News from April 2024
By Federal Newswire | Apr 3, 2024
BRUSSELS - In a joint statement released today, global tech trade association ITI and Orgalim emphasized the need for an EU-US agreement on conformity assessment to streamline transatlantic trade. The statement highlights the current challenges faced by technology companies needing certifications to ensure compliance with technical and safety standards when trading across the Atlantic.According to ITI and Orgalim, an agreement on conformity assessment would not only benefit transatlantic trade but also bring advantages to EU and US exporters. These benefits include...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 3, 2024
Millennials have surged ahead to become the largest group of home buyers, marking a significant shift in the housing market's demographic landscape, according to the latest report from the National Association of Realtors®."The generational tug-of-war between millennials and baby boomers continued this year, with millennials rebounding to capture the largest share of home buyers," said Dr. Jessica Lautz, NAR deputy chief economist and vice president of research. "This notable rise is attributed to both younger millennials stepping into homeownership for the first time and...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 3, 2024
Arlington, Va (April 3, 2024) – Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) President and CEO Eric Fanning has urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to take up the Senate-passed National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024. Fanning emphasized the importance of the bill to American defense industrial base and national security goals in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific.In a letter to Speaker Johnson, Fanning stated, "The $95.3 billion bill passed by a vote of 70-29 because a bipartisan supermajority of the Senate recognized that this investment is...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 3, 2024
Dotlumen CEO Cornel Amariei recently discussed the innovative assistive technology for the visually impaired developed by his company during an episode of NVIDIA’s AI Podcast. The flagship product, Dotlumen Glasses, is equipped with sensors and AI technology to help visually impaired individuals navigate the world by computing a safe path and providing tactile feedback through vibrations.During the podcast, Amariei explained, "We compute a safely walkable path for visually impaired individuals and offer haptic feedback on how to proceed via corresponding vibrations." He...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 3, 2024
The National Association of Realtors® and Realtor.com® recognized three outstanding individuals with the Fair Housing Champion Award during the Fair Housing Month event titled "Many Rivers to Cross: America’s Ongoing Fair Housing Journey."According to NAR President Kevin Sears, "Affordability and fair housing remain the most significant challenges confronting the real estate industry today, and I am immensely proud of the dedication displayed by our award recipients in expanding access to homeownership."One of the winners, Eve B. Lee from Lake County, Illinois, has been...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 3, 2024
Digital characters in video games are undergoing a transformation, thanks to advancements in AI technology. NVIDIA's Avatar Cloud Engine (ACE) is at the forefront of this evolution, allowing game developers to create lifelike non-playable characters (NPCs) that interact dynamically with players in real time.According to NVIDIA, ACE microservices enable developers to integrate state-of-the-art generative AI models into digital avatars, enhancing their responsiveness and interactivity. This technology is already being embraced by leading game developers, studios, and...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 3, 2024
Brussels, BELGIUM – EU and U.S. officials are gathering in Brussels and Leuven today ahead of a key meeting of the EU-U.S. Trade & Technology Council to discuss transatlantic cooperation, specifically on digital governance and resilient trade.The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has voiced its support for greater U.S.-EU dialogue and cooperation on trade and technology policy, welcoming the TTC as a crucial platform to engage on pressing digital trade issues.CCIA's Senior Vice President and Head of CCIA Europe, Daniel Friedlaender, emphasized the...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 3, 2024
CFTC Commissioner Kristin N. Johnson has disclosed that the Market Risk Advisory Committee (MRAC) will convene for a public meeting on April 9. Johnson expressed the committee's dedication to addressing critical issues within the markets, stating, "At each meeting over the last two years, the MRAC has advanced a series of recommendations and reports on several of the most critical issues facing our markets."The upcoming meeting aims to provide valuable insights and recommendations to reinforce the stability of the U.S. financial system. Topics on the agenda include...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 3, 2024
"In a recent interview, Megan Iorio, senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, highlighted the challenges of regulating speech within the confines of the First Amendment. Iorio expressed her views on the difficulty of ensuring privacy while verifying a user's age, stating that "there is no privacy-protective way" to accomplish this task.Moreover, Iorio pointed out the inadequacy of placing the responsibility on parents to address the negative impacts of complex social media algorithms, remarking that it is "not how things should work." She stressed the...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 3, 2024
Washington – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that an order restoring baseline Open Internet protections will be presented for a vote of the Commissioners during the April 25 Open Meeting. These protections aim to safeguard broadband internet traffic from blocking, throttling, paid prioritization, and unreasonable conduct.CCIA, a tech industry association, has been actively involved in advocating for Open Internet rules. In a statement, CCIA Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President Stephanie Joyce expressed the organization's support for the...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 3, 2024
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently at odds with automakers over the potential regulations for connected cars. Despite multiple requests for comment, the FCC has remained silent on the matter.According to Chris Frascella, counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel has not been transparent in making the industry's response letters easily accessible to the public. This lack of transparency contrasts with 2022 when Rosenworcel prominently published manufacturers' letters in response to inquiries about geolocation...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 3, 2024
WASHINGTON – Despite expectations for slower growth of both gross domestic product and retail sales, the economy should continue to do well the remainder of this year, National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said today.“No one can accurately forecast what surprises the next year might hold, but the foundation of the economy is relatively sturdy and still on a sustainable path,” Kleinhenz said, adding that the continuing recovery remains “highly reliant” on consumer spending. “Barring unexpected shocks, it should continue growing in 2024, although not...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
The National Restaurant Association has recently published its Restaurant Technology Landscape Report 2024, which forecasts an increase in technology usage in the coming year to improve services and customer experience.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
Steve McKee is a New Mexico resident and an author of books on marketing.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
Funds from fiscal year 2023 energy revenues have been allocated to Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and their coastal political subdivisions. These funds will enable the recipients to undertake projects related to hurricane protection, coastal restoration, and conservation.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
In a recent correspondence with Lael Brainard, Director of the White House National Economic Council, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation expressed its views on the developments concerning Nippon Steel Corp.'s bid to acquire United States Steel Corp. The acquisition proposal from Nippon Steel, Japan's leading steelmaker, is currently undergoing federal scrutiny.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
Protect the Public’s Trust (PPT) announced its findings during an investigation into a former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official’s ethics violations. Recent findings show an omission of important details during the initial investigation into the ethics complaint.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has voiced its apprehension over the recently published 2024 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE Report). The association alleges that while obstacles impeding the export of digital products have escalated, the report downplays many of them.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced a comprehensive review of the Moving to Work (MTW) Demonstration program. This initiative, which aims to enhance administrative productivity and resident benefits, will be examined by 14 agencies in an effort to expand services. The announcement was made by Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman after consultation with Congress and other stakeholders.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
Despite facing criticism for recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter Sunday, President Joe Biden was not alone in his acknowledgement. U.S. Department of State Secretary Antony Blinken also chose to honor the day, describing it as "a celebration of the courage and resilience" of transgender individuals worldwide.
