Featured Stories
Consumer Reports: New York City Expected to Become the Second City in the Nation to Ban Surveillance Pricing
YONKERS, New York, Nov. 13 (TNSida) -- Consumer Reports posted the following news release:
* * *
New York City expected to become the second city in the nation to ban surveillance pricing
November 12, 2026
If signed, more than 8 million residents will be protected from this pricing tactic
-
New York, New York - The New York City Council today is expected to pass key legislation (Int. 0891-2026) that would ban surveillance pricing, also known as personalized pricing, for more than 8 million residents. Consumer Reports recently submitted a letter to the council, calling on them to strengthen
... Show Full Article
YONKERS, New York, Nov. 13 (TNSida) -- Consumer Reports posted the following news release:
* * *
New York City expected to become the second city in the nation to ban surveillance pricing
November 12, 2026
If signed, more than 8 million residents will be protected from this pricing tactic
-
New York, New York - The New York City Council today is expected to pass key legislation (Int. 0891-2026) that would ban surveillance pricing, also known as personalized pricing, for more than 8 million residents. Consumer Reports recently submitted a letter to the council, calling on them to strengthenthe legislation.
If the bill passes, it will head to Mayor Mamdani for his signature. If he signs the bill into law, New York will become the second city and fifth jurisdiction in the nation to outlaw surveillance pricing, after Maryland, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Seattle, WA.
Over the past two years, CR has brought public awareness to this issue by publishing investigations into algorithmic and personalized pricing. CR's policy team has assisted lawmakers in more than 10 states and cities as they pursue personalized pricing bans.
"Living in New York is already expensive enough. The last thing New Yorkers need is algorithms quietly hiking prices on everyday essentials. Nobody should pay more just because a data broker is tracking what they search for, what they hover over, or where they live," said Grace Gedye, senior policy analyst at Consumer Reports. "The price you see shouldn't be different based on who you are. While there are additional consumer protections we would like to see, Speaker Julie Menin and the City Council have made progress on this affordability issue with this bill. We hope Governor Hochul, and other leaders across the country, build on this work by enacting stronger laws."
Ahead of today's final vote, Consumer Reports reached out to the council, urging them to eliminate key loopholes and strengthen the bill by:
* Shielding neighborhoods from location-based markups: The bill permits retailers to use consumer location data to personalize a price under the guise of local supply and demand. For example, residents of a neighborhood with poor transit access and limited grocery options could be charged a higher price for grocery delivery: they have fewer alternatives, so their demand for grocery delivery might persist even at a higher price point relative to neighborhoods with many grocers
* Protecting loyal customers' purchase history: The bill permits the use of consumers' shopping history--which can be used to profile shoppers and infer information about their family, income, and lifestyle--to set different discounts for different individual shoppers. For example, a retailer running a discount on diapers might exclude a shopper who frequently purchases infant products online in the middle of the night and selects rush delivery, reasoning that this shopper is a desperate parent who doesn't have time to comparison shop, and therefore has a higher willingness to pay.
While the council did not resolve these issues, they did change language around the enforcement of the bill, which CR had also called on them to do, and addressed some of CR's concerns by doing so.
The City Council's expected passage of the bill builds on momentum across New York following the state legislature's passage of the One Fair Price Act in June. That bill is currently awaiting action by Governor Kathy Hochul. Governor Hochul has the power to strengthen or weaken that bill as a condition of her signature. In late October, Consumer Reports, joined by a coalition of consumer protection organizations, sent a letter to the Governor urging her to strengthen and sign the measure. State-level action by Governor Hochul that pre-empts New York City law could weaken or strip New York City residents of their potential new rights.
Background:
Other states and cities have taken action to sign bills into law to ban the practice of surveillance pricing, including Maryland, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Seattle.
In May 2025, Consumer Reports investigated Kroger's consumer data practices and found that they were collecting vast data profiles for individual shoppers, with inferences about their income, family size, education level, gender, and more. One shopper who requested their data under a state privacy law received a 62-page profile.
In December 2025, CR, along with partners Groundwork Collaborative and More Perfect Union, published an investigation into Instacart's pricing tactics. CR had nearly 400 consumers shop for the same basket of goods at the same time. Analysis of the shopping data found that consumers were quoted different prices for the same products from the same store at the same time. The investigation found that Instacart's algorithmic pricing experiments could result in price differences as high as 23% for certain products and could cost families more than $1,200 a year at checkout. Soon after, Instacart announced in a company blog post that it would end the program that resulted in different shoppers being shown different prices for groceries on its platform. However, Instacart told CR that it would still allow its partners--grocery retailers and food brands--to test different types of promotions and discounts on their customers through the platform.
CR's most recent investigation of Uber and Lyft's AI-driven pricing tactics found that the companies routinely charge different customers significantly different prices for the same rides ordered within minutes of each other. CR also found that both apps regularly advertised supposed discounts off what appeared to be inflated original prices. (Note: CR defines "same rides" as trips from the same starting point to the same destination priced within minutes--and often seconds--of one another.)
Additional information on Consumer Reports' campaign to Make the Price Right can be found here (https://www.consumerreports.org/make-the-price-right/).
* * *
INFODOC: https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/research/consumer-reports-urges-new-york-city-council-to-strengthen-the-surveillance-pricing-ban/
* * *
Original text here: https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_release/new-york-city-expected-to-become-the-second-city-in-the-nation-to-ban-surveillance-pricing/
[Category: Business]
Clean Air Task Force: Grid Interconnection Reform Seeks to Accelerate New Power Generation
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Nov. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Clean Air Task Force issued the following report on Nov. 5, 2026, entitled "Grid Interconnection Reform Seeks to Accelerate New Power Generation"
Here are excerpts:
* * *
Executive Summary
The process of connecting new power to the grid -interconnection- has thwarted bringing new generation online for years. Increasingly long queues, project withdrawals, years-long studies without firm timelines, and uncertain costs have come to define the interconnection process across the country. And most interconnection processes are divorced from grid-wide,
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Nov. 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Clean Air Task Force issued the following report on Nov. 5, 2026, entitled "Grid Interconnection Reform Seeks to Accelerate New Power Generation"
Here are excerpts:
* * *
Executive Summary
The process of connecting new power to the grid -interconnection- has thwarted bringing new generation online for years. Increasingly long queues, project withdrawals, years-long studies without firm timelines, and uncertain costs have come to define the interconnection process across the country. And most interconnection processes are divorced from grid-wide,long-term transmission planning, even though combining or closely coordinating these processes would increase efficiency, reduce system costs, and bring clean power online more quickly.
But costly, protracted, and complex interconnection processes need not be the norm. Innovative reforms are surfacing, both in practice and in legislative proposals, that show promise in reducing system costs and delivering widely-shared benefits. At a time when changing dynamics and growing demands on the bulk power system require fresh thinking and innovative solutions, it is worth articulating what ideal interconnection reform should look like.
* * *
Access the report at: https://www.catf.us/resource/right-on-queue-opportunities-interconnection-queue-reform-united-states/
[Category: Environment]
Center for Global Development: 'Policy Opportunities to Rectify Data Fragmentation in Health Care Supply Chain Financing'
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (TNSres) -- The Center for Global Development issued the following policy paper on Nov. 10, 2026, by Tyler Smith, Ian Yoon, Dale Mary Matthee, Boniface Mbuthia, Katherine Klemperer, Marasi Mwencha, Kalipso Chalkidou and Pete Baker, entitled "Policy Opportunities to Rectify Data Fragmentation in Health Care Supply Chain Financing".
Here are excerpts:
* * *
Abstract
One in four people worldwide lack reliable access to essential medicines. This underperformance is not just the result of scarce resources; it also reflects fundamental weaknesses in how public health supply chains
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (TNSres) -- The Center for Global Development issued the following policy paper on Nov. 10, 2026, by Tyler Smith, Ian Yoon, Dale Mary Matthee, Boniface Mbuthia, Katherine Klemperer, Marasi Mwencha, Kalipso Chalkidou and Pete Baker, entitled "Policy Opportunities to Rectify Data Fragmentation in Health Care Supply Chain Financing".
Here are excerpts:
* * *
Abstract
One in four people worldwide lack reliable access to essential medicines. This underperformance is not just the result of scarce resources; it also reflects fundamental weaknesses in how public health supply chains(SC) are designed, operated, monitored, and governed. In LMICs, complex ecosystems require strong coordination to function, yet information asymmetries and fragmentation of health, finance, and SC data leaves stakeholders out of sync. Data fragmentation drives cascading failures in health supply chain financing (HSCF) - a critical and underappreciated bottleneck. Our research into 311 unique digital systems across 47 LMICs quantifies the extent of this fragmentation. Only one country (Thailand) manages a functioning, interoperable bridge between finance and SC, despite many having the technological capacity to do so. Almost half of all systems are government-built or bespoke donor-projects, 34% have no documented standards, and six software model archetypes dominate. Most systems focus on SC delivery and monitoring, leaving upstream planning, budgeting, market-shaping, and prioritisation functions thinly covered. Persistent data fragmentation is not a technical hurdle, but rooted in political economy, stemming from historical verticalisation, misaligned incentives, vendor lock-in, and unresolved data sovereignty issues. Applying a use case-driven approach to HSCF can better align information system investments with health sector goals; we outline four that best represent country experience and feasible improvements. Further, we present six policy opportunities to strengthen governance, information infrastructure, and systems intelligence. These include specific actions to institutionalise and incentivise data exchange, finance sustainable architecture, and expand access to market intelligence.
* * *
The full policy paper is posted at: https://www.cgdev.org/sites/default/files/policy-opportunities-rectify-data-fragmentation-health-care-supply-chain-financing.pdf
[Category: Sociological]
Anti-Defamation League: Reminder Americans Reject Antisemitism Aids Recognition & Reporting
NEW YORK, Nov. 13 -- The Anti-Defamation League, an anti-hate organization that aims to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all, issued the following report entitled "A Reminder Americans Reject Antisemitism Aids Recognition and Reporting":
Here are excerpts:
* * *
Research from the ADL Center for Antisemitism Research and Boundless finds that a brief reminder that most Americans reject antisemitism can help young adults better recognize and report antisemitic content online. Participants who saw this message were roughly 6 percent more likely
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Nov. 13 -- The Anti-Defamation League, an anti-hate organization that aims to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all, issued the following report entitled "A Reminder Americans Reject Antisemitism Aids Recognition and Reporting":
Here are excerpts:
* * *
Research from the ADL Center for Antisemitism Research and Boundless finds that a brief reminder that most Americans reject antisemitism can help young adults better recognize and report antisemitic content online. Participants who saw this message were roughly 6 percent more likelyto recognize and report antisemitic posts, regardless of whether they contained "classical", more overt antisemitism such as slurs or "modern", less overt antisemitism expressed through language about Israel and Zionism.
The study also showed that many young Americans struggle to recognize antisemitism online. Among people who received no message, 22 percent to 29 percent disagreed that classical antisemitic posts were antisemitic. For contemporary posts, which often use language about Israel and Zionism, that rose to 32 percent to 37 percent.
* * *
View the full link at: https://www.adl.org/resources/report/reminder-americans-reject-antisemitism-aids-recognition-reporting
[Category: Political]
American Society for Horticultural Science: Study Identifies Carotenoids Responsible for Green Coloration in Hawaii Anthurium Spathes
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Nov. 13 (TNSjou) -- The American Society for Horticultural Science issued the following news release:
* * *
Study Identifies Carotenoids Responsible for Green Coloration in Hawaii Anthurium Spathes
November 13, 2026
Hilo, HI- New research from the USDA ARS Daniel K. Inouye, US Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, has identified key carotenoid compounds present in the green spathes of Hawaii-grown anthurium cultivars, offering fresh insight into the biochemical basis of coloration in these popular ornamental plants.
Anthuriums are widely valued for their vibrant,
... Show Full Article
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Nov. 13 (TNSjou) -- The American Society for Horticultural Science issued the following news release:
* * *
Study Identifies Carotenoids Responsible for Green Coloration in Hawaii Anthurium Spathes
November 13, 2026
Hilo, HI- New research from the USDA ARS Daniel K. Inouye, US Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, has identified key carotenoid compounds present in the green spathes of Hawaii-grown anthurium cultivars, offering fresh insight into the biochemical basis of coloration in these popular ornamental plants.
Anthuriums are widely valued for their vibrant,glossy spathes, which are typically associated with bold reds, orange, salmon, pinks, purples, lavender and whites. However, green-spathed cultivars also represent a unique and high demand segment of the ornamental market. Despite their popularity, the pigments contributing to green coloration in anthurium spathes aside from chlorophyll have not been well- characterized.
In this short study, researchers analyzed pigment composition in green spathes of selected Hawaii anthurium cultivars. Using advanced analytical techniques, they identified the presence of specific carotenoid species. These pigments, commonly associated with yellow to orange hues in other flowers are produced alongside chlorophyll resulting in the unique green-leaved spathes of these cultivars.
The findings enhance understanding of pigment composition and color expression in anthurium, providing useful information for breeders seeking to develop new cultivars with novel or enhanced color traits. Improved knowledge of carotenoid profiles may also support more precise selection strategies in ornamental breeding programs.
This research contributes to the broader study of plant pigmentation and highlights the complexity of color development in ornamental species. By clarifying the role of carotenoids in green spathes, the study opens new opportunities for innovation in anthurium breeding and production.
As consumer demand continues to evolve toward unique and diverse ornamental plants, insights into pigment biology will remain an important driver of cultivar development and market differentiation.
According to Dr. Suzuki, the inspiration behind the current research was to characterize and identify germplasm that would serve as sources for development of new color classes of anthurium to support continued growth of the floral and ornamental industry.
Dr. Jon Y. Suzuki, the leader of this study, is a Research Molecular Biologist with the Tropical Plant Genetic Resources and Disease Research Unit at the USDA ARS Daniel K. Inouye (DKI), U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center (PBARC) in Hilo, Hawaii. His current work includes developing and applying molecular, biochemical and biotechnological resources and techniques toward tropical ornamental and food crop improvement and disease mediation.
Members of the research team included Zahra Yusufali, Biological Science Technician and Dr. Matthew Siderhurst, Research Biologist of the Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Unit, USDA ARS DKI US PBARC and Dr. Xiuxiu Sun, Post-Harvest Physiologist, USDA ARS Southeastern Fruit & Tree Nut Research Station, Byron, Georgia, as well as Dr. Teresita Amore, Associate Professor in Floriculture
Breeding in the Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, University of Hawaii at Manoa, who as developer of numerous Anthurium varieties was instrumental in cultivar selection for our study.
The full article can be read on the ASHS HortScience electronic Journal website at: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI19025-25
Established in 1903, the American Society for Horticultural Science is recognized around the world as one of the most respected and influential professional societies for horticultural scientists. ASHS is committed to promoting and encouraging national and international interest in scientific research and education in all branches of horticulture.
Comprised of thousands of members worldwide, ASHS represents a broad cross-section of the horticultural community -- scientists, educators, students, landscape and turf managers, government, extension agents and industry professionals. ASHS members focus on practices and problems in horticulture: breeding, propagation, production and management, harvesting, handling and storage, processing, marketing and use of horticultural plants and products. To learn more, visit ashs.org.
* * *
Original text here: https://ashs.org/news/738672/Study-Identifies-Carotenoids-Responsible-for-Green-Coloration-in-Hawaii-Anthurium-Spathes.htm
[Category: Agriculture]
350.org: COP31 - Australia and Turkiye Must Break Their Silence as Momentum Builds for Fossil Fuel Transition
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Nov. 13 [Category: Energy] -- 350.org, an organization that works to end the age of fossil fuels and build a community-led renewable energy, posted the following news release:
* * *
November 12, 2026
COP31: Australia and Turkiye must break their silence as momentum builds for fossil fuel transition
ANTALYA, TURKIYE: The world leaders summit has come to end and one thing is clear, from world leaders to negotiation blocs, pressure is mounting on the COP31 presidencies to advance the transition away from fossil fuels.
Fanny Petitbon, Policy expert at 350.org, said:
"World
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Nov. 13 [Category: Energy] -- 350.org, an organization that works to end the age of fossil fuels and build a community-led renewable energy, posted the following news release:
* * *
November 12, 2026
COP31: Australia and Turkiye must break their silence as momentum builds for fossil fuel transition
ANTALYA, TURKIYE: The world leaders summit has come to end and one thing is clear, from world leaders to negotiation blocs, pressure is mounting on the COP31 presidencies to advance the transition away from fossil fuels.
Fanny Petitbon, Policy expert at 350.org, said:
"Worldleaders, the UN Secretary-General and negotiating blocs representing over 70 countries have urged progress on fossil fuel transition. Yet Turkiye and Australia have answered with deafening silence But there is still time to turn that around here in Antalya. As the COP31 Presidencies, they have a particular responsibility to turn the growing international momentum into concrete political action. They need to send a strong signal that, alongside many countries already on board, they are committed to plan a just, orderly and equitable transition away from oil, gas and coal. That means picking up the Roadmaps process launched by the COP30 President, speeding it up and making sure it shapes the next global review of climate progress. Belem opened the door. Antalya must walk through it."
We need both governments to lead by example, with national roadmaps that commit to ending fossil fuel expansion and set out how they will move towards a renewable-powered future. These plans must be more than statements of intent. They need clear timelines, real measures to reduce fossil fuel production and use, and the ambition to match what climate science demands.
Fenton Lutunatabua, Pacific and Caribbean Programme Lead at 350.org, said:
What is astonishing is that Australia is set to approve a new mammoth coal expansion. This is the opposite of climate leadership. Expanding a coal mine is the last thing a COP co-president should be doing as the planet barrels beyond 1.5 degrees, and yet Australia continues to betray its Pacific neighbours by doing exactly that."
350.org is calling on the COP31 Presidencies to ensure that the final COP31 outcome reflects the urgency of moving beyond fossil fuels, builds on the roadmap process initiated under Brazil's COP30 Presidency and supports countries to develop increasingly ambitious national transition plans.
The organisation stresses that the success of these roadmaps must be measured not by how many countries publish them, but by whether they deliver a rapid, fair and science-aligned end to fossil fuel dependence.
* * *
Notes to editors
* TAFF refers to the transition away from fossil fuels. (https://www.irena.org/Publications/2026/May/Transitioning-away-from-fossil-fuels) In the initial consultations on a COP31 Cover Decision, AOSIS, the European Union, the Environmental Integrity Group and Iceland collectively representing at least 73 countries, explicitly called for advancing the transition away from fossil fuels. At the Leaders Summit, leaders from Cyprus, Slovenia, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Norway, Guyana, the UK, Niue, Finland and Austria raised the need to transition away from fossil fuels. The EUs von der Leyen echoed the need to overcome fossil fuel dependence through electrification.
* The First International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels (https://www.fossilfueltreaty.org/conference)took place in Santa Marta, Colombia, in April 2026, bringing together representatives from 57 countries, alongside civil society and scientists.
* The Action Agenda at COP31 (https://cop31.tr/action-plan) provides a platform for initiatives and cooperation beyond the formal negotiations.
* * *
Original text here: https://350.org/press-release/cop31-australia-and-t%C3%BCrkiye-must-break-their-silence-as-momentum-builds-for-fossil-fuel-transition/
350.org on Indonesia Climate Envoy Hashim Djojohadikusumo's Speech at COP31
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Nov. 13 [Category: Energy] -- 350.org, an organization that works to end the age of fossil fuels and build a community-led renewable energy, posted the following news release:
* * *
November 12, 2026
350.org on Indonesia climate envoy Hashim Djojohadikusumo's speech at COP31
As Indonesia climate envoy Hashim Djojohadikusumo addressed world leaders at COP31 in Antalya, Turkiye, climate group 350.org questioned the credibility of the country's representative to the climate talks for his ties to the fossil fuel industry.
Sisilia Nurmala Dewi, 350.org Indonesia Country Manager
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Nov. 13 [Category: Energy] -- 350.org, an organization that works to end the age of fossil fuels and build a community-led renewable energy, posted the following news release:
* * *
November 12, 2026
350.org on Indonesia climate envoy Hashim Djojohadikusumo's speech at COP31
As Indonesia climate envoy Hashim Djojohadikusumo addressed world leaders at COP31 in Antalya, Turkiye, climate group 350.org questioned the credibility of the country's representative to the climate talks for his ties to the fossil fuel industry.
Sisilia Nurmala Dewi, 350.org Indonesia Country Managersaid:
"Indonesian civil society is calling on Hashim Djojohadikusumo to resign as President Prabowo Subianto's special envoy for climate change and the head of Indonesia Delegation under the UNFCCC. He has business interests in the fossil fuel industry, with one of his companies having recently won an oil and gas block auction (opens in a new tab).
Indonesia has just lost 2,88 million hectares (opens in a new tab) of its forest driven partly by El Nino that has been exacerbated by climate change. How can Indonesia demand that polluters pay when its negotiations are led by someone from the polluting industry itself? Indonesians don't need negotiators protecting fossil business. We need adaptation finance, loss and damage funding, and a properly funded energy transition to protect people from worsening climate disasters.
People across Indonesia are taking to the streets (opens in a new tab) to demand that the Prabowo government act on the environment. We need a clear overhaul of climate policy. It should start with the officials who lead Indonesia's delegation, well before COP32."
* * *
Original text here: https://350.org/press-release/350org-on-indonesia-climate-envoy-hashim-djojohadikusumos-speech-at-cop31/
