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☆ Insight: Insurers poised for US break on investment losses from high rates
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Koh Gui Qing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

A negative IMR forces insurers to tap pots of money they would have otherwise spent on their business or returned to shareholders. Among those insurers are Prudential Financial (PRU.N), OneAmerica Financial Partners, Principal Financial (PFG.O) and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, according to Fitch. That compares to $1.8 billion in net fixed income-related losses Prudential recorded in 2022. They do not give banks the option of deferring interest rate-related losses, fearing excesses that led to the 2008 financial crisis. DEFERRING LOSSESFollowing the rule change, insurers will be allowed to amortize interest rate-related losses over time equivalent to 10% of their statutory surplus.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Fitch, Edward Stone, Stone, Ken Tanji, MassMutual, OneAmerica, Steven Zabel, Zabel, Koh Gui Qing, David French, Greg Roumeliotis, Anna Driver Organizations: Prudential Financial, REUTERS, SEATTLE, Sunday, National Association of Insurance, Reuters, Federal Reserve, OneAmerica Financial Partners, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance, Prudential, Silicon Valley Bank, First Republic Bank, Insurance, American Council of, Equitable Holdings, MetLife, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, MassMutual, OneAmerica, Financial, Unum, Thomson Locations: United States, U.S, Seattle, Fitch, Silicon, New York

Many opponents of renewable energy, she added, “are worried about the impacts to their very way of life.”Roadside opposition to renewable energy projects near Baldwin City, Kan. “We see offshore wind as a critical technology,” said Dan Burgess, the director of the Maine Governor’s Energy Office. Across the country, clean energy projects of all types are tied up in lengthy permitting processes. By then, India had not completed any offshore wind projects. Since 2000, the United States has barely built any major transmission lines that connect different regions of the country.

Persons: Scott Dickerson, ”, Biden, Alison Bates, “, Columbia University’s, Dan Burgess, Habib Dagher, Janet Mills, Gregory Wetstone, Mack, James Gillway, SunZia, ” Hunter Armistead, Broussard, There’s, Vaughan Woodruff, Tucker Carlson, Teslas, ” Ali Zaidi, Dagher, Rolf Olsen, who’s Organizations: University of Maine, Sears, Officials, Federal, International Energy Agency, Colby College, White, Columbia, Climate, The University of, Maine Governor’s Energy, Environmental, University of Maine’s, Composites Center, Gov, American Clean Power Association, American Council, Renewable Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Army Corps of Engineers, . Clean, Union United, China India European Union United States, China European Union United, China India United States European, China United States European Union, China United States European Union India, Energy, The New York Times, United, Pattern Energy, New York State Energy Research, Development Authority, Toyota Prius Locations: Penobscot Bay, Maine, , Maine, United States, Europe, China, Australia, India, Los Angeles, Ohio, Jersey Shore, Waterville , Maine, Baldwin City, Kan, Massachusetts, Ukraine, Gulf, Searsport , Maine, Searsport, Bangor, Mack, West, Union United States, U.S, China United States European Union India, Great, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Riesel , Texas, Energy, San Bernardino County, In Kansas, Atlantic City, N.J, New York, Manhattan, Sears

☆ San Francisco moves to center of robotaxi universe after California agency vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Greg Bensinger | Thomson Reuters | Greg Bensinger Joined Reuters As A Technology Correspondent In Focusing On The World'S Largest Technology Companies. He Was Previously A Member Of The New York Times Editorial Board | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Cruise and Waymo have been running experimental services limited by times and geographic areas within San Francisco. The approval “marks the true beginning of our commercial operations in San Francisco,” said Tekedra Mawakana, Waymo co-CEO, in a prepared statement. San Francisco is important as both a symbolic hub of tech and, with hundreds of AVs already in operation, the largest test lab for the experimental cars. The vehicles, with empty driver seats and self-turning steering wheels, have become a common sight around San Francisco. Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma advocated for a delayed vote noting the volume of public comment and her lingering concerns following evidence that the vehicles have obstructed emergency vehicles in San Francisco.

Persons: Heather Somerville, Waymo, Motors ’, John Reynolds, AVs, Cruise, ”, Tekedra Mawakana, Prashanthi Raman, Uber, Genevieve Shiroma, Greg Bensinger, Jamie Freed, Diane Craft Organizations: General Motors Corp, REUTERS, FRANCISCO, Motors, California Public Utilities Commission, Transportation, Cruise, Locals, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, Technologists, Thomson Locations: San Francisco, California, U.S, San Francisco's, Francisco

☆ Regulators give green light to driverless taxis in San Francisco
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Nadia Bidarian | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

San Francisco first responders, city transportation leaders and local activists are among those who shared concerns about the technology. “Today’s permit marks the true beginning of our commercial operations in San Francisco,” said Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo, in a press release. Until Thursday’s vote, Cruise and Waymo could offer only limited service to San Francisco residents. The San Francisco Police Officers Association, San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs’ Association and the San Francisco Fire Fighters Local 798 all wrote letters to the CPUC in the week leading up to the originally scheduled vote on June 29. 2022 was the worst year on record for traffic fatalities in San Francisco since 2014, according to city data.

Persons: Cruise, “, ”, Tekedra Mawakana, Drew Pusateri, General Motors, Matthew Sutter, Justin Sullivan, Critics, Tracy McCray, Jeanine Nicholson, ” Nicholson, Waymo, Genevieve Shiroma, ” Shiroma Organizations: CNN, Cruise, San Francisco, California Public Utilities Commission, Waymo, General, Francisco, San, San Francisco Police, Association, Sheriffs ’ Association, San Francisco Fire Fighters, San Francisco Fire Department, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Locations: California, San Francisco, San, Waymo, San Francisco , California, “

CNN —Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed all officials in charge of regional military recruitment centers amid a widespread corruption scandal. A scandal linked to the procurement of war-time supplies had already led to Zelensky firing a slew of senior Ukrainian officials at the start of the year, and prompted Ukraine’s deputy defense minister Viacheslav Shapovalov to resign after allegations of corruption surfaced in the media. “I have just held a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council,” he said in a video clip. “One key issue is the results of the inspection of military registration and enlistment offices. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau said it was investigating “high-profile media reports” into allegations that Ukraine’s defense ministry was buying military provisions, including food for the troops, at inflated prices.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Viacheslav Shapovalov, Zelensky, “, ”, ” Zelensky, Oleksii Symonenko, Ivan Lukerya, Nehoda, Vitalii Organizations: CNN, National Security and Defense Council, “, Corruption

☆ Robotaxis get the green light to roam the streets of San Francisco at any hour of the day
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Cruise and Waymo got the go-ahead from state officials Thursday to offer driverless rides 24/7. Robotaxi companies Cruise and Waymo have been given the go-ahead from state officials to offer driverless rides in San Francisco at any hour of the day. Before it got the green light from officials, Cruise and Waymo had been authorized to offer its services from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m in limited areas of San Francisco. "Today's permit marks the true beginning of our commercial operations in San Francisco," Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said in a blog post . San Francisco firefighters were forced to smash the front window of a Cruise driverless taxi in January to stop it from running over their hoses as they were engaged in active firefighting.

Persons: Cruise, Waymo, CPUC, Kyle Vogt, Tekedra Mawakana, Darcie Houck, Francisco firefighters, AVs, John Reynolds, Waymo didn't Organizations: California Public Utilities, Morning, California Public Utilities Commission Locations: California, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Mountain, Francisco

☆ Piedmont Lithium's plans to supply Tesla face skeptical North Carolina officials
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Ernest Scheyder | Thomson Reuters | Ernest Scheyder Is An Award-Winning Senior Correspondent Covering The Green Energy Transition | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Aug 8 (Reuters) - Piedmont Lithium (PLL.O) on Tuesday drew skepticism and anger at a key meeting with local North Carolina officials about its plans for a lithium mine that would supply the electric vehicle battery metal to Tesla (TSLA.O). Piedmont said it would be open to helping its neighbors in those situations dig deeper wells or connect to municipal water supplies. Piedmont first signed a deal to supply lithium to Tesla in 2021 from North Carolina. "We've not heard from Piedmont Lithium in over two years," said Warren Snowdon, whose land shares an 8,000-foot-border with the proposed site. "So I don't know if they don't care and I don't know if they're concerned about us."

Persons: Keith Phillips, Allen Fraley, Phillips, We've, Warren Snowdon, Ernest Scheyder, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: North, Thomson Locations: North Carolina, United States, Gaston County, Charlotte, U.S, China, Piedmont, Quebec, Gaston, Australia

☆ Chief of Texas' largest county takes medical leave for depression
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo addresses the news media, the day after a deadly crush of fans during a performance by rapper Travis Scott at the Astroworld Festival, in Houston, Texas, U.S. November 6, 2021. REUTERS/Daniel Kramer/File PhotoHOUSTON, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Lina Hidalgo, chief executive of the third-largest U.S. county and the largest one in Texas, has checked in to a medical facility outside the state to be treated for clinical depression, she said on Monday. Hidalgo, a Democrat elected in 2018 to lead the county of 4.9 million residents, has battled Republican state officials over election administration and police funding. Last November, she won re-election as Harris County judge against a well-funded political novice with a slim margin of about 17,000 votes. Reporting by Gary McWilliams in Houston Editing by Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lina Hidalgo, Travis Scott, Daniel Kramer, Harris, Hidalgo, Kim Ogg, Gary McWilliams, Matthew Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Democrat, Republican, Thomson Locations: Harris, Houston , Texas, U.S, Texas, Hidalgo, county's, Houston

☆ Amazon to Meet Regulators as U.S. Considers Possible Antitrust Suit
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( David Mccabe | More About David Mccabe | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

commissioners, said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the discussions are confidential. The scheduled meetings signal that the F.T.C. is nearing a decision on whether to move forward with a lawsuit arguing that Amazon has violated antimonopoly laws. Such discussions are sometimes known as “last rites” meetings, after the prayers some Christians receive on their deathbed. As a $1.4 trillion behemoth, Amazon has turned into a major force in the economy.

Persons: Lina Khan, Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, Alvaro Bedoya Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Amazon, Metro, Goldwyn, Mayer

REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Amazon.com (AMZN.O) is set to meet next week with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ahead of a potential long-awaited antitrust lawsuit against the retailer, according to a source familiar with the matter. The FTC began probing Amazon during former President Donald Trump's administration when the government decided to investigate Amazon, Google, Faceboook and Apple for allegedly breaking antitrust law. The company has been criticized for allegedly favoring its own products and disfavoring outside sellers on its platform, among other allegations. Amazon is expected to argue at the meetings with the commissioners that the FTC should not file an antitrust suit against the company, a separate source said. The Justice Department has sued Google twice, once regarding its search business and a second time on advertising technology.

Persons: Gonzalo Fuentes, Donald Trump's, Lina Khan, David Shepardson, Diane Bartz, Chris Reese, Mark Potter, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Viva Technology, Porte de, REUTERS, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Google, Apple, Amazon, Yale, Trump Justice Department, Facebook, Meta's Facebook, Thomson Locations: Porte, Paris, France

☆ Eight Months Pregnant and Arrested After False Facial Recognition Match
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Kashmir Hill | More About Kashmir Hill | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

After being charged in court with robbery and carjacking, Ms. Woodruff was released that evening on a $100,000 personal bond. The ordeal started with an automated facial recognition search, according to an investigator’s report from the Detroit Police Department. Ms. Woodruff is the sixth person to report being falsely accused of a crime as a result of facial recognition technology used by police to match an unknown offender’s face to a photo in a database. All six people have been Black; Ms. Woodruff is the first woman to report it happening to her. “And it’s happening anyway.”On Thursday, Ms. Woodruff filed a lawsuit for wrongful arrest against the city of Detroit in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Persons: Woodruff, ”, Clare Garvie Organizations: Detroit Police Department, Detroit’s, Police, National Association of Criminal Defense, Eastern, Eastern District of Locations: Wayne, Detroit, U.S, Eastern District, Eastern District of Michigan

☆ Feds vote to reduce bottlenecks in connecting new power sources to the energy grid
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Catherine Clifford | In Catclifford | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Also, power generators will have to meet certain requirements to keep their place in the queue, including a financial deposit. Deadlines and penalties for transmission providers: Transmission providers will have strict deadlines to to respond to power generators waiting in the queue, and will face penalties if they miss those deadlines. Also, power generators will be able to add a source of power to a single interconnection request. It can be so expensive to build new transmission, sometimes power generators can't afford the cost and have to cancel their power generation plans completely. Also, power generators wait for an average of five years in these queues because grid operators are flooded with interconnection queue applications.

Persons: Jeffrey Lamb, LADWP, Al Seib, George Rose, Rob Gramlich, Gramlich, Joseph Rand, Rand, Gregory Wetstone Organizations: Sylmar, Pacific DC, Los Angeles Department of Water, Los Angeles Times, Getty, Aera Energy, CNBC, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, FERC, Vw, American, Renewable Energy Locations: Columbia, Oregon, California, Southern California, Angeles, Los Angeles , CA, CA, San Joaquin Valley, McKittrick , California, North, Lost, Kern County, Bakersfield, United States, Milford , Utah, Milford, Smithfield, ACORE

has allowed committees to not itemize subvendor payments when those payments are an extension of the original vendor’s work. Experts say it is illegal for campaigns to pay campaign staff members through limited liability companies, or for vendors to serve merely as conduits to hide the ultimate recipient of campaign money. Indeed, while the use of limited liability companies by Mr. Scott’s campaign is striking in its scale, it is not unique among Republican presidential candidates. Former President Donald J. Trump’s 2020 campaign was the subject of litigation over its use of limited liability companies run by campaign staff and family members that were allegedly conduits for hundreds of millions of dollars of spending. His campaign defended the practice, saying the intermediary companies were acting as the primary vendors.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Paul Kilgore —, Kilgore, Donald J Organizations: Republican, Gov Locations: Florida, Athens, Ga

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) listens during a Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., April 18, 2023. In addition to creating the regulatory commission, the proposed law would tighten antitrust law to forbid the companies from preferencing their own products over those of rivals. "This bipartisan bill would create a new tech regulator and makes clear that reining in Big Tech platforms is a top priority on both sides of the aisle," said Warren in a statement. Graham said the creation of the regulatory commission was "the first step in a long journey to protect American consumers from the massive power these companies currently wield." Amazon declined comment while Facebook and Google did not respond to a request for comment on the proposal.

Persons: Elizabeth Warren, Amanda Andrade, Rhoades, Lindsey Graham, Warren, Graham, Diane Bartz, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs, Capitol, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, Democrat, Republican, Facebook, Google, Big Tech, Federal Trade Commission, Digital Consumer Protection, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Big Tech, Washington

☆ US SEC adopts new cyber rule, unveils brokerage AI proposal
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Douglas Gillison | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The new cybersecurity rule will require companies to disclose a cyber breach within four days after determining it is serious enough to be material to investors. The rule would allow delays if the Justice Department deems them necessary to protect national security or police investigations, according to the SEC. The AI proposal, if issued by the commission, would require broker-dealers to "eliminate or neutralize" any conflict of interest that occurs if a trading platform's predictive data analytics puts the broker's financial interest ahead of that of the firm's clients. SEC Chair Gary Gensler had previewed the AI rule in recent weeks, noting the use of AI also posed a danger to financial stability. According to a regulatory agenda, the SEC is also planning to issue a similar proposal governing the use of AI by investment advisers.

Persons: Gary Gensler, Douglas Gillison, Chris Reese, Mark Porter Organizations: U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Justice Department, SEC, Companies, Investment, Thomson

That would cost the EU its figurehead in international climate negotiations and the politician who drove through Europe's toughest measures yet to cut planet-warming emissions. The move was at odds with the U.S., and faced ire from some EU countries who felt it gave too much away. Ribera's role at the helm of Spain's green agenda is on the line after a snap election on Sunday ended with gridlock. The EU wants to pass at least two more green policies before EU elections next year - the nature law and electricity market reforms. Spain - whose current government typically backs ambitious EU climate policies - holds the EU's rotating presidency, and will chair EU countries' negotiations on all new laws until 2024.

Persons: gridlock, Frans Timmermans, Michael Bloss, Timmermans, Teresa Ribera, Linda Kalcher, Ribera's, She's, Kalcher, Ribera, Emmanuel Macron, Pablo Simon, Carlos, Kate Abnett, Pietro Lombardi, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: EU, European, UN, Green, U.S, SECOND, gridlock, People's Party, Carlos III University, Thomson Locations: Spain, lurch BRUSSELS, Dutch, Santiago, Chile, Ribera, Europe, Italy

Israelis marching toward Jerusalem on Saturday in protest of plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to overhaul the judicial system. Adding to the uncertainty Sunday, Mr. Netanyahu was taken to the hospital to have a pacemaker implanted during a procedure in which he would be placed under sedation, his office said. “The proper balance between the authorities has been disturbed over the past decades,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a speech Thursday. “The fear is that our country won’t look like it looks today,” Ms. Holzman said of the judicial overhaul plan. Similar mass protests in March prompted the government to suspend, at least for now, other planned judicial changes.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, ”, Ilana Holzman, “, Holzman, Menahem Kahana, Benjamin Netanyahu, Shin, Netanyahu, ” Mr, Gil Cohen, Navot Silberstein, Silberstein, Ms Organizations: Agence France, Histadrut, Air Force Locations: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Israel, Shoresh .

☆ Israel's Netanyahu taken to hospital for a heart procedure and placed under sedation as hundreds of thousands march in protest of his plans to overhaul the judiciary
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said early Sunday he was going to the hospital for an emergency procedure to receive a pacemaker, but vowed to press ahead with his controversial judicial overhaul plan. Netanyahu's office made the announcement as Israel faces widespread street protests over Netanyahu's contentious judicial overhaul plan. Levin is the mastermind of the overhaul plan. The signatories included Ehud Barak, a former Israeli prime minister, and Moshe Yaalon, a former army chief and defense minister. In a speech Thursday, Netanyahu doubled down on the overhaul and dismissed as absurd the accusations that the plan would destroy Israel's democratic foundations.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Yariv Levin, Levin, throngs, Monday's, Joe Biden, Ehud Barak, Moshe Yaalon, Israel Katz, Yoav Gallant Organizations: Israeli, National Institutes of Health, Likud, Channel, West Bank Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Jerusalem, Israel's, Beersheba, Haifa, Netanya

☆ Republican lawmakers urge FTC to drop fight against Microsoft deal for Activision
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, July 18 (Reuters) - Twenty-two Republican lawmakers urged the Federal Trade Commission to drop its fight against Microsoft's (MSFT.O) deal to buy video game maker Activision Blizzard (ATVI.O), calling it "an example of the FTC’s rejection of sound antitrust policy." In response to the losses, the lawmakers, said: "We write to express our concerns, and to urge you to drop this matter." Microsoft, maker of the Xbox video game console, has been fighting for months to save the $69 billion deal, which was criticized by U.S. and British antitrust enforcers, but appears close to finalizing it. The acquisition of "Call of Duty" video game maker Activision would be Microsoft's biggest ever and the largest in the history of the video game industry. "For two decades, Microsoft’s Xbox business has been the much smaller challenger in the video game publishing and video game console markets," they added.

Persons: Microsoft's, Lina Khan, James Comer, Jim Jordan, Diane Bartz, Leslie Adler Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Activision, Republican, Representatives, U.S, Microsoft, Committee, FTC, Xbox, Thomson

☆ What we know about the 16 fake electors charged in Michigan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Marshall Cohen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Some of the GOP electors in Michigan were local activists who were recruited to serve as “fake electors,” all while inaccurately believing there was still a chance that then-President Donald Trump might secure a second consecutive term. CNN has reached out to the 16 fake electors for comment about the criminal charges. Here’s what we know about the 16 fake electors facing state charges. Meshawn Maddock, 55, was co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party during the 2020 campaign and is married to a GOP member of the Michigan House of Representatives. James Renner, 76, was also brought in later in the process to replace one of the original GOP electors.

Persons: ”, Donald Trump, Meshawn Maddock, Kathy Berden, Marian Sheridan, Kent Vanderwood, Stanley Grot, Amy Facchinello, Ann Henry, Michele Lundgren, “, we’d, Trump, …, ” Clifford Frost, John Haggard, Timothy King, Rose Rook, Mayra Rodriguez, Hank Choate, Sonny Perdue, Ken Thompson, Thompson, James Renner Organizations: CNN, Republicans, Republican National Committee, Trump, Michigan Republican Party, GOP, Michigan, Representatives, Republican National Convention, Wyoming City Council, 2nd District Republican Party, Genesee County Republican Party, Congressional, Republican, Democratic, Detroit Free Press, Michigan GOP Locations: Michigan, Washington ,, DC, Wyoming , Michigan, Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Shelby Township, Grand Blanc, Flint , Michigan, Genesee, Michigan’s, Lansing, Detroit, Macomb County, Van Buren County

To calculate 28% of your monthly income, multiply your gross monthly income (that's your income before taxes) by 0.28. If you like to spend a large chunk of your paycheck on traveling, for example, a large monthly mortgage payment might not fit into your lifestyle. 1,000 ÷ 5,000 = 0.2To get a conventional mortgage, the maximum DTI you can have is typically 50%, including your proposed monthly mortgage payment. How much house can I afford frequently asked questionsHow much do you have to make a year to afford a $400,000 house? Mortgage interest rates can have a big impact on how much house you can afford.

Persons: you've, You'll, it's, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, you'll, homebuyers Organizations: National Association of Insurance, PMI Locations: Chevron, Arkansas, North Carolina

☆ As Iraq Tries to Chill Critics, Its Newest Target Is Social Media
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Alissa J. Rubin | More About Alissa J. Rubin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Often it is unclear exactly which acts violate public order and morality, according to the U.S. State Department’s most recent report on human rights, as well as a report by Human Rights Watch and other free speech and human rights organizations. Um Fahad, the social media influencer who was dancing on her son’s birthday, said she still did not understand why she was arrested and imprisoned. In 2021, the federal court stripped commissioners of their immunity, making them vulnerable to financially crippling lawsuits from any politician, government ministry or party. That curbed the commission’s efforts to hold to account Iraqi government officials or institutions for human rights violations under Iraqi and international law. Officials note accurately that when government critics are pursued in court, in the majority of cases they eventually prevail.

Persons: Um Fahad, “, ”, Ali al, neutered, Saddam Hussein Organizations: U.S, U.S . State, Human Rights Watch, Iraqi Human Rights Commission Locations: U.S ., Iraq

☆ FTC chair defends tenure as lawmakers battle over consumer agency's impact
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Diane Bartz | David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Representative Kevin Kiley, Republican from California, asked Khan about the cases that the agency had lost. “We fight hard when we believe there was a law violation, and unfortunately things don’t always go our way,” responded Khan. The agency also lost a fight to stop Facebook parent Meta Platforms from buying VR content maker Within Unlimited. Democrats on the committee sought to defend Khan, occasionally joined by Republicans on the panel including Rep. Ken Buck. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, a Republican, however, worried about investors in small businesses losing their exit strategies.

Persons: Lina Khan, Lina M, Khan, Bill Nelson, Graeme Jennings, Activision Blizzard, Kevin Kiley, “, don’t, ”, ” Kiley, ” Khan, Darrell Issa, Trump, Ken Buck, Michael Kikukawa, Scott Fitzgerald, “ you’re, you’re, Black Knight, Jim Jordan, Elon, Jerry Nadler, Nadler Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Republican, Commerce, Science, NASA, Capitol, Committee, Microsoft, “, Activision, Facebook, Republicans, White House Press, Rep, Black, Horizon Therapeutics, Twitter, FTC, Democrat Locations: Washington , U.S, California, U.S

☆ Texas defers decision on EV charging funds amid industry pushback on Tesla plugs, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Abhirup Roy | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The vote in Texas is being closely watched in the industry as it could drive similar moves in other states. Reuters reported last month that Texas planned to mandate EV charging companies to include Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) standard if the companies wanted access to a program to electrify highways using federal funds. Washington state has talked about similar plans and Kentucky has mandated that EV charging companies include Tesla's plug. The rollout of the federal funds require charging companies to offer CCS. But plans to adopt Tesla's technology by Ford Motor (F.N) and General Motors (GM.N) have prompted a flurry of automakers and charging companies to embrace the technology.

Persons: let's, Abhirup Roy, Hyunjoo Jin, Sonali Paul Organizations: FRANCISCO, Reuters, U.S, EV, CCS, Ford Motor, General Motors, Thomson Locations: Texas, Washington, Kentucky, San Francisco

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