All articles tagged with #watchdog
PG&E and Waymo's watchdog have responded indifferently to a blackout incident, with little concern or action taken, highlighting ongoing issues in energy and autonomous vehicle sectors.
The Pentagon failed to adequately track more than $1 billion worth of arms and equipment given to Ukraine, according to a watchdog report. The report found that the Pentagon did not have accurate records for nearly $1.3 billion in arms and equipment, raising concerns about accountability and potential misuse of the aid.
China's Communist party watchdog has issued a warning to businesses about an impending crackdown on corruption, signaling a renewed effort to root out graft in the business sector. The move comes as part of President Xi Jinping's ongoing anti-corruption campaign, and is expected to have significant implications for businesses operating in China.
The UK watchdog has banned advertisements by three airlines - easyJet, Ryanair, and TUI - over "misleading" environmental claims. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) found that the airlines' claims of being "low carbon" or "low emissions" were not adequately substantiated and could mislead consumers. The ruling comes as part of the ASA's crackdown on greenwashing, where companies make exaggerated or false claims about their environmental credentials.
The Wall Street watchdog has proposed a plan that would allow brokers to make promises about future investment results, a move that has raised concerns about potential investor harm. The plan, put forth by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), would permit brokers to use projections and hypothetical illustrations to demonstrate how an investment could perform in the future. Critics argue that such promises could mislead investors and create unrealistic expectations, potentially leading to financial losses.
Fraudsters have reportedly misappropriated over $200 billion in COVID-19 relief funds intended to support struggling small businesses during the pandemic, according to a report by the inspector general of the Small Business Administration (SBA). The report reveals that approximately 17% of the $1.2 trillion disbursed by the SBA through the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) were potentially fraudulent claims. Loose controls and the rush to distribute funds contributed to the ease with which fraudsters gained access to these programs. The Justice Department has initiated over 140 cases of fraud, with estimates suggesting that the total value of fraudulently obtained PPP loans could be in the billions. Efforts are underway to recover the stolen funds, with ongoing investigations and congressional hearings.
A watchdog report has found that the suicide of financier Jeffrey Epstein in a federal prison last year highlights the negligence and failures within the prison system. The report reveals that prison officials disregarded protocols, failed to properly monitor Epstein, and falsified records. The findings raise concerns about the overall safety and security of federal prisons.