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On Air: Federal News Network
Federal Insights
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An elite Canadian military unit is under investigation. The Canadian Defense Department has launched two probes into possible misconduct by its elite commando force, officials said Tuesday. Reuters reports the investigations began after a member of the commando group, Joint Task Force 2, raised serious allegations against another member of the force, as well as against JTF2 in general, a Defense Department spokesman said. Captain David Scanlon, who declined to give precise details, said the affair could concern Afghan prisoners taken by Canadian troops.
September 15, 2010 -
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The U.S. Department of Labor\'s Employment and Training Administration has launched a new Web portal to help people looking for a job match their current skills to new careers, and find out what training is needed to transition from one job to another. The online tool is called \"mySkillsmyFuture\" and can be accessed at www.myskillsmyfuture.org. Users will be able to review local job postings, and training and education opportunities. They also will be able to find descriptions, salary information and common job tasks associated with any listed occupation. The new site\'s features include detailed information about occupational skills that can be transferred from one job to another; a side-by-side comparison chart of likely skill gaps from one occupation to another; and links to local training programs. Users can also look for opportunities for short-term training programs provided by local community colleges and other postsecondary schools, details about obtaining credentials such as certifications, licenses and apprenticeships. They can also apply for open job postings available by ZIP code or state.
September 14, 2010 -
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The National Institutes of Health has awarded the first new grants under the Biomedical Research on the International Space Station (or BioMed-ISS) initiative, a collaborative effort between NIH and NASA. Using a special microgravity environment that Earth-based laboratories cannot replicate, researchers will explore fundamental questions about important health issues, such as how bones and the immune system are weakened. The National Laboratory at the International Space Station provides a virtually gravity-free - or microgravity - environment where the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie human diseases can be explored. Scientists will conduct their experiments in two stages. The first is a ground-based preparatory phase to allow investigators to meet select milestones and technical requirements. The second is an Space Station experimental phase. That will include preparing the experiments for launch, working with astronauts to conduct them on the Space Station, and then performing subsequent data analyses on Earth.
September 14, 2010 -
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Fossil fuel power plants generate about two-thirds of the world\'s total electricity, and are expected to continue to play an important role in the years ahead. But, increasing energy demands worldwide means that there will be a need to better monitor power plants for signs of age and inefficiency, while stricter emission requirements will require higher levels of performance, capacity, and efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy is about to fund five projects that will develop technologically sophisticated monitoring networks for advanced fossil energy power systems. The projects will support efforts by the Office of Fossil Energy\'s Advanced Research-Coal Utilization Science Program. They\'ll study new ways to develop and validate models of these networks; and the wireless, self-powered sensors used for advanced, next-generation power systems. They\'ll monitor the status of equipment, the degradation of materials, and the conditions that impact the overall health of any one component or system in the harsh high-temperature, highly corrosive environments of advanced power plants. These advanced networks will help enhance the overall reliability, performance, and availability of emerging near-zero emissions power production systems. $6.5 million will be invested in the projects, with nearly $5 million from the Energy Department and the remaining $1.5 million in cost share provided by the recipients.
September 14, 2010 -
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September 13th and September 15th As Associate Administrator, McClure oversees the Office of Citizen Services and Communications\' two main divisions: the Office of Citizen Services and the Office of Communications and Marketing.
September 13, 2010 -
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As a plan to offset Iran\'s alleged nuclear program, the Pentagon is pressing ahead with a plan to send 60 billion dollars in weapons to Saudi Arabia. The Associated Press says the plan has been in the works for months and the U.S. is actually shifting it defense policies in the region to send a message to Iran. U.S. and foreign sources say Iran could soon have enough enriched uranium to build at least one nuclear weapon. Iran claims its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
September 13, 2010 -
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A new generation of defense industry leaders is using social media tools, leaner management structures and even shared sports activities to create a more collaborative and efficient workplace. Reuters reports, facing a downturn in defense spending and the Pentagon\'s aggressive cost-cutting drives, the industry is in a period of intense change. Companies are shifting gears to focus on new technologies like cybersecurity and unmanned planes as they try to become more efficient and in synch with rapidly evolving threats. Many companies have appointed new leaders who are changing the culture of an industry once dominated by strong personalities like Harry Stonecipher at Boeing Co and Tom Jones, the maverick who piloted Northrop Co\'s rise to become one of the hottest defense contractors of the 1980s.
September 13, 2010 -
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Like other agencies, the Institute of Museum and Library Services has released its agency sustainability plan. Unlike the others, telework plays a major part in the plan.
September 10, 2010 -
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The U.S. military almost launched fighter jets and discussed a possible shoot-down when an errant Navy drone briefly veered into restricted airspace near the nation\'s capital last month, a senior military official said Thursday. The Associate Press reports the incident underscores safety concerns with unmanned aircraft as defense officials campaign to use them more often during natural disasters and for homeland security. Navy Adm. James Winnefeld Jr., head of Northern Command, said Thursday that the August mishap could hamper the Pentagon\'s push to have the Federal Aviation Administration ease procedures for drone use by the military in domestic skies.
September 10, 2010 -
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The Army has a new track in Maryland to test safety for war-fighting vehicles. The Aberdeen Proving Ground north of Baltimore is the Pentagon\'s first contiguous, flat track for sustained high-speed vehicle testing. Convoys in warzones have to travel long distances at over 60 mph to counter enemy threats. But until now, the military has had no way to test all its vehicles at high speeds for extended periods.
September 09, 2010 -
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Exploring ideas to improve government effectiveness. We profile three recent Center reports with authors Dr. David Wyld on Cloud Computing in Government, Dr. Vicki Grant on Process Improvement in Social Service Delivery, and Prof. Sukumar Ganapati on the use of GIS in engaging citizens.
September 07, 2010 -
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Legislation is waiting for Congress to come back to work.
September 06, 2010 -
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Technology developed at the Department of Energy\'s Oak Ridge National Lab will extend the life of light-emitting diode lamps. The invention could save U.S. municipalities millions of dollars every year in replacement fixture costs and maintenance, as the lamps are increasingly in demand for uses such as street lights and parking garage lighting. New graphite foam technology has been licensed to LED North America, which specializes in providing LED lighting products for municipal, commercial and industrial applications. Cooling LED lamps is critical to increasing their efficiency, considering that each 10-degree decrease in temperature can double the life of the lighting components. The newly licensed graphite foam offers many advantages over comparable heat sink materials such as copper and aluminum.
September 03, 2010 -
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When NASA scientists were stymied last year in trying to devise a formula for predicting solar flares, they took an unusual approach: They posted their problem online, and offered a prize to anyone who could solve it. One requirement: the person with the winning solution would have to fork over exclusive rights to the idea - in exchange for a $30,000 prize. 579 people considered the challenge, while only five submitted entries. The winner was a retired radio frequency engineer from New Hampshire who offered an algorithm that may be a first step in helping NASA predict when solar particles might endanger astronauts or spacecraft. Top officials within the General Services Administration and the Office of Management and Budget have called the contest the beginning of a huge movement. Now, the website challenge-dot-gov allows agencies to post challenges, create blogs and discussions, and reward winners with an array of incentives.
September 03, 2010
