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COVID-19 Pandemic
From the Introduction: "The 2021 Annual Report will focus on the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic and its implications for life expectancy, with a definite emphasis on the UK situation but without losing sight of the global picture. The aim is to condense a variety of useful, unbiased information into one convenient reference guide that the target audience may use to better understand and navigate their responsibilities in a domain of great uncertainty. The Report will firstly provide an overview of the current state of the pandemic, with a focus on the UK situation within the global context. We will then summarise the development and deployment of vaccines and treatments for COVID-19, and the behavioural insights we gained from the social change brought on by the pandemic. We will devote one chapter to the economic fallout of the pandemic in the UK and its effect on pre-existing social inequalities. One chapter will focus on how COVID-19 has affected the NHS and the social care system. Lastly, we will summarise the development and adoption of new technologies in healthcare in the wake of the pandemic."
Longevity Science Panel
Dunnell, Karen; Blakemore, Colin; Haberman, Steven, 1951- . . .
2021-10
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 730, Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Education and Labor on July 15, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 730 would amend title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to create a private right of action to file disparate impact claims. Disparate impact refers to the discriminatory effects caused by policies that, on their face, appear neutral as instituted by an organization or employer. According to legal experts and an analysis of court filing data from the federal judiciary over the past 30 years, disparate impact claims brought under title VI are most often related to education (although they are applicable to housing and public transportation, among other settings) and have historically constituted a small portion of civil rights litigation--most such claims are filed under other titles of the act regarding employment issues. CBO expects that enacting H.R. 730 could result in an increase in the number of suits filed in federal courts related to disparate impact cases under title VI. The federal judiciary charges fees to file suit in district court. Those fees are recorded as revenues and can be spent without further appropriation action and are thus classified as direct spending. Because CBO expects that any additional fees charged by the judiciary would be spent, enacting H.R. 730 would have an insignificant effect on the deficit over the 2022-2031 period."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-10-01
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Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2021 Toolkit: Key Messaging, Articles, Social Media, and More to Promote Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2021
From the Document: "Held every October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure every American has the resources they need to stay safe and secure online while increasing the resilience of the Nation against cyber threats. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) co-lead Cybersecurity Awareness Month. [...] To assist with your efforts and participation, this document includes a wealth of resources for you and your organization, regardless of size or industry, to engage and promote the core theme and critical messages leading up to and throughout October. [...] To help frame conversations, design resources, and drive events with internal and external stakeholders, we are breaking down the overarching theme into four weekly messages. The key messages below will be featured throughout the month to help drive events, resources, and activities executed by CISA and NCSA, and we have included potential topics to help jump start your own Cybersecurity Awareness Month efforts. [1] 'Week 1: Be Cyber Smart'[.] Take simple actions to keep our digital lives secure. [2] 'Week 2: Fight the Phish!' Learn how to spot and report phishing attempts to prevent ransomware and other malware attacks. [3] 'Week 3: Explore. Experience. Share.' Commemorate the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education's (NICE) Cybersecurity Career Awareness Week [hyperlink] and the global cybersecurity workforce. [4] 'Week 4: Cybersecurity First[.]' Explore how cybersecurity and staying safe online is increasingly important as we continue to operate virtually in both our work and personal lives."
United States. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
2021-10
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El Salvador: Authoritarian Actions and U.S. Response [Updated October 1, 2021]
From the Document: "On September 3, 2021, the Salvadoran Supreme Court's Constitutional Chamber ruled [hyperlink] that a president could serve two consecutive terms, despite constitutional prohibitions on reelection. The justices who issued the ruling were installed in May 2021 after the Salvadoran National Assembly, aligned with President Nayib Bukele, unconstitutionally dismissed [hyperlink] the previous Constitutional Court magistrates, along with the attorney general. These developments, combined with other Bukele-backed measures to erode the separation of powers and repress dissent, have led the Biden Administration, some Members of Congress, and other observers to express concerns about democratic backsliding in El Salvador."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2021-10-01
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Climate Action Plan [October 2021]
From the Introduction: "The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is an innovative and independent U.S. foreign assistance agency that is helping lead the fight against global poverty. Created by the U.S. Congress in January 2004 with strong bipartisan support, MCC delivers smart U.S. foreign assistance by focusing on good policies, country ownership, and results. MCC provides predictable, multi-year grants that promote economic growth, reduce poverty, and strengthen institutions. These investments not only support stability and prosperity in partner countries but also enhance American interests. Climate change is inextricably tied to poverty and economic growth, and it poses the greatest risks to low and lower-middle income countries, like those where MCC works. These are precisely the countries whose people, economies, and institutions are least able to adapt to or afford its consequences and are generally least responsible for the problem. [...] Given this reality, MCC recognizes that addressing the impacts of climate change is central to achieving MCC's mission and we must invest now to counter its dire consequences. To meet this challenge, MCC has substantially increased its climate commitments. This Climate Action Plan (the Plan) and MCC's newly developed Climate Change Strategy (the Strategy) memorialize how MCC will meet these commitments and adjust its approaches to expand and deepen work on climate change across the agency's investment portfolio and business operations."
Millennium Challenge Corporation (U.S.)
2021-10
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SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern and Variants Under Investigation in England
From the Summary: "This report has been published to continue to share the detailed variant surveillance analyses which contribute to the variant risk assessments and designation of new VOCs [variants of concern] and VUIs [variants under investigation]. The specialist technical briefings contain early data and analysis on emerging variants and findings have a high level of uncertainty. A separate report is published [hyperlink] covering surveillance data on all other VOCs and VUIs."
Great Britain. Crown Office; United Kingdom Health Security Agency
2021-10-01
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Psychology of (Dis)information: Case Studies and Implications
From the Abstract: "The absorption and spread of disinformation is a pervasive phenomenon across a wide variety of topics and media. Most disinformation research focuses on the source (who created it?) and the environment in which it exists (what platform/medium transmits the information?). Recognizing that disinformation primarily works in an individual person's mind, this report describes four normal, routine psychological mechanisms that are associated with the absorption and spread of disinformation. We then describe real-world case studies--focusing on activities linked to COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], and to campaigns coordinated by US adversaries including Russia, China, and Iran--to illustrate the way these mechanisms can be manipulated to aid the spread disinformation. The report concludes with multi-pronged recommendations that DOD can use to address the vulnerabilities associated with these psychological mechanisms so as prevent the spread of disinformation and protect both US servicemembers and the country."
CNA Corporation
McBride, Megan K.; Wolters, Heather; Haney, Kaia . . .
2021-10
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Department of Homeland Security: Fiscal Year 2020 Entry/Exit Overstay Report
From the Executive Summary: "This report provides data on expected departures and overstays, by country, for foreign travelers to the United States who entered as nonimmigrants through air or sea ports of entry (POE) and who were expected to depart in FY 2020 (October 1, 2019 - September 30, 2020). An overstay is a nonimmigrant who was lawfully admitted to the United States but who remained in the United States beyond the authorized period of admission. The authorized period of admission can be a fixed period or for the duration of a certain activity, such as the period during which a student is pursuing a full course of study or any authorized technical/practical training. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) identifies two types of overstays: 1) individuals for whom no departure has been recorded (Suspected In-Country Overstays), and 2) individuals whose departure was recorded after their authorized period of admission expired (Out-of-Country Overstays)."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2021-09-30
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Public Law 117-43: Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act
This law is an Act making "continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for providing emergency assistance, and for other purposes." The Act is broken up into the following divisions: Division A--Continuing Appropriations Act, 2022; Division B--Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022; Division C--Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022; and Division D--Other Matters. Further details are provided under each division regarding appropriation amounts, eligibility, time periods, and reporting requirements.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021-09-30
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Interpersonal Violence in the Department of the Air Force: Findings of the Interpersonal Violence Task Force
From the Document: "In July 2020, the Secretary of the Air Force (SecAF) directed the formation of an Interpersonal Violence Task Force to examine whether the Department of the Air Force (DAF) was keeping Airmen and Guardians safe from interpersonal violence (IPV). This was, in part, triggered by tragedies involving U.S. service members [...]. In both cases, the victims had reportedly experienced IPV immediately prior to their deaths. [...] In the aftermath of these tragedies, the DAF community wanted to better understand the dynamics that led to these deaths and determine whether additional measures were needed to keep Airmen and Guardians safe when faced with the potential for ongoing IPV situations. [...] The task force designed and administered an anonymous, online survey to the entire DAF-- Active Duty, Guard, Reserves, and civilians--over a six-week period during fall 2020 [...] Overall, 54% of individuals who took the survey indicated experiencing at least one behavior the task force categorized as falling within a type of IPV[.]"
United States. Department of the Air Force
2021-09-30?
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Uncovering Clinical Risk Factors and Predicting Severe COVID-19 Cases Using UK Biobank Data: Machine Learning Approach
From the Abstract: "COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] is a major public health concern. Given the extent of the pandemic, it is urgent to identify risk factors associated with disease severity. More accurate prediction of those at risk of developing severe infections is of high clinical importance. [...] Based on the UK Biobank (UKBB), we aimed to build machine learning models to predict the risk of developing severe or fatal infections, and uncover major risk factors involved."
JMIR Publications
Wong, Kenneth Chi-Yin; Xiang, Yong; Yin, Liangying . . .
2021-09-30
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COVID-19: The Pandemic Highlighted the Need to Strengthen Wage and Hour Division's Enforcement Controls
From the Document: "In January 2020, the Secretary for Health and Human Services declared a nationwide public health emergency in response to COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. Since then, millions of Americans contracted COVID-19 and many public schools and child care facilities closed temporarily, leaving parents without child care to work. In response, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to ensure American workers would not be forced to choose between their paychecks and the public health measures needed to combat the virus. Wage and Hour Division (WHD) was responsible for implementing and enforcing the new law, while also making critical operational decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the OIG [Office of the Inspector General]'s Pandemic Oversight Response Plan, this report presents the results of our audit of the WHD's enforcement of the paid leave provisions of the FFCRA."
United States. Department of Labor. Office of the Inspector General
2021-09-30
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Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, a program carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy that gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition strategies and proposed funding levels for the Aegis BMD program. Congress's decisions on the Aegis BMD program could significantly affect U.S. BMD capabilities and funding requirements, and the BMD-related industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-09-30
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Department of Homeland Security: Progress Made Strengthening Management Functions, but Work Remains, Statement of Chris Currie, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, and Accountability, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The events of September 11, 2001, led to profound changes in government agendas, policies, and structures to confront homeland security threats. In 2003, DHS began operations, with missions to prevent terrorist attacks and reduce the country's vulnerability to future terrorism. GAO's [Government Accountability Office] High-Risk List identifies programs and operations (such as DHS's management functions) that are vulnerable to waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement, or in need of transformation. GAO's five criteria for removing areas from the High-Risk List guide the assessment of DHS's progress. This statement addresses DHS's progress and actions needed to strengthen its management functions. It is based on reports in GAO's high-risk series, including its most recent March 2021 update, as well as selected updates on DHS's efforts as of September 2021. For this work, GAO analyzed DHS documents and data and interviewed DHS officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Currie, Chris
2021-09-30
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COVID-19 Vaccination: Selected U.S. Data Sources [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Document: "In the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccine program, doses are first 'allocated' and made available to states and other jurisdictions for ordering. Once ordered, doses are 'delivered' (distributed) to appropriate state and jurisdictional sites. States then allocate and deliver doses to health departments, health care systems, pharmacies, and multi-county entities, which can further re-allocate to local clinical sites. Providers then 'administer' doses to patients and report administration data to jurisdictions and CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]. (See CDC's How COVID-19 Vaccines Get to You [hyperlink] and About COVID-19 Vaccine Delivered and Administration Data [hyperlink].) Federal health care programs (e.g., Veterans Health Administration) manage vaccine data through a similar process. Comirnaty (the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine) is approved [hyperlink] as a two-dose vaccine for ages 16+. Comirnaty is also authorized [hyperlink] for uses that fall outside the scope of its approval--that is, as a two-dose regimen in individuals aged 12-15, as a third dose for certain immunocompromised individuals aged 12+, and as a single booster dose to be given at least six months after the primary series in certain individuals aged 18+. For more information, see CRS Report R46913, 'FDA Approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID19 Vaccine: Frequently Asked Questions.' Vaccines manufactured by Moderna (a two-dose vaccine) and J&J/Janssen [Johnson & Johnson/Janssen] (a single-dose vaccine) are currently authorized [hyperlink] for emergency use for ages 18+. The Moderna [hyperlink] vaccine is also authorized to be given as a third dose to certain immunocompromised individuals."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cornell, Ada S.; Napili, Angela
2021-09-30
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COVID-19 Vaccine Decision-Making Factors in Racial and Ethnic Minority Communities in Los Angeles, California
From the Abstract: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic has had disproportionate effects on racial and ethnic minority communities, where preexisting clinical and social conditions amplify health and social disparities. Many of these communities report lower vaccine confidence and lower receipt of the COVID-19 vaccine. Understanding factors that influence the multifaceted decision-making process for vaccine uptake is critical for narrowing COVID-19-related disparities. [...] This qualitative study used community-engaged methods to conduct virtual focus groups from November 16, 2020, to January 28, 2021, with Los Angeles County residents. Potential participants were recruited through email, video, and telephone outreach to community partner networks. Focus groups were stratified by self-identified race and ethnicity as well as age. Transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis."
JAMA Network
Carson, Savanna L.; Casilla, Alejandra; Castellon-Lopez, Yelba . . .
2021-09-30
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Assessment of Communication Strategies for Mitigating COVID-19 Vaccine-Specific Hesitancy in Canada
From the Introduction: "Mass vaccination campaigns are rapidly proceeding globally. These campaigns make use of vaccines with different characteristics, such as their country of origin, number of required doses, underlying technology (eg, mRNA [Messenger ribonucleic acid]), and their levels of efficacy and safety. Containing the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic will require vaccinating at least 70% of US individuals and billions more globally. It will also likely require follow-up or booster vaccinations. Understanding the sources of hesitancy and identifying correctives is, thus, vitally important for global public health. Important research identifies sources of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Resistance appears to be higher among people with low trust in expertise and, in the US, among Republican party identifiers. Vaccine hesitancy is also higher among racial and ethnic minority groups, women, those with more skepticism about childhood vaccines, and those skeptical of the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. This work aligns with findings on which groups of citizens are more likely to comply with public health directives on mask usage and social distancing and broader findings on vaccine hesitancy outside of the COVID-19 context. [...] . In this study, we examine whether providing information on the effectiveness of the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines at preventing death from COVID-19 increases people's confidence in their effectiveness and reduces their hesitancy toward these vaccines. We also explore whether this information can mitigate possible negative consequences that arise from providing information on the comparatively less-impressive record of these vaccines at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection."
JAMA Network
Merkley, Eric; Loewen, Peter John, 1979-
2021-09-30
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Debt Limit in 2021 [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Document: "Debt limit episodes [hyperlink] --which can be defined as starting when the statutory limit on federal debt restricts some of the U.S. Treasury's normal debt operations and ending when new legislation to modify the limit is enacted--have been a recurrent federal fiscal feature in the past two decades. Since 2002, the debt limit has been modified 18 times [hyperlink]. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019 (BBA 2019; P.L. 116-37), enacted in August 2019, had suspended the debt limit through July 31, 2021. The limit was reset at just over $28.4 trillion [hyperlink] at the beginning of August 2021. On September 28, 2021, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen notified Congress [hyperlink] that 'Treasury is likely to exhaust its extraordinary measures if Congress has not acted to raise or suspend the debt limit by October 18. At that point, we expect Treasury would be left with very limited resources that would be depleted quickly.' Projections from other sources, discussed below, are mostly similar. Secretary Yellen called on Congress to act in a September 19, 2021, commentary [hyperlink], warning of dire consequences if the debt limit were not raised."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Austin, D. Andrew
2021-09-30
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Assessing SARS-CoV-2 Circulation, Variants of Concern, Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions and Vaccine Rollout in the EU/EEA, 16th Update
From the Summary: "Since its emergence in March 2021, the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of concern (VOC) has rapidly become predominant across the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA). More than 99% of newly reported cases are attributed to this variant. The Delta variant has demonstrated a significant transmission advantage relative to previously circulating SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2] strains. However, full vaccination remains protective against severe outcomes such as hospitalisation, admission to intensive care and death. Currently available vaccines have played a crucial role in limiting viral circulation and in particular, limiting the impact of infections by the Delta variant. Despite the fact that over 565 million vaccine doses have been administered in the EU/EEA so far, only 61.1% (range: 18.4-79.4%) of the total population in the EU/EEA have been fully vaccinated to date. The total population includes children and adolescents for whom the vaccine is not available or who may not be included in national target groups yet. There is considerable inter-country and sub-national variation in vaccine uptake, resulting in large proportions of the EU/EEA population remaining susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Modelling scenarios that consider vaccination coverage, vaccine effectiveness, natural immunity and population contact rates--in the context of continued Delta circulation--indicate that the potential burden of disease risk in the EU/EEA from the Delta variant is high between now to the end of November, unless vaccination coverage can be increased rapidly in the total population in the next few weeks."
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
2021-09-30
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Defense Primer: Emerging Technologies [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Document: "Both the '2018 National Defense Strategy' and senior U.S. defense and intelligence officials have identified a number of emerging technologies that could have a disruptive impact on U.S. national security in the years to come. These technologies include [1] artificial intelligence, [2] lethal autonomous weapons, [3] hypersonic weapons, [4] directed energy weapons,[5] biotechnology, and [6] quantum technology. As these technologies continue to mature, they could hold significant implications for congressional oversight, U.S. defense authorizations and appropriations, military concepts of operations, and the future of war."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sayler, Kelley M.
2021-09-30
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Costa Rica: An Overview [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Document: "Costa Rica historically has been an outpost of political and economic stability in an often-turbulent region. The United States has worked closely with the country to address challenges in Central America and to advance shared values, such as democracy and human rights, worldwide. [...] Socioeconomic conditions have deteriorated considerably due to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. Although the government enacted emergency measures to support businesses and households, the economy contracted by 4.1% and the poverty rate increased from 24% to 30% in 2020. More than 19% of Costa Ricans remained unemployed in the second quarter of 2021. Nevertheless, the Central Bank of Costa Rica estimates that economic activity has returned to pre-pandemic levels and forecasts 3.9% growth for 2021. [...] The United States coordinates closely with Costa Rica and provides the country with assistance to combat transnational crime and other security threats. In the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. [Public Law] 116-260), Congress appropriated $40.7 million of security assistance for Costa Rica. [...] U.S. assistance has helped Costa Rica expand community-based crime prevention programs, train security and justice sector personnel, and acquire equipment--including aircraft, patrol boats, and ground-based radar--that enhances the country's ability to monitor and control its national territory. According to the U.S. State Department, Costa Rica, working closely with the United States, disrupted at least 17 international drug trafficking organizations and seized more than 71 metric tons of illicit drugs in 2020."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.
2021-09-30
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Defense Primer: Command and Control of Nuclear Forces [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Document: "The U.S. President has sole authority to authorize the use of U.S. nuclear weapons. [...] The President can seek counsel from his military advisors; those advisors are then required to transmit and implement the orders authorizing nuclear use. [...] General Milley, the current Commander of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) [...] noted that he is a part of the 'chain of communication,' in his role as the President's primary military advisor, but he is not in the 'chain of command' for authorizing a nuclear launch. He also noted that, if the President ordered a launch, the CJCS would participate in a 'decision conference' to authenticate the presidential orders and to ensure that the President was 'fully informed' about the implications of the launch. The President, however, does not need the concurrence of either his military advisors or the U.S. Congress to order the launch of nuclear weapons. In addition, neither the military nor Congress can overrule these orders. As former STRATCOM [U.S. Strategic Command] Commander General Robert Kehler has noted, members of the military are bound by the Uniform Code of Military Justice 'to follow orders provided they are legal and have come from competent authority.' But questions about the legality of the order--whether it is consistent with the requirements, under the laws of armed conflict (LOAC), for necessity, proportionality, and distinction--are more likely to lead to consultations and changes in the President's order than to a refusal by the military to execute the order."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2021-09-30
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Bargaining Over Workplace Issues During the COVID-19 Pandemic
This document from UNISON, the United Kingdom's (UK) largest public service trade union, provides workplace guidance relating to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK. Topics include: working from home, absence due to illness or care-taking responsibilities, mental health issues, hygiene, etc. The document is updated on a regular basis.
UNISON (Organization)
2021-09-30
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Egypt: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Summary: "Historically, Egypt has been an important country for U.S. national security interests based on its geography, demography, and diplomatic posture. Egypt controls the Suez Canal, which is one of the world's most well-known maritime chokepoints, linking the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Egypt's population of more than 100 million people makes it by far the most populous Arabic-speaking country. Although today it may not play the same type of leading political or military role in the Arab world as it has in the past, Egypt may retain some 'soft power' by virtue of its history, media, and culture. Cairo hosts both the 22-member Arab League and Al Azhar University, which claims to be the oldest continuously operating university in the world and has symbolic importance as a leading source of Islamic scholarship."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell
2021-09-30
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Morocco: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Document: "Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament and local government officials. King Mohammed VI, who inherited the throne in 1999, maintains overarching political authority but has taken some liberalizing steps. In 2011, amid large protests in Morocco and the popular overthrow of governments in other North African countries, the king introduced a new constitution that strengthened the office of the Prime Minister and expanded individual rights. The monarch remains the arbiter of national decision-making, the head of the military, and--as 'Commander of the Faithful'--the country's highest religious authority. Morocco's stability has taken on greater prominence amid the conflicts in Libya and the Sahel region and political turbulence in Tunisia and Algeria. The country has nonetheless seen recurrent protests over economic challenges, corruption, and police brutality, to which authorities have sometimes responded harshly. [...] Successive U.S. Administrations have viewed Morocco as an important regional partner on security, trade, and development."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2021-09-30
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Navy Large Unmanned Surface and Undersea Vehicles: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress for three types of large unmanned vehicles (UVs) that the Navy wants to develop and procure in FY2022 and beyond: [1] Large Unmanned Surface Vehicles (LUSVs); [2] Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicles (MUSVs); and [3] Extra-large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (XLUUVs). The Navy wants to acquire these large UVs as part of an effort to shift the Navy to a new fleet architecture (i.e., a new combination of ships and other platforms) that is more widely distributed than the Navy's current fleet architecture. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests $434.1 million in research and development funding for these large UVs and their enabling technologies. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's acquisition strategies and funding requests for these large UVs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2021-09-30
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Evaluation of DHS' Information Security Program for Fiscal Year 2020
From the Highlights: "We reviewed Department of Homeland Security's information security program for compliance with 'Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014' requirements. We conducted our evaluation according to fiscal year 2020 reporting instructions. Our objective was to determine whether DHS' information security program and practices adequately and effectively protected data and information systems supporting DHS' operations and assets for FY 2020."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2021-09-30
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FLETC's Actions to Respond to and Manage COVID-19 at Its Glynco Training Center
From the Highlights: "After temporarily closing in March 2020 due to COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], FLETC [Federal Law Enforcement Training Center] reopened its facilities in June 2020 with 'reengineered training programs' designed to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19. We conducted a review to determine actions the Glynco training center has taken to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 among staff and students."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2021-09-30
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Redefining 'Waters of the United States' (WOTUS): Recent Developments [September 30, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Congress established the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act (CWA), to restore and protect the quality of the nation's surface waters. The CWA protects 'navigable waters,' defined in the statute as 'waters of the United States, including the territorial seas.' The scope of this term--'waters of the United States,' or WOTUS--determines which waters are federally regulated and has been the subject of debate for decades. The CWA does not define the term. Thus, in implementing the CWA, the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)--the two agencies that administer the statute--have defined the term in regulations. For several decades, successive presidential administrations have struggled to interpret the term 'waters of the United States' for the purpose of implementing various requirements of the CWA, and courts have been asked repeatedly to review the regulations and policy expressing those interpretations. [...] Actions by the courts, the Biden Administration, and Congress all have the potential to continue to alter the scope of federal jurisdiction under the CWA. This report examines the actions taken by the Obama, Trump, and Biden Administrations to define 'waters of the United States,' along with related legislation and case law."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gatz, Laura; Bowers, Kate R.
2021-09-30
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Nuclear Arms Control After the Biden-Putin Summit [Updated September 30, 2021]
From the Document: "After meeting in Geneva on June 16, 2021, President Biden and Russia's President Vladimir Putin released a Joint Statement on Strategic Stability [hyperlink], which outlined their agreement on a path forward for nuclear arms control and risk reduction. In February, the two Presidents had agreed [hyperlink] to extend [hyperlink] the New START Treaty for five years [hyperlink] beyond its planned expiration on February 5, 2021. This treaty limits deployed long-range strategic nuclear weapons but does not address all U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons or other factors that could affect the risk of nuclear use. In their joint statement, the Presidents agreed to hold further discussions on these issues. The first round of these talks occurred [hyperlink] on July 28, 2021; the second round occurred [hyperlink] on September 30, 2021."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2021-09-30
