Washington vows to tackle AI, as tech titans and critics descend
Lawmakers are anxiously eyeing the AI arms race, driven by the explosion of OpenAI’s chatbot ChatGPT.
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EPA clamps down on mercury from coal power plants
On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed the most stringent update on limits to mercury from smokestacks since the Obama administration first issued Mercury and Air Toxics Standards in 2012.
Google seeks dismissal of federal lawsuit alleging advertising monopoly
Google on Monday filed a motion to dismiss a Department of Justice lawsuit that aims to break up its alleged monopoly in online advertising, the company’s first salvo in a case widely seen as a test of the Biden administration’s ability to rein in the tech industry.
U.S. to adopt new restrictions on using commercial spyware
The order responds to growing U.S. and global concerns about programs that can capture text messages and other cellphone data. Some programs—so-called “zero-click” exploits—can infect a phone without the user clicking on a malicious link.
Gap grows between TikTok users, lawmakers on potential ban
On the one side are dozens of lawmakers on Capitol Hill issuing dire warnings about security and possible Chinese surveillance. On the other are some 150 million TikTok users who just want to be able to keep making and watching short, fun videos.
Court blocks COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal workers
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans rejected arguments that Biden, as the nation’s chief executive, has the same authority as the CEO of a private corporation to require that employees be vaccinated.
Troubled U.S. organ transplant system targeted for overhaul
The government announced plans Wednesday to overhaul the troubled U.S. organ transplant system, including breaking up the monopoly power of the not-for-profit organization that has run it for the past 37 years.
Biden issues first veto, taking on new Republican House
Biden sought to kill a Republican-authored measure that would ban the government from considering environmental impacts or potential lawsuits when making investment decisions for people’s retirement plans.
TikTok dismisses calls for Chinese owners to sell stakes
Meanwhile, lawmakers in both the House and Senate have been moving forward with legislation that would give the Biden administration more power to clamp down on TikTok.
Power plants must cut pollution crossing state lines, under new EPA standards
The new standards, announced by the Environmental Protection Agency, are intended to place tighter constraints on air pollution from 23 states, including Indiana.
U.S. government moves to stop potential banking crisis
In a sign of how fast the financial bleeding was occurring, regulators announced that New York-based Signature Bank had also failed and was being seized on Sunday.
Does daylight saving time result in lower energy bills?
The notion of keeping the lights off for longer has always been linked with daylight saving time. But more recently, research has emerged to challenge the DST premise.
Biden calls for trillions in tax hikes, new domestic spending
The president’s budget calls for more than $2 trillion on dozens of new domestic policy initiatives, paid for by more than $4.5 trillion in new revenue, primarily through hefty tax hikes on high earners and large corporations.
Permanent daylight saving time: The clock is ticking in Congress
“Spring forward” and “fall back” irk many Americans, but they don’t agree on an alternative. Once again, Congress is debating the issue.
Lawmakers hear theories on COVID-19 origins in U.S. House hearing
Democrats and Republicans mostly agreed Wednesday that scientists and the intelligence community should fully investigate the origins of COVID-19 without political interference over whether the virus emerged from nature or through a lab leak.
Congress members warned of significant health data breach
A broker on an online crime forum claimed to have records on 170,000 DC Health Link customers and was offering them for sale for an unspecified amount.
Biden budget aims to cut deficits nearly $3T over 10 years
The proposal would seek to close the “carried interest” loophole that allows wealthy hedge fund managers and other to pay their taxes at a lower rate.
Safety agency opens probe of Norfolk Southern rail accidents
Federal investigators are opening a wide-ranging investigation into one of the nation’s biggest railroads following a fiery derailment on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border last month and several other accidents involving Norfolk Southern.
Biden proposes new taxes on rich to help fund Medicare
The proposed hike would likely increase tax revenues by more than $117 billion over 10 years, according to estimates by the Tax Policy Center.
Powell: Rate hikes could accelerate if economy stays strong
Most economists and Wall Street investors had expected the Fed to carry out another quarter-point increase when it next meets March 21-22. But in recent days, traders have been pricing in a greater likelihood of a half-point increase.