Defense One
So When Does the U.S. Really Need Afghanistan to Sign the Troop Deal?
Obama administration officials still want a troop deal in Afghanistan in place by the end of the year, but want and need are two different things. By Stephanie Gaskell
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Congress to Defense and VA: Give Us a Plan for Integrating Health Records by February
Defense authorization bill calls for a single or interoperable electronic health record for the two departments.
Nextgov
This Group Could Make (or Break?) FOIA Reform
A new advisory committee could be a boon for requesters -- if agencies play ball.
Defense One
Why Congress Should Fully Fund the VA in Advance
Congress is about to fail America’s veterans if they don’t tackle these bills this year, and fund the full VA in advance. By Alexander Nicholson
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Issa Charges Sebelius with Criminal Obstruction of HealthCare.gov Investigation
The House oversight chairman says the government can’t bar contractors from cooperating with his investigation.
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VA Offers Conflicting Accounts of Claims System's 'Spontaneous' Shutdowns
IG says VBMS issues were reported as recently as August.
Defense One
Karzai: There is ‘No Deadline’ to Sign Troop Deal
Afghan President Hamid Karzai says the Dec. 31 deadline to sign a post-2014 troop deal is just ‘pressure’ from the U.S. But visiting Gen. Martin Dempsey said negotiations are ‘closed.’ By Stephanie Gaskell
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Proposed Budget Deal Offers Stability for Federal IT
The plan may make it harder to recruit top tech talent, though.
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How Government IT Shops Can Learn From Starbucks
There are lessons in the coffee chain's business model.
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HHS Chief Seeks Investigation Into Obamacare Website Contracts
Kathleen Sebelius also directed CMS to appoint a chief risk officer to oversee IT acquisitions.
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Only 137,000 People Got Insurance Through HealthCare.gov Last Month
While 365,000 Americans selected new plans under the Affordable Care Act during October and November, most were through state exchanges.
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Flying These Planes Cost $2 Million an Hour
Twenty turboprops for Afghanistan's Air Force cost $486 million, flew only 234 hours.
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This 6-Year-Old Wants to Be an Astronaut, So He's Petitioning the White House to Save NASA
Connor Johnson started by donating his allowance to the cause. Then he decided to do more.
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Hackers Successfully Baited Foreign Diplomats With Nude Carla Bruni Pics
China is likely behind the attacks, researchers say.
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Government's IT Skills Shortage Points to a Future of Failure
Agencies fall short when it comes to having the top-notch talent to effectively develop, leverage or understand technology.
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The Federal Managers' Guide to Tech Trends in 2014
New tools and mandates are fueling unprecedented innovation in government, but they’re also creating new challenges.
Defense One
Hagel Softens on Troop Deal, Gives Karzai Until February - But Not April
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel now says Afghanistan has to sign a troop deal by February’s NATO meeting. It’s not the April elections that worries him; it’s the runoffs. By Stephanie Gaskell
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Marking Three Years of Telework Progress
Act requires agencies to establish expanded telework programs and notify all employees of their eligibility to telework.
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NSA Also Spies on Trolls, Orcs and Elves
The agency has infiltrated online games populated by mythical creatures.
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