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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 →

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 →

Massive Kenya water discovery will transform drought-prone ‘cradle of mankind’

“UNESCO and the Kenya Government today announce the discovery of one of the worlds largest underground water aquifers in the desert north of Turkana, an area best known for fossils, famine and poverty. The finding by Radar Technologies International (RTI) was made using space based exploration technology called WATEX system. The largest aquifer at 250 billion cubic meters of water which is equivalent in volume to Lake Turkana one of the largest lakes in the Great Rift Valley, and 25 times greater than Loch Ness. More importantly the annual recharge rate, the amount of water that can be sustainably exploited per year, is estimated to 3.4 billion cubic meters.” Continue reading →

South African gold miners strike over ‘slave wages in white man’s economy’

“About 80,000 gold miners in South Africa walked out on strike on Tuesday night, raising fears of renewed violence in the crisis-hit industry and underlining the government’s dwindling authority. The dispute over pay comes a year after 46 people died during unrest in the platinum belt and amid signs that the century-old mining industry model is broken. For years South Africa was the world’s top gold producer, accounting for more than two-thirds of output in 1970, but it has slipped to fifth place with just 6% of global production. The NUM is demanding rises of up to 60% after talks broke down.” Continue reading →

‘Beanie Babies’ creator will pay $53.5 million to IRS for $885,300 delinquency

“The creator of the wildly popular Beanie Babies toy line agreed to plead guilty to felony tax evasion charges and will pay a $53.5 million penalty as part of a settlement agreement, the Chicago Tribune reported on Wednesday. Prosecutors accused Warner of failing to notify his accountants about both a Swiss bank account and the $3.1 million in foreign income it generated. He subsequently did not disclose that income in his 2002 tax return, enabling him to avoid paying $885,300 in taxes for that year. UBS revealed Warner’s account as part of a 2009 agreement with the IRS after admitting that it helped U.S. clients hide their accounts.” Continue reading →

Ron Paul: Yellen likely frontrunner in Fed race

“Former Rep. Ron Paul, (R-TX), provides his take on the Fed and what a taper could mean for the future of the economy and markets.” Continue reading →

Georgia congressman complains: ‘I’m stuck here making $172,000 a year’

“A Georgia Republican congressman was caught complaining about what he described as a low salary in a closed-door meeting with fellow party members concerning the Affordable Care Act. During a discussion concerning a possible exemption for lawmakers and staff members from taking part in the state health exchanges mandated by the new law, Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) reportedly lamented that aides can become lobbyists ‘and make 500,000 a year. Meanwhile I’m stuck here making $172,000 a year.’ USA Today reported that Gingrey’s net worth is estimated to be between $3 million and $7.6 million, while the median household income in Georgia is $49,736.” Continue reading →

Swiss Fund Centralway Invests $250k In Bitcoin Exchange Buttercoin

“Swiss company builder Centralway is opening a new seed and early stage investment arm that will invest $50 million per year into 20 to 30 startups — including both small seed-stage investment and larger Series A rounds. It said its ‘preferred case’ will be to do a smaller investment at the seed stage, followed by larger investment into the same company at a later round. Buttercoin‘s model is to open a local Bitcoin exchange in each country where it operates — starting with Europe (where it’s due to launch in around two months’ time) — and then partner with local money transfer businesses to gain legal compliance in the country.” Continue reading →