World Oil Transit Chokepoints Brief Jan 18, 2011: “Chokepoints are narrow channels along widely used global sea routes, some so narrow that restrictions are placed on the size of vessel that can navigate through them. They are a critical part of global energy security due to the high volume of oil traded through their… Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: January 2011
EIA: United Arab Emirates Country Analysis Brief
United Arab Emirates Country Analysis Brief Jan 18, 2011: “The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven different emirates which together comprise the third largest economy in the Middle East behind Saudi Arabia and Iran. The UAE is an important producer of natural gas and oil, ranking seventh globally in total proven… Continue Reading
Unpublished SEC IG Reports of Investigations Obtained via FOIA by POGO
SEC Inspector General Reports of Investigation: In recent years, investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Office of Inspector General (OIG) have exposed a wide range of serious misconduct, including the agency’s failure to crack down on the Madoff and Stanford Ponzi schemes, retaliation against whistleblowers, conflicts of interest, revolving door abuses, the failure… Continue Reading
2011 IT Workforce Capability Assessment (ITWCA) Survey Launches
Via CIO.gov:”Beginning January 18, 2011, the Government IT workforce will be able to weigh in on the future of Federal IT. All Federal civilian IT employees are invited to take the ITWCA, an anonymous online survey from the Federal Chief Information Officers (CIO) Council and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The ITWCA, running from January… Continue Reading
Present Law And Background Information On Federal Excise Taxes
JCS-1-11 (January 19, 2011) – Present Law And Background Information On Federal Excise Taxes “The Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) imposes numerous excise taxes on goods and services.1 In addition to excise taxes the primary purpose of which is revenue production, excise taxes also are imposed to promote adherence to other policies (e.g., penalty excise… Continue Reading
Supreme Court Affirms Right to Informational Privacy, But Says Privacy Act Safeguards Sufficient for NASA Records
EPIC: “The Supreme Court has issued a decision in NASA v. Nelson, a case brought by NASA scientists who argued that the government’s invasive background checks violated the Constitution. The Supreme Court found amicus brief , cosigned by 27 technical experts and legal scholars, which highlighted problems with the Privacy Act, including the “routine use”… Continue Reading
Present Law And Historical Overview Of The Federal Tax System
Present Law And Historical Overview Of The Federal Tax System, Scheduled for a Public Hearing Before the Committee on Ways and Means on January 20, 2011, Prepared by the Staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation, January 18, 2011, JCX-1-11 (January 18, 2011) This document, prepared by the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation,… Continue Reading
FDA to improve most common review path for medical devices
News release: “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today unveiled a plan containing 25 actions it intends to implement during 2011 to improve the most common path to market for medical devices. Key actions include: Streamlining the de novo review process for certain innovative, lower-risk medical devices, Clarifying when clinical data should be submitted in… Continue Reading
National Fruit & Vegetable Program and Web Site
“The National Fruit & Vegetable Program is a public private partnership. It is a confederation of government, not-for-profit groups and industry groups working collaboratively and synergistically to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables for improved public health.” Continue Reading
Atlantic: The Good Works of Sargent Shriver
The Good Works of Sargent Shriver, by Scott Stossel, Jan 18 2011: “The founder of the Peace Corps and leader of the War on Poverty has died. His biographer reflects on a remarkable legacy. Continue Reading
2011 Marks Move from Fragile Recovery to Firmer Expansion According to Fannie Mae's Economics & Mortgage Market Analysis Group
News release: “Thanks to strengthening in consumer spending and growing policy clarity at the end of 2010, the economy is finally poised to accelerate and sustain above-par, less volatile growth, according to the January 2011 Economic Outlook released today by Fannie Mae’s (FNMA/OTC) Economics & Mortgage Market Analysis Group. The economy is expected to grow… Continue Reading
Financial Stability Oversight Council's Study and Recommendations Regarding Implementation of the Volcker Rule
Documents from the FSOC’s January 18, 2011 Meeting The FSOCs Study and Recommendations Regarding Implementation of the Volcker Rule: “As mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act, the FSOC conducted a study on how best to implement Section 619 of the Act (commonly known as the Volcker Rule), which is designed to improve the safety of our… Continue Reading
