IBM Reveals Five Innovations that Will Change Our Lives Over the Next Five Years: “Unveiled today, the second annual “IBM Next Five in Five” is a list of innovations that have the potential to change the way people work, live and play over the next five years. The list is based on market and societal trends expected to transform our lives, as well as emerging technologies from IBMs Labs around the world that could make these innovations possible.”
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Daily Archives: December 18, 2007
FTC Testifies on Efforts to Combat Identity Theft and Protect Consumer Privacy
Press release: “The Federal Trade Commission today told the House Judiciary Committees Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security that identity theft remains one of the highest priorities for the Commission, and that the agency is playing a lead role in preventing identity theft and helping those who are victimized.” Prepared Statement of the Federal… Continue Reading
Pew Study Finds States Face $2.73 Trillion Bill for Retiree Benefits
“States have promised at least $2.73 trillion in pension, health care and other retirement benefits for public employees over the next three decades, according to a report released today by The Pew Charitable Trusts Center on the States. Promises with a Price, the first 50-state analysis of its kind, finds that states have saved enough… Continue Reading
Congress Passes First FOIA Reform Bill in More Than a Decade
The National Security Archive: “The House of Representatives at 5:18 pm today unanimously passed the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) reform bill (S. 2488) that passed the Senate by unanimous consent on December 14. The bill aims to fix some of the most persistent problems in the FOIA system, including excessive delay, lack of responsiveness,… Continue Reading
Highlights of Proposed Rule to Amend Home Mortgage Provisions of Regulation Z
Press release: “The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday proposed and asked for public comment on changes to Regulation Z (Truth in Lending) to protect consumers from unfair or deceptive home mortgage lending and advertising practices. The rule, which would be adopted under the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA), would restrict certain practices and… Continue Reading
FCC Adopts Revision To Newspaper/Broadcast Cross-Ownership Rule
Press release: “The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today concluded its quadrennial review of the broadcast ownership rules. The Commission amended the 32-year-old absolute ban on newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership by crafting an approach that would presumptively allow a newspaper to own one television station or one radio station in the 20 largest markets, subject to strict criteria… Continue Reading
New GAO Report and Correspondence: Air Traffic Control, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Rebuilding Iraq
Air Traffic Control: FAA Reports Progress in System Acquisitions, but Changes in Performance Measurement Could Improve Usefulness of Information, GAO-08-42, December 18, 2007 Plum Island Animal Disease Center: DHS Has Made Significant Progress Implementing Security Recommendations, but Several Recommendations Remain Open, GAO-08-306R, December 17, 2007 Rebuilding Iraq: International Donor Pledges for Reconstruction Efforts in Iraq,… Continue Reading
Research on Comparative Effectiveness of Medical Treatments: Issues and Options for an Expanded Federal Role
Congressional Budget Office, Research on Comparative Effectiveness of Medical Treatments: Issues and Options for an Expanded Federal Role, December 2007 “This Congressional Budget Office (CBO) paperprepared at the request of the Chairmen of the Senate Budget and Finance Committeesexamines options for expanding federal support for research on comparative effectiveness. It reviews the current state of… Continue Reading
Oversight Chairman Urges AG to Provide Plame Documents
“In a letter to the Attorney General, Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Waxman reiterated his request for documents from Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgeralds investigation into the leak of the covert identity of CIA officer Valerie Plame Wilson, noting the absence of any pending Justice Department investigation or litigation.” Related postings on Investigation of Plame… Continue Reading
CBO Cost Estimate for the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007
Congressional Budget Office, CBO Cost Estimate for the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007, December 2007 Continue Reading
Google Launches Better Results for Flight Status
Official Google Blog: “For the latest information on a flight’s status, simply search for an airline and flight number, and the first result will tell you whether your flight is on time or delayed as well as the estimated departure and arrival times.” Continue Reading
House Judiciary Chair Demands Testimony From DOJ Officials on CIA Tape Destruction
Press release: “[December 17, 2007] House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) sent a letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey reiterating the Chairman’s request to have a Department of Justice representative testify at Thursday’s hearing on the Applicability of Federal Criminal Laws to the Interrogation of Detainees. Congressional leaders have already criticized the Department’s… Continue Reading
