ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Feb. 5, 2018) – Two bills filed in Maryland would help facilitate healthcare freedom outside of government insurance regulatory schemes. Sen. Thomas Middleton (D-28) introduced Senate Bill 531 (SB531), while Del. Ariana Kelly (D-16) introduced House Bill 718 (HB718). Both bills specify that direct primary care agreements (sometimes called medical retainer agreements) do not constitute…
DES MOINES, Iowa (Feb. 5, 2018) – Last week, an Iowa subcommittee passed a bill that would nullify federal regulation of purely intrastate commerce. Sen. Mark Chelgren (R-Ottumwa) introduced Senate Bill 2116 (SF2116) on Jan. 25. Titled the Interstate Commerce Act, the legislation would nullify federal regulation of products held, maintained, or retained within the…
"Out of the 351 cases in which the Innocence Project used DNA to exonerate wrongfully convicted defendants, flawed forensic evidence contributed in nearly half. Many Americans, especially those who think shows like Forensic Files and CSI accurately represent real life, believe that forensic evidence presented in criminal trials must be valid. But we have known for years that many forensic evidence techniques are highly subjective and unreliable."
Today in 1725, James Otis Jr. was born. Otis was a Massachusetts patriot who many considered indispensable to the cause of liberty. A fiery orator and fierce defender of traditional Whig principles, Otis’ role as a colonial agitator was truly pivotal. As America’s first whistleblower, he tirelessly argued against the writs of assistance and published…
"S.B. 315 would criminalize simply accessing a computer, app, or website contrary to how the service provider tells you, even if you never cause or intend to cause harm. A violation under S.B. 315 would be classified as 'a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature,' punishable by up to $5,000 and 12 months in jail."
"When it comes to repair, farmers have always been self reliant. But the modernization of tractors and other farm equipment over the past few decades has left most farmers in the dust thanks to diagnostic software that large manufacturers hold a monopoly over. In this episode of State of Repair, Motherboard goes to Nebraska to talk to the farmers and mechanics who are fighting large manufacturers like John Deere for the right to access the diagnostic software they need to repair their tractors."
"With the ticker HBLK, the fund has a management fee of 0.65 per cent and seeks to replicate the performance of the Harvest Blockchain Technologies Index; an index designed in-house to track the performance of issuers in both the large-cap blockchain segment and the emerging blockchain segment exposed to the development and implementation of blockchain technologies in North America. At the same time, two other providers are looking to access the ever-growing popular blockchain technology. Both First Trust Portfolios Canada and Evolve Funds Group Inc. have filed preliminary prospectuses with regulators this week for blockchain funds."
"ATM 'jackpotting' — a sophisticated crime in which thieves install malicious software and/or hardware at ATMs that forces the machines to spit out huge volumes of cash on demand — has long been a threat for banks in Europe and Asia, yet these attacks somehow have eluded U.S. ATM operators. But all that changed this week after the U.S. Secret Service quietly began warning financial institutions that jackpotting attacks have now been spotted targeting cash machines here in the United States."
"Anxiety is only increased by the latest report from Reuters that cash withdrawals at Hong Kong ATMs have surged, prompting scrutiny from monetary authorities, the banking industry, and police amid media reports that mainland Chinese are withdrawing hundreds of thousands of dollars using up to 50 cards at a time. China has battled to curb capital outflows for years. A move that took effect on Jan. 1 caps overseas withdrawals using domestic Chinese bank cards."
"The annual deposit war is particularly fierce this year. The last day of January in the [WeChat] friend groups, bankers 'beg' for deposits one after another. 'There are more than 20 banks looking, every one is asking for deposits.' a listed company's small partner told reporters that he had been too busy to reply, however. The banker's nickname is 'Guixie.' [a combination of beg and thanks] 'Perhaps because the New Year approached, company payments are more numerous, bank account capital is less, bank competition for deposits is even more intense.' A banking source told reporters bluntly, these days are quite difficult."