If you remember President William Henry Harrison from U.S. history class at all, then you probably remember him as the poor fellow who died from pneumonia a month after delivering his inaugural address in freezing rain. Except was it really pneumonia after all? A New York Times article suggests a different theory, and a cautionary tale against giving long speeches instead turns into one against improper sewage systems.
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Chinese electronics manufacturer Huawei decided to withdraw from U.S. business last year
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The Department of Agriculture doesn’t usually meddle in architecture, but this week at an event at the White House, it announced an unusual project: A $1 million competition for high-rise buildings built out of wood—and another million that will go to educating architects about it.
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The White House has announced that it’s teaming up with Google and Microsoft to centralize its climate change data—and make it more accessible for public and researchers alike.
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It’s really happening, folks. On January 17, President Obama will remark on "the outcomes of the work that has been done in the review process" for reforming the country’s intelligence practices, Press Secretary Jay Carney said Friday.
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The wait is finally over! Despite having said it would come out in January, the Obama Administration hustled and released a report from the advisory committee set up to recommend changes to the NSA. And, my, are those changes many.
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The Hill reports today that the White House is considering appointing a civilian leader to run the NSA when current director Keith Alexander
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The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Obama was unaware that the NSA was spying on world leaders
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Ever nervous about the looming threat of a devastating cyberattack, the government is redoubling its efforts to get companies that operate critical infrastructure to buy into its cybersecurity plan. It’s so committed, it may even make sure participants get reimbursed… if they get attacked.
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Remember Data.gov? The President does, and he has issued an executive order that should give the information portal a shot in the arm. Starting this week, new and modernized Government information systems should use open and machine readable formats by default, adhering to the guidelines of a new Open Data Policy. The policy requires agencies to use open, machine readable formats that are non-proprietary, publicly available and unrestricted, and aims to put useful data in the hands of US companies while increasing privacy and security.
According to the White House blog, this means new data will be served in CSV, XML, JSON and other machine readable formats, and will even be accessible via API in some situations. The White House hopes the new policy will help foster innovation. “There are private companies using open data to fight credit card fraud; consumers using open data to save on their energy bills; families leveraging open data to compare health care options; and a host of new apps and tools in areas ranging from public safety, to financial planning, to education, and more,” the blog explains. “We are very excited about the path ahead and can’t wait to see what new ideas and yet to be imagined innovations can be unlocked by increased access to open data.” Head past the break to read the executive order for yourself, and check out the source PDF for a peek at the new Open Data Policy.
Source: White House (1), (2), PDF (3)
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