In a significant move for Germany’s climate policy, lawmakers in Berlin approved a contentious bill on Friday aimed at phasing out fossil-fuel heating systems. This decision follows extended internal debates within the governing coalition, impacting the coalition’s approval ratings and sparking widespread discussions.

https://apnews.com/article/germany-climate-heating-scholz-coalition-legislation-6c811fc41def83ae36e29a29de49bdaf

In a DHS spokesperson’s statement, the Department of Homeland Security expressed its gratitude for the extension of 400 Department of Defense (DOD) personnel who play a crucial role in supporting operations along the southwest border. These support personnel are instrumental in enabling CBP agents and officers to effectively manage the southwest border with a focus on security, safety, and humane treatment.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/us-troops-will-stay-southern-border-sept-30-rcna102891

The State Department is taking action to tackle the overwhelming demand for U.S. passport processing by expanding its call-center hours on weekends. As concerns arise about staffing levels, at least one U.S. senator recommends additional measures. According to a Department official, the call-center service will now be available on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET. To further support applicants, the National Passport Information Center has tripled its phone lines, and the Department is actively recruiting and training more personnel to efficiently handle the significant influx of calls.

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/travel/state-department-expands-passport-phone-center-hours-us-senator-calls-rcna94663

U.S. regulators have launched Operation Stop Scam Calls, a nationwide effort to combat the persistent issue of unwanted and illegal robocalls and telemarketing calls. This proactive campaign, led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and joined by 101 federal and state law enforcement agencies, including attorneys general from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., aims to put an end to this nuisance. The comprehensive crackdown involves a wide range of enforcement actions and initiatives, with the FTC already announcing five significant measures.

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/feds-announce-nationwide-crackdown-robocalls-telemarketing-scams-rcna94974

Today the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of Labor (DOL), announced that it will be issuing a regulation that will make available to employers an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year (FY) 2023, on top of the 66,000 H-2B visas that are normally available each fiscal year.

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-to-supplement-h-2b-cap-with-nearly-65000-additional-visas-for-fiscal-year-2023