February 21 st , 2012

1. February 21st, 2012 • Eurozone approves new $173B bailout for Greece • The finance ministers from the 17 nations that use the euro, known as the Eurogroup, gave Greece the funding it needs to avoid a potential default next month. • Greece must trim debt to 121% of the country's gross domestic product by 2020. Greece's debt now stands at about 160% of GDP. • Iran threatens preemptive action • This is one of those stories that reminds us that everything really is connected to everything else. • Syria steps up Homs bombardment • The Red Cross has called for a daily two-hour truce to allow in aid. • Thousands have died in Syria in an 11-month uprising against the government. • Afghans protest Koran burning at U.S. base

2. February 21st, 2012 • How Using Antibiotics In Animal Feed Creates Superbugs • A study shows how an antibiotic-susceptible Staph germ passed from humans into pigs, where it became resistant to the antibiotics tetracycline and methicillin. And then the antibiotic-resistant Staph learned to jump back into humans. • As early as the 1970s, the FDA recognized that the use of antibiotics in animals for non-therapeutic reasons could promote the development of antibiotic-resistant pathogens that are harmful to humans. • In December, the FDA withdrew a 1977 proposal to remove approvals for two antibiotics, penicillins and tetracyclines, used in livestock and poultry feed. It said it would focus instead on "voluntary reform" by the meat industry to limit use.

3. February 21st, 2012 • Climate scientist admits duping skeptic group to obtain documents • Peter Gluck, who studies the hydrological cycle and serves as president of the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security, admitted he had tricked the conservative Heartland Institute into providing him with documents detailing their activities and donors. • Max Boykoff, an assistant professor at the CIRES Center for Science & Technology Policy at the University of Colorado at Boulder and the author of “Who Speaks for the Climate?,” said the ongoing feud has undermined the public’s understanding of climate science and policy. • American University professor Matthew C. Nisbet questioned Gleick’s tactics, writing, “The incident is the latest in an escalating spiral of polarizing warfare between self-described ‘Climate Hawks’ and so-called Climate Deniers.  Caught in the crossfire are the great majority of scientists and members of the public who yearn to work together in their communities, regions and nationally to find common ground.”

4. February 21st, 2012 • Dow crosses 13,000 mark for first time since before the 2008 financial crisis • Same-sex marriage passes in state House • If bill passes in senate, this state will be seventh to legalize • DREAM Act will likely be put to vote • opponents are one step closer to repealing the legislation that would offer certain undocumented students in-state tuition • now that a circuit court judge has approved putting the legislation on the November ballot and in the hands of voters.