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Author Archives: Sabrina I. Pacifici

ABA Opinion – Lawyer Reviewing Jurors’ Internet Presence

Formal Opinion 466 April 24, 2014  – Lawyer Reviewing Jurors’ Internet Presence “Unless limited by law or court order, a lawyer may review a juror’s or potential juror’s Internet presence, which may include postings by the juror or potential juror in advance of and during a trial, but a lawyer may not communicate directly or through… Continue Reading

Review of the Pillar 3 disclosure requirements – consultative document

“The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has today published for consultation a Review of the Pillar 3 disclosure requirements. The Committee has long recognised the importance of effective disclosure  to enhance market discipline and thereby promote a safe and sound banking system. However, the existing Basel framework Pillar 3 disclosure requirements, in particular those related to risk-weighted assets (RWA),… Continue Reading

A closer look at ‘Map of the World’

Sean Lyngaas – “The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency might be the most important U.S. intelligence agency your mother’s never heard of. It has little public name recognition compared to the CIA or the National Security Agency and yet, with a sprawling Springfield, Va., campus and an ample budget, NGA is remaking how the intelligence community processes… Continue Reading

Do the Benefits of College Still Outweigh the Costs?

Do the Benefits of College Still Outweigh the Costs? by: Jaison R. Abel and  Richard Deitz “In recent years, students have been paying more to attend college and earning less upon graduation—trends that have led many observers to question whether a college education remains a good investment. However, an analysis of the economic returns to college since the 1970s demonstrates that the… Continue Reading

New GAO Reports – Combatting Terrorism, Explosive Detection Canines, Prepositioned Stocks, Private Health Insurance, Transportation Security Info Sharing

COMBATING TERRORISM: U.S. Efforts in Northwest Africa Would Be Strengthened by Enhanced Program Management, GAO-14-518: Published: Jun 24, 2014. Publicly Released: Jun 24, 2014. EXPLOSIVES DETECTION CANINES: TSA Has Taken Steps to Analyze Canine Team Data and Assess the Effectiveness of Passenger Screening Canines, GAO-14-695T: Published: Jun 24, 2014. Publicly Released: Jun 24, 2014. PREPOSITIONED STOCKS: DOD’s Strategic Policy and Implementation… Continue Reading

Library of Congress Recommended Format Specifications

“The Library of Congress announces the availability of its Recommended Format Specifications, a document describing the hierarchies of the physical and technical characteristics of creative formats, both analog and digital, which will best maximize the chances for preservation and continued accessibility of creative content. Creators and publishers have also begun to employ a wide array… Continue Reading

Policies to Address Poverty in America

“Millions of people live in poverty in this country. They suffer not only material deprivation, but also the hardships and diminished life prospects that come with being poor. Childhood poverty often means growing up without the advantages of a stable home, high-quality schools, or consistent nutrition. Adults in poverty are often hampered by inadequate skills… Continue Reading

“Short” Falls: Who’s Most Likely to Come up Short in Retirement, and When?

“This Notes article provides new results showing how many years into retirement Baby Boomer and Gen Xer households are simulated to run short of money, by preretirement income quartile. Under a variety of simulated post-retirement expense scenarios, the lowest preretirement income quartile is the cohort where the vast majority of the retirement readiness shortfall occurs, and the… Continue Reading

Gallup – Americans Say Social Media Have Little Sway on Purchases

“A clear majority of Americans say social media have no effect at all on their purchasing decisions. Although many companies run aggressive marketing campaigns on social media, 62% in the U.S. say Facebook and Twitter, among other sites, do not have any influence on their decisions to purchase products.  Despite tremendous numbers of Americans using… Continue Reading

POGO – SSA Not Timely in Revoking Contractor Data Access Privileges

“According to a recent audit report by the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Inspector General (IG), SSA contractor employees had access to the agency’s information technology (IT) systems even after they stopped working on the contract. The IG found nearly a dozen instances when SSA failed to terminate contractor employees’ privileges to access sensitive data when they left… Continue Reading

Americans Purchasing More Efficient Vehicles

“The nation’s passenger vehicle marketplace is in the midst of a major transformation according to new research undertaken by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA). More than ever before consumers are purchasing, and planning to purchase, vehicles with increased fuel economy. Car manufacturers, in the meantime, are making improvements both to meet this demand and to… Continue Reading