The following is a rundown of the day’s news drawn from other media sources with topics curated just for Money and Markets readers: personal security and freedom, Putin’s games, Jay Leno Signs Off.
Personal security and freedom
Documents Show PETA Killed Nearly 2,000 Shelter Animals in 2013
The animal-rights group says it’s doing what’s best for the animals, but critics point to an unseemly 82 percent kill rate. According to the Center for Consumer Freedom, PETA has killed over 31,000 animals since 1998.
New York Police Department Is Beta-Testing Google Glass
“We signed up, got a few pairs of the Google glasses, and we’re trying them out, seeing if they have any value in investigations, mostly for patrol purposes,” a ranking New York City law enforcement official said.
Tech’s Biggest Players Hire First NSA Lobbyist
The new hire — tasked to represent a coalition that also includes AOL, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Twitter and Yahoo — is a big political move for an industry that initially had tried to avoid the debate over the National Security Agency.
No Charges Against TSA Agent After Woman Claims Sex Assault In Pat-Down
“Those TSA agents were purposely abusive to me,” said the mother. “And there isn’t any recourse. I still feel as if a crime was committed, and as an individual American I am powerless to do anything about it.”
U.S. Farmers, Food Interests Unite Against GMO Labeling
Stressing the lack of scientific evidence that GMOs cause harm, Ray Gaesser, president of the American Soybean Association, joined with corn farmers, bakers, restaurants, fisheries, animal feed and grocery store groups in forming the 30-member Coalition for Safe Affordable Food.
Putin’s games
Winter Games Begin, Putin Keen to Prove Doubters Wrong
Putin has staked his reputation on hosting a safe and successful games in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, where a three-hour spectacle before 40,000 spectators at the new Fisht Stadium will signal the start of the full sporting program.
Sochi Olympics: Putin’s Moment at World Podium
Putin pledged to transform the sleepy, Soviet-era Black Sea spa town of Sochi into a world-class Olympic venue in time for the winter games of 2014. He pledged the staggering sum of $12 billion in Kremlin cash to make that happen.
Putin Gambles All on Creation Myth Behind Sochi
Like no other politician, Putin has staked his political fate on the games. Analysts say whether Sochi can reinvigorate a presidency that has lost its shine in Putin’s 14th year of power may determine how stable Russia will be in the years ahead.
NBC Portrays Russian Leader as Great Peacemaker
“Just in the past year, Putin brokered a deal to allow Syria to avoid a U.S. military strike by giving up its chemical weapons,” Bob Costas intoned over pictures of Putin wheeling and dealing on the world stage. “And helped bring Iran to the negotiating table over its nuclear intentions.”
No Carry-On Liquids on Russia-Bound Flights After Sochi Toothpaste Bomb Threat
The new temporary restriction comes a day after the U.S. government sent to U.S.- and foreign-based airlines saying that extremists “may target aviation” with bomb-making materials hidden in toothpaste or cosmetic tubes as part of a broader effort to violently disrupt the Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.
Jay Leno signs off
Jay Leno’s Last Show
 “Tonight is our last show for real. I don’t need to be fired three times — I get the hint,” Jay Leno joked to a friends-and-family studio audience as he ended his 22-year run Thursday night. It’s his second very-last-time-as-host.
Leno Ratings Rise Before Final Episode: Best in Four Years
Wednesday delivered the show’s highest overnight rating for any night of the week in four years, a 4.3 in the overnight metered-market households. That was his biggest since 2010. Guests on Wednesday included Sandra Bullock, Blake Shelton and musical guest Vintage Trouble.
Subdued Send-Off, but Leno Is Exiting on Top
Leno has not announced his future plans beyond promising to continue his touring standup comedy act. Some other television outlet will be pursuing Leno shortly. One rumor has him going to CNN.
Best wishes,
The Money and Markets Team
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