Alternative News

Rapid DNA analyzers coming to every police station and TSA checkpoint in America

"According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, 'In the amount of time it takes to get lunch, the government can now collect your DNA and extract a profile that identifies you and your family members' using a device called a Rapid DNA Analyzer, which can 'process DNA in 90 minutes or less.' The EFF says these machines are not the imagination of science fiction writers. Rather, the group says they are 'an operational reality' and are currently being marketed to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies all around the nation. Well, what's the big deal? After you, you haven't done anything wrong - have you?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRapid DNA analyzers coming to every police station and TSA checkpoint in America

Fraudulent Certificate for Google Domains Found After Mistake by Turkish CA

"Google has pushed out an update that blocks an intermediate digital certificate for *.google.com after discovering that a Turkish certificate authority had mistakenly issued intermediate certificates to two organizations that should only have gotten normal SSL certificates. That error gave those two organizations the power to issue certificates that carried the same authority as the CA itself. One of the groups that obtained the intermediate certificate is a Turkish government agency and at least one of the major browser vendors said there was evidence the ceritificates had been used in an active attack." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFraudulent Certificate for Google Domains Found After Mistake by Turkish CA

Nokia: Yes, we decrypt your HTTPS data, but don’t worry about it

"Nokia has confirmed reports that its Xpress Browser decrypts data that flows through HTTPS connections – that includes the connections set up for banking sessions, encrypted email and more. However, it insists that there’s no need for users to panic because it would never access customers’ encrypted data." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNokia: Yes, we decrypt your HTTPS data, but don’t worry about it

Hacker, Activist Aaron Swartz Commits Suicide

"Aaron Swartz was facing a potential sentence of dozens of years in prison for allegedly trying to make MIT academic journal articles public. Swartz was dedicated to sharing data and information online. He worked tirelessly to develop and popularize standards for free and open information sharing. Swartz co-founded Demand Progress, which launched the primary campaign against Internet censorship bills (SOPA/PIPA). His work on Reddit enabled millions to share information and news socially (Swartz sold Infogami to Reddit)." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHacker, Activist Aaron Swartz Commits Suicide

Reality Check: Executive order for gun control, Can it happen?

"Vice President Joe Biden continues his talks with leaders on both sides of the gun control issue today. But it was what Biden eluded to yesterday that got people talking. The possibility that President Obama might use an Executive Order to regulate firearms. Could it happen?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingReality Check: Executive order for gun control, Can it happen?

Israel and Iran: A love story?

"When war between Israel and Iran seemed imminent, Israeli graphic designer Ronny Edry shared a poster on Facebook of himself and his daughter with a bold message: 'Iranians ... we [heart] you.' Other Israelis quickly created their own posters with the same message -- and Iranians responded in kind. The simple act of communication inspired surprising Facebook communities like 'Israel loves Iran,' 'Iran loves Israel' and even 'Palestine loves Israel.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIsrael and Iran: A love story?

America Is Setting A Dangerous Precedent For The Drone Age

"Micah Zenko of the Council of Foreign Relations makes this argument in a new report: 'A major risk is that of proliferation. Over the next decade, the U.S. near-monopoly on drone strikes will erode as more countries develop and hone this capability. In this uncharted territory, U.S. policy provides a powerful precedent for other states and nonstate actors that will increasingly deploy drones with potentially dangerous ramifications.' Jim Michaels of USA Today reports that 75 countries, including Iran and China, have developed or acquired drone technology in the wake of America's prolific program." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAmerica Is Setting A Dangerous Precedent For The Drone Age

NYPD ‘looking into’ drones to survey crowds

"New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said on Thursday that his police force is 'looking into' using drones to survey demonstrations, reported DNAinfo. During an interview at the 92nd Street Y in New York City with Reuters News’ editor-in-chief, Kelly explained the need to look into 'anything that helps us,' although a drone program was not being aggressively pursued currently. He also discussed the department’s counter-terrorism programs and the fact that the force has privately paid officers in 11 cities worldwide to 'act as tripwires or listening posts for the city.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNYPD ‘looking into’ drones to survey crowds

Thought The Euro Crisis Was Over? These 18 Charts Show The Real Crisis That Lies Ahead

"The latest Eurostat unemployment figures released today remind of a far bigger problem that the eurozone now must face – staggering levels of youth unemployment across the region. Governments on the euro periphery – which desperately need to institute difficult economic reforms to put budgets on sustainable paths – receive little support from a younger generation that feels like its opportunities and its future have been crushed already by the very same actors." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThought The Euro Crisis Was Over? These 18 Charts Show The Real Crisis That Lies Ahead

Now Greece Bans Cash – Again

"Greece is going to ban most cash transactions. As of last year, cash transactions over 1500 euros were banned. This moves the ban down by 1,000 euros. In fact, the Greek Parliament is voting today on a new tax bill that broadens the tax base to raise another 2.5 billion euros, and also introduces new annual income thresholds for salaried taxpayers. It does away with tax breaks for the self-employed. Entrepreneurs have emerged as the latest 'bandits' in Greece's ongoing efforts to bleed the wretched Greek carcass of its last available drop of revenue. Government benefits have been slashed, taxes raised and Greeks are being pursued with maniacal determination." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNow Greece Bans Cash – Again