The curiosity company

A coalition of civil and human rights organizations on Wednesday called for officials on all levels of government to take action towards banning the private and corporate use of facial recognition technology. More than 20 organizations signed the open letter urging a ban similar to one that went into effect in Portland, Ore., at the start of this year. The Portland ordinance bans private entities from using facial recognition technology in places of public accommodation. “We believe this ordinance should be used as a template for more city, state, and federal legislation that bans private and corporate use of facial recognition surveillance,” the organizations wrote. ADVERTISEMENT “In a world where private companies are already collecting our data, analyzing it, and using it to manipulate us to make a profit, we can’t afford to naively believe that private entities can be trusted with our biometric information,” the letter continues. Advocates have pushed for bans … [Read more...] about Civil rights organizations call for ban on corporate use of facial recognition

Republicans who voted to overturn the results of the 2020 election are raking in record amounts of cash just months after major corporate donors vowed to pull their support. Rep. Steve Scalise Stephen (Steve) Joseph Scalise Boehner finally calls it as he sees it Republican House campaign arm rakes in .7 million in first quarter The Hill's Morning Report - Biden seeks expanded government, tax hikes MORE (R-La.) was expected to announce that he raised $7.1 million during the first quarter of 2021. Politico reported that Sen. Josh Hawley Joshua (Josh) David Hawley Biden sparks bipartisan backlash on Afghanistan withdrawal Cruz raises .3 million in first quarter of 2021 Exclusive: GOP senators seek FBI investigation into Biden Pentagon nominee MORE (R-Mo.), who played a key role in working to block the certification of the Electoral College results, raised $3 million in the same time period, while Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) … [Read more...] about Republicans see record fundraising in months after Capitol breach

After more than a year closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lakewood’s Casa Bonita has filed for bankruptcy. Summit Family Restaurants, Casa Bonita’s parent company, filed for Chapter 11 protection in Arizona on April 6. But that doesn’t mean the business is closing for good; the Chapter 11 filing should buy Casa Bonita more time to pay off its debts, which amount to $4.4 million, according to court documents. And it could even continue to operate in the meantime. Court documents show that most of Casa Bonita’s debt is owed to its owner, Summit Family Restaurants, through a capital lease agreement. But after staying closed for the past year, the restaurant is losing around $40,000 a month, court filings state. Now Casa Bonita needs outside investment and a cash flow once again to save itself. “The restaurant is in big trouble,” said Jaime Zender, finance professor with the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business. “As it looks now, without some infusion of cash, they … [Read more...] about Casa Bonita files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

PHILADELPHIA (CNN) — The White House said Tuesday that the recommended pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine would “not have a significant impact on our vaccination plan” to administer 200 million shots by the end of April, even as new questions mount about how the move could affect the willingness of Americans to receive shots. “Johnson & Johnson vaccine makes up less than 5 percent of the recorded shots in arms in the United States to date,” White House Covid-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said in a statement. “Based on actions taken by the President earlier this year, the United States has secured enough Pfizer and Moderna doses for 300 million Americans. Over the last few weeks, we have made available more than 25 million doses of Pfizer and Moderna each week, and in fact this week we will make available 28 million doses of these vaccines.” READ MORE: Suspected DUI Driver Arrested After Crashing Into Several Cars In Logan, Fleeing Scene: Philadelphia Police … [Read more...] about White House Says Pause On Johnson & Johnson Vaccine ‘Will Not Have A Significant Impact On Our Vaccination Plan’

(CNN) Berlin Police are investigating a possible violation of coronavirus lockdown rules during an alleged party at the private members club Soho House, a police spokesperson told CNN on Tuesday. Police said they were investigating the event after evaluating photos and a video of the event that were shared on social media. The posts now appear to have been deleted and CNN has not viewed them. The spokesperson said police received a noise complaint about the Soho House at 2:45 a.m. local time on Saturday, April 10. Police responded by phoning the private members club. The call was answered by a receptionist, who subsequently silenced the noise, the spokesperson said. WHO calls for 'reality check' as global Covid-19 cases surge for seventh week At that time, police were not aware of a party at the Soho House, and therefore no officers were sent to the site, the spokesperson said, adding that no further complaints were received. … [Read more...] about Berlin police investigate private club over alleged party amid lockdown