Norfolk Southern’s CEO is returning to Capitol Hill for a new round of questioning; and a new report details how scammers are now using artificial intelligence. These stories and more highlight the daily rundown for Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
Norfolk Southern CEO to testify
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are taking further steps to boost rail safety and hold Norfolk Southern accountable for the derailment in Ohio.
Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw is returning to Capitol Hill to face a fresh round of questioning from the Senate Commerce Committee. He testified earlier this month and apologized on behalf of the company.
According to prepared remarks, Shaw will give updated figures on clean-up efforts and show support for some rail safety regulations on the industry.
Last week, Ohio’s Attorney General announced he is suing Norfolk Southern to force it to pay for groundwater and soil monitoring near the train wreckage site for years to come. As well as to cover economic losses in the small town community.
Xi, Putin display alliance during visit
Chinese leader Xi Jinping paid a visit to Russian president Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The two countries showed a united front as they offered a joint statement on the war in Ukraine. As he stood next to Putin, China’s leader said he supports peace and is on the right side of history. The two called each other “dear friends” and presented themselves as a twin counterweight to the U.S. influence in the world.
Xi is sticking to his plan to act as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine to end the war. Something the U.S. continues to doubt.
New report details drug shortage
Children’s medication, antibiotics and treatment for ADHD are among a number of drugs that have been in short supply in recent months, and these shortages of critical medications are only rising, according to a new report released today.
From 2021 to 2022, new drug shortages increased by nearly 30%. There have been 295 individual drugs affected by the shortage since the end of 2022.
California’s 12th atmospheric river
California is once again getting battered by an atmospheric river. The first day of spring showing little change from an extraordinary winter.
Central and Southern California have been hit hardest in this latest system. Hundreds of thousands lost power where winds were recorded as high as 80 miles per hour is mountain communities.
The storms in California have helped to replenish reservoirs and ease the states drought conditions.
Scammers use AI in new tactic
The Federal Trade Commission is warning scammers are now using AI “voice cloning” tools to their benefit.
The FTC says if you receive a phone call from an unknown number, let the caller speak first. Apparently these scammers are recording snippets of your voice and later using it to impersonate you.
The technology can accurately convert written sentences into convincing audio that sounds like you. Once they’ve got your voice, they can call people who know you and pretend they’re you. Then they can pretend to be in some sort of trouble and ask for cash. According to the FTC, scammers only need three seconds of your voice to convert into a convincing scam tactic.
Dollar Tree to stop selling eggs
Dollar Tree is taking eggs off its shelves in the face of “egg-flation.” The average egg price has increased by as much as 60% year-over-year. According to Reuters, the company can’t make a profit over current costs to sell them. So, until costs come down, Dollar Tree will no longer sell eggs in their stores.
It’s just the latest adjustment Dollar tree has made to keep up with high inflation after going from a price-point of $1.00 to $1.25 on the majority of its merchandise last year.
