WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12464) on Dec. 28, 2023, by African affairs specialist Alexis Arieff. Here are excerpts: * * * Niger Military officers seized power in Niger in July 2023, part of a wave of coups in Africa since 2020. The junta, led by former Presidential Guard commander General Abdourahamane Tchiani, has detained elected president Mohamed Bazoum and declined, to date, to issue a clear roadmap for retur  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11098) on Dec. 27, 2023, by legislative attorney Adam Vann: * * * Sheetz v. County of El Dorado: The Court Explores Legislative Exactions and the Takings Clause On January 9, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral argument in Sheetz v. County of El Dorado. The dispute in this case centers around an "exaction," which is a government-imposed requirement that a project  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Energy issued the following news on Dec. 29, 2023: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced two energy-efficiency actions that will save American households and businesses $5 billion per year on their utility bills, while significantly cutting energy waste and harmful carbon pollution. The final standards for residential refrigerators and freezers--which are Congressionally-mandated and reflect a joint recommendation from a wide   more

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, Dec. 30 -- The city of Albuquerque issued the following news: Mayor Tim Keller and City leaders highlighted the City's commitment to illuminating downtown through a strategic investment in lighting. Over the past five years, the City has added 500 new street lights across Albuquerque, including over 100 in the downtown area. Additional lighting downtown has resulting in improved visibility in alleys, sidewalks, and streets. The City has spent $855,000 improving lightin  more