WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41153) on July 14, 2025, entitled "Changes in the Arctic - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 2 of 8) * * * Arctic in U.S. Policymaking In light of great power competition and increased human activities in the Arctic resulting from the diminishment of Arctic ice, some observers argue that there is a need to devote more U.S. attention and resources to the region./95 On  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41153) on July 14, 2025, entitled "Changes in the Arctic - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 3 of 8) * * * NATO and European Union NATO As mentioned earlier, the A7 states are all members of NATO, and the expansion of NATO to include Finland and Sweden following the start of the Russia-Ukraine war has increased the Arctic as an area of focus for NATO. During the Col more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41153) on July 14, 2025, entitled "Changes in the Arctic - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 4 of 8) * * * Russia-China Cooperation Russia-China cooperation in the Arctic can both reflect and contribute to Russia and China's strategic partnership. A February 4, 2022, joint statement by Russia and China about their strategic partnership stated that the two countries "a more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R41153) on July 14, 2025, entitled "Changes in the Arctic - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 6 of 8) * * * Extent of the Continental Margin/329 A strategic objective of the 2022 National Strategy for the Arctic Region is for the United States to "delineate the outer limits of the U.S. continental shelf in accordance with international law."/330 This area of the contin more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (TNSFR) -- The Federal Communications Commission has proposed new rules to simplify the attachment of broadband equipment to utility poles aiming to accelerate high-speed internet deployment across communities. The proposed rules, detailed in a July 25, 2025, notice, address key barriers in the pole attachment process. One rule mandates that companies complete equipment installation within 120 days after preparatory work concludes, preventing delays that could block other pr more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 95-1135) on July 3, 2025, entitled "The Federal Grand Jury" by Charles Doyle, American public law senior specialist: * * * Summary The federal grand jury exists to investigate crimes against the United States and to preserve the constitutional right of grand jury indictment. Its responsibilities require broad powers. As an arm of the U.S. District Court which summons it, upon whose process it more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. 95-1135) on July 3, 2025, entitled "The Federal Grand Jury" by Charles Doyle, American public law senior specialist: (Continued from Part 1 of 4) * * * Common Law Privileges Federal grand jury subpoenas are subject to the maxim that, "the grand jury ... may not itself violate a valid privilege, whether established by the Constitution, statutes, or the common law."/69 In the context of grand j more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration is reviewing a request from the Long Island Rail Road, Jamaica, New York, to make a temporary alteration to its positive train control (PTC) system. The railroad submitted its request on August 11, 2025, to disable the Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System II (ACSES II). This action is needed to facilitate the installation, testing, and commissioning of modifications to transponders, wayside i more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration has issued an amended Export Trade Certificate of Review to the Association for the Administration of Rice Quotas, Inc., which represents U.S. rice exporters. This allows the organization to adjust its export activities and adapt to changes in the global market. The certificate provides protection from antitrust actions for its members' export-related conduct. The changes address the United Kingdo more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (TNSFR) -- New York University College of Dentistry has completed an inventory of ancestral remains, a step that will lead to their repatriation to six Native American tribes. The remains, which represent at least one individual, were excavated from Santa Catalina Island, California, in 1920. This action is in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), which facilitates the return of Native American cultural items and human remains t more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced a decision to expand the recognition of Intertek Testing Services NA Inc., Arlington Heights, Illinois, as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). The move, which is effective on August 22, 2025, allows ITSNA to certify products under an additional test standard for energy storage systems and equipment. The action follows a standard review process for such requests. An  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12987) on Aug. 22, 2025, by American national government specialist R. Eric Petersen: * * * Smithsonian Institution: Selected Legislation, 119th Congress The Smithsonian Institution is a complex of museum, education, research, and revenue-generating entities primarily located in the Washington, DC, region, with additional facilities and activities across the United States and w more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48642) on Aug. 22, 2025, entitled "U.S. Export Controls and China: Advanced Semiconductors" by Karen M. Sutter, Asian trade and finance specialist: * * * SUMMARY Semiconductors are strategic and uniquely important electronic devices. They are fundamental to most industrial and national security activities and serve as essential building blocks of other technologies, such as artificial intelli more PR