The U.S. may be able to pay its bills until Aug. 10, the mayor of Kandahar has been killed in a Taliban suicide attack, Norwegian intelligence thinks the Norway killer acted alone, Piers Morgan may have taken part in phone hacking, the White House and car manufacturers near a deal on fuel standards, a new surge of generic drugs are expected to lower prescription prices, and Google is updating Chrome for Lion multitouch.
Caitlin, Katie, + Perry
CRITICAL:
U.S. May Have Way to Cover Bills After Deadline, for Week, http://nyti.ms/qBOvqD
Due to tax payments and maneuvering by the Treasury Department, the U.S. can probably pay all of its bills until August 10th. However starting August 10th, the government will no longer be able to make out Social Security checks without borrowing. President Obama maintains that August 2nd is Congress’s “hard deadline” to increase the debt ceiling.
Afghan war: Mayor of Kandahar killed in suicide attack, http://bbc.in/nQrQbo
An attacker, who detonated explosives hidden in his turban, has killed Ghulam Haidar Hameedi. This comes as more bad news in Afghanistan; President Karzai’s brother and other high-profile politicians have been killed just as the US is transferring security responsibility to local troops. The Taliban has admitted to carrying out the attack.
Norway attacks: ‘Breivik acted alone,’ http://bbc.in/n22DJt
Janne Kristiansen, the Norwegian Domestic Intelligence Chief, thinks that Anders Behring Breivik carried out his killing spree alone. Kristiansen also doubts that he is insane, describing him as calculating and someone who sought the limelight.
Morgan Admits Dodgy Practices, http://bit.ly/pvrrDD
In the past week, Piers Morgan has been denying that he published stories obtained through phone hacking and other questionable methods. However, an interview with him on June 7, 2009 has him saying this: “Not a lot of that went on…A lot of it was done by third parties, rather than the staff themselves…That’s not to defend it, because obviously you were running the results of their work.”
White House, carmakers near deal on fuel standards, http://lat.ms/o6k6t2
54.5 miles per gallon by 2025; that’s the deal the Obama administration has reportedly made with auto manufacturers. Ford and GM support the new standards, while Chrysler has been more reluctant to do so. The administration has the authority to increase the standards without the companies’ agreement, but has chosen to compromise anyway.
New surge of generic drugs expected to lower prescription prices, http://bit.ly/plnz4K
The patents for Lipitor, Plavix, and five other best-selling prescription drugs will expire in the next 14 months. An “unprecedented wave” of generic drugs will lower many drug prices by around 70%.
Google updating Chrome for Lion multitouch, http://cnet.co/oNLoOz
Apple users who updated to Lion may have experienced a few bugs. Specifically, Google’s popular Chrome browser could not handle the new iPhone-like touch gestures. Today, Google has released a beta version that fixes many of the issues.
Google+ and the Norway Tragedy, http://bit.ly/nDIIVn
It’s no secret that Twitter has changed the way we experience live breaking news; however, the attacks in Norway were the first big event to test Google+’s reaction. NPR first reported the attack after Google+ user, “Raymond K” broke the news. Raymond K now has thousands of followers.
CULTURAL:
Alexander McQueen Leaves $82,000 to His Three Dogs, http://bit.ly/pUshln
Alexander Skarsgård Sinks His Teeth Into New Anti-Bullying PSA, http://eonli.ne/mSmjZm
Amy Winehouse’s Family Reveals Plans for Charity Foundation, http://bit.ly/ndaxDF
‘Breaking Dawn’ Soundtrack Could Feature A Castmember, http://on.mtv.com/nwPLzv
