Monthly Archives: August 2013

SpaceX to launch radar satellite network for Germany

"Privately owned Space Exploration Technologies won a two-flight contract to launch a radar satellite network for Germany, the company announced on Thursday. SpaceX will launch a trio of spacecraft that comprise a radar reconnaissance network for Germany’s defense department. The company’s Falcon 9 rocket so far has flown five times – all successfully – including three missions to launch cargo capsules to the International Space Station for NASA. The privately owned firm, founded and operated by Internet entrepreneur Elon Musk, also is competing to provide flight services for NASA astronauts to and from the station." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSpaceX to launch radar satellite network for Germany

Facing pressure from U.S., encrypted email service Lavabit shuts down

"An encrypted email service believed to have been used by US leaker Edward Snowden shut down on Thursday apparently as a result of pressure from US authorities. Lavabit owner Ladar Levison posted a message at the website telling users that the he was pulling the plug on the secure email service launched in Texas nearly a decade ago. Levison lamented that he was barred from sharing details of what prompted Lavabit’s demise. US law allows national security officials to make requests to companies that come with the caveat they must be kept secret." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFacing pressure from U.S., encrypted email service Lavabit shuts down

Van Jones rips Obama’s ‘ridiculous’ denial of domestic spying operations

"Van Jones, a former White House special advisor, blasted President Barack Obama on Wednesday for cracking down on whistleblowers. 'First of all, we do have a domestic spying program, and what we need to be able to do is figure out how to balance these things, not pretend like there’s no balancing to be done.' 'He said that if somebody like Snowden wanted to be a whistle-blower, they could have gone ahead. Well, hold on a second, sir. That is — you are right now prosecuting more whistleblowers – not only than any American president, that every American president combined!'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingVan Jones rips Obama’s ‘ridiculous’ denial of domestic spying operations

Meshnet activists rebuilding the internet from scratch

"Across the US, from Maryland to Seattle, work is underway to construct user-owned wireless networks that will permit secure communication without surveillance or any centralised organisation. They are known as meshnets and ultimately, if their designers get their way, they will span the country. The Seattle Meshnet has just completed a successful crowdfunding campaign for meshboxes – routers that come preloaded with the cjdns software needed to join Hyperboria. Users will just plug the routers into their existing internet connection and be ready to go on the virtual meshnet – or a local physical meshnet when one becomes available." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMeshnet activists rebuilding the internet from scratch

Short Circuiting The Market

"One of the hallmarks of the Soviet System was top-down central planning – with 'incentives' provided by the government. Natural market mechanisms were crippled. You got what the government decided you needed – at whatever price the government decided was appropriate. The result – back then – was the Trabant and Lada. Today, the result is electric lemons like the Tesla and Chevy Volt and Honda Fit EV. GM just announced it will drop the price of the 2014 Volt by $5,000 – to $34,995. This is before GM’s partner – the government – cuts the price down by another $7,500 via a taxpayer-funded individual subsidy." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingShort Circuiting The Market

Snowden’s Email Provider Shuts Down

"I have been forced to make a difficult decision: to become complicit in crimes against the American people or walk away from nearly ten years of hard work by shutting down Lavabit. After significant soul searching, I have decided to suspend operations. I wish that I could legally share with you the events that led to my decision. I cannot. [..] This experience has taught me one very important lesson: without congressional action or a strong judicial precedent, I would _strongly_ recommend against anyone trusting their private data to a company with physical ties to the United States. Sincerely, Ladar Levison Owner and Operator, Lavabit LLC" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSnowden’s Email Provider Shuts Down

Fears of NSA surveillance hurting the U.S. cloud computing industry

"American technology businesses fear they could lose between $21.5bn and $35bn in cloud computing contracts worldwide over the next three years, as part of the fallout from the NSA revelations. Some US companies said they have already lost business, while UK rivals said that UK and European businesses are increasingly wary of trusting their data to American organisations, which might have to turn it over secretly to the National Security Agency. The ITIF survey found that of those outside the US, 10% had cancelled a project with a US-based cloud computing provider, and 56% would be 'less likely' to use a US-based cloud computing service." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFears of NSA surveillance hurting the U.S. cloud computing industry

Myanmar Foreign Investment Reaches $42 Billion From 32 Countries; $423 Million In June

"Foreign investment in Myanmar has now reached more than $42 billion from 32 countries. In June alone, the up-and-coming investment hotspot received $423 million in foreign investment. June’s investment went into production and hotel sectors, according to the Myanmar Directorate of Investment and Companies Administration (Dica). With the lifting of Western sanctions against the country, international giants such as Coca-Cola and Unilever have opened manufacturing operations in Myanmar, with other companies establishing sales outlets in the country, all with an eye on targeting the native Myanmar market." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMyanmar Foreign Investment Reaches $42 Billion From 32 Countries; $423 Million In June

Myanmar Stock Exchange Launch Moved Up To 2013 After Security Exchange Law Passed

"Myanmar will have its own stock exchange soon, according to the country’s deputy minister for finance and revenue, Maung Maung Thein. Preparations and implementations for the market are already underway. To establish the stock exchange, the Central Bank of Myanmar is cooperating with the Daiwa Institute of Research Group, a leading Japanese think tank with expertise in economics and financial capital markets, and Japan’s Tokyo Stock Exchange. Later this month, there will be a demonstration of the operation of the stock exchange with the help of a Myanmar information technology company, Thein said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMyanmar Stock Exchange Launch Moved Up To 2013 After Security Exchange Law Passed

Why And How To Invest With Brokerages In Mongolia (2011)

"You can open a brokerage account in Mongolia without going there. I met with six different brokerage firms while in Mongolia and opened multiple accounts. Transaction fees for stock trades I was quoted ranged from 2% to 3.5%, while for bonds I was quoted rates from 5 to 20 basis points. Required fees to open an account ranged from 5,000 Togrog (about $4) to 40,000 Togrog (about $32). Some account opening procedures may request having your signature notarized to have a power of attorney to trade stocks on your behalf, but this can be done in your home country as well with minimal effort." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhy And How To Invest With Brokerages In Mongolia (2011)