<p><center><h1>News Summaries from the WantToKnow.info Archive</h1></center></p>
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<p>Mainstream media often buries important news stories. <a href="http://www.peerservice.org/">PEERS</a> is a US-based 501(c)3 nonprofit that finds and summarizes these stories for WantToKnow.info's <a href="http://www.wanttoknow.info/subscribe.php">free weekly email newsletter</a> and <a href="https://wanttoknow.info">website</a>. Explore below key excerpts of revealing news articles from our archive that were published on today's date in previous years. Each excerpt is taken verbatim from the major media website listed at the link provided. <strong>The most important sentences are highlighted.</strong> If you find a link that no longer works, please tell us about it in a comment. And if you find this material overwhelming or upsetting, <a href="https://www.wanttoknow.info/overwhelmed">here's a message just for you</a>. By educating ourselves and  <a href="https://www.WantToKnow.info/spreadtheword">spreading the word</a>, we can and will <a href="https://www.WantToKnow.info/brighterfuture">build a brighter future</a>.</p><hr>
<p><h3>Mexico Files Drug Charges Against 3 Generals</h3></p><p><h4>Published on this day in 2012, by ABC News/Associated Press</h4></p><p><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/mexico-lodges-drug-charges-generals-16900989#.UB0_s6DAHLQ">Original Article Source</a>, Dated 2012-08-01</p><p> <strong>Mexican prosecutors formally filed drug charges ... against four high-ranking army officers, including three generals and a lieutenant colonel. They are the highest-ranking Mexican army officials arrested in at least 15 years, and allegedly provided protection for the Beltran-Leyva drug cartel. </strong>The Attorney General's Office said charges of "organized crime to further drug trafficking" were lodged against retired generals Tomas Angeles Dauahare and Ricardo Escorcia, as well as active service Gen. Roberto Dawe Gonzalez. Retired Lt. Col. Silvio Hernandez Soto faces the same charge. The previous highest-ranking army official arrested was Gen. Jesus Gutierrez Rebollo, then head of Mexico's anti-drug agency, who was arrested in 1997 and later convicted of aiding deceased drug lord Amado Carrillo Fuentes. More than 47,000 people have been killed in drug violence ... according to government figures.</p><p><strong>Note</strong>: Read the complete summary and notes <a href="https://www.wanttoknow.info/a-mexico-files-drug-charges-against-3-generals">here</a></p><hr>
<p><h3>Travelers' Laptops May Be Detained At Border: No Suspicion Required</h3></p><p><h4>Published on this day in 2008, by <em>Washington Post</em></h4></p><p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/01/AR2008080103030.html">Original Article Source</a>, Dated 2008-08-01</p><p>Federal agents may take a traveler's laptop computer or other electronic device to an off-site location for an unspecified period of time without any suspicion of wrongdoing, as part of border search policies the Department of Homeland Security recently disclosed. Also, officials may share copies of the laptop's contents with other agencies and private entities for language translation, data decryption or other reasons, according to the policies, dated July 16 and issued by two DHS agencies, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "The policies . . . are truly alarming," said Sen. Russell Feingold (D-Wis.), who is probing the government's border search practices. He said he intends to introduce legislation soon that would require reasonable suspicion for border searches, as well as prohibit profiling on race, religion or national origin. DHS officials said the newly disclosed policies ... apply to anyone entering the country, including U.S. citizens. Civil liberties and business travel groups have pressed the government to disclose its procedures as an increasing number of international travelers have reported that their laptops, cellphones and other digital devices had been taken -- for months, in at least one case -- and their contents examined. <strong>The policies cover "any device capable of storing information in digital or analog form," including hard drives, flash drives, cellphones, iPods, pagers, beepers, and video and audio tapes. They also cover "all papers and other written documentation," </strong>including books, pamphlets and "written materials commonly referred to as 'pocket trash' or 'pocket litter.' "</p><p><strong>Note</strong>: Read the complete summary and notes <a href="https://www.wanttoknow.info/a-travelers-laptops-may-be-detained-border-no-suspicion-required">here</a></p><hr>
<p><h3>Man makes drinking water out of thin air</h3></p><p><h4>Published on this day in 2011, by KSDK.com/CNN</h4></p><p><a href="http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/269771/28/Man-makes-drinking-water-out-of-thin-air">Original Article Source</a>, Dated 2011-08-01</p><p>Water out of air? A Texas man has invented a machine that does just that. The drought doesn't worry [inventor Terry LeBleu] because he has invented and patented a new machine. It's called the "Drought Master" and makes drinkable water out of air. "It pulls the air through it, pulls out the moisture, and exhausts the air," LeBleu says. <strong>Depending on humidity, the machine can make between five to seven gallons of pure water in one day. All you have to do is plug it in, and one gallon costs only 4 cents in electrical charges.</strong> An independent lab took samples of LeBleu's water and found it had no bacteria and is free of metals. Lab techs say it's similar to distilled water. Willie Nelson owns 50 of these machines, including an indoor version. Even Texas Governor Rick Perry owns one. But LeBleu wants his invention to benefit local farmers and ranchers. The machine is quieter than a refrigerator, and you only have to wash the filter every few years. Building one takes only two hours. The oldest model made is still up and running. It's been functioning for a decade. </p><p><strong>Note</strong>: Read the complete summary and notes <a href="https://www.wanttoknow.info/a-man-makes-drinking-water-out-thin-air">here</a></p><hr>
<p><h3>Bush Unveils Spy Guidelines, Angering House Overseers</h3></p><p><h4>Published on this day in 2008, by <em>Washington Post</em></h4></p><p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/31/AR2008073102825.html">Original Article Source</a>, Dated 2008-08-01</p><p>The Bush administration unveiled new operating guidelines for the nation's intelligence community yesterday in a move that boosted the authority of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) while triggering protests from lawmakers who complained that they weren't properly consulted. The changes affirmed the DNI's role as head of the 16 U.S. spy agencies and expanded its power to set priorities and coordinate the sharing of intelligence. The DNI also was given an expanded role in foreign intelligence collection and in the hiring and firing of senior intelligence officials. The changes were part of a long-awaited overhaul of Executive Order 12333, a Reagan-era document that establishes the powers and responsibilities of U.S. intelligence services. Although the revamped order had been in the works for a year, its formal unveiling prompted a rare revolt from congressional Republicans, some of whom walked out on Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell during a morning briefing. Rep. Pete Hoekstra (Mich.), ranking Republican on the House intelligence committee, led several GOP colleagues to the exit after complaining that the administration had made the changes secretly without consulting with congressional overseers -- part of a pattern dating to the beginning of the Bush presidency, Hoekstra said. <strong>"Given the impact that this order will have on America's intelligence community, and this committee's responsibility to oversee intelligence activities, this cannot be seen as anything other than an attempt to undercut congressional oversight,"</strong> Hoekstra said in a statement afterward.</p><p><strong>Note</strong>: Read the complete summary and notes <a href="https://www.wanttoknow.info/a-bush-unveils-spy-guidelines-angering-house-overseers">here</a></p><hr>
<p><h3>Veteran Homelessness Has Dropped By Nearly 50% Since 2010: Report</h3></p><p><h4>Published on this day in 2016, by <em>Huffington Post</em></h4></p><p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/veteran-homelessness-has-dropped-by-nearly-50-since-2010-report_us_579f6052e4b0693164c1c8f6">Original Article Source</a>, Dated 2016-08-01</p><p><strong>Veteran homelessness has dropped <a href="http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/press/press_releases_media_advisories/2016/HUDNo_16-117">nearly in half</a> since 2010</strong>, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced. On a given night in January, there were fewer than 40,000 homeless veterans, according to the country’s annual Point-in-Time count. That marked a 47 percent decrease since the same count was conducted six years prior. The success was due to the White House’s first-ever <a href="http://www.va.gov/homeless/about_the_initiative.asp">strategic plan</a> to end veteran homelessness and a unique partnership between HUD and the Department of Veteran Affairs. Through the collaboration, HUD provides rental assistance to homeless veterans and the VA complements it with case management and clinical services. <strong>Since 2010, more than 360,000 veterans and their families have been permanently housed, rapidly rehoused or were spared from becoming homeless through HUD and VA programs</strong>. “The dramatic decline in veteran homelessness reflects the power of partnerships in solving complex national problems on behalf of those who have served our nation,” Robert A. McDonald, VA secretary, said in a statement. “The men and women who have fought for this nation should not have to fight to keep a roof over their head.” Numerous studies over the years have found that the concept of <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/a-crazy-thing-happened-when-homeless-people-in-sf-got-free-housing_us_57507ccce4b0eb20fa0d2f40">housing first</a>, which touts providing housing to homeless people in need before addressing their health or economic issues, is effective and cost efficient. </p><p><strong>Note</strong>: Read the complete summary and notes <a href="https://www.wanttoknow.info/a-veteran-homelessness-has-dropped-nearly-50-since-2010-report">here</a></p><hr>
<p><h3>Scientists flip energy equation with solar leaf that converts CO2 into fuel</h3></p><p><h4>Published on this day in 2016, by <em>Christian Science Monitor</em></h4></p><p><a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0801/Scientists-flip-energy-equation-with-solar-leaf-that-converts-CO2-into-fuel">Original Article Source</a>, Dated 2016-08-01</p><p>It’s often smarter to borrow from nature than reinvent the wheel. That was the approach of researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, and convert it into an efficient, inexpensive fuel. The result: an artificial leaf that turns CO2 into fuel, "at a cost comparable to a gallon of gasoline" could render fossil fuel obsolete, according to the researchers. The “leaf” is one of a growing number of inventions that mimic photosynthesis to remove excess carbon from the atmosphere, and convert it into new, sustainable forms of energy to power our world. “<strong>The new solar cell is not photovoltaic - <a href="https://news.uic.edu/breakthrough-solar-cell-captures-co2-and-sunlight-produces-burnable-fuel">it’s photosynthetic</a>,” said [the study’s lead author] Amin Salehi-Khojin. “Instead of producing energy in an unsustainable one-way route from fossil fuels to greenhouse gas, we can now reverse the process and recycle atmospheric carbon into fuel using sunlight</strong>." The concept of reduction reaction - converting CO2 into a burnable form of carbon - isn’t new. But scientists previously relied on silver and other expensive precious metals to break gas into storable energy. UIC researchers took a different approach. When light strikes the "leaf," hydrogen and carbon monoxide bubble from the cathode, while free oxygen and hydrogen ions are released from the anode. Leafs could be spread throughout a solar farm, or used in smaller applications, the researchers said.</p><p><strong>Note</strong>: Read the complete summary and notes <a href="https://www.wanttoknow.info/a-scientists-flip-energy-equation-with-solar-leaf-converts-co2-into-fuel">here</a></p><hr>
<p><h3>Your TV might be watching you</h3></p><p><h4>Published on this day in 2013, by CNN</h4></p><p><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2013/08/01/technology/security/tv-hack/index.html">Original Article Source</a>, Dated 2013-08-01</p><p>Today's high-end televisions are almost all equipped with "smart" PC-like features, including Internet connectivity, apps, microphones and cameras. But a recently discovered security hole in some Samsung Smart TVs shows that many of those bells and whistles aren't ready for prime time. The flaws in Samsung Smart TVs, which have now been patched, enabled hackers to remotely turn on the TVs' built-in cameras without leaving any trace of it on the screen. <strong>While you're watching TV, a hacker anywhere around the world could have been watching you. Hackers also could have easily rerouted an unsuspecting user to a malicious website to steal bank account information.</strong> Samsung quickly fixed the problem after security researchers at iSEC Partners informed the company about the bugs. Samsung sent a software update to all affected TVs. But the glitches speak to a larger problem of gadgets that connect to the Internet but have virtually no security to speak of. Security cameras, lights, heating control systems and even door locks and windows are now increasingly coming with features that allow users to control them remotely. Without proper security controls, there's little to stop hackers from invading users' privacy, stealing personal information or spying on people. In the case of Samsung Smart TVs, iSEC researchers found that they could tap into the TV's Web browser with ease, according to iSEC security analyst Josh Yavor. That gave hackers access to all the functions controlled by the browser, including the TV's built-in camera. <strong>"If there's a vulnerability in any application, there's a vulnerability in the entire TV,"</strong> said Aaron Grattafiori, also an analyst at iSEC.</p><p><strong>Note</strong>: Read the complete summary and notes <a href="https://www.wanttoknow.info/a-your-tv-might-be-watching-you">here</a></p><hr>
<p><h3>French Lawmakers Pass Trading Transaction Tax</h3></p><p><h4>Published on this day in 2012, by Bloomberg Businessweek</h4></p><p><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-07-31/french-lawmakers-pass-budget-bill-including-transaction-tax">Original Article Source</a>, Dated 2012-08-01</p><p>France’s parliament passed President Francois Hollande’s revised 2012 budget, including a 0.2 percent transaction tax on share purchases that takes effect today. <strong>The bill’s passage into law marks “the first step toward fiscal reform and a move toward justice,” Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici said in a statement. With the vote, France becomes the first European country to impose a transaction tax on share purchases</strong>. The Hollande government is doubling the levy to 0.2 percent from the 0.1 percent tax initially advocated by former President Nicolas Sarkozy. Many institutional investors may escape the tax using so-called contracts for difference, or CFDs, offered by prime brokers that let them bet on a stock’s gain or loss with owning the shares. The transaction tax, aimed at curbing market speculation, will be paid on the purchase of 109 French stocks with market values of more than 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion), including Pernod Ricard SA and Vivendi SA. The new budget law will be applied to transactions resulting in “a transfer of property” of companies trading in Paris, regardless of where the buyer or seller is based, and may be expanded next year along with some European partners. France estimated that the doubling of the tax will bring in an additional 170 million euros in 2012 and 500 million euros next year. The state will start collecting the tax in November, Budget Minister Jerome Cahuzac’s press office said. The government estimated that the doubling of the tax will cut the volume of stock purchases to 800 billion euros from 1.05 trillion euros with a 0.1 percent levy and 1.3 trillion euros with no transaction tax.</p><p><strong>Note</strong>: Read the complete summary and notes <a href="https://www.wanttoknow.info/a-french-lawmakers-pass-trading-transaction-tax">here</a></p><hr>
<p><h3>Americans pay GCHQ £100m to spy for them, leaked papers claim</h3></p><p><h4>Published on this day in 2013, by <em>The Telegraph</em> (One of the UK's leading newspapers)</h4></p><p><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/10217280/Americans-pay-GCHQ-100m-to-spy-for-them-leaked-papers-claim.html">Original Article Source</a>, Dated 2013-08-01</p><p>GCHQ has received at least £100 million from the US to help fund intelligence gathering, raising questions over American influence on the British agencies. <strong>The money was paid across a range of projects over three years and resulted in GCHQ spying on behalf of America, according to leaked documents. It also emerged that the intelligence agency wants the ability to “exploit any phone, anywhere, any time” and that some staff have raised concerns over the “morality and ethics” of their operational work. </strong> The payments from the US National Security Agency (NSA) are detailed in GCHQ’s annual “investment portfolios”, leaked by Mr Snowden to The Guardian. The NSA paid GCHQ £22.9 million in 2009, £39.9 million in 2010 and £34.7 million in 2011/12. The 2010 funding included ... £17.2 million for the agency’s “Mastering the Internet” project, which gathers “raw” information from the web to be analysed. In return, GCHQ has to have the American view in mind when prioritising work, the papers claim. One strategy briefing disclosed the pressure on GCHQ to meet NSA demands, saying: “GCHQ must pull its weight and be seen to pull its weight.” In another document, from 2010, GCHQ apparently acknowledged that the US had “raised a number of issues with regards to meeting NSA’s minimum expectations”. </p><p><strong>Note</strong>: Read the complete summary and notes <a href="https://www.wanttoknow.info/a-americans-pay-gchq-100m-spy-them-leaked-papers-claim">here</a></p><hr>
<p>With best wishes for a transformed world,<br>
Mark Bailey and <a href="https://www.wanttoknow.info/aboutus#burks">Fred Burks</a> for <a href="https://www.peerservice.org">PEERS</a> and <a href="https://www.wanttoknow.info">WantToKnow.info</a>
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