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Daily Archives: July 31, 2014

Making Farm Animal Rights A Fundamental Green Issue

Conservation organizations have long sought to protect pandas, polar bears and pelicans, but the welfare of farm animals has largely been left to activist animal-welfare groups like the Humane Society of the United States, which calls itself “the nation’s largest and most effective animal protection organization.” For the past 10 years, the organization has been headed by the politically savvy Wayne Pacelle, who has greatly increased its visibility and influence. Under his leadership, the society has successfully lobbied to curb what it calls the worst excesses of “factory farms,” notably the use of gestation grates to confine pigs. In an interview with Yale Environment 360 contributor Marc Gunther, Pacelle talked about how treatment of farm animals is linked to greenhouse gas emissions, why his group is promoting “meatless Mondays,” and why consumers should be willing to pay more for products from animals that are sustainably raised.”

Your Money, Your Goals: Financial empowerment tools for social services

CFPB: “Many people feel overwhelmed by their financial situations, and they may not know where to go for help. For many low-income Americans, frontline staff of nonprofit and public social services programs are in a unique position to provide that help. Their clients already know and trust them, and in many cases, they’re already sharing financial… Continue Reading

NOAA-led study shows Alaska fisheries and communities at risk from ocean acidification

News release: “Ocean acidification is driving changes in waters vital to Alaska’s valuable commercial fisheries and subsistence way of life, according to new NOAA-led research that will be published online in Progress in Oceanography. Many of Alaska’s nutritionally and economically valuable marine fisheries are located in waters that are already experiencing ocean acidification, and will see more in… Continue Reading

NY AG Releases Report Showing Rise In Data Breaches, Provides Security Tips To Small Businesses & Consumers

“Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today issued a new report examining the growing number, complexity, and costs of data breaches in the New York State. Using information provided to the Attorney General’s Office pursuant to the New York State Information Security Breach & Notification Act, the report, titled “Information Exposed: Historical Examination of Data Security in New… Continue Reading

Chicago Business Barometer Down 10.0 points to 52.6 in July

“The Chicago Business Barometer dropped 10.0 points to 52.6 in July, significantly down from May’s seven month high of 65.5, led by a collapse in Production and the ordering components, all of which have been strong since last fall. A monthly fall of this magnitude has not been seen since October 2008 and left the Barometer… Continue Reading

Employment Cost Index – June 2014

BLS News release: “Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.7 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month period ending June 2014, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Wages and salaries (which make up about 70 percent of compensation costs) increased 0.6 percent, and benefits (which make up the remaining 30 percent of compensation) increased… Continue Reading

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network: Customer Due Diligence Requirements for Financial Institutions

News release: “The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend existing Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) regulations to help prevent the use of anonymous companies to engage in or launder the proceeds of illegal activity in the U.S. financial sector.  The proposed rule… Continue Reading

Biannual Twitter Transparency Report

“First published on July 2, 2012, our biannual Twitter Transparency Report highlights trends in government requests we’ve received for account information, government requests we’ve received for content removal, and copyright notices (both takedown notices and counter notices) we’ve received. The report also provides insight into whether or not we take action on these requests…We’ve received… Continue Reading

CIA IG Report Confirms Searches of Senate Computers

Feinstein Statement on CIA IG Report, Washington –  Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) released the following statement: “I was briefed Tuesday by CIA Inspector General David Buckley on the results of an IG investigation [summary only available at this time]. The investigation confirmed what I said on the Senate floor in March – CIA personnel inappropriately… Continue Reading