News release: “A sudden upturn in global sales of information and communications technology (ICT) goods in May and June suggests the ICT industry may have reached a turning point and be on the road to recovery, according to a new OECD report, Working Party on the Information Economy – The Impact of the Crisis on ICTs and their Role in the Recovery, July 28, 2009. Most countries posted positive month-on-month production growth in May and June and inventories have been run down sharply after historically rapid build-ups. Billings for semiconductor makers, a bellwether for the ICT industry, are rebounding sharply after a severe collapse in orders reminiscent of the 2001-2002 dotcom bust. Asian ICT exports are also growing again month-to-month: Korean producers have been helped by a weaker currency, with production in May down only 3% on the previous year, and Chinese ICT production, which has remained remarkably resilient despite exports dropping by over 20%, grew at nearly 3% year-on-year in May.”
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Daily Archives: August 2, 2009
TSA testing full body scanners at Cleveland Hopkins Airport
wkyc.com: “TSA has revealed it is testing scanning technology at Cleveland Hopkins Airport that allows screeners to see through clothing. Despite public concern over what’s viewed by some as invasive imagery, TSA is moving ahead with the advanced imagery technology it claims will improve security by allowing screeners to quickly scan passengers for weapons without… Continue Reading
Creating Global Intelligence: The Creation of the US Intelligence Community and Lessons for the 21st Century
Creating Global Intelligence: The Creation of the US Intelligence Community and Lessons for the 21st Century, “a collection of declassified documents from the late 1940s to the early 1950s that ultimately led to the establishment of the CIA. This 800+ collection allows history to come to life as well as giving perspectives on the complex… Continue Reading
"Crisis in lost expertise" permeates critical scientific, artistic and technical arenas
WSJ: As Art Ages, So Do the Skills to Preserve It – Hard-Won Expertise Is Easily Lost to Time, Posing a Challenge to Conservators Who Maintain the World’s Masterworks “This art specialty is a microcosm of the crisis in lost expertise that faces many technical endeavors today, from nuclear weapons maintenance to manned space flight.… Continue Reading
Government Twitter Directory
GovTwit – the Government Twitter Directory is a directory of 2,213 Twitter users 56,716 Tweets and 20,778,287 Followers [Note: these numbers will change quickly] Continue Reading
FTC: Who is Responsible for a Deceased Relative's Debts?
News release: “If your relative leaves unpaid debts when he or she dies, do you have to pay? According to the Federal Trade Commission, the nations consumer protection agency, surviving relatives usually have no legal obligation to pay the debts of a family member who has died. Generally, that persons estate is responsible for paying… Continue Reading
Tax Foundation – Facts & Figures Handbook: How Does Your State Compare?
Facts & Figures Handbook: How Does Your State Compare? (2009 mid-year update) Mark Robyn: “How do taxes in your state compare nationally? This convenient pocket-size booklet compares the 50 states on 37 different measures of taxing and spending, including individual and corporate income tax rates, business tax climates, excise taxes, tax burdens and state spending.… Continue Reading
CBO: Analysis of the Subsidy Costs of Direct and Guaranteed Student Loans
Analysis of the Subsidy Costs of Direct and Guaranteed Student Loans – July 27, 2009 – Letter to the Honorable Judd Gregg “The Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) provides federal guarantees for loans made to students by private lenders and is the predominant source of loans for higher education; the Budget Office (CBO) projects… Continue Reading
CBO's Economic Forecasting Record: 2009 Update
CBO’s Economic Forecasting Record: 2009 Update, July 2009 “Since publishing its first macroeconomic forecast in 1976, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has compiled a forecasting track record that is comparable in quality with that of the Administration and that of the Blue Chip consensus. In particular, the accuracy of CBOs two-year forecasts between 1982 and… Continue Reading
