Morning Media Summary
Tech:
London Stock Exchange Hit by Technical Glitch:
The London Stock Exchange suffered a second embarrassing system glitch in a week on Friday when UK share trading failed to start on time, angering clients keen to trade because of tension in Libya.
Google Declares War on Content Farms:
“Google has announced a major algorithmic change to its search engine, subtle in nature and perhaps unnoticeable to many users, but one that should dramatically improve the quality of Google’s search results.”
Google Penalizes Overstock for Search Tactics:
“Google Inc. is penalizing Overstock.com Inc. in its search results after the retailer ran afoul of Google policies that prohibit companies from artificially boosting their ranking in the Internet giant’s search engine.”
Google launches Cloud Connect:
“In the race to offer Microsoft Office functionality in the cloud, Google has beaten its rival getting a product out of development beta and into production release. Today Google announced global availability of Google Cloud Connect for Microsoft Office, which went into beta late last year. The technology builds off Google acquisition of DocVerse.”
Craigslist ‘a cesspool of crime’: study:
“Classifieds site Craigslist has been linked with 330 crimes, 12 murders and 105 robberies or assaults in the United States last year due to anonymous interactions on the site, says a new study.”
Global Warming / Environment / Energy:
Latest Round of Snow May Set Record:
“A snowstorm has swooped into Chicago, and it is expected to put us over the top for the snowiest February ever.”
Insurance / Gambling:
Proposal would legalize, regulate online poker:
“A controversial gambling bill before the Iowa Legislature would make sweeping changes — most dramatically by opening the doors for Iowans to legally play poker online.”
Health / Safety:
Aide: Romney ‘Proud’ of Massachusetts Health Care Overhaul:
“Offering a sneak peak of the 2012 Republican primary, a spokesman for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on Thursday defended the sweeping health insurance overhaul that Romney helped enact in Massachusetts in response to criticism from former and possibly future presidential rival Mike Huckabee.”
BA bitten in web protest over bed bugs:
“British Airways has become the latest airline to face a sophisticated internet protest after a passenger posted graphic photos of what she alleges was an “absolutely disgusting” attack of bed bugs on two recent international BA flights.”
Stimulus-funded war on obesity spreads nationwide:
“Michelle Obama isn’t the only one waging a war on obesity. Unbeknownst to them, taxpayers are too.”
Economics:
Leftist Gallery Erupts as Wisconsin GOP Assembly Passes Governor Walker’s Budget Cut Bill (Video):
“Wisconsin Republicans passed Governor Scott Walker’s budget cut plan late last night. The bill will significantly curtail public union collective bargaining rights.”
CBO: Jobs Created and Saved By Stimulus Cost At Minimum An Average of $224,055 Each:
“The jobs created and saved by the economic stimulus law that President Barack Obama signed on Feb. 17, 2009 cost at a minimum an average of $228,055 each, according to data released yesterday by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).”
US Will Be the World’s Third Largest Economy: Citi:
“The world is going to become richer and richer as developing economies play catch up over the coming years, according to Willem Buiter, chief economist at Citigroup.”
Government yard sale could help bring down national debt:
“With the government more than $14 trillion in debt and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) warning that the longer Congress waits to raise the debt ceiling the harder it will be for the Treasury Department to keep the government operating, some have suggested Congress take a note from Sanford and Son and start selling the junk it already owns.”
Legal:
Groups officially begin recall process for seven lawmakers:
“The clock is now running for groups trying to collect enough signatures to trigger recall elections against seven Democratic senators, state officials said today.”
Julian Assange to be extradited to Sweden:
“WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is to be extradited to Sweden to face allegations of rape and sexual assault. Assange will appeal, his legal team confirmed. If this is unsuccessful, he will be extradited to Sweden in 10 days.”
Labor:
More Union Civility: Eyewitness to Boston thuggery; Plus: Die, elderly Tea Partiers, die!:
“A supporter of Wisconsin GOP Gov. Scott Walker in Boston wrote me last night to recount the violence that took place at the Tuesday union rally where Democrat Rep. Michael Capuano told his minions to “get a little bloody.” The tipster is remaining anonymous for now while police investigate the targeting of an elderly, flag-waving counter-protester.”
Wis. Assembly Passes bill taking away union rights (yeah, I didn’t pick the headline):
“Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly took the first significant action on their plan to strip collective bargaining rights from most public workers, abruptly passing the measure early Friday morning before sleep-deprived Democrats realized what was happening.”
Video: CWA union thug strikes young female FreedomWorks activist; Updated:
“They said it: “Get a little bloody.” It’s the union way.”
Transportation/ Land Use:
Wyo. Senate endorses eminent domain restriction:
“The state Senate has given preliminary approval to a proposed two-year extension of Wyoming’s moratorium on using eminent domain powers for wind projects.”