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Why bitcoins are 60% more expensive in Argentina than the US

"The country’s citizens, faced with an annual inflation rate of around 25%, are turning their backs on their national currency. Official figures put the annual rate of inflation at around 10%, but private economists estimate it to be more than double this. In February 2011, the government started issuing fines of up to 500,000 pesos ($123,442) to economists and consulting firms that refuted the official figures. To access dollars legally in Argentina, buyers have to make a request through the central bank and AFIP (the tax revenue office), which check how much the buyer is requesting and what it is for." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhy bitcoins are 60% more expensive in Argentina than the US

Norway Gets U.S. Help Chasing Citizens Dodging Income Taxes

"Federal courts in six states have allowed the Internal Revenue Service to issue summonses to U.S. banks at the request of the Norwegian government, and the banks may now have to give up information on people who used some kinds of credit and debit cards. The development signals increasing cooperation between governments to stop offshore tax evasion. The U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act may lead to dozens of agreements between countries to exchange information on bank accounts. The development is significant because the U.S. government went to federal court in eight states at Norway (NOUE)’s request." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNorway Gets U.S. Help Chasing Citizens Dodging Income Taxes

Ranch House Near Reno is a Thriving Tax Haven, and It’s Not Alone

"Shielding assets from the tax man or from overly inquisitive regulators is a time-honored strategy for the wealthy. Some turn to secretive financial havens like Switzerland or the Cayman Islands. Or there’s always Fernley, Nevada. [There] you will find the unassuming home of businessman Robert Harris, 65, who describes himself as a former bartender with an eighth grade education. The house is also home to some 2,400 Nevada corporations, all registered to Harris’ address. For a little extra money, Harris offers what he calls 'Ultimate Asset Protection,' which includes a 'virtual office with phone message and fax forwarding.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRanch House Near Reno is a Thriving Tax Haven, and It’s Not Alone

FBI: nearly twice as many renunciations in first seven months this year

"The FBI has released its latest report on Active Records in the NICS Index as of 31 July 2013. NICS now contains the records of 22,908 renunciants who have been stripped of the right to purchase firearms in the United States. This is an increase of 298 since last month and 2,254 since December last year; this compares to 1,184 renunciants recorded by the FBI in January–July 2012." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFBI: nearly twice as many renunciations in first seven months this year

Walter Williams: Black Self-Sabotage

"The poverty rate among blacks is 36 percent. Most black poverty is found in female-headed households. Among black married couples it has been in single digits since 1994 and is about 8 percent today. The black illegitimacy rate is 75 percent, and in some cities, it's 90 percent. But if that's a legacy of slavery, it must have skipped several generations, because in the 1940s, unwed births hovered around 14 percent. Though blacks are 13 percent of the nation's population, they account for more than 50 percent of homicide victims. Nationally, the black homicide victimization rate is six times that of whites, and in some cities, it's 22 times that of whites." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWalter Williams: Black Self-Sabotage

“Race” – The Divide-And-Conquer Tool Of Tyrants

"Everything from employment applications to telephone surveys to the Census—all contain the following question: 'Check which of the following best describes your hair color: 1) Blonde, 2) Brown, 3) Black, 4) Gray/Silver/White, 5) Red, 6) Of mixed hues, 7) Bald or Decline to answer'. Imagine it had always been this way. Would it surprise anyone that in such a society, there might crop up animosity among the different groups in certain situations? That a gray-on-bald crime might raise hostilities? That entire organizations would crop up, like the National Association For The Advancement Of Redheads?" Continue reading →

Continue Reading“Race” – The Divide-And-Conquer Tool Of Tyrants

Turkish court imprisons dozens over alleged ‘plot’ to overthrow government

"A Turkish court on Monday sentenced a former military chief to life in prison and dozens of others including opposition members of parliament to long terms for plotting against the government, in a trial that has exposed deep divisions in the country. Retired military chief of staff General Ilker Basbug was sentenced to life for his role in the 'Ergenekon' conspiracy to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. Announcing verdicts on the nearly 300 defendants in the case, the judges also sentenced three serving parliamentarians from the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) to between 12 and 35 years in prison." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTurkish court imprisons dozens over alleged ‘plot’ to overthrow government

State Department: Bradley Manning had ‘chilling effect’ on foreign relations

"'Every single embassy' was affected, said Undersecretary of State for Management Patrick Kennedy, who warned about long-term consequences of Manning’s 2010 leaks to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks. The unauthorized releases made foreign diplomats, business leaders and other information sources 'reticent to provide their full and frank opinions and share them with us,' he said. Most of the leaked diplomatic cables originated after 2005, when a new information-sharing system was adopted to address intelligence failings exposed by the attacks of September 11, 2001." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingState Department: Bradley Manning had ‘chilling effect’ on foreign relations

Washington man arrested for strapping bomb to his dog and blowing it up

"A Washington state man was arrested over the weekend after he allegedly killed his dog by attaching a bomb to the animal and then detonated it. The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the metro area’s bomb squad assisted in the investigation. Dillingham was charged with second-degree malicious mischief, reckless endangerment and possession of an explosive device. Officials declined to give a motive for the crime, citing an ongoing investigation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWashington man arrested for strapping bomb to his dog and blowing it up

Lawyers: Illegal body cavity searches of women standard policy at Texas traffic stops

"A lawyer representing women who faced 'unconstitutional' cavity searches of their genitals at traffic stops in Texas last year have said that the practice is essentially standard practice in many jurisdictions. In two separate cases last year, four women said that they were humiliated with illegal cavity searches on the side of Texas highways. Angel Dobbs, 38, and her 24-year-old niece, Ashley Dobbs were searched after a trooper saw them throw a cigarette butt out the car window. And Brandy Hamilton, 27, and Alexandria Randle, 26, were searched after a trooper claimed he smelled marijuana." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLawyers: Illegal body cavity searches of women standard policy at Texas traffic stops