Cybersecurity: Authoritative Reports and Resources. Rita Tehan, Information Research Specialist, September 20, 2013 “Cybersecurity vulnerabilities challenge governments, businesses, and individuals worldwide. Attacks have been initiated by individuals, as well as countries. Targets have included government networks, military defenses, companies, or political organizations, depending upon whether the attacker was seeking military intelligence, conducting diplomatic or industrial… Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: September 2013
CRS – Reaching the Debt Limit
Reaching the Debt Limit: Background and Potential Effects on Government Operations, September 19, 2013 “The gross federal debt, which represents the federal government’s total outstanding debt, consists of (1) debt held by the public and (2) debt held in government accounts, also known as intragovernmental debt. Federal government borrowing increases for two primary reasons: (1)… Continue Reading
Synthetic Drugs: Overview and Issues for Congress
CRS – Synthetic Drugs: Overview and Issues for Congress, September 16, 2013. “Synthetic drugs, as opposed to natural drugs, are chemically produced in a laboratory. Their chemical structure can be either identical to or different from naturally occurring drugs, and their effects are designed to mimic or even enhance those of natural drugs. When produced… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports – Automatic IRAs, Corporate Tax Compliance, National Airspace System, Oil and Gas Development, ICBM Modernization
AUTOMATIC IRAS – Lower-Earning Households Could Realize Increases in Retirement Income, GAO-13-699, Aug 23, 2013 CORPORATE TAX COMPLIANCE – IRS Should Determine Whether Its Streamlined Corporate Audit Process Is Meeting Its Goals, GAO-13-662, Aug 22, 2013 NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM – Improved Budgeting Could Help FAA Better Determine Future Operations and Maintenance Priorities, GAO-13-693, Aug 22, 2013 OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT – BLM… Continue Reading
Arsenic Nation
Deborah Blum: “For my New York Times column, Poison Pen, I wrote this week about arsenic in drinking water, or more specifically on the increasing scientific awareness that this element – odorless, tasteless – is slowly being revealed as major public health threat. The focus of that piece is the way that arsenic, in the part-per-billion… Continue Reading
Population Decline of Unauthorized Immigrants Stalls, May Have Reversed
“The sharp decline in the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population that accompanied the Great Recession has bottomed out, and the number may be rising again. An estimated 11.7 million unauthorized immigrants were living in the U.S. in March 2012, according to a new preliminary Pew Research Center estimate. Different trends appear among the six states in… Continue Reading
Blame for Both Sides as Possible Government Shutdown Approaches
“If the federal government shuts down because Republicans and the Obama administration fail to agree on a budget, there will be plenty of blame to go around. About as many say they would blame the Republicans (39%) for such a standoff as say they would blame Obama (36%), with 17% volunteering that both would be… Continue Reading
Gender Wage Gap Projected to Close in Year 2058
Gender Wage Gap Projected to Close in Year 2058: Most Women Working Today Will Not See Equal Pay during their Working Lives by Institute for Women’s Policy Research (September 2013) Continue Reading
Rare Earth Elements in National Defense
CRS – Rare Earth Elements in National Defense: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress. Valerie Bailey Grasso, Specialist in Defense Acquisition. September 17, 2013 “Some Members of Congress have expressed concern over U.S. acquisition of rare earth materials composed of rare earth elements used in various components of defense weapon systems. Rare earth elements consist of 17 elements on… Continue Reading
Jobless rate up in 18 states, down in 17 in August – payroll jobs up in 29 states, down in 20
News release: “Regional and state unemployment rates were little changed in August. Eighteen states and the District of Columbia had unemployment rate increases, 17 states had decreases, and 15 states had no change, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia had unemployment rate decreases from a year… Continue Reading
Short-Term Energy Outlook
U.S. Energy Information Administration: Short-Term Energy Outlook September 10, 2013 “Monthly average crude oil prices increased for the fourth consecutive month in August 2013, as supply disruptions in Libya increased and concerns over the conflict in Syria intensified. The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) forecast for Brent crude oil spot price, which averaged $108 per barrel during… Continue Reading
Twtrland – Search any skill, location or name
“Twtrland visualizes social footprints to help you discover new people, understand their impact and find better ways to connect and increase your network.” [Robert Ambrogi] “See a visual snapshot of your online presence on twitter and instagram. Unfold influence metrics, audience demographics, close network and much more. Find Influencers: +60,000 Skills, City Resolution – Easily find the true influencers in any… Continue Reading
