PIPELINE SECURITY

In a March report, the U.S. Congressional Research Service argues that pipeline security is an important national security issue.

CORRUPTION

According to a report from the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), 2018 was a sluggish year for anticorruption action among European countries.

MARIJUANA

The cannabis industry is a target for traditional cyberattacks, and dispensaries are an especially lucrative target, according to a white paper from consulting firm Kroll.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The Motion Picture Association of America issued best practices for protecting content.

CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Overall, 796 critical infrastructure cyber incidents were reported to DHS from 2013 to 2015, and the energy sector accounted for 35 percent of them, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), which issued reports over the last 10 months on pipeline security.

Critical Infrastructure Protection: Key Pipeline Security Documents Need to Reflect Current Operating Environment: Actions Needed to Address Significant Weaknesses in TSA’s Pipeline Security Program Management:

 LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT

The U.S. Congress reauthorized and expanded law enforcement officer family support grant programs.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

The Philippines outlawed sexual harassment in public places.

DISCRIMINATION

The Department of Human Health and Services will no longer include gender expression, gender identity, and transgender status under sex discrimination.

CORRUPTION

Meng Hongwei, ex-Interpol chief, admitted to corruption, including receiving $2 million in bribes.

TERRORISM

Libyan national found guilty for his involvement in a 2012 terrorist attack.

HATE CRIMES

James Alex Fields was sentenced to life in prison for his hate crime of driving a car into a crowd of counter-protesters.

DEFENSE

The U.S. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 will provide funding for defense activities. 

FOREIGN INTERFERENCE

The PAID AD Act would prevent foreign nationals and lobbyists from buying advertising that names a political candidate.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

The U.S. Department of Justice settled with an educational service agency in Michigan which had been accused of sexual harassment and hostile workplace. 

EXPORTS

An engineer was involved in a conspiracy to illegally secure and export semiconductor chips with missile guidance abilities to China. 

FRAUD

Jack Kachkar was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his involvement in an international fraud scheme that led to the collapse of one of Puerto Rico’s largest banks, Westernbank.

ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS

The United States settled with Dow Silicones Corporation to resolve environmental violations at Midland Michigan Chemical manufacturing facility. 

CENSUS/DISCRIMINATION

The U.S. Supreme Court puts census citizenship question on hold.

PRIVACY

A Minnesota police officer was awarded $585,000 after colleagues accessed her driver’s license data.

SUPPLY CHAIN

U.S. Senators introduced a bill that would keep Huawei on the Commerce Department’s Entity List. 

BREASTFEEDING

The U.S. Congress passed a bill that would require public buildings that offer public restrooms to also provide a separate lactation room for breastfeeding mothers.