Morning Media Summary
Tech:
FTC Sharpens Google Probe:
“U.S. antitrust regulators are focusing their investigation of Google Inc. on key areas of its business, including its Android mobile-phone software and Web-search related services, people familiar with the probe say.”
“Absolute explosion” – How BlackBerry BBM fed the riots, says contact:
“With riots and looting breaking out all over London earlier this week, media outlets have been poring over how the violence spread. We were amongst the first to identify the BlackBerry mobile handset and its unique, private Blackberry Messaging service (BBM) as a method whereby rioters and looters, many of them teenagers, broadcast and swapped information in a way that effectively crowd-sourced the riots. Today, in 2011, the BlackBerry is by far the most popular handset amongst Britain youth.”
Global Warming / Environment / Energy:
The State of Global Change Science:
“The US attitude toward Global Change science and Global Warming (GW) science has really degenerated into a case of “us” against “them”, like most things political.”
Insurance / Gambling:
TTimes Q&A: Rick Violette on training, state of racing:
“The roiling cauldron that is politics in New York State has never seemed to spare Thoroughbred racing. Over the past decade in particular, disputes have been constant. Attempting to be heard amidst the cacophony of voices, and in the bargain achieve genuine progress, can seem a Sisyphean task at best. ”
Health / Safety:
Researchers: Obamacare cost estimates hide up to $50 billion per year:
“Federal payments required by President Barack Obama’s health care law are being understated by as much as $50 billion per year because official budget forecasts ignore the cost of insuring many employees’ spouses and children, according to a new analysis. The result could cost the U.S. Treasury hundreds of billions of dollars during the first ten years of the new health care law’s implementation.”
Economics:
Fed Up: A Texas Bank Is Calling It Quits:
“Main Street Bank lends most of its money to small businesses and is earning decent profits. But the Kingwood, Texas, bank is about to get out of the banking business.”
Moody’s warns state and local governments could see credit downgrades:
“Some state and local governments that issue debt could face “significant stress” if market instability continues and see credit downgrades, Moody’s warned Wednesday.”
Legal:
RIC airport protester, federal officials present arguments in lawsuit:
“Authorities involved in the arrest of a protester who removed his shirt and pants at a security checkpoint at Richmond International Airport were doing their jobs and acted appropriately, a government attorney argued Wednesday in Richmond federal court.”
Arizona immigration law being petitioned to Supreme Court:
“Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer announced late Wednesday she has filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to consider her state’s appeal to a lower court ruling that put on hold key parts of Arizona’s anti-illegal immigration law.”
Labor:
Bad Optics: Striking Verizon Workers Picket Elederly Woman’s House:
Transportation/ Land Use:
China suspends new high speed rail plans:
“China is to suspend approvals of new high-speed lines after a fatal crash that fuelled concerns about what was supposed to be the world’s most advanced rail system.”