notes.
* Retained earnings grew to $33.2 billion at March 31, 2026, an increase of 1% resulting principally from net income of $1,297 million, partially offset by dividends of $875 million.
Table: Combined Results of Operations
Net income was $1,297 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, a decrease of 7% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025, resulting primarily from lower non-interest income and net interest income and higher voluntary housing and community investment expense.
Net interest income was $1,923 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, a decrease of 1% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. Net interest margin was 0.60% for the three months ended March 31, 2026, a decrease of 2 basis points compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025.
* Interest income was $13,180 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, a decrease of 10% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025, due primarily to a decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets, principally advances, driven by the lower interest-rate environment. The average yield on advances was 4.05% for the three months ended March 31, 2026, a decrease of 67 basis points compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025.
* Interest expense was $11,257 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, a decrease of 11% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025, due primarily to the lower average rate on consolidated obligations, driven by the lower interest-rate environment. The average rate on consolidated obligations was 3.72% for the three months ended March 31, 2026, a decrease of 62 basis points compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025.
Non-interest income was a net gain of $69 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, a decrease of $64 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025, resulting primarily from changes in the fair value of investment securities and derivatives, driven by changes in interest rates.
Statutory Affordable Housing Program assessments result from individual FHLBank income subject to assessments. Affordable Housing Program assessments were $146 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, a decrease of 7% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. In addition, an FHLBank may make voluntary contributions to the Affordable Housing Program or other housing and community investment initiatives, which are in addition to the Affordable Housing Program assessments. Voluntary housing and community investment expense was $114 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, an increase of 21% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025.
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About the FHLBanks
The FHLBanks, as member-owned cooperative institutions, provide financial products and services to their members and housing associates that assist and enhance the financing of housing and community lending. In addition, the FHLBanks support community development through affordable housing and community investment. Each FHLBank is privately capitalized and independently managed.
The FHLBanks have delivered innovation and service to the U.S. housing market since 1932, and currently have approximately 6,300 members serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Please contact Tom Heinle at 703-467-3646 or theinle@fhlb-of.com for additional information.
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Statements contained in this release, including statements describing the objectives, projections, estimates, or future predictions of the FHLBanks and the Office of Finance, may be "forward-looking statements." These statements may use forward-looking terminology, such as "anticipates," "believes," "could," "estimates," "expects," "may," "should," "will," "would," or their negatives or other variations on these terms. Investors should note that forward-looking statements, by their nature, involve risks or uncertainties. Therefore, the actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements or could affect the extent to which a particular objective, projection, estimate, or prediction is realized. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the following: changes in the general economy; changes in interest rates and housing prices; size and volatility of the residential mortgage market; disruptions in the credit and debt markets and the effect on the FHLBanks' funding costs, sources, and availability; levels and volatility of market prices, rates, and indices that could affect the value of investments or collateral held by the FHLBanks as security; monetary and fiscal policies; widespread health emergencies; geopolitical instability or conflicts; trade disruptions; demand for FHLBank advances; competitive forces, including other sources of funding available to FHLBank members; changes in investor demand for consolidated obligations; executive, legislative, regulatory, judicial, or other developments; and changes resulting from any modification of the credit ratings of the U.S. government or the FHLBanks. Investors are encouraged to consider these and other risks and uncertainties that are discussed in periodic combined financial reports posted on the Office of Finance website, www.fhlb-of.com, and in reports filed by each FHLBank with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any duty to update these forward-looking statements is disclaimed
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Original text here: https://fhlb-of.com/ofweb_userWeb/resources/2026Q1FHLBCombinedOperatingHighlights.pdf
HUD: Task Force Publishes Report on Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias and Restoring Religious Liberty
WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development issued the following news release on April 30, 2026:
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Task Force Publishes Report on Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias and Restoring Religious Liberty
Report details the Biden administration's radical efforts to punish Christians and highlights President Trump's efforts to restore religious liberty
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Today, the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias published a report detailing how the Biden administration's policies spread anti-Christian bias throughout the federal government. The Department of Housing and Urban
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WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development issued the following news release on April 30, 2026:
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Task Force Publishes Report on Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias and Restoring Religious Liberty
Report details the Biden administration's radical efforts to punish Christians and highlights President Trump's efforts to restore religious liberty
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Today, the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias published a report detailing how the Biden administration's policies spread anti-Christian bias throughout the federal government. The Department of Housing and UrbanDevelopment worked closely with the Department of Justice on the report to bring attention to these egregious actions and detail the Trump administration's commitment to restore religious liberty in our country.
"Throughout our nation's history, faith and freedom have worked hand in hand to bring harmony and strength to our great nation," said Secretary Scott Turner. "The Biden administration jeopardized that harmony by singling out Christians, minimizing their contributions, and silencing sincerely held beliefs. Our Founding Fathers created a nation to stand against this same kind of religious oppression, and we cannot allow it to take root again. Under President Trump's leadership, we are ending pervasive anti-Christian bias in the federal government, protecting Americans' First Amendment rights, and returning our country to its founding Judeo-Christian principles."
The 200-page report collects the detailed findings of the 17 federal agencies on the Task Force, as well as other agencies who uncovered religious discrimination. The report examines how the Biden administration pushed its radical policy agenda, even when its actions violated Christians' beliefs and free exercise of their faith. The Biden administration's actions infringed on matters of deep personal importance to every American: life, family, marriage, self-identity, education, and medical decisions. To support these findings, the report contains more than 1,100 footnotes and over 300 pages of exhibits.
In creating HUD's section of the report, the Department conducted a thorough review of its policies, practices, grant requirements, regulations, and rules. HUD also received information from victims while reviewing the impacts of the Biden administration's anti-Christian bias.
The report touches on a broad array of federal policies and programs, including conscience rights, the Johnson Amendment, fines against Christian universities, women's sports, vaccine mandates, and the exclusion of Christians from public programs, among many others. The Task Force also highlights related findings at the state and local level and in the private sector. Among the Task Force's many findings, HUD discovered alarming instances of anti-Christian bias at the Department:
* Participation in HUD programs was conditioned on compliance with the Biden administration's woke gender identity nondiscrimination requirements, even if those requirements conflicted with providers' religious beliefs.
* Faith-based homeless service providers raised concerns regarding biological men entering women-only shelters, which the Biden administration required based on a radical misinterpretation of the law.
* A HUD employee was denied promotions multiple times and criticized for having a Bible and cross in their cubicle. Their supervisor even warned others to "beware" of them, simply because of their religious beliefs.
While this report details the Biden administration's outrageous actions against Christians, it also demonstrates how the Trump administration is restoring the rights of Christians--and all Americans--to practice their faith without fear of government punishment. For example:
* HUD proposed a rule to remove radical definitions of gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender, replacing them with sex across nearly 50 regulations. HUD's Equal Access Rule would be adjusted to protect women's shelters and replace the prohibition on discrimination against "gender identity" in all Community Planning and Development programs.
* HUD is working to ensure faith-based providers can compete for federal funding on a level playing field by accepting religious accommodations throughout HUD's programs.
* In accordance with Office and Personnel Management guidance, HUD is allowing personal religious expression by agency employees to the greatest extent possible.
HUD is committed to preserving religious liberty for all and will continue to support President Trump's mandate to eradicate anti-Christian bias throughout the federal government.
Read the full report here.
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Original text here: https://www.hud.gov/news/hud-no-26-030
FCC Wireline Competition Bureau Issues Public Notice: WCB to Host Workshop on IP Transition Proceedings on July 15 & July 16, 2026
WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau issued the following public notice (Docket No. DA 26-428) on April 30, 2026:
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By this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau announces that the Federal Communications Commission will host an industry workshop on July 15 and July 16, 2026 to discuss the proposed reforms to IP interconnection, intercarrier compensation, and related legacy Universal Service Fund issues.
The Commission recently acted to accelerate the transition from legacy voice networks to modern, all-Internet Protocol (IP) networks
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WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau issued the following public notice (Docket No. DA 26-428) on April 30, 2026:
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By this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau announces that the Federal Communications Commission will host an industry workshop on July 15 and July 16, 2026 to discuss the proposed reforms to IP interconnection, intercarrier compensation, and related legacy Universal Service Fund issues.
The Commission recently acted to accelerate the transition from legacy voice networks to modern, all-Internet Protocol (IP) networksby examining incumbent local exchange carrier-specific interconnection requirements/1 and separately proposing comprehensive reform of the intercarrier compensation framework./2 As part of these efforts, the Commission envisioned meetings with industry experts and stakeholders to facilitate collaboration and provide an opportunity to examine issues involving the transition to all-IP networks./3 The Commission remains committed to considering the complexity of the issues presented, transition timelines, and connectivity goals. Accordingly, we invite industry experts and stakeholders to participate in this workshop to examine the most significant issues the industry may face during the IP transition, identify potential obstacles, share best practices, and develop potential solutions that support the Commission's goal of a smooth and efficient transition./4
The workshop will be free and open to the public at FCC headquarters at 45 L St. NE, Washington, DC in the Commission Meeting Room. The workshop will also be streamed live at http://www.fcc.gov/live. Additional details regarding the workshop agenda and panelists will be provided in a subsequent notice.
Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Requests for accommodations should be submitted via e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or by calling the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice). Such requests should include a detailed description of the accommodation needed. In addition, please include a way for the Commission to contact the requester if more information is needed to fulfill the request. Last-minute requests will be accepted but may not be possible to accommodate.
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Footnotes:
1/ See Advancing IP Interconnection; Accelerating Network Modernization; Call Authentication Trust Anchor, WC Docket Nos. 25-304, 25-208, and 17-97, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 40 FCC Rcd 8566, 8567, para. 1 (2025).
2/ See Reforming Legacy Rules for an All-IP Future; Accelerating Network Modernization, WC Docket Nos. 25-311 and 25-208, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 26-11, at 1, para. 1 (Feb. 19, 2026) (ICC Transition NPRM).
3/ See id. at 72, para. 176. In particular, the Commission invited industry stakeholders to collaborate on and submit a joint industry proposal and targeted recommendations to help facilitate the transition to an all-IP-based voice environment. See id. at 72, paras. 177-78.
4/ See id. at 72, para. 176.
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Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-428A1.pdf
FBI Boston Recovers 17th Century Reliquary Urn Stolen From Italian Church
WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The FBI issued the following news release:
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FBI Boston Recovers 17th Century Reliquary Urn Stolen from Italian Church
The Boston Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is proud to announce it has recovered a 17th century reliquary urn, carved and gilded in wood, believed to be one of 17 ecclesiastical artifacts stolen from the Church of San Michele Arcangelo di Cangiano sometime between August 1, 2012, and August 31, 2022. The FBI has orchestrated its return to the Italian Republic where a formal repatriation ceremony was held yesterday.
The FBI, at
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WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The FBI issued the following news release:
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FBI Boston Recovers 17th Century Reliquary Urn Stolen from Italian Church
The Boston Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is proud to announce it has recovered a 17th century reliquary urn, carved and gilded in wood, believed to be one of 17 ecclesiastical artifacts stolen from the Church of San Michele Arcangelo di Cangiano sometime between August 1, 2012, and August 31, 2022. The FBI has orchestrated its return to the Italian Republic where a formal repatriation ceremony was held yesterday.
The FBI, atthe request of the Italian Ministry of Culture, recovered the opulent 17th century reliquary urn on February 11, 2026, from an antiques dealer based in the Northeast who had purchased it from another antiques dealer in Italy. The dealer has voluntarily relinquished ownership of this historic artifact so it can be returned to its rightful home.
This urn represents a significant piece of Italian history and is registered in the inventory of the Historical Artistic Heritage Items of the C.E.I. (Italian Episcopal Conference) Italian Dioceses and is subject to protection by the Italian State based on the Accords in force with the Vatican City State.
"It's incredibly exciting when the FBI can recover a piece of history that carries such deep emotional and cultural significance. After all, this reliquary urn is a tangible link to intense religious devotion and a connection to the generations who lived and prayed with it. It represents the intersection of faith, history, and art--elements that are invaluable to the people of Italy and to humanity as a whole," said Ted E. Docks, special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston Division. "This case highlights the power of international cooperation and our collective commitment to safeguard the world's cultural treasures, no matter where they may be."
FBI Boston initiated this investigation in the fall of 2025 as a result of continued coordination and intelligence sharing between the FBI's Art Crime Team, the FBI's Law Enforcement Attache in Rome, and its counterparts from the Italian Carabinieri.
The FBI's Art Crime Team, composed of special agents and personnel uniquely trained in art and cultural property investigations throughout the Bureau, will repatriate the urn to the Italian Republic during a ceremony in Rome, Italy, in the near future. Since the team's inception, the Bureau has recovered more than 20,000 items worth more than $1 billion. For more information, visit fbi.gov/artcrime.
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Original text here: https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases
CPSC Issues Recall Alert Involving Qumeney Bicycle Light Sets
WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert on April 30, 2026:
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Name of Product: Qumeney Bicycle Light Sets
Hazard: The recalled bicycle lights violate the mandatory standard for consumer products with button cell and coin batteries because they contain button cell batteries that can be accessed easily by children, posing an ingestion hazard. Additionally, the bicycle lights do not have the warnings required under Reese's Law. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, internal chemical
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WASHINGTON, May 1 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert on April 30, 2026:
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Name of Product: Qumeney Bicycle Light Sets
Hazard: The recalled bicycle lights violate the mandatory standard for consumer products with button cell and coin batteries because they contain button cell batteries that can be accessed easily by children, posing an ingestion hazard. Additionally, the bicycle lights do not have the warnings required under Reese's Law. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, internal chemicalburns, and death.
Remedy: Refund
Recall Date: April 30, 2026
Units: About 2,800
Consumer Contact: Smfanlus by email at qumeneybicyclelightsrecall@outlook.com or online at https://www.amazon.com/sp?seller=A1PBQ44FT8BEDW and click "Recall" at the top of the page for more information.
Recall Details
Description: This recall involves Qumeney Bicycle Light Sets, models: BL-01 and BL-02. The bicycle lights are encased in silicone material and available in six colors including: black, white, red, green, yellow and blue. They are sold in packs of six (one of each color) and 24 (four of each color), each light contains two button cell batteries. The bicycle lights have "QUMENEY" printed on the labels located at the top of the package.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled bicycle lights immediately and contact Smfanlus for a full refund. Consumers will be asked to remove and properly dispose of the batteries and send a photo of the destroyed pieces of the light components to qumeneybicyclelightsrecall@outlook.com to receive a full refund.
Note: Button cell batteries are hazardous. Batteries should be disposed of or recycled by following local hazardous waste procedures.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Sold Online At: Amazon.com from March 2024 through February 2026 for between $7 and $10 (6-pack) and between $15 and $18 (24-pack).
Retailer: Xiamen Fanlu Technology Co., Ltd., doing business as Smfanlus, of China
Manufactured In: China
Recall number: 26-454
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Original text here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Qumeney-Bicycle-Light-Sets-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-from-Battery-Ingestion-Violates-Mandatory-Standard-for-Consumer-Products-with-Button-Cell-Batteries-Sold-on-Amazon-by-Smfanlus
