Yearly Archives: 2013

National weather agency spared from furloughs after rash of tornadoes

"Forecasters at the National Weather Service (NWS) will not be forced to take furloughs during the summer hurricane season following the recent destruction caused by tornadoes in Oklahoma, CNN reported on Saturday. The NWS was part of the initial plan by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to impose as many as 20 mandatory days off without pay for its 12,000 employees in July and September, a move caused by federal budget cuts. The cuts would have taken effect during what forecasters predicted would be an abnormally severe hurricane season." Continue reading →

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Bilderberg Cancels Hotel Reservations of Journalists Covering Secret Meeting

"The Bilderberg Group ordered a hotel at which journalists from Infowars were set to stay to cover the organization’s secretive confab next week to cancel the reservations, reports Infowars. Alex Jones and his reporters all received phone calls from the Grove Hotel in Watford, England today informing them that their reservations – which ran until the day before Bilderberg are set to meet in the same location – had been cancelled." Continue reading →

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‘Virtual’ Currencies Draw State Regulator Scrutiny

"State banking regulators are scrutinizing companies that let people buy and sell virtual currencies such as bitcoin, and some are looking at requiring costly licenses, according to people familiar with the efforts. Texas is one of 48 states that require companies to obtain money-transmission licenses to operate. South Carolina and Montana don't have such rules. New York bank regulators said they are also discussing the issues with virtual currency exchanges operating in the state. State money-transmission licenses can be costly. In Texas, companies seeking a license must provide a surety bond of between $300,000 and $2 million, depending on transaction volume." Continue reading →

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Looking to spend those hard-earned Bitcoins? Victoria diner takes cybercurrency

"Cabin 12 is calling itself the first 'bricks and mortar' business in Victoria to accept cybercurrency Bitcoin as payment for meals. The restaurant has been accepting Bitcoin payments since February. And while co-owner Dan Del Villano says it's in the early stages and few have taken advantage of the option — four customers have used it and Cabin 12's Bitcoin wallet now has about $150 — he's optimistic it could become a more regular option for some customers as it garners mainstream attention." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLooking to spend those hard-earned Bitcoins? Victoria diner takes cybercurrency

Austrian bank employee drops 90,000 euros into river

"An Austrian bank employee has found himself in hot water after he unloaded bags containing 90,000 euros ($117,000) from his car boot to fix a puncture — only to see the money to fall into a river below. The police, fire department and mountain rescue teams conducted a thorough search of the waterway but were only able to recover 3,000 euros, the Austria Press Agency said. The police said no criminal investigation has been launched. The employee, who was using his own car for the money run, has been sacked for not following procedure, according to the bank. The police has warned potential fortune hunters not to go searching for the money." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAustrian bank employee drops 90,000 euros into river

Hundreds of protesters in Toronto call for Mayor Rob Ford to resign

"Hundreds of protesters gathered in Toronto on Saturday to call for the resignation of embattled city mayor Rob Ford over a scandal involving a video of him allegedly smoking crack. The event, called Stand up for Toronto – Let’s Demand Rob Ford’s Resignation, comes on the back of a week of resignations among Ford’s close aides and continued denials of drug use by the controversial politician. The Star and the Globe and Mail have reported that the police are now investigating links between the video and a recent homicide in Toronto. The Star also reported this week that the third man in the photograph was injured in the same shooting, two months ago." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHundreds of protesters in Toronto call for Mayor Rob Ford to resign

Iraq hit by worst violence since 2008

"Iraq was hit in May by its worst violence in five years, further stoking fears of all-out sectarian strife, as its top two political rivals publicly embraced on Saturday in symbolic move aimed at easing tensions. Authorities have failed to bring the wave of unrest under control, nor addressed the underlying political issues that analysts say are driving the attacks, and the UN envoy to Iraq has warned that the violence is 'ready to explode.' May’s death toll was more than 600, according to officials and more than 1,000, according to the United Nations. The wave of violence comes about 18 months after the last American troops left Iraq, which is neither secure nor stable." Continue reading →

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DC ambulance breaks down over EPA emissions controls; passenger dies

"The D.C. fire department is trying to determine why one of its newer diesel ambulances broke down as crews were transporting a patient in cardiac arrest. What is unclear is if the emissions controls can be disconnected or the fire department would have to buy new units without them. When Ambulance 19 broke down, it was transporting 34-year-old Nathaniel McRae, who had just been in a shootout with D.C. police. A medic continued to administer CPR while the crew waited for a second ambulance but McRae was pronounced dead at Howard University Hospital." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDC ambulance breaks down over EPA emissions controls; passenger dies

U.S. levies sanctions on Iranian petrochemical industry

"The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on Iran’s petrochemical industry, vowing to target more of the Islamic regime’s sources of revenue after curbing its vital oil exports. US officials said they were taking action against Iran’s petrochemical industry as it represented the Iranian government’s largest source of revenue after oil, which has been severely curtailed by a US-led sanctions campaign. The United States slapped sanctions that include a ban on US-based financial transactions on the Niksima Food & Beverage Co., a Dubai-based frozen yogurt and dessert company. Since last year, the United States has brandished sanctions against anyone who buys Iran’s oil." Continue reading →

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Palestinian victims of 1948 war found in mass grave

"The remains of dozens of Palestinians killed by Israelis in fighting following the 1948 foundation of the Israeli state have been found in a mass grave in Tel Aviv’s Jaffa district. The grisly find occurred on Wednesday when ground subsided as workers carried out renovations, revealing six chambers full of skeletons. Jaffa was at the time a Palestinian town, but there was an exodus of most of its Arab population when it fell to the fledgling Israeli army and rightwing Jewish militias. Around 760,000 Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes in what they call the 'Nakba' or 'catastrophe' of 1948 and which Israel refers to as its 'War of Independence'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPalestinian victims of 1948 war found in mass grave