Morning Media Summary

Tech:

Chavez defends plan for Internet regulations:
“Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez defended plans for a law that would impose broadcast-type regulations on the Internet, saying Sunday that his government should protect citizens against online crimes.”

Broadband firms urged to block sex websites to protect children:
“Ministers believe broadband providers should consider automatically blocking sex sites, with individuals being required to opt in to receive them, rather than opt out and use the available computer parental controls.”

The FCC’s Threat to Internet Freedom:
“Tomorrow morning the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will mark the winter solstice by taking an unprecedented step to expand government’s reach into the Internet by attempting to regulate its inner workings. In doing so, the agency will circumvent Congress and disregard a recent court ruling.”

The Auto-Pilot iPad App:
“You’re cruising over the clouds when the pilot suddenly clutches his chest and slumps forward, unconscious. Now what? Software entrepreneur and pilot Austin Meyer, creator of the X-Plane flight simulator, thinks he has the answer. He’s written an iPad app, EFIS-App, that automatically finds a nearby airport and instructs the flight control computer to glide in for a safe landing.”

Global Warming / Environment / Energy:

White House Science Czar Orders No Political Interference in Global Warming Sham:
“People like the US De-Developer in Chief John Holdren certainly don’t seem to mind “political interference” when that interference is helping promote their cause and fleece taxpayers, but when the tables turn and some skeptics enter the scene, all of a sudden science is off limits to politics:”

Coldest December since records began as temperatures plummet to minus 10C bringing travel chaos across Britain:
“Swathes of Britain skidded to a halt today as the big freeze returned – grounding flights, closing rail links and leaving traffic at a standstill.”

Insurance / Gambling:

Ladbrokes Looks to Put 240M on Web Firm 888:
“The bookmaker is believed to be considering a bid of about 70p a share, valuing 888 at about £240million – 888 shares closed at 49p on Friday, up 12.6 per cent on the day. ”

Health / Safety:

Probable carcinogen hexavelent chromium found in drinking water of 31 U.S. cities:
“An environmental group that analyzed the drinking water in 35 cities across the United States, including Bethesda and Washington, found that most contained hexavalent chromium, a probable carcinogen that was made famous by the film “Erin Brockovich.””

Economics:

Quantitative Easing at Least Modestly Successful: Bullard:
“US economic growth will be stronger than previously expected in 2011 and quantitative easing has been “at least modestly successful so far,” James Bullard, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis said on Monday.”

Legal:

Lawyers cry foul over leak of Julian Assange sex-case papers:

“Incriminating police files were published in the British newspaper that has used him as its source for hundreds of leaked US embassy cables.”

Labor:

David Cameron holds historic meeting with union leaders:
“David Cameron was locked in talks with union leaders today amid growing anger over public sector spending cuts and job losses numbering in the thousands.”

Transportation/ Land Use:

Hammon set to unveil high speed rail plans:
“But campaigners have claimed the minister is attempting to bury the unpopular plan, while the nation is gripped by the big freeze.”