Morning Media Summary
Tech:
Report: Unauthorized phone charges cost Americans $2 billion a year:
“A key Senate chairman says Congress needs to pass legislation to protect customers from unauthorized third-party charges on their phone bills because the telephone industry has failed to prevent the practice.”
Global Warming / Environment / Energy:
Scientists say smell of old socks can help fight deadly malaria by luring mosquitoes into trap:
“What do mosquitoes like more than clean, human skin? Stinky socks. Scientists think the musky odor of human feet can be used to attract and kill mosquitoes that carry deadly malaria. The Gates Foundation announced on Wednesday that it will help fund one such pungent project in Tanzania.”
Insurance / Gambling:
Illinois Supreme Court upholds construction plan, video poker law:
“The Illinois Supreme Court today gave a thumbs up to Gov. Pat Quinn’s showcase $31 billion public works program and the video poker that’s supposed to help pay for it.”
Health / Safety:
Wanted: Objective government-funded scientists for objective government-funded study:
“Who does the government look to when it needs a scientific expert? Those with previous government funding, naturally.”
D.C. Firefighters To Help Police Streets?:
“Both D.C. firefighters and police officers are upset over a new program that forces the fire department to help fight crime.”
Childhood Obesity: A Call for Parents to Lose Custody:
“Harvard University child obesity expert Dr. David Ludwig’s recent claim that some parents should lose custody of their severely obese children has sparked outrage among families and professionals across the country.”
Taited Beef Hits Japanese Market:
“Japan grappled with a fresh radiation scare Tuesday, as authorities found that beef contaminated with radioactive cesium had been shipped to shops and restaurants throughout the country.”
SWRA Releases Eye-Opening Report on Wholesalers’ Political Influence:
“Today, the Specialty Wine Retailers Association released an eye-opening report – “Toward Liquor Domination” — on the political spending of alcohol wholesalers.”
Economics:
How Effective Was the 2009 Stimulus Program?:
“So how much did it cost per unserved household to get them broadband access? A whopping $349,234, or many multiples of household income, and significantly more than the cost of a home itself.”
President Obama abruptly walks out of talks:
“President Barack Obama abruptly walked out of a stormy debt-limit meeting with congressional leaders Wednesday, a dramatic setback to the already shaky negotiations.”
Moody’s Places U.S. on Review for Downgrade As Debt Talks Stall:
“Moody’s Investors Service put the U.S. under review for a credit rating downgrade as talks to raise the government’s $14.3 trillion debt limit stall, adding to concern that political gridlock will lead to a default.”
Legal:
Regulations approved for schools’ ‘Parent Trigger’ law:
“After months of controversy, the state Board of Education set out a clear road map Wednesday to allow parents unparalleled rights to force major changes at low-performing schools.”
Issa seeks DNC records of White House meeting:
“House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa now has the Democratic National Committee in his sights as he probes what he has called “potentially illegal fundraising activities within the White House.””
Labor:
Unions, Business Owners Face Off In Jobs Debate:
“As the unemployment rate hovers around 9 percent, the political left and right are seeking to advance their own takes on what to do about it. In Washington Monday, the AFL-CIO took part in a press conference to offer its view. Not far away, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce held its own jobs summit.”
Transportation/ Land Use:
Glitches disrupt China’s showpiece high-speed railway:
“A “sudden malfunction” brought the high-speed Beijing-Shanghai train service to a shuddering halt this week, the third incident to hit China’s new state-of-the-art railway in four days.”