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A Florida man is grappling with his son's strip club bill, a staggering $53,000 tab racked up during a celebratory outing with friends.

A new working paper estimates the mortality cost of smoking at $222 per pack for men and $94 per pack for women (in 2006 dollars).

A US congressional panel is alleging that China steals technology and is capable of cyber attacks, as detailed in this BBC NEWS article. China denies the allegations. via BBC NEWS

A Saudi Arabian appeals court doubled the lashes and added jail time to a woman who was gang-raped, claiming the victim was attempting to influence the court through the media.

The Asian Development Bank released a report with new estimates about the size of China's economy, finding that it is 40% smaller than previously thought.

A new study says that German carmakers are producing less fuel-efficient cars than they were in 2005, while most other European carmakers are improving. Only Peugeot Citroen is on track to hit the EU's 2008 target for CO2 emissions.

via The source of this content is BBC News.

Saudi Arabia's oil minister says the kingdom is content with the current oil price and would increase production if necessary, but sees no need currently. via The Oil Drum: Europe

Tyler Cowen critiques Joseph Stiglitz's argument that President Bush's economic policies will be judged more harshly by history than Herbert Hoover's. via Marginal Revolution.

China has halted exports of Bindeez and Aqua Dots toys after they were found to be coated with a chemical linked to the date-rape drug GHB, prompting recalls in the US and Australia. via BBC NEWS

Engadget's homepage features tech news and reviews, including Prime Day deals, new Apple product release dates, and discounts on popular tech. via Engadget

Economist's View shares an excerpt from Joseph Stiglitz's article critiquing the economic policies of George W. Bush, likening their impact to that of the Treaty of Versailles.

via Economist's View.

New data from the CDC shows that smoking rates have plateaued, and Reason.com reports that this may jeopardize national goals for reducing smoking prevalence.