Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
VoteVets Endorses Paratrooper Zach Beecher for Congress in NJ-11
PORTLAND, Oregon, Jan. 8 -- VoteVets issued the following news release on Jan. 7, 2026:
* * *
VoteVets Endorses Paratrooper Zach Beecher for Congress in NJ-11
Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton slams Trump's Venezuela escalation as "Iraq 2.0," praises Beecher as the voice Congress needs to stop endless wars and their costs as NJ families struggle
*
MORRISTOWN, NJ - Today, VoteVets, the largest Democratic group of veterans in America, announced their endorsement of Zach Beecher in the special election for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District. The endorsement arrives as President Trump escalates military
... Show Full Article
PORTLAND, Oregon, Jan. 8 -- VoteVets issued the following news release on Jan. 7, 2026:
* * *
VoteVets Endorses Paratrooper Zach Beecher for Congress in NJ-11
Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton slams Trump's Venezuela escalation as "Iraq 2.0," praises Beecher as the voice Congress needs to stop endless wars and their costs as NJ families struggle
*
MORRISTOWN, NJ - Today, VoteVets, the largest Democratic group of veterans in America, announced their endorsement of Zach Beecher in the special election for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District. The endorsement arrives as President Trump escalates militaryaction in Venezuela--a move VoteVets Board Chair Major General (Ret.) Paul Eaton condemned "Iraq 2.0."
"Zach Beecher knows the true cost of war because he paid his dues on the ground in Mosul," said Major General (Ret.) Paul Eaton, VoteVets Senior Advisor. "We are watching President Trump stumble into a disaster in Venezuela that looks and smells exactly like Iraq 2.0. We need leaders in Congress who have actually worn the uniform and understand that 'shock and awe' isn't a strategy--it's a prelude to a quagmire. Zach has the courage to stand up to this administration and the experience to keep us out of another forever war. He is the clear choice for New Jersey."
Beecher, a former paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division who earned a Bronze Star for his service during the liberation of Mosul, accepted the endorsement with a sharp rebuke of the administration's misplaced priorities.
"I deployed to Iraq nearly 15 years after that war began--fighting a battle started without a plan and continued without an end in sight," said Zach Beecher. "That is the definition of a forever war. I saw firsthand what happens when policy is driven by ego rather than strategy: the mission never ends, and the troops continue to pay the price. We cannot let Venezuela become the next chapter in that story."
Beecher continued, highlighting the economic disconnect between the administration's foreign policy and the reality for New Jerseyans.
"While the President promises massive subsidies to oil companies to support this reckless escalation, families here in New Jersey are struggling to pay their energy bills. While he finds billions for a new conflict, his administration is firing staff at the VA and cutting support for the very people he sends into harm's way. We need to stop subsidizing chaos abroad and start investing in our families at home."
* * *
Original text here: https://votevets.org/press-releases/votevets-endorses-paratrooper-zach-beecher-for-congress-in-nj-11
[Category: Political]
SEI Parser Demystifies Firmware to Fight Vulnerabilities
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, Jan. 8 -- The Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute issued the following news on Jan. 7, 2026:
* * *
SEI Parser Demystifies Firmware to Fight Vulnerabilities
Service member wearing fatigues observes a data screen.
*
Software based on the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) standard makes up the firmware of most modern desktop computers and servers. This software is largely invisible to users, critical to basic computer functionality, and sparsely documented, making it an inviting target for attackers. To make UEFI and other low-level, opaque software
... Show Full Article
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, Jan. 8 -- The Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute issued the following news on Jan. 7, 2026:
* * *
SEI Parser Demystifies Firmware to Fight Vulnerabilities
Service member wearing fatigues observes a data screen.
*
Software based on the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) standard makes up the firmware of most modern desktop computers and servers. This software is largely invisible to users, critical to basic computer functionality, and sparsely documented, making it an inviting target for attackers. To make UEFI and other low-level, opaque softwaremore accessible to vulnerability researchers, the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) CERT Division recently released the CERT UEFI Parser. The open source tool gives security researchers a flexible, transparent way to inspect and analyze UEFI firmware.
Hidden Risk
The number of reported UEFI vulnerabilities has recently shot up, according to vulnerability notes from the SEI's CERT Coordination Center (CERT/CC), which investigates software vulnerabilities and coordinates response. There were seven such vulnerability notes in 2025--by far the most of any year--the last published December 17. While the numbers may be small compared to vulnerabilities in other software, the risks can be far greater.
UEFI-based BIOS ROMs, installed as part of firmware, are crucial for initializing computer hardware at startup and managing the interactions between hardware and the operating system (OS). Yet they are sealed off to most users, administrators, security tools, and the OS itself. Attackers who can successfully exploit UEFI software vulnerabilities can establish persistence and evade detection.
The opaque anatomy and workings of UEFI software add to the risk. When widespread firmware vulnerabilities emerge, such as the one targeted by the BlackLotus malware, independent security analysis becomes critical for assessing the presence and scope of associated risks. The current firmware ecosystem has evolved around proprietary storage and compression techniques, which can limit transparency and make independent security analysis challenging.
An X-Ray for Firmware Vulnerability Research
Vendors ship BIOS ROMs as a single firmware image, but they contain many files, executables, images, and other components. Dissecting a ROM, finding particular components, and detecting known vulnerabilities is difficult enough. The challenge is exponentially harder when looking across potentially hundreds of computer models from a single vendor, each with different firmware ROMs.
"These are very supply-chain-intensive systems with very little transparency of how they're put together, packaged, and distributed," said SEI vulnerability analysis team lead Vijay Sarvepalli. "The problem with the UEFI architecture is that once you find a vulnerability, it's very difficult to understand its ecosystem impact and get visibility into it unless you can walk through these unique system setups."
One Tool for the Most Comprehensive Inspection
Other UEFI parsers exist, but they are scattered across the Internet, and most focus on a particular type of firmware image or a specific firmware component. Researchers have had to guess which tools to use and how to look for specific shared pieces of software across firmware images and their embedded components. SEI research found that even the most comprehensive tools look only for components compliant with published UEFI specifications, not any of the standard's undocumented features.
"What we were supposed to be looking at wasn't good enough," said Cory Cohen, a reverse engineer in the CERT Division and the parser project lead. "From the ground up, we wrote the CERT UEFI Parser without being constrained to the things that were well documented. We wanted to extend this architecture to inspect arbitrary components, including the proprietary ones."
The CERT UEFI Parser can currently recover around 600 data structures, enabling researchers to avoid trial and error and start their search with a treelike map of an entire firmware ROM or other image bundle, like the ones used in virtual environments.
Seeking Community Input
Cohen acknowledged that while the CERT tool is the most encompassing parser of its kind, many dark UEFI corners remain. To enhance UEFI security analysis, security researchers are invited to use the tool, build on it, and report unsupported elements.
"The architecture of the tool makes it easy to add new data structures," Cohen said. "There could be a lot of really great additions from the community." Those interested can submit issues or suggest improvements through pull requests on the project's GitHub site.
Applications for the parser extend beyond vulnerability research to security operations, digital forensics, and proactive firmware security hardening. Government, national security, and defense organizations have expressed interest in the parser to build their capability to identify compromised UEFI firmware across their information systems.
"Firmware exploits against sensitive environments give attackers two major advantages: invisibility and persistence," Sarvepalli said. "Our goal is to combat both by making firmware far more inspectable at scale."
"The UEFI space has not been getting enough attention," said Cohen. "The bigger purpose of this tool is to open the discussion about vulnerabilities in this kind of software."
Access the CERT UEFI Parser on the SEI's GitHub or Python Package Index project. Learn more about Sarvepalli's research on UEFI security in the SEI Digital Library and the SEI Blog.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.sei.cmu.edu/news/sei-parser-demystifies-firmware-to-fight-vulnerabilities/
[Category: Computer Technology]
Northwell Cardiologists First in the World to Implant the Smallest Diameter Defibrillation Lead
NEW HYDE PARK, New York, Jan. 8 -- Northwell Health issued the following news release on Jan. 7, 2026:
* * *
Northwell cardiologists first in the world to implant the smallest diameter defibrillation lead
The pioneering device helps treat potentially life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms
*
Cardiologists at the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) announced today they are the first team in the world to implant the industry's smallest defibrillation lead, solidifying its position as a leader in advanced cardiac care. Part of the Northwell Cardiovascular
... Show Full Article
NEW HYDE PARK, New York, Jan. 8 -- Northwell Health issued the following news release on Jan. 7, 2026:
* * *
Northwell cardiologists first in the world to implant the smallest diameter defibrillation lead
The pioneering device helps treat potentially life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms
*
Cardiologists at the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) announced today they are the first team in the world to implant the industry's smallest defibrillation lead, solidifying its position as a leader in advanced cardiac care. Part of the Northwell CardiovascularInstitute, the hospital performed the procedure on Jan. 7 on a 77-year-old Long Island male, led by Laurence Epstein, MD, system director of electrophysiology at Northwell Health.
Medtronic's OmniaSecure defibrillation lead is a novel advancement in transvenous defibrillation lead technology, which is used within an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D). A larger-diameter lead may increase the potential for downstream complications, such as a blockage or narrowing in a vein or tricuspid valve regurgitation.
A cardiac lead senses the heartbeat and transmits signals to the implanted device, which then delivers therapy to correct or interrupt abnormally fast rhythms that can result in sudden cardiac arrest.
"This novel lead represents a significant advancement in cardiac device technology. For the first time, we can provide both life-saving defibrillation and physiologic pacing through a single, streamlined device," explained Dr. Epstein. "By screwing the lead deep into the heart's septal wall, we can engage the normal cardiac conduction system, essentially mimicking the heart's natural electrical pathway."
In April 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Medtronic OmniaSecure defibrillation lead, which demonstrated safety and efficacy in patients who are at risk of sudden cardiac arrest. The OmniaSecure defibrillation lead improves reliability while maintaining a strong safety profile and is indicated for adults and children ages 12 and up.
"Congratulations to our cardiology teams at the Northwell Cardiovascular Institute and the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital for achieving this global milestone of being able to offer our patients the absolute latest breakthrough not only in technology but in cardiac patient-centric care," said Jeffrey Kuvin, MD, executive director and senior vice president of cardiology at Northwell Health, and co-executive director of the Northwell Cardiovascular Institute.
The FDA approval was based on the LEADR Pivotal trial, a global clinical study that assessed the safety and effectiveness of the OmniaSecure defibrillation lead when placed at traditional locations in the right ventricle to achieve defibrillation, sensing, pacing and cardioversion in patients at risk of sudden cardiac death. Northwell hospitals NSUH, South Shore University Hospital and Staten Island University Hospital participated in the global clinical trial that found that the OmniaSecure lead showed high defibrillation efficacy, low complications and reliable performance, exceeding its pre-specified performance threshold.
Dr. Epstein noted that achievements at the Northwell Cardiovascular Institute are always due to the collective talents of its clinical and hospital teams. "Our dedicated team of physicians, advanced care practitioners and technicians works together to drive cutting-edge innovation focused on enhancing patient outcomes and delivering the best quality care."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.northwell.edu/news/the-latest/northwell-first-in-world-to-implant-smallest-defibrillation-lead
[Category: Health Care]
Job Creators Network: ADP and Jolts Reports Show Labor Market Solidifying and Setting Stage for Big 2026
ADDISON, Texas, Jan. 8 -- Job Creators Network issued the following statement on Jan. 7, 2026:
* * *
ADP and Jolts Reports Show Labor Market Solidifying and Setting Stage for Big 2026
Alfredo Ortiz, CEO of Job Creators Network, released the following statement in response to Wednesday's ADP Payroll report and the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey:
"Rebounding payrolls, including at small businesses, and little change in job openings suggest the labor market is solidifying and setting the stage for a big 2026. A meaningful increase in the number of quits suggests employees are confident
... Show Full Article
ADDISON, Texas, Jan. 8 -- Job Creators Network issued the following statement on Jan. 7, 2026:
* * *
ADP and Jolts Reports Show Labor Market Solidifying and Setting Stage for Big 2026
Alfredo Ortiz, CEO of Job Creators Network, released the following statement in response to Wednesday's ADP Payroll report and the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey:
"Rebounding payrolls, including at small businesses, and little change in job openings suggest the labor market is solidifying and setting the stage for a big 2026. A meaningful increase in the number of quits suggests employees are confidentin finding another job in the Trump economy. The labor market is generally a lagging indicator of economic conditions. Pro-growth Republican policies such as tax cuts, deregulation, and low gas prices have supercharged economic growth in recent months, giving small businesses more ability to expand and hire. As these economic benefits begin being felt by Main Street, the labor market will significantly strengthen in the months to come, boosting affordability and living standards for all Americans."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.jobcreatorsnetwork.com/press_releases/adp-and-jolts-reports-show-labor-market-solidifying-and-setting-stage-for-big-2026/
[Category: Human Resources/Personnel]
Broad Institute: Researchers uncover molecular roots of fibrosis or tissue scarring in inflammatory bowel disease
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, Jan. 8 [Category: Medical] -- The Broad Institute posted the following news:
* * *
Researchers uncover molecular roots of fibrosis or tissue scarring in inflammatory bowel disease
Highlights
* Study highlights key cells involved in tissue scarring known as fibrosis in inflammatory bowel disease.
* Scientists also identified the GLIS3 molecule as a master regulator of the crosstalk between immune and structural cells that gives rise to fibrosis.
* The cellular pathway points to new therapeutic avenues for treating complications of inflammatory diseases of the bowel
... Show Full Article
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, Jan. 8 [Category: Medical] -- The Broad Institute posted the following news:
* * *
Researchers uncover molecular roots of fibrosis or tissue scarring in inflammatory bowel disease
Highlights
* Study highlights key cells involved in tissue scarring known as fibrosis in inflammatory bowel disease.
* Scientists also identified the GLIS3 molecule as a master regulator of the crosstalk between immune and structural cells that gives rise to fibrosis.
* The cellular pathway points to new therapeutic avenues for treating complications of inflammatory diseases of the boweland possibly other organs.
*
When inflammation in the body goes unchecked, it can cause fibrosis, or tissue scarring that may lead to organ dysfunction or even failure. This can happen in conditions such as inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), chronic viral infections, interstitial lung fibrosis, chronic autoimmune skin diseases such as scleroderma, and scars associated with heart disease. Patients have few options for treating fibrosis, but new research points to a molecular pathway that could open the door to future treatment possibilities.
In earlier work, a team led by researchers at the Broad Institute and Mass General Brigham discovered a key cell type underlying fibrosis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Now, in a new study in Nature, the team has characterized the crosstalk between this and other types of cells that leads to fibrosis. Their work also points to a molecule, GLIS3, that regulates this cell-to-cell communication and hadn't been linked to IBD before. The findings suggest that interrupting this cellular pathway could one day help prevent or reduce fibrosis in patients with IBD or other diseases marked by chronic inflammation such as lung disease.
"Anywhere we see chronic inflammation, fibrosis is a major issue," said study co-senior author Ramnik Xavier. "There aren't any treatments or therapeutics to directly address fibrosis, so there's much room to make progress and improve health for patients with chronic inflammatory disease." Xavier is also a Broad core institute member and the director of Broad's Klarman Cell Observatory, the Kurt J. Isselbacher Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and director of the Center for Computational and Integrative Biology and core member in the Department of Molecular Biology at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Listening in on cellular crosstalk
Scientists in the Xavier lab have worked for years to unravel the roots of pathological inflammatory responses in patients with IBD, taking clues from large-scale genetic studies and experiments in the lab. Previously, they found a type of cell called the inflammation-associated fibroblast that is important in IBD, but they didn't fully understand how it leads to tissue damage.
"The more we've learned about the process of inflammation, the more we began to appreciate the roles of non-immune cell types in these pathologies, in particular, communication between immune cells and structural cells in the tissue like fibroblasts," said study co-senior author Daniel Graham, senior director of functional genomics in the Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program at the Broad, where he is also an institute scientist.
In the new study, the researchers used single-cell and spatial approaches to map individual cells in intestinal samples from patients with IBD. They tracked down the inflammation-associated fibroblasts in the samples and examined the surrounding cellular neighbors. The patients' fibroblasts were often found with inflammatory macrophages, an immune cell type. The fibroblasts appeared to be churning out a protein called IL-11, which helps deposit scar-like tissue.
Through gene expression analysis and experiments in the lab, the researchers determined that the fibroblasts make IL-11 in response to two substances, TGF-beta and IL-1, produced by the nearby macrophages. Next, project lead Vlad Pokatayev performed CRISPR screening to test for genes necessary for the fibroblasts to make IL-11, and discovered that GLIS3, a transcription factor known for its role in insulin production and thyroid hormone regulation, is a master regulator of the messaging between macrophages and fibroblasts that leads to fibrosis.
Further testing showed that animals without GLIS3 don't develop fibrosis after bowel inflammation. The scientists also found more GLIS3 activity in patients with more severe disease, adding to the evidence of its role in fibrosis.
These findings suggest that this network of cells and the GLIS3 pathway could be viable targets for developing new treatments. They also suggest that small molecules and biologics currently in clinical development aimed at neutralizing IL-11 may have potential in IBD. The team says these and other medicines that target this pathway could potentially be used in addition to existing IBD therapies, to treat both the inflammation and its complications such as fibrosis.
Broad Institute researchers in collaboration with clinical investigators at Mass General Brigham are continuing to explore how GLIS3 is regulated and the roles of these cells in not only IBD, but also other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. "Now that we understand this core pathway mediated by GLIS3, the targets that regulate this pathway are potentially viable for treating some of these other fibrotic diseases as well," said Graham.
Paper cited
Pokatayev V, et al. Bidirectional CRISPR screens decode a GLIS3-dependent fibrotic cell circuit (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09907-x). Nature. Online January 7, 2026.
***
Original text here: https://www.broadinstitute.org/news/researchers-uncover-molecular-roots-fibrosis-or-tissue-scarring-inflammatory-bowel-disease
Americans for Tax Reform: Trump Administration Bulldozed Global Minimum Tax And Secures American Sovereignty
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Americans for Tax Reform posted the following commentary on Jan. 7, 2026:
* * *
Trump Administration Bulldozed Global Minimum Tax And Secures American Sovereignty
In a significant win, President Trump's administration has secured a deal exempting American businesses from the 15% global minimum tax. The OECD announced Monday that nearly 150 countries have agreed to the revised plan.
The Biden-era global minimum tax deal, spearheaded by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in 2021 under the OECD framework, effectively surrendered portions of the U.S. tax base by imposing a 15%
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Americans for Tax Reform posted the following commentary on Jan. 7, 2026:
* * *
Trump Administration Bulldozed Global Minimum Tax And Secures American Sovereignty
In a significant win, President Trump's administration has secured a deal exempting American businesses from the 15% global minimum tax. The OECD announced Monday that nearly 150 countries have agreed to the revised plan.
The Biden-era global minimum tax deal, spearheaded by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in 2021 under the OECD framework, effectively surrendered portions of the U.S. tax base by imposing a 15%floor on corporate taxes worldwide, allowing foreign governments to levy "top-up" taxes on profits earned by U.S.-based multinationals in low-tax jurisdictions if they fell below that threshold. This not only diverted potential revenue from the U.S. Treasury--where companies might otherwise repatriate earnings under favorable domestic policies--but also stifled global tax competition by discouraging nations from offering lower rates to attract investment and innovation. Critics argued that this one-size-fits-all approach eroded America's competitive edge, forcing U.S. firms like Apple and Nike to face higher effective taxes abroad without the flexibility of profit-shifting strategies, ultimately benefiting high-tax European economies at the expense of American workers and economic growth.
Following negotiations with the G7, large U.S.-based firms are now excluded, regardless of their global operations. OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann described it as a "landmark decision in international tax co-operation" that enhances certainty and protects tax bases.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called it "a historic victory in preserving U.S. sovereignty and protecting American workers and businesses from extraterritorial overreach."
Congressional Republicans, who criticized the original Biden-era deal as harming U.S. competitiveness, praised the outcome. Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith, R-Mo., stated: "Today marks another significant milestone in putting America First and unwinding the Biden Administration's unilateral global tax surrender."
President Trump's leadership has effectively prioritized American businesses in the international arena.
* * *
Original text here: https://atr.org/trump-administration-bulldozed-global-minimum-tax-and-secures-american-sovereignty/
[Category: Political]
Alianza Americas: No More Impunity - Congress Must Stop Funding DHS and ICE's Reckless and Unlawful Actions.
CHICAGO, Illinois, Jan. 8 -- Alianza Americas, a transnational advocacy network of Latin American migrant-led organizations, issued the following statement on Jan. 7, 2026:
* * *
No More Impunity: Congress must stop funding DHS and ICE's reckless and unlawful actions.
Alianza Americas, a national network of 55+ Latin American and Caribbean Immigrant-led organizations, condemns the killing of a woman in Minneapolis, MN, at the hands of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who shot her at close range. ICE shootings resulting in death have occurred before, revealing a deeply troubling
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, Jan. 8 -- Alianza Americas, a transnational advocacy network of Latin American migrant-led organizations, issued the following statement on Jan. 7, 2026:
* * *
No More Impunity: Congress must stop funding DHS and ICE's reckless and unlawful actions.
Alianza Americas, a national network of 55+ Latin American and Caribbean Immigrant-led organizations, condemns the killing of a woman in Minneapolis, MN, at the hands of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who shot her at close range. ICE shootings resulting in death have occurred before, revealing a deeply troublingpattern of violence and impunity.
ICE agents are terrorizing our communities, violating human rights, racially profiling hardworking neighbors, and making our communities less safe, not more. These abuses are carried out with billions of taxpayer dollars approved by Congress. This violence is not accidental; it is the predictable outcome of policies that deploy law enforcement officers with insufficient training, yet armed into communities.
Enough is enough. We demand immediate actions to bring to justice not only the ICE agents responsible for this horrific action, but for the systems and leadership that allow such violence to continue. ICE officers should not be armed if they have not received adequate training. This act of violence happens just as the House and the Senate are negotiating the FY2026 DHS spending bill. Instead of giving more funds to violate human rights, Congress should be prioritizing healthcare access for the millions of Americans who are just trying to make ends meet.
Not one more person, family, or community should suffer at the hands of reckless federal agents. How many more people need to die at the hands of DHS and ICE?
We remain committed to solidarity, dignity, and the fight for welcoming and safe communities for all. In the face of hate and xenophobia, we choose justice and humanity. We call on Congress to do its job: fully investigate illegal ICE activity, stop funding abusive enforcement practices, and end policies that separate families and cost human lives.
* * *
Alianza Americas is a transnational network of migrant-led organizations in the United States. We advocate for social justice, equity and human rights in the Americas.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.alianzaamericas.org/post/no-more-impunity-congress-must-stop-funding-dhs-and-ices-reckless-and-unlawful-actions
[Category: Political]
