“The Shocking Amount of Wealth and Power Held by 0.001% of the World Population”:
http://www.alternet.org/print/economy/global-power-elite-exposed
In Iran, a moderate wins presidency by a large margin:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/world/middleeast/iran-election.html?pagewanted=all
Will the new national immigration law require a National ID card?:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/us/politics/as-immigration-bill-moves-forward-fear-of-an-id-system.html
South Carolina looking into electronic license plates that can be changed remotely if the car is stolen or uninsured:
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/06/11/sc-investigating-changeable-electronic-license-plates-w-poll/
SCOTUS gets one right – unanimously – in rejecting patenting of human genes:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/14/us/supreme-court-rules-human-genes-may-not-be-patented.html?hp
In a major health-related move, a major housing developer and provider bans smoking in all of its 40,000 rental units nationwide:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/realestate/a-smoking-ban-in-all-related-companies-rentals.html?hpw
Environment:
Why has there been a recent lull in global warming as greenhouse gases continue to accumulate?:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/11/science/earth/what-to-make-of-a-climate-change-plateau.html
Huge leak of industrial waste water from Alberta pipeline:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2013/06/12/alberta-pipeline-industrial-waste-water-leak.html
European floods continue to worsen, as Danube overflows into Budapest:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/10/world/europe/10iht-flood10.html
As a “kinder, gentler” nuclear power plant is built…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/business/energy-environment/nuclear-powers-future-may-hinge-on-georgia-project.html?pagewanted=all
…older nuclear power plants begin closing early:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/15/business/energy-environment/aging-nuclear-plants-are-closing-but-for-economic-reasons.html
The DOE’s “crusade” to save energy by plugging simple leaks:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/14/us/department-of-energys-crusade-against-leaks-of-a-potent-greenhouse-gas-yields-results.html
A town finally says “enough” re oil and gas drilling:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/10/us/supporting-oil-and-gas-but-resisting-encroachment.html
As water levels fall in Great Lakes, shipping is affected:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/11/us/great-lakes-shipping-suffers-as-water-levels-fall.html?pagewanted=all
In a case of “feast or famine,” lengthy Midwest droughts give way to punishing rains:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/10/us/after-drought-rains-plaguing-midwest-farms.html?pagewanted=all
As U.S. coal market shrinks, coal industry fights for survival:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/15/business/energy-environment/a-fight-over-coal-exports-and-the-industrys-future.html?pagewanted=all
Why is the Obama Administration slowing down anti-pollution rules?:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/13/us/politics/environmental-rules-delayed-as-white-house-slows-reviews.html?pagewanted=all
Why is the Dept. of Interior failing to collect lease payments for coal mining?:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/us/us-coal-leases-undervalued-costing-taxpayers-millions-report-says.html
String of massive thunderstorms and tornadoes whips across U.S.:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/13/us/band-of-heavy-weather-ravages-midwest.html
Aided by “unseasonably high temperatures,” wildfire season erupts in Colorado:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/13/us/colorado-residents-flee-spreading-wildfires-across-rockies.html
Fish nets taking toll on sea birds:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/13/us/study-finds-large-seabird-toll-from-fishing-nets.html?src=twrhp
As new climate data shows NYC at greater risk…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/11/nyregion/new-york-city-faces-increasing-risk-from-climate-change-new-data-show.html
…Bloomberg unveils $20 billion plan for hurricane and flood response…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/nyregion/bloomberg-outlines-20-billion-plan-to-protect-city-from-future-storms.html?pagewanted=all
…and proposes major changes to building code:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/14/nyregion/bloomberg-proposes-revising-building-code-to-prepare-for-severe-weather.html?hp
Calling the view “so important that the adverse impacts of construction of high-rise building cannot be condoned,” E.P.A. backs out from role in Palisades-related building project:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/15/arts/epa-backs-out-of-role-in-palisades-project.html
Planned horse meat plant faces yet another hurdle:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/11/business/horse-meat-plant-in-new-mexico-faces-hurdle-after-ruling-on-drugs.html
Health:
Proof of biological basis for “Gulf War Syndrome” is found:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/15/us/researchers-find-biological-evidence-of-gulf-war-illnesses.html?pagewanted=all
E-cigarettes find themselves at a crossroads:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/13/business/e-cigarettes-are-in-vogue-and-at-a-crossroads.html?pagewanted=all
Military/War:
U.S. to begin sending arms to Syrian rebels:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/14/world/middleeast/syria-chemical-weapons.html?pagewanted=all
Sen. Levin strikes down Sen. Gillibrand’s measure to curb sexual assaults in military:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/us/politics/proposed-measure-to-curb-sexual-assault-in-military-to-be-cut-from-bill.html
Privacy/Surveillance:
Due to the enormous number of articles etc. that are being generated as a result of the recent revelations of NSA surveillance both foreign and domestic, I am separating this cateory into separate parts:
I. Editorials and Op-Eds:
“The Alarming Age of Surveillance” (editorial):
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/opinion/surveillance-a-threat-to-democracy.html
“Snowden’s Disclosures Do Not Amount to Treason” (editorial):
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/opinion/surveillance-snowden-doesnt-rise-to-traitor.html
“The Price of the Panopticon” (Op-Ed):
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/opinion/the-price-of-the-panopticon.html
“The Other Side of the Story” (Op-Ed):
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/15/opinion/collins-the-other-side-of-the-story.html
“This Isn’t How to Stop Hacking” (Op-Ed):
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/15/opinion/nocera-this-isnt-how-to-stop-hackers.html
II. The Tech Firms That Provided the Data:
Tech firms in a bind:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/14/technology/secret-court-ruling-put-tech-companies-in-data-bind.html?pagewanted=all
Tech firms ask for permission to reveal details about info requests:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/technology/google-asks-to-reveal-details-about-classified-requests.html
Facebook discloses some info re data requests:
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/14/facebook-discloses-basic-data-on-law-enforcement-requests/
A new book about tech companies and “Big Data” arrives in eerily timely fashion:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/11/books/big-data-by-viktor-mayer-schonberger-and-kenneth-cukier.html?pagewanted=all
III. The Leaker (Snowden):
Who he is:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/10/us/former-cia-worker-says-he-leaked-surveillance-data.html?pagewanted=all
U.S. prepares charges against him:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/11/us/snowden-facing-charges-leaves-hong-kong-hotel.html?pagewanted=all
He will fight extradition from Hong Kong:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/13/world/asia/nsa-leaker-says-he-will-stay-in-hong-kong-and-fight-extradition.html?pagewanted=all
IV. NSA/Government Responses:
NSA Chief finds himself in “awkward” position…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/us/nsa-disclosures-put-awkward-light-on-official-statements.html?hp
…but claims that “dozens” of terrorist threats were avoided as a result the programs:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/13/us/nsa-chief-says-phone-record-logs-halted-terror-threats.html
Debate on secret data unlikely because…well…it’s secret:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/11/us/politics/debate-on-secret-data-looks-unlikely-partly-due-to-secrecy.html?pagewanted=all
V. Other:
In Europe, views of privacy differ:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/15/world/europe/differences-on-privacy-shape-europes-response-to-us-surveillance.html?pagewanted=all
VI. Non-Related Items:
A surveillance camera that can identify a 6-inch object from tens of thousands of feet up (short video):
https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/AHrZgS-Gvi4?ytsession=PXTn-8rH-LxJi_R1TS0enyhZLFp5lTw1o0QA9DxuX9CRUHlRJxoxNq3zRegWU59GN-kvXJ1mUP1Lutz-GxgBvlf8qlsPwVdYPRMEpq6PrYSqYELjSxKFotvJdkUGJDn1eZbe_sey0GN_mffdYthyMQ
Legal/Law Enforcement:
Police agencies are creating DNA records – which is likely to accelerate based on the recent SCOTUS decision:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/13/us/police-agencies-are-assembling-records-of-dna.html?pagewanted=all
“War on pot” has become a war on minorities:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/opinion/sunday/racially-biased-arrests-for-pot.html
U.S. DOJ supports independent monitor for NYPD:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/13/nyregion/us-offers-conditional-support-for-police-monitor-in-stop-and-frisk-case.html
Led by NYS AG, coalition will seek to reduce smartphone thefts nationwide:
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/13/smartphone-makers-pressed-to-address-growing-theft-problem/?hpw
Ex-NYS Senator Pedro Espada sentenced to five years for theft:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/15/nyregion/espada-sentenced-to-5-years-for-stealing-from-nonprofit.html?hpw
Politcs/Elections/Voting:
In North Carolina, a backlash over conservative shift in state politcs:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/us/weekly-protests-in-north-carolina-challenge-conservative-shift-in-state-politics.html
Hot-Button Issues:
Obama has opportunity to make major changes re definition of “marriage”:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/14/us/politics/obamas-pen-may-determine-scope-of-gay-marriage-ruling.html
Obama drops appeal re morning-after contraceptive:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/11/us/in-reversal-obama-to-end-effort-to-restrict-morning-after-pill.html
As Coloradans prepare for variety of new marijuana rules…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/13/us/colorado-localities-make-own-rules-before-final-decision-on-marijuana-sales.html
…one Oregonian entrepreneur tries to convince Wall Street that pot is the next “big thing”:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/15/nyregion/trying-to-sell-wall-street-on-the-value-of-marijuana.html
Miscellaneous:
HUD study shows persistence of discrimination in housing:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/business/economy/discrimination-in-housing-against-nonwhites-persists-quietly-us-study-finds.html
Strange bedfellows?: Conservatives and “Free Press” progressives and libertarians:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/10/business/media/conservatives-as-defenders-of-the-media.html?pagewanted=all
It’s Palin redux as she returns to Faux News:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/14/business/media/palin-returns-to-fox-news-after-a-brief-split.html?hp
Led by Cuomo, NYS once again moves toward Catskill casino development:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/nyregion/talk-of-casinos-in-catskills-grows-yet-skepticism-remains.html
Foreign Affairs:
That was quick: talks between North and South Korea collapse less than a week after announcement:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/world/asia/dialogue-between-north-and-south-korea.html
In Turkey, protesters meet with Erdogan, leading to tentative agreement, including public referendum on park…:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/14/world/europe/turkish-leader-gives-final-warning-to-park-protesters.html
…but police storm the park just days later:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/world/europe/protesters-in-turkey.html?pagewanted=all
Russia passes severe bill targeting even some discussions of “nontraditional” sexual relationships:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/world/europe/russia-passes-bill-targeting-some-discussions-of-homosexuality.html
ICC turns down inquiry into sexual abuse and cover-up charges re Roman Catholic Church:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/14/world/europe/hague-court-declines-inquiry-into-church-abuse-cover-up.html