Yearly Archives: 2013

Police Chief Indicted in Federal Court For Helping Meth Traffickers

"Normangee's police chief has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly aiding drug traffickers. According to investigators, Chief Jody Navarro is accused of using a law enforcement computer system to aid meth traffickers. A criminal complaint filed against the 40-year-old in May 2013 alleged Navarro ran a background check on a name supplied to him by a suspected meth dealer. On August 27th undercover agents with the Department of Public Safety raided suspected meth dealer 25-year-old Josh Troy Thomas' home in the 200 block of Church Street. Navarro was on duty and was arrested as he pulled up to the scene." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPolice Chief Indicted in Federal Court For Helping Meth Traffickers

Bumper Stickers Could Land Michigan Drivers In Jail

"Bumper stickers often say a lot about the person driving the car — but slapping one on your car could also be considered a crime. If you have a bumper sticker from any organization, association, fraternity, lodge, group or club displayed on your car, you could be breaking the law. Michigan law currently says if you’re not a member of the group that you’re promoting, you could be found guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $100 fine. In 1979, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled the law was unconstitutional. However, despite the court’s ruling, the language remains part of Michigan Compiled Law." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBumper Stickers Could Land Michigan Drivers In Jail

California becomes first state in nation to regulate ride-sharing

"Under the proposal, the PUC would have jurisdiction over ride-sharing under a new category of businesses called transportation network companies. The agency would also issue licenses to the services. The decision is expected to preempt efforts by California cities to oversee or even ban ride-sharing under their authority to license taxi cab firms. Regulators would require drivers to undergo criminal background checks, receive driver training, follow a zero-tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol and carry insurance policies with a minimum of $1 million in liability coverage." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCalifornia becomes first state in nation to regulate ride-sharing

Genetic modification blamed for rejected Washington alfalfa crop

"Authorities were investigating a new suspected case of crop contamination on Thursday – the second in the Pacific northwest in five months – after samples of hay tested positive for genetically modified traits. The investigation was ordered after a farmer in Washington state reported that his alfalfa shipments had been rejected for export after testing positive for genetic modification. Results were expected as early as Friday. If confirmed, it would be the second known case of GM contamination in a major American crop since May, when university scientists confirmed the presence of a banned GM wheat growing in a farmer’s field in Oregon." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGenetic modification blamed for rejected Washington alfalfa crop

Tufts University: Study promoting GMO ‘golden rice’ violated ethics rules

"Tufts University researchers revealed Tuesday that a member of their team violated ethics rules in a study designed to measure the nutritional efficacy of so-called 'golden rice,' genetically modified rice with the nutrient beta carotene added. No one on Tang’s team saw fit to inform the parents of the 24 children from Hunan province, ages 6 to 8, that the children were eating gene-modified food. Chinese journalists found an email to the research team from a Chinese government official urging scientists not to speak openly of genetic modification, a subject deemed 'too sensitive' to discuss with the families." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTufts University: Study promoting GMO ‘golden rice’ violated ethics rules

High Tech Heads for the Farm

"On the basis of population growth alone, world food demand will increase by over 30%. But in addition to the increase in the number of people on the planet, growing affluence will also have a significant impact on global food demand. Today, there are about 2 billion people worldwide who are considered to be in the middle class; within 20 years, the number is expected to expand to 5 billion, with almost all of the increase coming from emerging markets. As these people enter the middle class, they will be able to afford to consume more food. Furthermore, they will be able to consume—and will demand—higher protein diets, i.e., more meat and dairy products." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHigh Tech Heads for the Farm

10 investing insights from Street Smarts by Jim Rogers

"If you were an investor and become a millionaire or even a billionaire by the age of 37, what would you do? Are you considering kicking your heels up, relaxing in your new mansion while looking ahead to a future of recreation and fun? Maybe you go the other direction. Resting with riches might be as lifeless as a phone booth. Perhaps you could create a lifelong journey, over the course of which making the whole world your backyard. You might be inspired to literally ride a motorcycle around the world, observing and learning about the planet earth while doing so. Maybe you’d be inspired to chronicle the journey, turn it into a benchmark for global investing, and then do it all over again." Continue reading →

Continue Reading10 investing insights from Street Smarts by Jim Rogers

Jim Rogers on Financial Globalization and Mining Opportunities

"Mr. Rogers added that China should 'globalize the Renminbi in the next 20 minutes rather than the next 20 years'. He thought that China is currently the world's second largest economic entity as well as the country with most amount of foreign exchange reserve, 'there is no reason to restrict the Renminbi globalization. It is good for all Chinese people, as Renminbi globalization means all investors worldwide can invest in China, which will bring great market opportunities to China's commodities. Stock price in China will rise, China will become the world's center for commodity transaction, China's financial market will be the best in the world." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJim Rogers on Financial Globalization and Mining Opportunities