News from April 2024
By Federal Newswire | Apr 9, 2024
SK Battery America Inc., an electric battery manufacturer based in Commerce, Georgia, is facing $77,000 in fines for exposing its approximately 3,100 employees to serious safety and health hazards. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) revealed that a lithium battery fire in October 2023 could have exposed workers to permanent respiratory damage.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 9, 2024
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Justice Department recently announced a final rule clarifying state and local governments' obligations under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act to make their websites and mobile applications accessible for people with disabilities.In response to this development, ITIF Vice President Daniel Castro emphasized the importance of the new rule, stating, "This new rule is an important step forward in creating a more inclusive digital society." Castro further highlighted the critical need for state and local governments to ensure full...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 9, 2024
Just three days after Parasyte: The Grey premiered on Friday, the latest Korean series became the most watched non-English TV Netflix show globally, clocking 6.3 million viewing hours last week.One of the most talked about moments in the series is when a person’s head splits open to reveal the parasite within. To make it look realistic, director Yeon Sang-ho focused not only on how the parasite’s movements looked in CGI but also how they should affect the physical environment.“When the parasite head moves by, elements like hair should move naturally. We even tried...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 9, 2024
The United States has reiterated its commitment to assist Armenia in bolstering its democracy and achieving economic prosperity through regional integration. In a meeting with Armenian and European Union (EU) leaders, U.S. Department of State (DOS) Secretary Antony Blinken announced that the U.S. would allocate $65 million towards this initiative.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 9, 2024
WASHINGTON (Apr 9, 2024) - More than 200 civil advocacy groups have united in urging major tech companies to intensify their efforts in combating artificial intelligence-driven misinformation ahead of global elections. In a letter exclusively obtained by The Technology 202, the coalition of activists called on the CEOs of prominent tech firms, including Meta, Reddit, Google, and others, to implement more robust strategies to counter the spread of harmful political propaganda.Highlighting the urgency of the situation, the groups emphasized the need for proactive measures...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 9, 2024
Caitriona Fitzgerald, the deputy director at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, has expressed concerns regarding the new federal data privacy bill. In a statement, Fitzgerald highlighted the issue of preemption of state-level regulation, emphasizing the need for a robust law.“From our perspective—in an ideal world—it would not preempt state laws, it would allow states to pass stronger laws,” Fitzgerald stated. She further emphasized the importance of ensuring that if the bill preempts state laws, it must be stronger than existing regulations.“We recognize that...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 9, 2024
Google has proposed to deprecate third-party cookies in its Chrome browser while providing alternative methods for online advertising tools in efforts to enhance privacy on the web. According to a recent article, the move towards deprecation is seen as a positive step towards a more private online ecosystem that respects user privacy.In response to the deprecation of third-party cookies, a spokesperson mentioned, "Using technical measures in browsers to directly limit abusive online tracking is necessary, and, in the most widely used web browser, Google Chrome, long...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 8, 2024
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has voiced his concerns about the effects of a "porous border" on Oklahoma, expressing hope that the legislature will pass a bill criminalizing illegal entry into the state. This viewpoint was shared in an opinion piece for The Oklahoman on March 26th.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 8, 2024
Native Hawaiian organizations (NHOs) have been invited to apply for funding through the Heritage Opportunities in Hawaii program. The Office of Native Hawaiian Relations, a division of the US Department of the Interior (DOI), has announced $1 million in funding for this initiative.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 8, 2024
More than 30 million student loan borrowers could be eligible for some form of debt relief, as indicated by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). This figure includes four million borrowers who have already received debt cancellation. The public will be given an opportunity to voice their opinions before the initiative is finalized.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 8, 2024
Tradepoint Atlantic (TPA), a Baltimore County facility, is set to utilize an $8.26 million grant previously awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to handle increased cargo at TPA’s terminal on Sparrows Point at the Port of Baltimore. This action aligns with the federal government's objective to alleviate supply chain issues following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was struck by a shipping container.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 8, 2024
Dr. Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, said that China is directly linked to fentanyl production in Mexico. She discussed China’s role in the fentanyl crisis during the hearing “Strengthening International Cooperation to Stop the Flow of Fentanyl into the United States."
By Federal Newswire | Apr 8, 2024
Dr. George Calhoun, Professor and Director of the Hamlin Financial Systems Center at the Stevens Institute of Technology, said American companies, including Apple and Vanguard, have begun "decoupling" from China. Calhoun made his comments during the China Desk Podcast for the Federal Newswire.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 8, 2024
Wally Adeyemo, the Deputy Secretary of the US Treasury, has stated that his department will persist in its efforts "to target the violent drug cartels that profit from deadly fentanyl sales in our country." This announcement was made in a press release issued by the US Department of the Treasury on March 22.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 8, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced an initiative to address the issue of toxins in the Greenpoint/East Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, particularly those affecting the Meeker Avenue Plume Superfund Site. The agency's primary concern is that buildings in this area are at risk of exposure to chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs), which can vaporize into soil and infiltrate structures.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 8, 2024
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, recently discussed the need for more air and artillery support in Ukraine. The conversation also touched on the importance of a pending aid package from Congress, which is seen as crucial to Ukraine's defense efforts.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 8, 2024
Netflix has announced that "John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s In LA" will be streaming live on the platform over six nights during the Netflix is a Joke Fest. The show, created by and starring John Mulaney, will feature special guests and field pieces shot in Los Angeles. The debut episode is set for May 3, with additional episodes airing nightly from May 6 to 10 at 7 pm PT.John Mulaney, known for his unconventional humor, is set to explore the city of Los Angeles during a week when many funny people will be in town. Mulaney, who is the host, co-showrunner, and executive...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 8, 2024
In a recent article by Bloomberg Law, the importance of privacy protection in product quality has been highlighted by John Davisson, the director of litigation at the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center. Davisson emphasized that privacy is a fundamental aspect of product quality that has often been overlooked due to the limited privacy-protective options available to users.According to Davisson, "Privacy protection is a 'core dimension' of product quality." He pointed out that meaningful privacy protection stems from well-enforced regulations and a competitive...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 8, 2024
The National Park Service is seeking electronic comments on the significance of properties nominated before March 30, 2024, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places. Comments should be submitted electronically by April 23, 2024.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 8, 2024
WASHINGTON—Following the release of the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA), the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, issued a statement criticizing the bill. Senior Policy Manager Ashley Johnson expressed concerns about the current state of the APRA, stating, "in its current state, it is not the compromise America needs."Johnson further highlighted that while the bill attempts to strike a compromise on key issues, it falls short in some aspects. She pointed out that the bill includes a private...
