Alternative News

Amazon Launches Its Own Virtual Currency Called Coins

"Amazon has launched its own currency called Amazon Coins, MailOnline reports. It's currently only available for US Kindle Fire owners, but the Coins can be used to pay for games, apps and in-app purchases from the Amazon Appstore. One Amazon Coin is worth one penny, and Kindle Fire owners are getting 500 Coins ($5) for free as part of the launch. The Coins will also be able to be used on the company's retail site when they become more widely available. Amazon Coins can be bought in batches of 1000, 2500, 5000 and 10,000. The more you buy, the bigger the discount and 10,000 Coins costs $90, for example." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAmazon Launches Its Own Virtual Currency Called Coins

Homeland Security Seizes Funds Associated with Dwolla Account of Bitcoin Dealer Mt. Gox

"The Department of Homeland Security has served a court order to the money exchange service Dwolla, in regard to its dealings with Mt. Gox. Earlier today, I reported on news that the Department of Homeland Security ordered the money transfer firm from transacting with the Bitcoin dealer Mt. Gox. More details are now emerging. A representative for Dwolla told Betabeat that, 'The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland issued a ‘Seizure Warrant’ for the funds associated with Mutum Sigillium’s Dwolla account (a.k.a. Mt. Gox).'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHomeland Security Seizes Funds Associated with Dwolla Account of Bitcoin Dealer Mt. Gox

Skype with care – Microsoft is reading everything you write

"Back in January, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Reporters without Borders expressed concern that the restructuring resulting from the takeover meant that Skype would have to comply with US laws on eavesdropping and would therefore have to permit government agencies and secret services to access Skype communications. In summary, The H and heise Security believe that, having consented to Microsoft using all data transmitted over the service pretty much however it likes, all Skype users should assume that this will actually happen and that the company is not going to reveal what exactly it gets up to with this data." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSkype with care – Microsoft is reading everything you write

Cops Break Down Door Without Warrant, Taze Cameraman In Front Of Wife And Kids

"Police are called out to an apartment for a noise compliant by the neighbors. The three occupants inside non-aggressively exercise their fourth amendment right, refusing the police entry as they demand at gun point to let them inside without a search warrant or probable cause. As the police quickly holster their weapons after the camera turns on, the three occupants continue to exercise their rights non-aggressively. The police respond by going into 'over-the-top' aggressive mode, utilizing excessive force by kicking in the door, assaulting the female and tazing the cameraman four times causing the camera to short out. All three occupants are arrested/cited for obstruction." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCops Break Down Door Without Warrant, Taze Cameraman In Front Of Wife And Kids

Video Now Missing From Confiscated Phone In Beating And Murder Of David Silva By Police

"Responding to what he called a case that 'has consumed the media and our community,' Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said Tuesday he has asked the FBI to conduct a 'parallel' investigation into the death of Bakersfield father of four David Sal Silva, who died May 8 after he was beaten by deputies. Youngblood’s call to the FBI — he termed it 'unprecedented' — was made after it was discovered that video evidence expected to be found on one of two cell phones confiscated last week from witnesses was not present on the phone." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingVideo Now Missing From Confiscated Phone In Beating And Murder Of David Silva By Police

Is this Sandpoint, Idaho — or Soviet Russia?

"Rita Hutchens is a 57-year-old quilt artist from Sandpoint, Idaho. Until two years ago, she had never experienced trouble with the police. After checking on a rental property, Rita was followed home by an officer who assaulted her and arrested her without cause. The resisting and obstructing charge against Rita was thrown out of court by a judge who recognized that there was no legal cause for the police officer to be on Rita’s property or lay hands on her. She is now enduring a campaign of undisguised harassment and persecution from city and county officials that has included a midnight police raid on her home and an order that she undergo a psychiatric evaluation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIs this Sandpoint, Idaho — or Soviet Russia?

Leniency for a Uniformed Sexual Predator

"In November 2010, 17-year-old Utah resident Tamsen Reid was stopped by former Box Elder County, Utah, Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Womack. She and her two friends were told to get out of the car, stand barefoot in the snow, and submit to an invasive search. Womack told them to lift their shirts and expose their breasts so he could search for tattoos and body piercings. Reid was singled out for special attention. Womack told her to get in the back of his patrol vehicle, remove her clothes, and spread her legs so he could inspect her for an intimate tattoo. When the teenager refused, Womack warned her that she could either submit or be taken to jail." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLeniency for a Uniformed Sexual Predator

Pressure Cookers Seized From Luggage By TSA

"According to FBI spokesman Tom Simon, the passenger’s luggage contained what appeared to be a modified pressure cooker, which was discovered through standard Transportation Security Administration screening. The passenger was detained for questioning but was not placed under arrest, Simon said. The pressure cooker and some of the contents of the luggage were seized by the FBI for analysis. Simon today declined further comment, and did not respond to a question from Big Island Now as to whether pressure cookers are now among the items prohibited from being carried on board airlines, either in carry-on or checked baggage." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPressure Cookers Seized From Luggage By TSA

The Murder of David Sal Silva

"A mob of nine men beat David Sal Silva, 33, to death in Bakersfield, California, last week. They hogtied him, bashed his head with batons, picked him up and then dropped him at least twice as he screamed and pleaded for his life. They committed this crime openly – I would say in broad daylight, except that it was around midnight. Nonetheless, they slaughtered Mr. Silva on a fairly busy road, across the street from a hospital and in view of the neighborhood’s residents and passers-by. Where are the cops in all this? Protecting their own: the nine killers are sheriffs from Kern County." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Murder of David Sal Silva

California cops defend seizing video depicting fatal beating case

"Authorities in Kern County, California are defending themselves against criticism for confiscating cell phone video of seven sheriff’s deputies’ fatal encounter with a 33-year-old man. But witnesses to the May 8 incident involving the deputies and 33-year-old David Silva said deputies overstepped their bounds in gathering that evidence. A witness told the Bakersfield Californian that two detectives entered her apartment to seize video taken by her boyfriend and blocked the entrance, then demanded her mother’s phone. Another witness gave the family surveillance footage taken near the site of the encounter that shows deputies hitting Silva with their nightsticks." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCalifornia cops defend seizing video depicting fatal beating case