Morning Media Summary
Tech:
Verizon: Say So Long to Unlimited Data:
“Got a smartphone on Verizon Wireless? Get ready to wave goodbye to the days of unlimited data.”
Intel speeds up road map to tackle threat from ARM:
“Intel will dramatically shake up its microprocessor road map to meet the demand for very-low-power processors and to fend off the competitive threat from rival chip design company ARM, CEO Paul Otellini said Tuesday.”
Global Warming / Environment / Energy:
Ban Shopping Bags Says EU:
“Shops in Britain could be outlawed from stocking them, or alternatively there might be a new tax to dramatically reduce their use.”
Insurance / Gambling:
Nevada Assembly Approves Online Gambling Licensing Bill:
“Nevada’s State Assembly passed a bill today that would develop a licensing system for online poker businesses in the state – but only after (and if) the federal government took steps to legalize online gambling.”
Health / Safety:
HHS inspector general says push for electronic medical records overlooks some security gaps:
“The nation’s push to computerize medical records has failed to fully address longstanding security gaps that expose patients’ most sensitive information to hackers and snoops, government investigators warn.”
Hedge Farm! The Doomsday Food Price Scenario Turning Hedgies into Survivalists:
“On the rare occasion that New Yorkers talk about farming, it’s usually something along the lines of what sort of organic kale to plant in the vanity garden at the second house in the Adirondacks. But on a recent afternoon, The Observer had a conversation of a different sort about agricultural pursuits with a hedge fund manager he’d met at one of the many dark-paneled private clubs in midtown a few weeks prior. “A friend of mine is actually the largest owner of agricultural land in Uruguay,” said the hedge fund manager. “He’s a year older than I am. We’re somewhere [around] the 15th-largest farmers in America right now.””
Economics:
Reid rejects Boehner proposal for $2 trillion in spending cuts:
“Reporting from Washington— Battle lines in federal debt talks sharpened markedly Thursday when the Senate’s top Democrat rejected a proposal for $2 trillion in budget cuts as demanded by House Speaker John A. Boehner, saying any cuts must be accompanied by action on closing tax loopholes.”
Weekly Claims See Fall, But Jobs Picture Remains Weak:
“New U.S. claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, but a rise in the four-week moving average to a six-month high indicated the labor market recovery will remain painfully slow.”
Legal:
GOP filibuster successful:
“Republicans this afternoon successfully filibustered Liu’s nomination, defeating the motion to end debate. The motion needed 60 votes to pass, but received just 52 votes.”
Labor:
Labor company fined, ordered to pay wages to farmworkers:
“Global Horizons Manpower Inc., the California-based labor company embroiled in a federal human trafficking case, has been penalized more than $340,000 for failing to pay Thai workers.”
Transportation/ Land Use:
Merced applies for $800,000 high-speed rail study grant:
“The city of Merced will apply for an $800,000 grant from the California High-Speed Rail Authority for land use, traffic studies and financial planning around its proposed high-speed rail line. ”