Morning Media Summary
Tech:
Dropbox was accessible with no password, Oops:
“Dropbox confirmed today that for some time yesterday, any users account was accessible without a password. The glitch was a programming error related to a code update and accounts were only vulnerable from around 1:54 pm PST to 5:46pm PST. A statement was issued by Dropbox explaining the issue:”
Mozilla, where is Firefox OS?:
“There is a strong chance that Windows 8, when it arrives in 2012, will be the last conventional, installed-application, file system-driven consumer operating system. With the popularity of mobile computing, there has been an overarching shift towards simpler, application-oriented interfaces — and on the desktop, the last few years have seen a dramatic shift in how we interact with our computers. Gone are the days when you would run multiple applications; gone are the days when your operating system would have to carefully manage memory and multitasking — today, the vast majority of users simply use a web browser.”
FCC to fight ‘cramming’ o phone bills:
“Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced Monday that he plans to propose new rules that would make it harder for mobile carriers to hit customers with “mystery fees” on their monthly bills.”
Global Warming / Environment / Energy:
Don’t Expect to See Gasoline Below $3 Any Time Soon:
“While oil has fallen sharply since May, gasoline is down just about 10 percent and it is not likely to drop below $3 any time soon.”
Insurance / Gambling:
Playtech prepares for liberal US gambling laws:
“Playtech positioned itself to take advantage of renewed attempts to liberalise US gambling laws by signing deals to provide online software to Californian poker players.”
Health / Safety:
Artificial meat could slice emissions, say scientists:
“Meat grown artificially in labs could be a greener alternative for consumers who cannot bear to go vegetarian but want to cut the environmental impact of their food, according to new research.”
Man urinates in water, city flushes 8M gallons:
“Because a 21-year-old man was caught on a security camera urinating into a city reservoir, Oregon’s biggest city is sending 8 million gallons of treated drinking water down the drain.”
New Cigarette Warnings Released (Photos):
“The Food and Drug Administration released nine new graphic warnings for cigarette packages today — the first new labels in more than two decades. The new warnings, which depict the negative health impact of cigarettes, are required to cover at least 50 percent of every pack of cigarettes sold in the U.S. by mid-2013.”
Economics:
Risk of U.S. credit rating downgrade increased: S&P:
“The risk of a downgrade to the credit rating of the United States has increased due to a lack of political consensus on how to employ the country’s balance sheet flexibility, Standard and Poors’ said on Tuesday.”
Legal:
Rep. Darrell Issa: Holder Absolutely Knew About “Fast & Furious” Earlier Than He Testified (Video):
“Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) told CNS News that Obama Attorney General is covering up on the Mexican gun-running scandal.”
Gunwalker: The Fast and Furious scandal expands Update: Gun control lobby involved?:
“Over the last week we’ve given you a couple of reports on the emerging scandal surrounding the ATF’s disastrously handled Operation Fast and Furious, also known as Operation Gunwalker. Over the weekend, Pajamas Media (where they have been doing a bang-up job breaking and covering this story) brought forth more damning details coming from Darrell Issa’s investigation. In particular, some of the comments from whistle-blowers inside the ATF have been beyond alarming.”
Perry adds anti-groping bill to special session:
“Gov. Rick Perry announced he had added legislation that would make it illegal for TSA agents to engage in “intrusive touching” at airports security checkpoints without probable cause to the list of items for the legislature to consider during the special session.”
Supreme Court won’t hear appeal from Acorn:
“The Supreme Court isn’t going to listen to ACORN argue that they really should be eligible for federal funding.”
Labor:
Video: SEIU losers protest a Verizon store for no apparent reason:
“But hey, standing around shouting and dancing in a park sure beats working for a living. The last thing these union types seem to be interested in is putting in a full day’s work.”
Transportation/ Land Use:
High-speed rail link to come to Dearne:
“THE Don and Dearne could play host to a new high-speed rail link taking 250mph trains from London to Leeds and Scotland, a pressure group revealed this week.”