News release: “As more fully explained in this statement, the Board confirms that banking entities by statute have two years from July 21, 2012, to conform all of their activities and investments to section 619 [Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the so-called Volcker Rule], unless that period is extended by the… Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: April 2012
New Publication Shines Spotlight On Global Inequality Debate
World Bank Introduction to the Inequality in Focus Series , April 2012: “The world has become considerably less poor in the past three decades. In 1981, almost three fourths of citizens in the developing world lived on less than $2 a day. This rate has dropped dramatically so now 43 percent are poor. Moreover, despite… Continue Reading
World Bank – Measuring financial inclusion: the Global Findex Database
Measuring financial inclusion: the Global Findex Database, April 2012 – “This paper provides the first analysis of the Global Financial Inclusion (Global Findex) Database, a new set of indicators that measure how adults in 148 economies save, borrow, make payments, and manage risk. The data show that 50 percent of adults worldwide have an account… Continue Reading
UK Report – Preese Hall Shale Gas Fracturing review & recommendations for induced seismic mitigation
UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC): “A panel of independent experts have reported to DECC on the causation of the seismic events experienced in the Blackpool area last year during hydraulic fracturing operations at Preese Hall, and have made recommendations to mitigate the risks of similar events in future fracturing operations. The report:… Continue Reading
Pew Report – 72% of Americans follow local news closely
72% of Americans follow local news closely, by Carolyn Miller, Kristen Purcell, Tom Rosenstiel, Apr 12, 2012 “Nearly three quarters (72%) of adults are quite attached to following local news and information, and local newspapers are by far the source they rely on for much of the local information they need. In fact, local news… Continue Reading
New Database Shows Three Quarters of Worlds Poor Are Unbanked
News release: “Three quarters of the worlds poor do not have a bank account, not only because of poverty, but also because of the cost, travel distance, and amount of paper work involved in opening one, says the World Bank. Those without access to formal banking often have to rely on money lenders who often… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports: DOD Financial Management, Housing Choice Vouchers, Intelligent Transportation Systems, Tobacco Taxes, Border Security, USPS
Department of Energy Budget Trends and Oversight, GAO-12-659T, Apr 18, 2012 DOD Financial Management – Challenges in Attaining Audit Readiness and Improving Business Processes and Systems, GAO-12-642T, Apr 18, 2012 Housing Choice Vouchers – Options Exist to Increase Program Efficiencies, GAO-12-300, Mar 19, 2012 Intelligent Transportation Systems, Improved DOT Collaboration and Communication Could Enhance the… Continue Reading
EPA Issues Updated, Achievable Air Pollution Standards for Oil and Natural Gas
News release: “In response to a court deadline, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized standards to reduce harmful air pollution associated with oil and natural gas production. The updated standards, required by the Clean Air Act, were informed by the important feedback from a range of stakeholders including the public, public health groups,… Continue Reading
UK – Human Trafficking: The Government's Strategy
Human Trafficking: The Governments Strategy – HM Government, April 2012 “Human trafficking is international organised crime, with the exploitation of human beings for profit at its heart. It is an abuse of basic rights, with organised criminals preying on vulnerable people to make money. In most cases, victims are brought to the UK from abroad,… Continue Reading
Human Rights and Technology Sales: How Corporations Can Avoid Assisting Repressive Regimes
Human Rights and Technology Sales: How Corporations Can Avoid Assisting Repressive Regimes, By Cindy Cohn, Trevor Timm, & Jillian C. York – April 2012 “The Electronic Frontier Foundation believes that it’s time for technology companies, especially those selling surveillance and filtering equipment, to step up and ensure that they arent assisting foreign governments in committing… Continue Reading
Report – Growing Risk: Addressing the Invasive Potential of Bioenergy Feedstocks
Growing Risk – Addressing the Invasive Potential of Bioenergy Feedstocks. 2012 – Glaser, A. and P. Glick. 2012. Washington, DC: National Wildlife Federation. “The explosion in federal and state mandates and incentives for renewable energy in recent years has led to a greatly increased demand for cheap and plentiful biomass from a variety of plants… Continue Reading
CRS – Nanotechnology: A Policy Primer
Nanotechnology: A Policy Primer, John F. Sargent Jr., Specialist in Science and Technology Policy, April 13, 2012 Nanoscale science, engineering, and technologycommonly referred to collectively as nanotechnologyis believed by many to offer extraordinary economic and societal benefits. Congress has demonstrated continuing support for nanotechnology and has directed its attention primarily to three topics that may… Continue Reading
