News from April 2024
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
According to Calli Schroeder, a senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, attempts to ban TikTok are seen as mere “security theater.” Legislators are pushing for such measures to appear proactive, despite the understanding that they do not address the core issues at hand. Schroeder highlights that banning TikTok would not significantly impact China's access to American data.As the debate surrounding the potential ban of TikTok continues, Schroeder's perspective sheds light on the underlying motivations behind such actions. Stay informed as the situation...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s Interagency Labor Committee for Monitoring and Enforcement has urged the Mexican government to investigate a manufacturing facility operated by Servicios Industriales. The request comes in response to allegations of workers' rights violations at the facility, located in Nuevo León, Mexico.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
The Meta Oversight Board recently released a Policy Advisory Opinion addressing the moderation of the word "shaheed" on Meta's platforms, emphasizing the need for cultural and linguistic sensitivity in content moderation policies. The term "shaheed" carries various meanings and is widely used across different languages, including Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Farsi, and Turkish.The Opinion highlighted that the term "shaheed" is the most heavily moderated word on Meta's platforms, particularly in connection to Meta's Dangerous Organization and Individuals (DOI) list. The Board...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
Bob Beauprez is a former U.S. Representative from Colorado who now runs a Bison ranch.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has revealed that its Multiple Defense Department is assisting in the removal of wreckage from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore Harbor. The team is collaborating with private, federal, and state agencies to extract the bridge debris from the water following a collision with a cargo shipping container last week.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
Arlington, Va. (April 2, 2024) - Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) President and CEO Eric Fanning has expressed his appreciation for the Department of Defense's first-ever Commercial Space Integration Strategy. Fanning commended the Administration's focus on promoting and integrating the space industry within the Department of Defense, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the fast-paced changes in the space sector to support national security efforts.Fanning stated, "The commercial space industry has always been a critical contributor to our national security...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced changes to the income determination for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) communities, sparking concerns among housing advocates and industry stakeholders. In response to the changes, a coalition of housing organizations issued a statement expressing their apprehensions.One of the concerns raised by the coalition is the potential impact of the methodology changes on individuals receiving federal rental assistance. According to the statement, the changes could lead to fewer tenants qualifying...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
3 Body Problem, the sci-fi series from David Benioff, D. B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo, claimed the top spot on the English TV List with 15.6M views and was the most-watched title of the week. It was also the most talked about thanks to a worldwide You Are Bugs takeover, and that buzzed about scene in Episode 5. Making their list debuts were the docudrama Testament: The Story of Moses in second (13.5M views), Season 2 of reality series Buying Beverly Hills in eighth place (1.9M views), and stand-up special Dave Attell: Hot Cross Buns in tenth (1.5M views). The Gentlemen, Guy...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has requested Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to veto the state's social media bill, which aims to enforce age verification for online users. In a letter sent on Tuesday, CCIA expressed concerns about the bill's effectiveness and its potential violation of Constitutional rights.CCIA, a longstanding advocate for information access and telecommunications law, highlighted the implications of the proposed legislation. CCIA State Policy Director Khara Boender emphasized the organization's stance, stating,...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
The National Park Service has announced a meeting of the National Historic Landmarks Committee of the National Park System Advisory Board. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14 and Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern). It will be held virtually, with instructions and access information available online.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
In a recent development, a judge has sided with a conservative group in its efforts to access and publish voter rolls online. The ruling has sparked concerns among privacy advocates and experts in the field.John Davisson, the director of litigation at the Washington-based Electronic Privacy Information Center, expressed his concerns about the implications of the federal rulings in New Mexico and Maine. He highlighted that the rulings preserve state voter confidentiality programs for assault and stalking victims, which conceal home addresses. However, Davisson noted that...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has raised objections to Minnesota’s SF 4696, expressing concerns over its potential impact on freedom of speech. The organization provided written comments opposing the bill during a hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.In its statement, CCIA highlighted that SF 4696 aims to regulate digital services' editorial discretion through the use of algorithms and by imposing engagement limits. The association stated that the bill could infringe on fundamental First Amendment...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
On March 26, Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill that will raise New Jersey's gas tax by 10 cents starting in July.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
Washington, D.C. — The Commodity Futures Trading Commission today issued an order simultaneously filing and settling charges against Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. (ANZ), a financial services firm provisionally registered as a swap dealer for violating its supervision obligations for failing to ensure its spoofing surveillance tool was operating effectively.During the course of a CFTC investigation into ANZ’s trading activity, ANZ disclosed to CFTC staff that a surveillance tool ANZ used to monitor for spoofing activity by its traders was not operating...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 1, 2024
Approximately $60 million in emergency relief funds have been allocated for the construction of a new Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The announcement was made by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), stating that the funds are now available to the Maryland Department of Transportation.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 1, 2024
Four automotive parts distributors based in Southern California have reached settlements over allegations of Clean Air Act violations, according to an announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The companies collectively paid $52,271 in fines for offering illegal aftermarket auto parts.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 1, 2024
The National Park Service has announced it is soliciting electronic comments on the significance of properties nominated before March 23, 2024, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places. Comments should be submitted electronically by April 16, 2024.
By Federal Newswire | Apr 1, 2024
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is facing scrutiny over the security of phone network infrastructure amid concerns raised by experts in the field. Chris Frascella, a counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, expressed both optimism and apprehension regarding the FCC's actions in a recent communication.Frascella commended the FCC for its focus on location data, stating, "It’s encouraging to see the FCC’s continued attention to location data." He also expressed optimism about the commission's commitment, saying, "I am optimistic that the commission...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 1, 2024
As the housing industry gears up to celebrate New Homes Month in April, the focus is on the shifting preferences of homebuyers amidst ongoing affordability challenges.According to a report by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), there has been a noticeable trend towards smaller homes in response to the needs of prospective buyers. NAHB Chairman Carl Harris emphasized that "homeownership remains a goal for families who are eager to put down roots and have a place to call their own."The report revealed that a significant percentage of builders have been...
By Federal Newswire | Apr 1, 2024
Chairman Mike Gallagher and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party have raised concerns about Chinese biotech companies operating in the U.S. and their potential ties to the Chinese military. In a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the lawmakers highlighted the need to identify and label Chinese companies aiding the CCP in military biotech research as ‘Chinese Military Companies.’Gallagher and Krishnamoorthi emphasized the urgency of the situation,...
