Network Archives

Japan to adopt ‘bail-ins,’ force bank losses on investors if needed, Nikkei says

"Japan's Financial Services Agency will enact new rules that will forced failed bank losses on investors, if needed, via a mechanism known as a 'bail-in,' according to The Nikkei. Mitsubishi UFJ (MTU), Mizuho Financial (MFG) and Sumitomo Mitsui (SMFG) are among those proposing amendments to allow them to issue the types of preferred shares or subordinated bonds that would be used in such cases, the report noted." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJapan to adopt ‘bail-ins,’ force bank losses on investors if needed, Nikkei says

Glenn Greenwald: On Prism, partisanship and propaganda

"One of the most significant aspects of the Obama legacy has been the transformation of Democrats from pretend-opponents of the Bush War on Terror and National Security State into their biggest proponents: exactly what the CIA presciently and excitedly predicted in 2008 would happen with Obama's election. Some Democrats have tried to distinguish 2006 from 2013 by claiming that the former involved illegal spying while the latter does not. But the claim that current NSA spying is legal is dubious in the extreme. If Democrats are so sure these spying programs are legal, why has the Obama DOJ been so eager to block courts from adjudicating that question?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGlenn Greenwald: On Prism, partisanship and propaganda

Our Open Surveillance ‘Debate’: DOJ Wants to Block Release of Secret Court Opinion

"Because of the efforts of President Barack Obama's Administration to quash any release of even a smidgen of information about the government’s surveillance program, his comment today that he looked forward to a 'debate' on the issue was met with skepticism. Then, hours later, the Department of Justice responded to a lawsuit by the Electronic Frontier Foundation trying to stop the release of a secret court opinion connected to the very surveillance program about which Obama claimed to want to debate." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOur Open Surveillance ‘Debate’: DOJ Wants to Block Release of Secret Court Opinion

3 Reasons the ‘Nothing to Hide’ Crowd Should Be Worried About Government Surveillance

"There are many, many reasons to be concerned about the rise of the surveillance state, even if you have nothing to hide. Or rather, even if you think you have nothing to hide. For those confronted by such simplistic arguments, here are a three counterarguments that perhaps might get these people thinking about what they’re actually giving up." Continue reading →

Continue Reading3 Reasons the ‘Nothing to Hide’ Crowd Should Be Worried About Government Surveillance

Feds want mental health records, float plan to ban guns from legal pot smokers

"The Department of Justice now wants to be notified of any mental health concerns and commitments 'for other reasons' for Americans so their names can be added to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System list of people banned from owning guns. But it appears the requirements of the privacy rule for medical records will be a barrier to that quick transfer of personal details, so the Department of Health and Human Services has proposed a change. Attorneys Todd Garvey and Brian Yeh wrote that federal firearms regulators will be aggressive about banning anyone who uses marijuana from buying – or possessing – a weapon." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFeds want mental health records, float plan to ban guns from legal pot smokers

Boy Who Refused to Take Off NRA Shirt Facing 1 Year in Jail

"Today, 14-year-old Jared Marcum appeared before a judge and was officially charged with obstructing an officer. A $500 fine and up to a year in jail, that’s the penalty that Jared could face, now that a judge has allowed the prosecution to move forward with it’s obstructing an officer charge against him. Prosecuting attorney Michael White refused to respond to any questions, as did Logan Police. The arresting officer from the Logan City Police Department, James Adkins, claims that when Jared refused to stop talking during the arrest and that hindered his ability to do his job, hence, the obstruction charge." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBoy Who Refused to Take Off NRA Shirt Facing 1 Year in Jail

Law enforcement demands smartphone ‘kill switch’

"A coalition of law enforcement officials, political leaders and consumer groups, called the Secure Our Smartphones (S.O.S) Initiative, wants a 'kill switch' installed on all new smartphones that would make them useless anywhere in the world if they are reported stolen. They want all smartphones equipped with a kill switch by early next year and they don’t want customers to foot the bill for this security technology. The S.O.S. Initiative is spearheaded by Gascon and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. The two prosecutors hosted a 'Smartphone Summit' in New York City on Thursday with the major mobile device manufacturers." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLaw enforcement demands smartphone ‘kill switch’

Man Helping Sick Wife Charged With Marijuana Trafficking

"The resident, a 66-year-old man named Frank Dennis Peters, turned himself in to the authorities. Peters claims he has been growing the marijuana to assist his wife of 40 years who suffers from fibromyalgia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Peters added, 'I have a moral obligation to make my wife as comfortable as possible.' Under current law, medical marijuana is legal, but only if it is purchased from South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control. However, the Department has never actually distributed any marijuana according to department spokesman. The law is 33 years old." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMan Helping Sick Wife Charged With Marijuana Trafficking