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Tag: President Biden

  • Permanent Daylight Savings Time Bill Passes Senate

    Permanent Daylight Savings Time Bill Passes Senate

    The US Senate has passed a bill that would make daylight savings time permanent, possibly bringing an end to the seasonal time changes so many dread.

    Daylight savings time (DST) has a long and complicated history, first being officially proposed in the late 1800s and gradually gaining traction in the 20th century. The idea behind the practice is to give people, and especially children, more time outdoors in the summer months. In the US, during the George W. Bush administration, the period of the year impacted by DST was extended in an effort to reduce power costs.

    Despite the benefits of the practice, bouncing back and forth between time zones twice a year is incredibly unpopular. Sleep patterns are disrupted during the shift, especially the shift to DST, and transportation schedules are often impacted. At the same time, farmers, broadcasters, and other industries are often opposed to DST, as their industries are more dependent on the natural daylight cycle, or standard time.

    Despite the controversy surrounding the practice, and the difficulties in ending it, the Sunshine Protection Act easily passed the Senate, according to Reuters.

    “I know this is not the most important issue confronting America, but it’s one of those issues where there’s a lot of agreement,” co-sponsor Marc Rubio said. “If we can get this passed, we don’t have to do this stupidity anymore.”

    “Pardon the pun, but this is an idea whose time has come,” he added.

    It’s unclear if the bill will pass the House or be signed by President Biden. Many who support ending DST would prefer to see the US stay with standard time. Doing so would keep children from going to school in the dark, would preserve industries that rely on standard time, and would feel more natural to many.

  • President Biden to Nominate Jessica Rosenworcel to FCC Chair

    President Biden to Nominate Jessica Rosenworcel to FCC Chair

    President Biden is preparing to make his nominations for key positions, including nominating Jessica Rosenworcel as FCC Chair.

    Jessica Rosenworcel has been serving as acting chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission since the outset of the Biden administration. In a somewhat surprising move, the administration had previously made no attempts to permanently fill the role, or nominate someone to the fill the remaining commissioner seat. As a result, the FCC has remained evenly divided, 2-2, an unusual situation when compared with past administrations.

    The White House has revealed its plans to nominate Rosenworcel as Chair, and Gigi Sohn as Commissioner. Sohn previously “served as Counselor to Former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler” and was a strong proponent of net neutrality.

    Should the nominations pass the Senate, the FCC will have the voting power necessary to reinstitute net neutrality rules and other changes that many have been advocating for.

  • TikTok and WeChat In the Clear as Biden Reverses Trump’s Ban Attempts

    TikTok and WeChat In the Clear as Biden Reverses Trump’s Ban Attempts

    TikTok and WeChat’s battle to avoid being sold is finally over, as President Biden has signed an executive order undoing the previous administration’s attempt to ban them.

    TikTok found itself in the crosshairs of the Trump administration, with officials trying to get the social media platform banned in the US. The only proposed alternative was for TikTok’s parent, ByteDance, to sell off the US operations. Oracle, along with Walmart, emerged as winning company, but neither US nor Chinese officials could agree on terms, leaving the company in limbo.

    Shortly after taking office, President Biden ordered a review of the previous administration’s attempts to ban TikTok and WeChat, but has now signed an executive order reversing the attempt to ban them.

    President Biden revoked and replaced three E.O.s that aimed to prohibit transactions with TikTok, WeChat, and eight other communications and financial technology software applications; two of these E.O.s are subject to litigation.

    In lieu of banning the platforms, the executive order instructs the Commerce Department to evaluate “foreign adversary connected software applications” and take action where appropriate to protect user data.

  • Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Group Disbanding RaaS Operation

    Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Group Disbanding RaaS Operation

    The group behind the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack appears to be shutting down its RaaS operation, thanks to increased law enforcement pressure.

    DarkSide secured its place in infamy when it successfully launched a ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline, devastating the gasoline supply on the East Coast. In response, President Biden signed an executive order on cybersecurity, with a focus on helping the US make the drastic changes necessary to keep pace with evolving threats.

    According to cybercrime intelligence firm Intel 471, the increased pressure from law enforcement is already having an impact. DarkSide has posted an announcement saying they have lost access to their blog, payment server and CDN. In addition, the money it made on ransomware was seized.

    DarkSide has said it will cease its Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) operations. The group also will issue decryptors to outstanding RaaS victims. In an interview with Forbes, Intel 471 CEO Mark Arena said he believes DarkSide will honor its promise.

    “I think they’re well established in the criminal underground and they’re not going to burn it for this,” Arena said. He also said he believed hacker groups would be far more careful about their targets moving forward. “People will definitely research their targets more so something like this doesn’t happen again… These guys want to get paid with as little fanfare as possible so they can carry on doing what they’re doing.”

    According to Intel 471, DarkSide isn’t the only group posting such an announcement. Multiple hacker groups are feeling the increased pressure and closing or significantly changing their operations.

  • President Biden Signs Executive Order to Review Supply Chain

    President Biden Signs Executive Order to Review Supply Chain

    President Biden has signed an executive order authorizing a review of the US supply chain, including semiconductors.

    The US has suffered from a number of major supply chain crises over the last year. At the outset of the pandemic, medical professions struggled with a shortage of PPE. Most recently, multiple industries have been impacted by a shortage of semiconductors. The automotive industry, in particular, has been one of the hardest hit.

    President Biden’s executive order is not a short-term solution, but is an attempt to devise a long-term plan to address the country’s need for semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, rare-earth elements and large-capacity batteries.

    “And the bottom line is simple: The American people should never face shortages in the goods and services they rely on, whether that’s their car or their prescription medicines or the food at the local grocery store,” said President Biden when announcing the executive order.

    The supply chain review will also help pave the way for additional jobs, as well as secure existing ones, by ensuring workers have the critical supplies they need. For example, the semiconductor shortage recently halted production at three GM plants. Ensuring a safe supply of critical components will keep companies and entire industries running.

    “This is about making sure the United States can meet every challenge we face in this new era — pandemics, but also in defense, cybersecurity, climate change, and so much more,” continued President Biden. “And the best way to do that is by protecting and sharpening America’s competitive edge by investing here at home. As I’ve said from the beginning, while I was running: We’re going to invest in America. We’re going to invest in American workers. And then we can be in a much better position to even compete beyond what we’re doing now.

    “Resilient, diverse, and secure supply chains are going to help revitalize our domestic manufacturing capacity and create good-paying jobs, not $15 an hour — which is what we need to do someday. And sooner is better, in my view. But jobs that are at the prevailing wage.”

  • Electric F-150 Battery Supply Endangered by Import Dispute

    Electric F-150 Battery Supply Endangered by Import Dispute

    Batteries for the electric F-150 may be in short supply due to an import dispute involving the Korean supplier Ford is using.

    The International Trade Commission (ITC) has banned Korea-based SK Innovation from importing batteries to the US for 10 years, according to Bloomberg. The ruling comes as a result of an accusation from Korea-based LG Chem, accusing SK Innovation of stealing trade secrets. The seemingly harsh ban was the result of SK Innovation destroying evidence LG Chem needed to prove its case.

    The ITC did provide a grace period to give automakers, including Ford and Volkswagen, time to make alternate arrangements. SK Innovation can import components for the F-150 for four years, and for the Volkswagen’s MEB line for two years.

    There are two factors that could play to SK Innovation’s favor. The company is building a factory in Georgia that will become operational later this year. While some components are still slated to be imported, when faced with a 10-year ban, the company may try to move all production to the US.

    As Bloomberg highlights, President Biden could also overrule the ITC’s decision on public policy grounds. Given the front-and-center focus climate change and green energy is taking in the new administration, it’s entirely possible SK Innovation’s ban may be seen as too damaging to electric vehicle endeavors.

  • GM Commits to All-Electric Light-Duty Vehicles By 2035

    GM Commits to All-Electric Light-Duty Vehicles By 2035

    GM has become the latest company to commit to an all-electric light-duty lineup by 2035, with the goal of being carbon neutral by 2040.

    Automakers around the globe are embracing electric vehicle (EV) technology, with everyone from Subaru to Bentley committing to phasing out fossil fuels. In the US, President Biden’s action to rejoin the Paris Agreement is placing a renewed emphasis on combating climate change. In addition, President Biden has committed to replacing the entire federal vehicle fleet with American-made EVs.

    Given the groundswell of support, it’s not surprising GM has now become the latest automaker to embrace EVs, vowing to sell only emissions-free, light-duty EVs by 2035.

    “General Motors is joining governments and companies around the globe working to establish a safer, greener and better world,” said Mary Barra, GM Chairman and CEO. “We encourage others to follow suit and make a significant impact on our industry and on the economy as a whole.”

    The company has also committed to becoming carbon neutral in both its products and operations by 2040.

    “With this extraordinary step forward, GM is making it crystal clear that taking action to eliminate pollution from all new light-duty vehicles by 2035 is an essential element of any automaker’s business plan,” said Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp. “EDF and GM have had some important differences in the past, but this is a new day in America — one where serious collaboration to achieve transportation electrification, science-based climate progress and equitably shared economic opportunity can move our nation forward.”

  • Elon Musk Donating $100 Million Toward Best Carbon Capture Idea

    Elon Musk Donating $100 Million Toward Best Carbon Capture Idea

    Elon Musk is donating $100 million toward efforts to find the best way to capture carbon emissions.

    As climate change begins to take a toll, many are turning to efforts to capture and safely store carbon dioxide (CO2) as a solution. In fact, this is naturally occurring phenomenon, with CO2 deposits safely stored in rock formations around the globe.

    There are additional advantages to carbon capture and storage (CCS), including the cost and removal of additional pollutants. According to Earth Institute, Columbia University, “the technology also reduces pollutants like sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxide, and particulates. And the best part is that it costs only $40 for per tonne of CO2.”

    With President Biden recommitting the US to the Paris Agreement, CCS could be an important step toward bringing carbon emissions within the target levels. Elon Musk is willing to put his own money toward helping find the best way achieve wide scale CCS.

    We will be monitoring this story and provide updates as those details become available.

  • Amazon Offers Support For President Biden’s Vaccination Plans

    Amazon Offers Support For President Biden’s Vaccination Plans

    Amazon has congratulated President Biden and Vice President Harris on their inauguration and offered its support in ramping up the vaccine rollout.

    One of President Biden’s biggest challenges will be significantly increase the pace of the country’s vaccination efforts. In an open letter, Amazon’s Dave Clark, CEO, Worldwide Consumer, made it clear the company is ready to assist.

    We have an agreement in place with a licensed third-party occupational health care provider to administer vaccines on-site at our Amazon facilities. We are prepared to move quickly once vaccines are available. Additionally, we are prepared to leverage our operations, information technology, and communications capabilities and expertise to assist your administration’s vaccination efforts. Our scale allows us to make a meaningful impact immediately in the fight against COVID-19, and we stand ready to assist you in this effort.

    Clark also makes the case that Amazon’s workers, many of whom are considered essential workers, should be among the first vaccinated.

    There is no word yet on whether the new administration will take Clack up on the offer, but it’s a safe bet no options are off the table.