White House pushes for renewal of electronic surveillance law provision | Biden administration
The White House is stepping up pressure on lawmakers to renew a section of electronic surveillance law which permits the government to conduct targeted surveillance of foreign persons located outside the US.
The provision, known as section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (Fisa), is set to expire at the end of the year. But its renewal is facing pushback from privacy advocates and lawmakers, some citing examples in which law enforcement search requests were misused to conduct illegal surveillance on US citizens.
On Monday, Joe Biden’s administration circulated examples showing the US had used electronic surveillance under section 702 to catch fentanyl smugglers as well as the ransomware hackers who temporarily shut down the Colonial Pipeline Company in a 2021 cyber-attack that led to gas shortages along the eastern seaboards.
The public campaign to build support for the provision comes as a poll released last week showing that
Construction, home renovation in Hungary? Now is the time!
The demand for construction materials has plummeted, with sales dropping by a third in both value and volume in May. The decline is worsening month by month, indicating a worrisome trend. Renovations are on the decline, and several new construction projects are being initiated. With the falling prices on the construction market, there has never been a better time to start building our new home or renovating the current one.
In the first five months, building materials traders experienced a sharp decline in turnover. The market declined by 24 percent compared to the previous year. Distributors reported a 32 percent decrease in sales and a 35 percent decrease in turnover in May. This growing backlog compared to the previous year is cause for alarm. However, there are no signs yet of the trend reversing, writes Világgazdaság.
Construction at all-time low
Attila Juhász, President of Új Ház Építőanyag Nagykereskedelmi Plc., expressed
How to Increase the Value of Your Home
Home improvement is practically an American pastime, with millions of homeowners completing projects each year. while renovations will generally improve your quality of life, many don’t actually provide a financial return.
“In most cases, only home projects that add additional functionality or livable square footage add to the home’s value,” says David Steckel, home expert at home services marketplace Thumbtack.
The exceptions are kitchen and bathroom upgrades, as well as extensive enhancements to the exterior such as a new roof, windows or landscaping because these projects can elevate the home’s feel.
To identify projects that can increase your property value when you sell—or at least save you money while you live there—we spoke to home improvement experts and shifted through return-on-investment data. Below, a look at five popular home improvements and tips to make sure they pay off.
Do solar panels increase home value?
Interest in solar has been growing
What expenses can you deduct when renovating a rental property?
Rental property owners can typically deduct property taxes, insurance, interest, condo fees, repairs, utilities and other related costs. A rental property can even run at a loss allowing the taxpayer to claim deductions against their other sources of income.
Rental properties: Current vs capital expenses
There is a distinction between repairs and renovations for a rental property, Shawn. Repairs are referred to as current expenses, meaning they are deductible in the year incurred. Renovations are capital expenses that cannot be deducted immediately but can reduce your capital gain upon sale.
According to the Canada Revenue Agency:
A current expense is one that generally recurs after a short period. For example, the cost of painting the exterior of a wooden property is a current expense.
A capital expense generally gives a lasting benefit or advantage. For example, the cost of putting vinyl siding on the exterior walls of a wooden property
30 Times People Should Really Not Have Done Any Home Renovation Work Themselves
They say, practice makes perfect, and professionals know it to be true after spending years trying to master their craft. That’s why there’s usually a clear distinction between an end result provided by a professional—or at least with the help from one—and an amateur, be it making desserts or building houses.
When it comes to the latter, it’s worth remembering that architecture-related decisions require knowledge in different areas, from engineering to design, and beyond. That’s why hiring a professional is usually the sensible thing to do, as they typically have years of experience, not to mention the value of education they go through.
Be that as it may, not all people opt for professional help when building something, which often results in disasters, such as the ones shared on the ‘You Should Have Hired an Architect’ Facebook group. It is home to the best worst architectural ‘gems’, some of which
Why You Should Check Secondhand Stores To Save Money On Your Home Renovation
Building and renovating a home can be shockingly expensive. While individual items may not seem too expensive, every little doorknob, cabinet hinge, and floor tile add up to one costly and time-consuming project. It’s tempting to want to save money however you can on your building renovation, but how can you cut costs without cutting corners? One solution is to shop at local secondhand stores, such as a Habitat for Humanity ReStore, where you can donate and purchase gently used building materials, lumber, cabinets, doors, windows, and more. While it can take a little more time to find what you need, secondhand shops often have better quality materials at a better price than new retail stores, and you’ll find items that are more special to you and your home. In short, shopping secondhand for renovation materials can help you save money, create a unique home, and protect
9 Summer Home Renovations You Can Finish in a Weekend
The word “renovation” might be off putting, as many home improvement projects take weeks or even months to finish. However, there are many smaller-scale renovations you can complete in a weekend or less.
See: 5 Expensive Renovations Homeowners Always Regret
Find Out: How To Build Your Savings From Scratch
If you’re looking to prepare your home for the summer months ahead, but don’t want to spend a lot of time on a large-scale project, consider one of these renovations that can be done quickly.
Paint or Stain Decks and Fences
“Painting or staining your decks or fences is the best renovation you can do as a homeowner during weekends,” said Tony Adams, home renovation expert and founder of DIYGeeks.com.
Adams said that right now is the perfect time to tackle this project, as drier weather is ideal for dry