Former National Science Foundation executive says technical issues and the enormity of the task make securing the Internet and networks 'the most difficult challenge' for researchers.

Officials aim to develop flexible, lethal model that taps best features of current fleet.

Federal agencies have spent almost $126 million in Gulf Coast contracts.

Lawmakers will return from August recess to a plethora of pay-related legislation.

Agency will ask unions for changes in employee scheduling, wages and benefits, official says.