Month: August 2011

Here is your R&D for August 12th:

Postal Service proposes cutting 120,000 jobs, pulling out of health-care plan from the Washington Post
The U.S. Postal Service is proposing a plan that would slash its workforce by 20% and withdraw from federal health and retirement plans.  The USPS has lost $20 billion over the last four years.

Unmask the thugs! Looters will no longer be able to cover up, says PM as he also promises cash for the rioters’ victims AND a crackdown on social media from the UK Daily Mail
In response to the riots affecting London, British Prime Minister David Cameron said that if looters try to repeat their acts of violence this week they could have their social networks, mobile phones, and BlackBerrys turned off.

U.N. far short of dollars to deal with Africa famine from CNN
An estimated 600,000 children are on the brink of starvation in Somalia and the United Nations is desperately looking for donors to stave off more suffering.  The UN has only received 48% of the $2.5 billion it says is needed to deal with the crisis.

Read More

Here is your R&D for August 11th:

Republicans fend off Dem challenge to tough anti-union rules from USA Today
Democrats fell one seat short of regaining the Wisconsin State Senate in a series of recall elections on Tuesday.  Four of six Republicans that were up for recalls survived.  Two Democrats face recall elections next week.

With Return to Iowa, Romney Heeds Call of G.O.P. Strategists from the New York Times
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has been cautious about returning to Iowa, where he suffered a severe setback in the 2008 GOP presidential primary election.  However, he has decided to return to the state after Rick Perry’s potential candidacy is gaining momentum.

Georgia-Russia: Learn to Live like Neighbours from the International Crisis Group
On the third anniversary of a war between Georgia and Russia, both nations are facing increasing tensions.  The International Crisis Group recommends in this briefing that both countries need to have talks to improve regional security.

Read More

Here is your R&D for August 5th:

Helping famine-stricken Somalia: It’s not as easy as sending food from the Los Angeles Times
This op-ed piece on the Somali famine from the Los Angeles Times breaks down what experts are saying needs to be done to solve the problem.

Countering Syria’s Ramadan Offensive from the Council on Foreign Relations
This analysis brief from the Council on Foreign Relations breaks down international pressure on the Syrian government over the latest outbreak of violence against political dissidents.

Global stock sell-off continues from the Financial Times
Global stock markets were rattled yesterday as central bankers failed to calm nerves about slowing economic growth.  Investors are worried about austerity measures in the United States and Europe and the slowdown taking place in global industrial production.

Read More

Here is your R&D for August 4th:

Obama, Bernanke out of ammo to boost jobs, growth from Reuters
According to this analysis piece, President Obama and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke do not have any more tools at their disposal to combat America’s 9.2% unemployment rate.

Silvio Berlusconi fails to stem rising panic in financial markets from the Guardian
Italy was once regarded as Europe’s economic “sick man” and its economy is now under strain after yields on its government bonds have reached record levels.  Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s appeals to the financial community appear to have had no impact on the situation.

Worry Grows Over Delays in F.A.A. Pay from the New York Times
In a story that has the potential to become the next political hot topic, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is working under a partial shutdown as Congress is logjammed over a delay in restoring federal funds for airport construction projects.

Read More