**Cybersecurity - Ready.gov
Cyberattacks are malicious attempts to access or damage a computer or network system. Cyberattacks can lead to the loss of money or the theft of personal, financial and medical information. These attacks can damage your reputation and safety.
Cybersecurity involves preventing, detecting and responding to those cyberattacks that can have wide-ranging effects on individuals, organizations, the community and the nation.
Cyberattacks can occur in many ways, including:
• Accessing your personal computers, mobile phones, gaming systems and other internet- and Bluetooth-connected devices.
• Damaging your financial security, including identity theft.
• Blocking your access or deleting your personal information and accounts.
• Complicating your employment or business services.
• Impacting transportation and the power grid.
Protect Yourself Against Cyberattacks
You can avoid cyber risks by taking steps in advance:
• Limit the personal information you share online. Change privacy settings and do not use location features.
• Keep software applications and operating systems up-to-date.
• Create strong passwords by using upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. Use a password manager and two methods of verification.
• Watch for suspicious activity that asks you to do something right away, offers something that sounds too good to be true, or needs your personal information. Think before you click. When in doubt, do NOT click.
• Protect your home and/or business using a secure Internet connection and Wi-Fi network, and change passwords regularly.
• Don’t share PINs or passwords. Use devices that use biometric scans when possible (e.g. fingerprint scanner or facial recognition).
• Check your account statements and credit reports regularly.
• Be cautious about sharing personal financial information, such as your bank account number, Social Security number or credit card number. Only share personal information on secure sites that begin with https://. Do not use sites with invalid certificates. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that creates a more secure connection.
• Use antivirus and anti-malware solutions, and firewalls to block threats.
• Back up your files regularly in an encrypted file or encrypted file storage device.
• Do not click on links in texts or emails from people you don’t know. Scammers can create fake links to websites.
• Remember that the government will not call, text or contact you via social media about owing money.
• Keep in mind that scammers may try to take advantage of financial fears by calling with work-from-home-opportunities, debt consolidation offers and student loan repayment plans.
Read further
________________________________________________________________________________
Federal Register Notices:
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Opportunity To Request Administrative Review and Join Annual Inquiry Service List
• Certain Hot-Rolled Steel Flat Products From the Republic of Korea: Notice of Court Decision Not in Harmony With the Results of Countervailing Duty Review; Notice of Amended Final Results
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Carbon and Alloy Seamless Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe From Japan and Romania; Institution of Five-Year Reviews
• Fresh Garlic from China; Institution of a Five-Year Review
• Stilbenic Optical Brightening Agents From China and Taiwan; Institution of Five-Year Reviews
• Draft Harmonized System (HS) Code List of Critical Supply Chains
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar From the Republic of Turkey, Taiwan, and Japan; Final Results of First Expedited Sunset Reviews of the Antidumping Duty Orders
• Gray Portland Cement and Cement Clinker From Japan: Final Results of Expedited Sunset Review of the Antidumping Duty Order
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Advance Notification of Sunset Review
• Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2020-2021
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Biaxial Integral Geogrid Products From China
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar From the Republic of Turkey: Final Results of the Expedited First Sunset Review of the Countervailing Duty Order
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Freight Rail Couplers and Parts Thereof From China and Mexico; Institution of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations and Scheduling of Preliminary Phase Investigations
• Artists' Canvas From China
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: In the Matter of Certain Centrifuge Utility Platform and Falling Film Evaporator Systems and Components Thereof; Request for Written Submissions on Remedy, the Public Interest, and Bonding
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Steel Racks and Parts Thereof From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review and Intent To Rescind the Review, in Part; 2020
• Certain Steel Racks and Parts Thereof From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results of the Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Preliminary Determination of No Shipments; 2020-2021
• Certain Lined Paper Products From India: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; Rescission of Administrative Review, in Part; and Preliminary Determination of No Shipments; 2020-2021
• Certain Cold-Rolled Steel Flat Products From the Republic of Korea: Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review, 2020
• Circular Welded Carbon Steel Pipes and Tubes From Thailand: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Final Determination of No Shipments; 2020-2021
________________________________________________________________________________
US Department of Labor Awards #2M Grant to Help Improve Labor Conditions, Prevent Forced, Child Labor in Uzbekistan's Cotton Industry - U.S. Department of Labor
Agreement supports continued industry reform, worker protections
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of a $2 million cooperative agreement to support the improvement of labor conditions and prevent forced labor and child labor in Uzbekistan’s cotton industry.
Administered by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, the funding will support a project in which the Solidarity Center and its co-implementer, the Center for International Private Enterprise, will strengthen worker voice and build the capacity of local cotton businesses to adhere to international labor standards and enact effective labor compliance systems.
The world’s sixth largest producer of cotton, Uzbekistan generates more than one million tons annually. Its annual cotton harvest employs about two million workers – the world’s largest seasonal labor mobilization – from which approximately half of these workers derive their entire annual income. For decades after the fall of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan’s government enforced strong, centralized control of cotton production, forcing farmers and seasonal workers, including children, to meet quotas for planting and picking cotton.
“Uzbekistan’s commitment to labor standards compliance has renewed international interest in sourcing and investing in cotton grown there,” said Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs Thea Lee. “To take advantage of these economic growth opportunities, employers must provide decent working conditions and respect the voices and rights of workers. At the same time, workers will need tools to advocate for good labor practices and participate in labor standards compliance systems.”
In 2017, a new government initiated broad reforms and pledged to eliminate forced labor. The government’s efforts to promote public awareness of forced labor prohibitions and identify violations and penalize offenders have markedly reduced forced labor and child labor in Uzbekistan’s cotton industry. Today, the industry is moving toward to a privately managed “cluster” system of regional cotton and textile firms that buy cotton from local farmers or farm it directly.
On Sept. 28, 2022, ILAB updated its global list of goods produced by child labor or forced labor, removing cotton from Uzbekistan after finding significant reductions in the prevalence of forced labor.
Allied with the AFL-CIO, the Solidarity Center is the largest U.S.-based international worker rights organization that assists workers across the globe in fighting discrimination, exploitation and the systems that entrench poverty to achieve shared prosperity in the global economy.
The Center for International Private Enterprise is one of four institutes of the National Endowment for Democracy, and an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The center works to craft business-driven solutions to social-economic problems that affect millions of people worldwide.
________________________________________________________________________________
2021 Findings of the Worse Forms of Child Labor - Department of Labor Commission
Department of Labor's Year in Review
________________________________________________________________________________
USITC Makes Determination in Five-Year (Sunset) Review Concerning Aluminum Extrusions from China - U.S. International Trade Commission
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty and countervailing duty orders on imports of aluminum extrusions from China would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from China will remain in place.
Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.
Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on this five-year (sunset) review.
The Commission’s public report Aluminum Extrusions from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-475 and 731-TA-1177 (Second Review), USITC Publication 5375, October 2022) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the review.
The report will be available by October 31, 2022; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.
BACKGROUND
The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.
The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information. Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review. If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.
The Commission generally does not hold a hearing or conduct further investigative activities in expedited reviews. Commissioners base their injury determination in expedited reviews on the facts available, including the Commission’s prior injury and review determinations, responses received to its notice of institution, data collected by staff in connection with the review, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.
The five-year (sunset) review concerning Aluminum Extrusions from China was instituted on March 1, 2022.
On June 6, 2022, the Commission voted to conduct an expedited review. Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group response was inadequate and voted for an expedited review.
A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct an expedited review is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.
________________________________________________________________________________
OTEXA: Announcements - Office of Textile and Apparel
[10/05/2022] - The U.S. Department of Commerce requests input and recommendations regarding a draft list of critical goods and materials per Executive Order 14017, which outlines U.S. policy objectives with respect to strengthening the resilience of America’s supply chains. Commerce requests comments on or before November 3, 2022 addressing the make-up of the draft list, including any recommended product additions or subtractions. See Federal Register notice 87 FR 60118 for more details and the draft list of products.
[10/05/2022] - August 2022 Textile and Apparel Import Report
________________________________________________________________________________
Israel-South Korea free trade deal to take effect Dec. 1 - Reuters
Israel-South Korea free trade deal to take effect Dec. 1
________________________________________________________________________________
Border Patrol Seizes Fentanyl Being Shipped - U.S. Customs & Border Protection
DETROIT — U.S. Border Patrol agents responded to a request from a cargo shipping facility, and a Detroit Sector K-9 team alerted to the presence of narcotics in a package.
On September 23, the U.S. Border Patrol Gibraltar Station received a request for assistance in regards to a suspicious package the shipping company was processing through their facility. A K-9 handler from the station was sent to the location, and his K-9 alerted to narcotics in the package. Once it was opened, agents noted that the package contained a Saran-wrapped bundle inside filled with white powder. When tested, the substance was revealed as Fentanyl hydrochloride, with a total weight of almost 2-1/2 pounds. This amount of fentanyl is enough to be a fatal dose to nearly 500,000 people
“Hard narcotics are a significant threat to our national security. Detroit Sector agents do all they can to stop this poison from entering our communities,” said U.S. Border Patrol Detroit Sector Chief Patrol Agent Robert Danley.
The seized fentanyl was turned over to the local office of the Drug Enforcement Administration for investigation.
________________________________________________________________________________
Trade Commission Updates Labeling Rule Designed to Help Consumers Reduce Energy Costs - Federal Trade Commission
Comparing Appliance Usage Costs Can Help Lower Monthly Energy Bills
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has updated its Energy Labeling Rule in order to allow consumers to more accurately compare the estimated annual energy consumption of appliances before they buy them.
The FTC’s Energy Labeling Rule, issued in 1979 under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, requires that manufacturers attach labels to major home appliances and other consumer products that help consumers compare the energy usage and costs of competing models. The labels contain three primary disclosures for most covered products: 1) estimated annual operating cost, 2) a “comparability range” showing the highest and lowest energy consumption or efficiencies for all similar models, and 3) the product’s energy consumption or energy efficiency rating. These labels help consumers anticipate their energy costs and avoid costly surprises after a product has already been purchased.
The FTC’s May 2022 notice of proposed rulemaking sought comments on scheduled updates to the comparability ranges, which were last revised in 2017. The Commission did so under the Act, which requires updating of the labels every five years. The updates proposed would revise the comparability ranges and associated energy costs for refrigerators and freezers, dishwashers, water heaters, room air conditioners (range only), clothes washers, furnaces, televisions, and pool heaters. In addition, the Commission updates the average energy cost figures manufacturers must use to calculate a model’s estimated energy cost.
After reviewing the comments received, the FTC is now finalizing updates to the rule as proposed, with two changes. First, the Commission will wait to update the comparability rate for televisions until after the Department of Energy completes test procedure changes. Second, the Commission has set the effective date for room air conditioner labels to coincide with the 2023 production cycle, to help ensure an orderly transition for the manufacturers of these appliances.
The Commission vote approving publication of the notice in the Federal Register was 4-1, with Commission Christine S. Wilson voting no. Details on the specific EnergyGuide label changes can be found in the Federal Register notice announced today.
________________________________________________________________________________
**ICYMI: CNN: Opinion: The Security Risk Congress Needs to Take Seriously - Department of Homeland Security
CNN: Opinion: The Security Risk Congress Needs to Take Seriously