Alternative News

Mask ban: Canada’s veiled protesters face 10 years’ jail

"A new Canadian law forbids people from wearing a mask or covering their face during a riot or so-called 'unlawful assembly' in the country. The law carries a maximum ten-year sentence for anyone convicted of physically concealing their identity. The law does allow exceptions for those who are able to prove they have a 'lawful excuse' for concealing their face, such as for religious or medical purposes. The bill originally proposed imprisoning an offender for five years, but that sentence doubled to ten years after conservative lawmakers greeted the idea enthusiastically." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMask ban: Canada’s veiled protesters face 10 years’ jail

George Clooney Arrives at the Bank of England

"We wrote just yesterday about Mark Carney, the central banker from Canada who has arrived on the scene in Britain to take over the reins of England's central bank. The adulatory press coverage has been just what we expected, and even more so. We've already been treated to reports of how Carney took the 'tube' to work and in this video we learn that he arrived a full hour early to work. We are reminded once more that central banking is as much a public spectacle as an exercise of monetary power. Carney has obviously been picked because he is a man who seems relaxed even under the glare of publicity and comes across as confident but levelheaded." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGeorge Clooney Arrives at the Bank of England

Price of Lunch with Warren Buffett Crashes

"In recent years, last-minute bidding has regularly pushed the price to record levels. Last year's lunch for eight almost tripled in the final minute of bidding, closing at $3.46 million. With bidding nearing the $1 million mark by mid-afternoon Friday, expectations ran high that the lunch with the Berkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO could cross $4 million for the first time. But as the auction closed at just $1,000,100, some attending the invitation-only countdown party at Restaurant Lulu in San Francisco could be heard speculating that a glitch must have occurred." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPrice of Lunch with Warren Buffett Crashes

Pimco Total Return Had $9.9 Billion Withdrawals in June

"Imagine what is going to happen when the panic over climbing interest rates really starts. Bill Gross’s Pimco Total Return Fund, a bond fund and the world’s largest mutual fund, had $9.9 billion in net redemptions last month as investors fled bonds in anticipation of higher interest rates. The withdrawals left the fund with $268 billion in assets at the end of June, Morningstar said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPimco Total Return Had $9.9 Billion Withdrawals in June

The Nudge That Will Force Banks to Put More Money Into Treasury Securities

"Translation: The rules will require banks to purchase more government securities, rather than make loans to the private sector. The nudge is in. In a May 1 report,Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee said banks, over time, will need to buy as much as $5.7 trillion in 'safe' assets including government bonds by 2020 to comply with the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act in the U.S., and capital standards set by the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Nudge That Will Force Banks to Put More Money Into Treasury Securities

Bitcoin ATM launched

"A bitcoin ATM was revealed at a London conference today, allowing users to convert bank notes into the digital currency. To use the ATM, you need to have an existing Bitcoin wallet number. First, it scans a QR code of your Bitcoin address. Then, the user has to feed bank notes into the machine, which are converted at the current exchange rate and deposited into their account. While the deposit takes moments, it can take several minutes for an account to be updated. Bitcoin can be purchased via online exchange sites, but the ATM means you don't need to use a credit or bank card, helping to keep the transactions anonymous, the company said." Continue reading →

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Florida County Moves To Shut Down Red Light Cameras With Public Vote

"The board of commissioners in Hernando County, Florida has been trying for months to force the city of Brooksville to remove red light cameras from the county's right-of-way. So far, nothing has worked and the county commissioners agreed last week to use the ultimate political persuasion -- a vote of county residents -- to force the issue. Yellow light warning times at the camera intersections were also increased on Thursday." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFlorida County Moves To Shut Down Red Light Cameras With Public Vote

Egyptian ministers resign in wave as Army deadline nears

"Egyptian foreign minister Kamel Amr became the sixth minister to tender his resignation from the Morsi government. Amr follows the ministers for tourism, environment, communications and legal affairs and water utilities. Morsi, along with the Egyptian prime minister, met with the head of the armed forces for a second day on Tuesday. Egypt’s state news agency MENA reported that millions have staged demonstrations against President Mohamed Morsi’s government since Sunday. Prior to Amr’s resignation, the other four ministers had stated that their move came as an act of 'solidarity with the people’s demand to overthrow the regime.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEgyptian ministers resign in wave as Army deadline nears

The Revolution of Brazil – An Interview

"This picture was taken in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil during last week’s protests. The protests took place in front of the National Congress building where there is a small lake, the ministry buildings can be seen at the back. At some point protesters tried to invade the building across the lake and were repelled by the police with tear gas and batons. They are known to have been using rubber bullets as well. Later in the evening the protesters broke through and ended up on top of the building. It was a huge symbol to Brazil when they broke through. A few of them were quoted as saying something in the lines of 'we are taking our home back'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Revolution of Brazil – An Interview

China, Russia Begin Naval Drills In Sea Of Japan

"Six weeks after South Korea and the US flexed their naval muscles in a joint naval exercise, a mere month after China protested over joint Japan-US naval drills, and amid growing US tensions with the Russians, a Chinese fleet consisting of seven naval vessels departed Qingdao to join in Sino-Russian naval drills scheduled to begin this weekend. The eight-day exercise is expected to be conducted at the sea area and airspace of the Peter the Great Gulf in the Sea of Japan with the Chinese fleet. A total of 18 vessels, one submarine, three fixed-wing planes, five carrier-based helicopters and two teams of special forces from the two countries will participate." Continue reading →

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