Investigations: Financial Rules Re-Written on the Fly Behind Closed Doors

As markets flirt with Armageddon, historic changes in U.S. government financial regulations are taking place on a near-daily basis behind closed doors, with virtually no outside scrutiny, time for reflection or consideration of consequences and alternative measures, says this ProPublica item, drawing on a Wall Street Journal piece. The story by ProPublica, the nonprofit investigative journalism outfit, is part of an interesting series it has devoted to probing the reasons for the financial crack-up - and some of the flawed solutions. See more here.

TAGS: markets, investigations

Investigations: Camorra Makes Sicilian Mafia Look Like Disney

Italian investigative journalist Roberto Saviano is living under 24-hour police protection after exposing Italy's little-known Camorra organized crime organization, which he calls Italy's "other Mafia." The Camorra isn't as infamous as the Sicilian Mafia, but its hometown of Casal di Principi, outside Naples, makes the Sicilian crime stronghold of Corleone look like "Disneyland," Saviano says in this Telegraph of London story on his investigations and upcoming film about the Camorra.

TAGS: investigations, organized crime

Journalists Attacked: Politkovskaya Murder Commemorated

Several hundred people marched in Moscow today to commemorate the murder of Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya in 2006, according to this item from the RIA news service. A Russian journalist union official said 300 reporters have been killed during investigative work in the country in the past 15 years.

TAGS: journalists attacked, Politkovskaya

Investigations: Leading Psychiatrist Didn't Disclose Pharma Payments

One of the most influential psychiatrists in the U.S. violated research rules and earned more than $2.8 million in consulting arrangements with drug makers without disclosing much of it to his university, according to this New York Times story on the latest revelations to shake medical circles on cozy relationships with pharmaceutical companies.

TAGS: pharmaceutical, drugs, investigations