News published on Federal Newswire in April 2024

News from April 2024


New superintendent of New Philadelphia National Historic Site selected by U.S. National Park Service

Christopher Collins has been appointed as the new superintendent of New Philadelphia National Historic Site, with his tenure set to commence later this spring.


Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom: 'more than three years into its passage, the UFLPA is more a story of a missed opportunity'

Nury A. Turkel, Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, said the Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act (UFLPA) has become a "story of a missed opportunity" due to its lack of enforcement on the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) abuse of Uyghurs in China. Turkel made his comments in an article for Real Clear Politics.


Biden-Harris administration protects Thompson Divide from oil and gas exploration, drilling

The United States Department of the Interior has given approval for the removal of certain areas from oil and gas leasing, according to Secretary Deb Haaland. The order does not affect the previously authorized Wolf Creek Gas Storage Area, with the withdrawal initiative commencing in October 2022.


Trust Wallet CEO: Binance executive's 'detention in Nigeria is a crisis'

Eowyn Chen, the Chief Executive Officer of digital asset self-custody platform Trust Wallet, has described the detention of Tigran Gambaryan, the head of financial crime compliance at cryptocurrency exchange Binance, as a "crisis." Chen made this statement in a post on March 31.


Digital Chamber urges Biden to intervene in Nigeria’s detainment of Binance’s Gambaryan

The Digital Chamber, a leading blockchain and cryptocurrency association, is calling on President Biden to address the detention of U.S. citizen Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria. Gambaryan, who serves as the head of Binance’s Financial Crime Compliance department, was detained along with a colleague by Nigerian authorities in February without charges.


FCC’s Title II Order Would Reduce Broadband Availability and Quality

WASHINGTON—The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) has expressed concerns over the FCC's draft Order that would regulate broadband under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934. Joe Kane, ITIF’s director of broadband and spectrum policy, criticized the potential impact of the Order on broadband availability and quality.Kane stated, "The FCC’s draft Order would saddle the competitive broadband marketplace with regulations that will reduce the long-term availability and quality of broadband." He also highlighted that the Internet had thrived both...


Cloud Software Group and Microsoft Ink Eight-Year Partnership to Enhance Cloud Solutions and AI Innovations

Cloud Software Group Inc. and Microsoft Corp. have announced an eight-year strategic partnership aimed at enhancing cloud solutions and generative AI capabilities for over 100 million users globally. The collaboration will focus on strengthening the go-to-market collaboration for the Citrix virtual application and desktop platform, as well as developing new cloud and AI solutions with an integrated product roadmap.Sridhar Mullapudi, General Manager at Citrix, highlighted the importance of empowering employees with secure and innovative solutions for enhanced productivity...


Former police officer sentenced for trafficking counterfeit luxury watches

Vanessa Roberts Avery, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Klevis Nako, a 24-year-old resident of Worcester, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to 60 days in prison followed by 18 months of supervised release....


NRF Unveils 2024 Top 50 Global Retailers

WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation today announced the 2024 Top 50 Global Retailers, a list compiled by Kantar based on the operational performance of international retailers at the beginning of 2023. NRF Executive Director of Research Mark Mathews expressed, "In our increasingly interconnected global economy, retailers are continually expanding their international customer base." He added, "It is exciting to see the tremendous breadth and diversity of businesses that are featured in this year's Global Top 50."Maintaining its position as the world's largest...


Utah passes legislation opposing Natural Asset Companies

H.B. 496, the Public Land Use Amendments bill, was passed in the Utah State House and Senate, and was signed into law by Governor Spencer Cox. The bill restricts Natural Asset Companies’ (NAC) abilities on public land, and opposes a proposed rule from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).


'The Elder Scrolls Online' Joins GeForce NOW for Game’s 10th Anniversary

On April 4, 2024, GeForce NOW announced the addition of nearly 20 new games, with a special focus on The Elder Scrolls Online as it celebrates its 10-year anniversary. The renowned online role-playing game is now available on the cloud for players to enjoy.GeForce NOW marked the occasion by introducing the game to its members, stating, "The Elder Scrolls Online as it joins the cloud this week for members." This move allows fans from around the world to participate in the anniversary celebrations, which are kicking off in Amsterdam. Players can now immerse themselves in...


Tech Talk: Talking Tech with Rachel Cummings & Daniel Susser on Differential Privacy

CDT’s Tech Talk podcast recently featured a discussion on the topic of differential privacy. Rachel Cummings, Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at Columbia University, and Daniel Susser, Associate Professor for the Department of Information Science at Cornell University, delved into the nuances of this privacy-enhancing technique.Differential privacy has gained traction as a method to bolster privacy protections in data processing systems. However, as Rachel Cummings pointed out, there are underlying assumptions that need to be...


Brief – Unintended Consequences: Consumer Privacy Legislation and Schools

In the realm of consumer privacy legislation and its implications on schools, a recent article has shed light on the potential unintended consequences that such laws could have on the education sector.The need for comprehensive privacy legislation to protect personal information, especially that of children, has been emphasized. The importance of data in supporting various functions within schools, such as class assignments and funding, has also been highlighted.Existing laws governing student data, such as FERPA and COPPA, provide specific protections that must be...


NRF Calls for Small Business Nominations for 2024 America’s Retail Champions

WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation today announced that the 2024 America’s Retail Champions program is now open for nominations. Now in its seventh year, America’s Retail Champions honors small retailers from across the country who speak out on public policy debates affecting the retail industry at the national, state, and local levels.NRF Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French emphasized the importance of small business owners, stating, "Small business owners are the backbone of communities large and small across America. They are exceptional...


NAHB Commends Final DOE Transformer Efficiency Rule

Carl Harris, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a custom home builder from Wichita, Kan., praised the Department of Energy for its final rule on new energy efficiency standards for distribution transformers. Harris stated, "NAHB commends the Department of Energy for listening to the concerns of home builders who cited soaring costs and shortages of distribution transformers that are delaying housing projects across the nation and increasing construction costs."Harris also acknowledged that the final rule represents an improvement over the...


Seeing is Believing: How ‘The Believers’ Delivered a Gripping Exploration of Faith and Finance

Exploring faith, finance, and societal issues, The Believers have captured the hearts of viewers in Thailand, claiming the top spot on TV within a week of its release. The series delves into the complex interplay between faith and finance within the context of Buddhism, captivating audiences with its thought-provoking narrative and finely crafted characters.James-Teeradon Supapunpinyo, who portrays Win in the series, shared his motivation for taking on the role, stating, "I decided to take on the role after reading the synopsis.” Peach-Pachara Chirathivat, embodying the...


NVIDIA Ranked by Fortune at No. 3 on ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ List

NVIDIA has achieved a significant milestone as it soared to the third position on Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work's '100 Best Companies to Work For' list. This marks the company's highest ranking in the list during its eighth consecutive year of inclusion, surpassing its sixth-place ranking from the previous year.Fortune highlighted the shifting priorities of employees in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that "employees are increasingly prioritizing work-life balance, mission alignment and empathetic workplaces." This acknowledgment comes as NVIDIA...


OneTrust joins the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Institute

OneTrust, a provider of trust intelligence solutions, has become a member of the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Institute (RAI Institute), an international non-profit organization committed to promoting responsible AI adoption in organizations. The partnership is expected to facilitate OneTrust's contribution to the development of AI governance tools.


Pet product expenditures totaled $147B in 2023, APPA report shows

In 2023, U.S. consumers expended $147 billion on pet products and services, as reported by the American Pet Products Association (APPA). The association also predicts steady year-over-year growth through 2030, with anticipated expenditures reaching a staggering $250 billion.


Judiciary Republicans Release Kate Starbird Transcript

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) has made public the transcript from the Committee's interview with Kate Starbird, co-founder of the Election Integrity Project. In a statement, Jordan urged the public to "Read the full Kate Starbird transcript here."The release of the transcript comes amidst growing concerns and scrutiny surrounding election integrity and misinformation. Kate Starbird, known for her work in studying online misinformation and its impact on elections, provided valuable insights during the Committee's interview.The...