News from April 2024
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party will hold a hearing on April 16 regarding the role of China in the fentanyl crisis.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
The Center for Democracy and Technology joined several other organizations in creating a Q&A document that delves into the Security and Freedom Enhancing (SAFE) Act of 2024, aimed at reforming existing loopholes concerning government access to private data without a warrant.According to the Q&A, the SAFE Act is designed to address two significant loopholes. It would mandate intelligence agencies to obtain a court order before searching Section 702 data for Americans' communications. Additionally, it would prohibit agencies from purchasing sensitive personal data from...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
The Heritage Foundation has released new polling data revealing the sentiments of moderate Americans in key swing states regarding funding for Ukraine and border security. The polling, conducted by RMG Research, INC., highlights a majority opposition to sending more funding to Ukraine before addressing border security concerns in the United States.Dr. Kevin Roberts, president of The Heritage Foundation, expressed that moderate voters in battleground states are more focused on securing the country's borders rather than increasing aid to Ukraine. He emphasized the need for...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
G42, the leading UAE-based artificial intelligence (AI) technology holding company, and Microsoft Corp. today announced a $1.5 billion strategic investment by Microsoft in G42. The investment will strengthen the collaboration between the two companies on bringing the latest Microsoft AI technologies and skilling initiatives to the UAE and other countries around the world. As part of this expanded partnership, Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, will join the G42 Board of Directors.H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of G42, expressed,...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
Arlington, Va. (April 15, 2024) – Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) President and CEO Eric Fanning has called on the Senate to pass the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, emphasizing the need to reform the research and development tax expensing provision. Fanning highlighted the detrimental impact of the current policy on American innovation and competitiveness.Speaking on the urgency of the matter, Fanning stated, "American innovation has always led the way, from airplanes to moon landings. But the 2022 research and development (R&D) expensing change...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
WASHINGTON – Retail sales in the United States continued to show an increase in March, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz highlighted the resilience of consumer spending despite inflationary pressures, stating, "March’s Census Bureau numbers confirm that consumer spending remains steady." Kleinhenz attributed the growth in retail sales to various factors such as an early Easter holiday, larger tax refunds from 2023, and improved job market conditions. However, he also pointed out a concerning trend...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
The U.S. House recently voted to drastically expand the Section 702 surveillance program rather than reining it in, a move that has sparked concerns among civil liberties advocates. Vinh Vuong, CEO of investment firm Garrison Fathom, expressed his apprehensions about the expansion, stating, "We are going to do everything we can from a civil liberties standpoint to educate the Senate and make sure the wording is revised to not have this expansion, as well as to have a warrant requirement."Vuong, who has been a vocal campaigner for FISA reform, previously worked as a...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 15, 2024) – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), representing small business owners, has called on Congress to prioritize the Small Business Deduction on Tax Day 2024. In a statement issued by NFIB President Brad Close, small business owners emphasized the importance of making the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent.President Close stated, "On this Tax Day, small business owners want to see Congress take action and make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent. Unlike their larger competitors, small business owners are at...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
Chairman Rostin Behnam is set to address global regulatory priorities at the upcoming ISDA’s 38th Annual General Meeting. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 3:50 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. (Tokyo time) at the Grand Hyatt in Tokyo, Japan. Following Behnam's remarks, a question and answer session will take place, allowing attendees to engage further with the discussion on global regulatory priorities within the financial sector. The meeting promises to be an insightful gathering, providing valuable insights into the current regulatory landscape and potential...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
The National Retail Federation today revealed the promotion of Adam Lukoskie, the Executive Director of the NRF Foundation, to the role of senior vice president of NRF. In a statement, NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay praised Lukoskie, saying, "As executive director of the NRF Foundation, Adam has been a true champion for the retail industry and the millions of people it employs."Shay highlighted Lukoskie's dedication to programs that assist individuals in securing employment in the retail sector, advancing their careers, and preparing the next generation of talent. He...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
More than 18 million Californians reside within 90 miles of the pristine San Gabriel Mountains, which tower dramatically over the Los Angeles skyline. The mountains play an important role for the community, as they support one-third of Los Angeles’ freshwater resources. San Gabriel is home to threatened and endangered species, including 53 U.S. Forest Service sensitive plants and 300 California-endemic species, as well as more than 600 archaeological and historic sites. Due to the ecological and historic richness of the landscape, it serves as a vital educational resource...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang recently shared his thoughts on the significance of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing society during a conversation with Oregon State University President Jayathi Murthy. Speaking to over 2,000 faculty, students, and staff, Huang expressed his belief that AI is a transformative technology that can uplift marginalized communities. He stated, "I believe that artificial intelligence is the technology industry’s single greatest contribution to social elevation, to lift all of the people that have historically been left behind."The dialogue took...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
Chinese chemical companies are poised to become global innovators in the industry within the next decade or two, according to a recent report by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF).ITIF President Robert D. Atkinson emphasized the importance of China's strategic shift towards innovation in the chemicals industry, stating, "China has dominated basic chemical manufacturing for more than a decade. Moving forward, the Chinese government has made a strategic decision to focus more on new chemicals for new applications—with a goal of increasing fine...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has issued a statement regarding the American Privacy Rights Act, with CEO Gary Shapiro expressing the organization's support for the initiative. Shapiro emphasized the importance of a federal data privacy law to safeguard consumers' personal information and foster innovation in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.Shapiro stated, “The Consumer Technology Association appreciates this bipartisan, bicameral effort to pass a federal data privacy law to protect consumers’ personal information. CTA has long advocated that...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
Pedro Israel Orta is an Army and CIA veteran, evangelical minister, and author of the book, “The Broken Whistle: A Deep State Run Amok”.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
Washington, D.C. – A coalition of prominent industry associations, including TechNet, expressed concerns with the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) 2024 National Trade Estimate Report. The memorandum, led by TechNet, highlighted a significant reduction in the report's coverage of digital trade barriers compared to previous years, despite their increasing prevalence globally.TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore emphasized the potential consequences of the USTR's approach, stating, “From China to Canada, countries around the world are racing to slow our growth and blunt...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
The American Medical Association (AMA) has welcomed the recent focus of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) on the challenges facing physician practices within the Medicare payment system. According to the AMA, MedPAC's discussion highlighted the concerns regarding declining Medicare payments and the impact on beneficiary access to care.In response to MedPAC's comments, the AMA has urged Congress to continue the conversation on the need for Medicare reform. The AMA expressed agreement with MedPAC's observation that the Medicare Economic Index has been...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
Nicholas Anthony, a policy analyst at the Cato Institute's Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, stated that the Nigerian government is "looking for anything other than its own actions to blame" for the fall of the naira. He suggested that they have "somehow named Binance as the culprit," resulting in the detention of two Binance employees. Anthony shared his statement on the Cato Institute's website on April 11.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
Henri Arslanian, co-founder and managing partner of the cryptocurrency-focused hedge fund Nine Blocks Capital Management, has expressed concern over the detention of Tigran Gambaryan, an American citizen and Binance employee. According to a post made by Arslanian on March 30, Gambaryan, who is also a former U.S. federal agent, "has dedicated his life to fighting crime and upholding the rule of law" and must be repatriated.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 15, 2024
Hudson Institute China Center Director Miles Yu said the U.S., Japan, and Australia have allied with the Phillippines and conducted joint naval exercises despite "China’s bullying of the Philippines."
