Morning Media Summary
Tech:
Court OKs searches of cell phones without warrant:
“The California Supreme Court allowed police Monday to search arrestees’ cell phones without a warrant, saying defendants lose their privacy rights for any items they’re carrying when taken into custody.”
Facebook Deal Offers Freedom From Scrutiny:
“With its $500 million infusion from Goldman Sachs and other investors, Facebook is now flush with cash, and a market value of about $50 billion, giving it the financial muscle it needs to compete with better-heeled rivals like Google.”
Global Warming / Environment / Energy:
Drilling Is Stalled Even After Ban Is Lifted:
“More than two months after the Obama administration lifted its ban on drilling in the deep-water Gulf of Mexico, oil companies are still waiting for approval to drill the first new oil well there. Experts now expect the wait to continue until the second half of 2011, and perhaps into 2012.”
Have scientists discovered how to create downpours in the desert?:
“For centuries people living in the Middle East have dreamed of turning the sandy desert into land fit for growing crops with fresh water on tap.”
Drilling is stalled even after ban is lifted:
“More than two months after the Obama administration lifted its ban on drilling in the deep-water Gulf of Mexico, oil companies are still waiting for approval to drill the first new oil well there. Experts now expect the wait to continue until the second half of 2011, and perhaps into 2012.”
China announces nuclear fuel breakthrough:
“Chinese scientists have made a breakthrough in spent fuel reprocessing technology that could potentially solve China’s uranium supply problem, Chinese television reported on Monday.”
Insurance / Gambling:
Texas Holds the Key to Online Gambling in the USA:
“The laws regarding online gambling in the United States of America are still up in the air sort of speak. Various states have been forming their own laws and are very close to regulating online poker and other casino games specifically to augment their failing revenue sources experienced during the recent economic meltdown. California and New Jersey are getting on the bandwagon and can see the need for a regulated and licensed system to accommodate the already big internet gambling public.”
Health / Safety:
Obamacare repeal document drop: Waiver-mania for all!:
“The House Republicans have announced their plans to put the Obamacare repeal up for a vote during the week of January 10, 2011. This evening they posted the text of the proposed legislation to the GOP House Committee on Rules website.”
House Republicans move to repeal Obama healthcare:
“Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives plan to pass a bill next week to repeal President Barack Obama’s overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system, a senior party aide said on Monday, but the effort is widely expected to fail in the Senate.”
Obamacare Ends Construction of Doctor-Owned Hospitals:
“Under the headline, “Construction Stops at Physician Hospitals,” Politico reports today that “Physician Hospitals of America says that construction had to stop at 45 hospitals nationwide or they would not be able to bill Medicare for treatments.” Stopping construction at doctor-owned hospitals might not seem like the best way to boost the economy or to promote greater access and choice in health care, but that exactly what Obamacare is doing. ”
Economics:
50 million taxpayers must delay filing – IRS:
“Itemize your tax deductions? Itching for a refund? You’re going to have to wait.”
China backs Spain to emerge from crisis: Beijing:
“China is confident Spain will recover from its economic crisis and Beijing will buy Spanish public debt despite market fears of an Irish-style bailout, a top Chinese official said Monday.”
Europe starts confiscating private pension funds:
“The U.S. isn’t the only place that’s facing a major pension fund crisis. The Christian Science Monitor has this alarming report:”
Legal:
Court OKs searches of cell phones without warrant:
“The California Supreme Court allowed police Monday to search arrestees’ cell phones without a warrant, saying defendants lose their privacy rights for any items they’re carrying when taken into custody.”
At Last, Tobacco Funds May Help Medicaid Smokers Quit:
“Connecticut is one of four states that do not pay for smoking cessation help under Medicaid, though the state has received more than $1 billion in tobacco settlement funds designed to build an anti-smoking war chest. ”
Fee on off-brand cigarettes suggested:
“A state facing a severe budget shortfall might be missing an easy opportunity to increase revenue and finance public health costs at the same time, said a spokesman for big tobacco.”
Labor:
Local Campaign Spotlight: SEIU Local 521’s KernVoice.org:
“Earlier this year, Kern County Board of Supervisors in Bakersfield, California demanded that workers bear the brunt of attempts to balance the county’s budget through reduced medical benefits and a shift in retirement costs.”
Transportation/ Land Use:
China to open Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail in June-Xinhua:
“The 1,318-kilometre (819-mile) railway, which has cost 220.9 billion yuan ($33.45 billion) to build, began construction in April 2008