President Obamas Address on Iraq…the text, as prepared for delivery, of President Obamas address from the Oval Office on Tuesday night, provided by the White House: “The Americans who have served in Iraq completed every mission they were given. They defeated a regime that had terrorized its people. Together with Iraqis and coalition partners who made huge sacrifices of their own, our troops fought block by block to help Iraq seize the chance for a better future. They shifted tactics to protect the Iraqi people; trained Iraqi security forces; and took out terrorist leaders. Because of our troops and civilians and because of the resilience of the Iraqi people Iraq has the opportunity to embrace a new destiny, even though many challenges remain. So tonight, I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country…”
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Monthly Archives: August 2010
BLS – Productivity and Costs by Industry: Wholesale and Retail Trade, Food Services and Drinking Places
Productivity and Costs by Industry: Wholesale Trade, Retail Trade, and Food Services and Drinking Places Industries, 2009: “Labor productivity – defined as output per hour – fell in wholesale trade, but rose in retail trade and in food services and drinking places, in 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Productivity changes were as… Continue Reading
Earnings of FDIC-Insured Institutions Increased to $21.6 Billion in Second Quarter of 2010
News release: “Commercial banks and savings institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) reported an aggregate profit of $21.6 billion in the second quarter of 2010, a $26 billion improvement from the $4.4 billion net loss the industry posted in the second quarter of 2009. This is the highest quarterly earnings total since… Continue Reading
Federal Reserve: Approval of proposal by China Investment Corporation
News release: “The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday announced its approval of the application by China Investment Corporation, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, to acquire indirectly up to 10 percent of the voting shares of Morgan Stanley, New York, New York. Attached is the Board’s Order relating to this action.” Related postings on financial system Continue Reading
SEC Issues Report Cautioning Credit Rating Agencies
News release: “The Securities and Exchange Commission today issued a report cautioning credit rating agencies about deceptive ratings conduct and the importance of sufficient internal controls over the policies, procedures, and methodologies the firms use to determine credit ratings. The SEC’s Report of Investigation stems from an Enforcement Division inquiry into whether Moody’s Investors Service,… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports: Littoral Combat Ship, Export Promotion,
Defense Acquisitions: Navy’s Ability to Overcome Challenges Facing the Littoral Combat Ship Will Determine Eventual Capabilities, GAO-10-523, August 31, 2010 Export Promotion: Increases in Commercial Service Workforce Should Be Better Planned, GAO-10-874, August 31, 2010 VA Drug Formulary: Drug Review Process Is Standardized at the National Level, but Actions Are Needed to Ensure Timely Adjudication… Continue Reading
USGS: Glaciers Retreating in Asia
News release: “Many of Asias glaciers are retreating as a result of climate change. This retreat impacts water supplies to millions of people, increases the likelihood of outburst floods that threaten life and property in nearby areas, and contributes to sea-level rise. The U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with 39 international scientists, published a report… Continue Reading
Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission Announces Details and Witnesses for Next Public Hearing
News release: “…the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission announced its witness list and more details for the Commissions next public hearing titled: Too Big to Fail: Expectations and Impact of Extraordinary Government Intervention and the role of Systemic Risk in the Financial Crisis, September 1 and September 2, 2010. WSJ: Financial Crisis Panel to Examine Lehman,… Continue Reading
Where the Jobs Are: A First Look at Private Industry Job Growth and Wages in 2010
Where the Jobs Are: A First Look at Private Industry Job Growth and Wages in 2010 – National Employment Law Project, August 27, 2010 “While technically the Great Recession may have ended sometime in the second half of 2009, it is clear that the US economy is mired in a tepid recovery at best. Job… Continue Reading
EPIC Presses for Release of Government Documents on Health Risks of Airport Body Scanners
Follow up to previous postings on government implementation of whole body scanning technology at airports, “EPIC has filed an appeal with the Transportation Security Administration, challenging the agency’s denial of expedited processing and fee waivers for an EPIC Freedom of Information Act request. EPIC’s is seeking documents from the TSA concerning full body scanner radiation… Continue Reading
Microfinance activities and the Core Principles – Basel Committee issues final paper
News release: “The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision today issued the final version of its paper entitled Microfinance activities and the Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision. The Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision (the Core Principles) are the global de facto standard for sound prudential regulation and supervision of banks…Besides illustrating the general… Continue Reading
CRS: The European Unions Response to the 2007-2009 Financial Crisis
The European Unions Response to the 2007-2009 Financial Crisis, Walter W. Eubanks, Specialist in Financial Economics, August 13, 2010 “The purpose of this report is to assess the response of the European Union (EU) to the 2007-2009 financial crisis in terms of the financial regulatory changes the EU has made or is planning to make.… Continue Reading
