Eyebrow-Raising Stories:
[N.B. A week into the massive Colorado flooding, there has still not been a single word in the mainstream media about the flood’s destruction of a large fracking facility, sending thousands of gallons of toxic fracking fluid into towns – and into the soil and water in the surrounding areas.]
New study suggests that methane release from fracking is less than formerly believed:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/us/gas-leaks-in-fracking-less-than-estimated.html
Wall Street is back in the housing business – except this time it’s rentals:
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/10/why-wall-street-loves-houses-again/309454/
Are your taxes paying for the NFL’s excesses?:
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/10/how-the-nfl-fleeces-taxpayers/309448/
Watch out for fraud re con artists taking advantage of insurance marketplaces under Obamacare:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/19/us/politics/us-warns-of-frauds-tied-to-health-care-law.html
Snowden nominated for European Human Rights prize:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/world/europe/snowden-nominated-for-human-rights-award.html
Starbucks backtracks (sort of) on concealed gun policy:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/19/business/starbucks-seeks-to-keep-guns-out-of-its-cofee-shops.html
For the first time in decades, more border crossings into Mexico than out:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/world/americas/for-migrants-new-land-of-opportunity-is-mexico.html?pagewanted=all
Environment:
Arctic ice makes a comeback – but don’t break out the champagne just yet:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/21/science/earth/arctic-ice-makes-comeback-from-record-low-but-long-term-decline-may-continue.html
Obama presses forward with major greenhouse gas emissions initiative, bypassing Congress:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/21/us/politics/obama-administration-carbon-limits.html
Despite Solyndra debacle, clean energy aid program is revived:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/business/energy-environment/us-revives-aid-program-for-clean-energy.html?pagewanted=all
Environmentalists up in arms over designation of Utah land for drilling:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/19/us/environment-groups-set-for-new-fight-over-drilling-on-utah-land.html
Not exactly rocket science: if you grow food without pesticides, but the neighboring farm uses pesticides, leeching through the soil may contaminate your crops:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/business/misgivings-about-how-a-weed-killer-affects-the-soil.html?pagewanted=all
Japanese are working on the energy potential of “flammable ice”:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/science/earth/unlocking-the-potential-of-flammable-ice.html?pagewanted=all
As Germany moves toward shutting down all nuke plants, not all Germans are happy:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/19/world/europe/germanys-effort-at-clean-energy-proves-complex.html?pagewanted=all
Volkswagen will be newest company to bring electric car to market:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/business/global/volkswagen-says-it-will-bring-electric-vehicle-to-us-in-two-years.html
Health/Food:
Teenagers are eating healthier and exercising…:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/16/teenagers-are-getting-more-exercise-and-vegetables/
…But they are also increasing their use of e-cigs:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/16/opinion/e-smoking-among-teenagers.html
Are stores like Costco and Sam’s Club as culpable in child (and adult) obesity as McDonald’s and bad school lunches?:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/opinion/bruni-hard-truths-about-our-soft-bodies.html
Economics:
As anti-poverty groups go to DC to fight for programs to address hunger…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/19/us/politics/anti-hunger-advocates-put-pressure-on-lawmakers-over-food-stamp-bill.html
…House GOP slashes billions from food stamps…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/us/politics/house-passes-bill-cutting-40-billion-from-food-stamps.html?ref=ronnixon
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/opinion/another-insult-to-the-poor.html
…And approves stopgap money, but none for Obamacare:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/21/us/politics/house-spending-bill.html?smid=fb-share
Paul Krugman on “The Crazy Party”:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/opinion/krugman-the-crazy-party.html
(Mis)measuring poverty:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/opinion/the-mismeasure-of-poverty.html
“Boom Towns and Ghost Towns of the New Economy”:
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/10/the-boom-towns-and-ghost-towns-of-the-new-economy/309460/
Home care workers to get minimum wage and overtime protections:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/business/us-to-include-home-care-workers-in-wage-and-overtime-law.html
CBO says gov’t is cutting wrong kinds of federal spending:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/us/congressional-budget-office-predicts-unsustainable-debt.html
In “surprise move,” Fed decides to continue stimulus:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/19/business/economy/fed-in-surprise-move-postpones-retreat-from-stimulus-campaign.html?pagewanted=all
Was a potential whistleblower re the 2008 financial collapse of Wall Street “muzzled?”:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/opinion/sunday/was-this-whistle-blower-muzzled.html?pagewanted=all
NYC jobless rate goes up…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/nyregion/jobless-rate-in-new-york-rose-in-august-data-say.html
…As does its poverty rate, underscoring mayoral candidate Bill DeBlasio’s campaign theme of “two cities”…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/19/nyregion/poverty-rate-in-city-rises-to-21-2.html
…As evidenced by stories of real people:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/nyregion/in-new-york-having-a-job-or-2-doesnt-mean-having-a-home.html?pagewanted=all
Politics/Elections/Voting:
House Tea Party newcomers are tenacious:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/16/us/politics/newcomers-challenge-leadership-in-the-house.html?pagewanted=all
With presidential election a long way off, Iowa is already being courted:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/16/us/politics/finding-love-in-iowa-but-maybe-not-votes.html
Daley drops bid for gov of Illlinois:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/us/primary-field-clears-abruptly-for-illinois-governors-bid.html
In NYC, in “display of unity,” Thompson concedes to DeBlasio, avoiding runoff…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/nyregion/thompson-to-concede-to-de-blasio-in-mayoral-primary.html?pagewanted=all
…Quinn throws support behind DeBlasio…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/nyregion/quinn-humor-intact-endorses-old-rival.html
…DeBlasio has huge, 43-point lead over Lhota…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/nyregion/poll-shows-de-blasio-with-huge-lead-over-lhota.html
…And also has fundraising advantage…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/21/nyregion/de-blasio-has-early-advantage-in-fund-raising.html
…And now has endorsement from Bill and Hillary…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/19/nyregion/clintons-endorse-de-blasio-in-new-york-mayors-race.html
…As Lhota romances Al Sharpton:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/nyregion/campaign-trail-leads-lhota-to-sharpton.html
With Quinn out, race for City Council Speaker intensifies:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/nyregion/race-for-city-council-speaker-intensifies-after-primary.html?pagewanted=all
Legal/Law Enforcement:
Why did NYPD use bullets (injuring bystanders) when Tasers were available?:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/16/nyregion/firing-at-man-in-times-square-police-wound-two-bystanders.html?pagewanted=all
Should the end of mandatory life sentences for juveniles be retroactive?:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/opinion/end-mandatory-life-sentences.html
Citing “grotesque prosecutorial misconduct,” judge throws out convictions of Hurricane Katrina cops:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/us/judge-throws-out-officers-convictions-in-killings-after-hurricane-katrina.html?pagewanted=all
Texas court overturns DeLay conviction on bizarre technicality:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/us/politics/conviction-of-delay-in-texas-donation-case-is-overturned.html
Privacy/Surveillance:
The NYT editorial board calls for privacy protections re new biometric technologies:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/21/opinion/biometric-technology-takes-off.html
FISA court explains its reasons re gov’t keeping records of phone calls…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/us/opinion-by-secret-court-calls-collection-of-phone-data-legal.html
…As NYT editorial board calls for closing the NSA’s “back door”:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/opinion/sunday/close-the-nsas-back-doors.html
War/Military:
As GOP “expresses” hope re Syria deal…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/16/world/middleeast/syria-chemical-weapons-deal.html
…Syria handily meets first test of said deal:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/21/world/middleeast/syria.html
Hot-Button Issues:
As gun debate continues to rage…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/16/us/in-gun-debate-divide-grows-as-both-sides-dig-in-for-battle.html?pagewanted=all
…A gunman kills 12 people in rampage at DC naval base:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/us/shooting-reported-at-washington-navy-yard.html?pagewanted=all
Pope makes remarkable statement about “gays, abortion, birth control”…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/world/europe/pope-bluntly-faults-churchs-focus-on-gays-and-abortion.html
…Possibly moving Church in new direction:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/21/world/europe/with-his-remarks-on-sexual-morality-a-surprise-pope-keeps-on-surprising.html?pagewanted=all
California leads the way again, as it expands rights of noncitizens:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/21/us/california-leads-in-expanding-noncitizens-rights.html?pagewanted=all
Foreign Affairs:
In Kenya, death toll in mall shootings hits 68, with hundreds injured:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/23/world/africa/nairobi-mall-shooting.html?hp
Russia seizes Greenpeace ship and crew:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/21/world/europe/russia-seizes-greenpeace-ship-for-investigation.html
Has China been hacking U.S. in order to get intel on drones?:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/21/world/asia/hacking-us-secrets-china-pushes-for-drones.html?pagewanted=all
In Germany, Tea Party-type anti-euro group is making gains:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/21/world/europe/anti-euro-party-gaining-steam-in-germany.html?pagewanted=all
How scary is Marine LePen?:
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/10/the-devils-daughter/309467/
In Britain, a “reluctant” need to address full-face veils in court proceedings:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/world/europe/britain-is-pulled-reluctantly-into-debate-over-wearing-full-face-veils-in-public.html
In France, Senate bans beauty pageants for young girls:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/19/world/europe/french-senate-passes-ban-on-beauty-pageants-for-girls.html
In Iran, firewalls to Facebook and Twitter disappear…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/world/middleeast/iran-facebook-twitter-access.html?hpw
…Only to appear again a day later:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/world/middleeast/facebook-and-twitter-blocked-again-in-iran-after-respite.html
Is Iran serious this time about accord to end sanctions?:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/world/middleeast/iran-said-to-seek-a-nuclear-accord-to-end-sanctions.html?pagewanted=all
Brazil’s leader postpones U.S. visit over outrage of U.S. spying on her:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/world/americas/brazils-leader-postpones-state-visit-to-us.html
In Israel, an increasing number of Jews are questioning oversight of Temple Mount:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/world/middleeast/jews-challenge-rules-to-claim-heart-of-jerusalem.html?pagewanted=all
In Italy, amazing effort after 20 months raises Costa Concordia from reef:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/world/europe/crews-right-cruise-ship-in-waters-off-italy.html
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