Network Archives

Bulgarian protesters: ‘Even if we are smiling, we are angry’

"The spark that ignited this latest crisis in the EU’s poorest country was the Socialist-backed government’s decision earlier this month to appoint a 32-year-old media mogul to head a powerful state security authority. For the protesters, this showed that the new administration was in cahoots with the same old powerful business interests and that its promises of a new era of transparency and accountability were lies. Even though the government quickly reversed the security chief decision, between 7,000 and 10,000 people have taken part in daily demonstrations since June 14 – marching and dancing, shouting and singing along Sofia’s boulevards every evening." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBulgarian protesters: ‘Even if we are smiling, we are angry’

Sen. Lindsey Graham: Support immigration bill since with it “we’ve practically militarized the border”

"Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Sunday encouraged Republicans to support comprehensive immigration reform because a recent amendment 'practically militarized the border.' According to Roll Call, a so-called 'border surge' amendment would double the number of border agents to 40,000, complete 700 miles of new border fencing, deploy drones and other sensors, fully implement E-Verify and increase tracking on visas. 'I’ve been hearing for years, let’s secure the border, let’s regain our sovereignty.' 'This whole border security amendment, I think, is the most aggressive attempt to control the southern border and regain our sovereignty.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSen. Lindsey Graham: Support immigration bill since with it “we’ve practically militarized the border”

The daily smart pill that can remember all your passwords

"The tiny swallowable capsules contain a minute chip that transmits an individual’s personal details. Electronic devices will be able to read the unique signal, ending the need for passwords and paper forms of ID, such as passports - and freeing users from such mundane tasks as recalling countless codes and security answers. Already approved by the both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European regulators, the ingestible sensor is powered by a battery using the acid in the wearer’s stomach. It then sends a tiny signal that can be read by mobile devices and allows them to verify the identity of an individual." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe daily smart pill that can remember all your passwords

Is the National Security Agency behind Bitcoin?

"Recently a 1996 NSA report surfaced, ‘predicting’ a crypto-cyber unit eerily close to Bitcoin. The NSA report goes deeply into the challenges a crypto currency faces and lists the various security and implicated regulatory risks. Amazingly, a key writer of the report is called Tatsuaki Okamoto. In the Bitcoin community this has been picked up as remarkably similar to Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonym of the enigmatic developer of Bitcoin. An interesting issue is In-Q-Tel’s involvement. In-Q-Tel is the ‘not for profit’ investment arm of the CIA. In-Q-Tel is investing or planning on investing in Bitcoin, presumably by buying some of them." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIs the National Security Agency behind Bitcoin?

Former Clinton, Cameron Advisors: ‘Why Bitcoin is on the money’

"This phenomenon is part of a wider trend towards networked and globalised power structures that tend to undermine the nation state-based systems to which we have grown accustomed. Last week, the world’s most powerful nations grappled with the complexity of a global tax system. But almost unnoticed, the rise of digital currencies like BitCoin threatens to render obsolete even the modest progress made by the G8. BitCoin's distributed network structure makes it hard for any one country or group of countries to regulate its activities. Opportunities for larger players are presented by immediate and secure value transfer, delivered anonymously and at next-to-zero cost." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer Clinton, Cameron Advisors: ‘Why Bitcoin is on the money’

Ghana arrests 124 Chinese citizens for illegal Gold mining

"Local police arrested the suspected illegal miners in the country's capital, Accra. Many of them are likely to face deportation. Ghana, the continent's second-largest gold producer, has forbidden foreigners from working in its small-scale mines since the 1980s. Locals have criticised Chinese miners for taking local jobs, polluting lakes and rivers, and wielding weapons such as AK-47 rifles to ward off robbers. More than 50,000 Chinese gold miners have been to Ghana since 2005. Two-thirds of them come from Shanglin, an impoverished county in southern Guangxi province where news of the gold rush spread by word of mouth." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGhana arrests 124 Chinese citizens for illegal Gold mining

Snap up a pint in Britain’s first Bitcoin pub

"Bitcoin has its first British boozer. The Pembury Tavern in Hackney, east London – as well as its sister pubs in Cambridge, Norwich and Peterborough – are now accepting the virtual currency. The system is quick and effective. The bar staff press two buttons on the till and the screen displays a QR code. The customer opens their digital Bitcoin wallet, takes a snap of the screen and confirms the payment. The staff press one more button and the transaction is complete. Snapping the QR code in a crowded bar could be a challenge but in a quiet pub it is faster than paying by card." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSnap up a pint in Britain’s first Bitcoin pub

Silver found to be key weapon in fight against antibiotics resistance

"Silver may be a key weapon in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria, according to Boston University scientists. A team of researchers lead by biomedical engineer James Collins, say adding silver to antibiotics can make them up to 1,000 times more effective, especially when it comes to combating Gram-negative bacteria — one of the hardest pathogens to kill. The findings, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, comes only weeks after Britain’s top doctor, Sally Davies, began its media campaign to warn about the rise of drug-resistant superbugs, which she considers a risk for humankind of 'apocalyptic consequences.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSilver found to be key weapon in fight against antibiotics resistance

New Gold Import Tax In Sri Lanka

"Sri Lanka has announced a 10 per cent tax on gold imports in what observers said was a bid to curb smuggling to India as global markets trading in the precious metal reported sharp price drops to 2010 levels. Earlier this week India — the world’s largest consumer of gold — hiked import duty on the precious metal to eight per cent to stem surging demand and reduce the country’s ballooning current account deficit, as consumers sought to exploit the fall in prices. Local industry watchers say the new tax in Sri Lanka would push up local prices and claimed the government move was aimed at curbing local traders who smuggle gold into India." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew Gold Import Tax In Sri Lanka