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Daily Archives: December 21, 2011

The Revolutions Were Tweeted: Information Flows During the 2011 Tunisian and Egyptian Revolutions

The Revolutions Were Tweeted: Information Flows During the 2011 Tunisian and Egyptian Revolutions, International Journal of Communication 5 (2011), Feature 1375–1405 1932–8036/2011FEA1375 [via gigaom]

  • “This article details the networked production and dissemination of news on Twitter during snapshots of the 2011 Tunisian and Egyptian Revolutions as seen through information flows—sets of near-duplicate tweets—across activists, bloggers, journalists, mainstream media outlets, and other engaged participants. We differentiate between these user types and analyze patterns of sourcing and routing information among them. We describe the symbiotic relationship between media outlets and individuals and the distinct roles particular user types appear to play. Using this analysis, we discuss how Twitter plays a key role in amplifying and spreading timely information across the globe.”
  • Arab World: Global Voices Bridges on Twitter – Part of Global Voices special coverage – Egypt Revolution 2011 and Tunisia Revolution 2011.
  • EPA Issues First National Standards for Mercury Pollution from Power Plants

    News release: “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, the first national standards to protect American families from power plant emissions of mercury and toxic air pollution like arsenic, acid gas, nickel, selenium, and cyanide. The standards will slash emissions of these dangerous pollutants by relying on widely… Continue Reading

    FAA Issues Final Rule on Pilot Fatigue

    “U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Acting Administrator Michael Huerta today announced a sweeping final rule that overhauls commercial passenger airline pilot scheduling to ensure pilots have a longer opportunity for rest before they enter the cockpit…The Department of Transportation identified the issue of pilot fatigue as a top priority during… Continue Reading

    New GAO Reports: Government Auditing Standards, Office Supplies Pricing, Pediatric Medical Devices

    Government Auditing Standards – 2011 Revision (Supercedes GAO-07-731G) GAO-12-331G, Dec 1, 2011, Strategic Sourcing Office Supplies Pricing Study Had Limitations, but New Initiative Shows Potential for Savings, GAO-12-178, Dec 20, 2011 DOD Financial Management – Ongoing Challenges with Reconciling Navy and Marine Corps Fund Balance with Treasury, GAO-12-132, Dec 20, 2011 Pediatric Medical Devices –… Continue Reading

    U.S. Arms Sales: Agreements with and Deliveries to Major Clients, 2003-2010

    CRS – U.S. Arms Sales: Agreements with and Deliveries to Major Clients, 2003-2010. Richard F. Grimmett, Specialist in International Security, December 16, 2011 “This report provides background data on U.S. arms sales agreements with and deliveries to its major purchasers during calendar years 2003-2010, made through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. In a… Continue Reading

    SEC Charges Former Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Executives with Securities Fraud

    News release: “The Securities and Exchange Commission [December 16, 2011] charged six former top executives of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) with securities fraud, alleging they knew and approved of misleading statements claiming the companies had minimal holdings of higher-risk mortgage loans, including subprime… Continue Reading

    Governmental Tracking of Cell Phones and Vehicles: The Confluence of Privacy, Technology, and Law

    CRS — Governmental Tracking of Cell Phones and Vehicles: The Confluence of Privacy, Technology, and Law. Richard M. Thompson, Law Clerk. December 1, 2011 “Technology has advanced considerably since the framers established the constitutional parameters for searches and seizures in the Fourth Amendment. What were ink quills and parchment are now cell phones and the… Continue Reading