Brookings: “Swift global integration, the expansion of a global consumer class, and the rise of urban areas as the engines of global economic growth have ushered in a new era that demands more global engagement from America’s city and regional leaders. These two papers, including the international edition, present 10 traits of globally fluent metro areas and their… Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: November 2013
New GAO Reports – Civil Support, Federal Autism Activities, Immigration Detention, Personnel Security Clearances
CIVIL SUPPORT – Actions Are Needed to Improve DOD’s Planning for a Complex Catastrophe, GAO-13-763, Sep 30, 2013 FEDERAL AUTISM ACTIVITIES – Better Data and More Coordination Needed to Help Avoid the Potential for Unnecessary Duplication, GAO-14-16, Nov 20, 2013 IMMIGRATION DETENTION – Additional Actions Could Strengthen DHS Efforts to Address Sexual Abuse, GAO-14-38, Nov 20, 2013 PERSONNEL SECURITY CLEARANCES – Actions… Continue Reading
Association of Nut Consumption with Total and Cause-Specific Mortality
Association of Nut Consumption with Total and Cause-Specific Mortality. Ying Bao, M.D., Sc.D., Jiali Han, Ph.D., Frank B. Hu, M.D., Ph.D., Edward L. Giovannucci, M.D., Sc.D., Meir J. Stampfer, M.D., Dr.P.H., Walter C. Willett, M.D., Dr.P.H., and Charles S. Fuchs, M.D., M.P.H. N Engl J Med 2013; 369:2001-2011 November 21, 2013 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1307352 “In two large prospective U.S. cohorts,… Continue Reading
Fed: Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, October 29-30, 2013
“In general, the data available at the time of the October 29-30 meeting suggested that economic activity continued to rise at a moderate pace; the set of information reviewed for this meeting, however, was reduced somewhat by delays in selected statistical releases associated with the partial shutdown of the federal government earlier in the month.… Continue Reading
CFPB – A final rule that makes mortgage disclosure better for consumers
“Today, we’re issuing the TILA-RESPA final rule. This rule improves the way consumers receive information about mortgage loans, both when they apply and when they’re getting ready to close. Alongside the rule, we’re publishing information to help industry understand what the requirements are, such as how to fill out the disclosure forms. Helping with that understanding… Continue Reading
Precision Weapons, Civilian Casualties, and Support for the Use of Force
Precision Weapons, Civilian Casualties, and Support for the Use of Force, James Igoe Walsh – University of North Carolina at Charlotte. November 19, 2013. Political Psychology, Forthcoming “Precision weapons such as drones have become increasingly important elements of the military strategies of the United States and other countries. How does the use of precision weapons influence public support for… Continue Reading
Federal Debt and the Statutory Limit, November 2013
CBO Report: “The debt limit—commonly referred to as the debt ceiling—is the maximum amount of debt that the Department of the Treasury can issue to the public and to other federal agencies. That amount is set by law and has been increased over the years in order to finance the government’s operations. The debt ceiling… Continue Reading
CRS – Poverty in the United States: 2012
Poverty in the United States: 2012 – Thomas Gabe , Specialist in Social Policy. November 13, 2013 “In 2012, the U.S. poverty rate was 15.0%—46.5 million persons were estimated as having income below the official poverty line. Neither the poverty rate nor the number of persons counted as poor in 2012 differed statistically from 2011 or 2010. In… Continue Reading
Chairman Bernanke: Communication and Monetary Policy
Chairman Ben S. Bernanke At the National Economists Club Annual Dinner, Herbert Stein Memorial Lecture, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2013. [snipped] “In coming meetings, in evaluating the outlook for the labor market, we will continue to consider both the cumulative progress since September 2012 and the prospect for continued gains. We have seen meaningful improvement in… Continue Reading
Recently declassified Section 501 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act documents
“The recently declassified Section 501 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) documents have been posted on the Office of the Director of National Intelligence site (ODNI). These documents include: orders and opinions of the Foreign Surveillance Court; reports to Congress; other reports; training slides and other internal documents. More information about this as well as links to… Continue Reading
Global economy recovering at moderate pace but more risks ahead, says OECD
“The global economy is expected to continue expanding at a moderate pace over the coming two years, but policymakers must ensure that instability in financial markets and underlying fragility in some major economies are not allowed to derail growth, according to the OECD’s latest Economic Outlook…GDP growth across the 34-member OECD is projected to accelerate from… Continue Reading
OECD Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard
‘Science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship – which foster competitiveness, productivity, and job creation – are important mechanisms for encouraging sustainable growth. The 260 indicators in the OECD Science, Technology and Industry (STI) Scoreboard 2013 show how OECD and partner economies are performing in a wide range of areas to help governments design more effective and… Continue Reading
