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Draper University Becomes the First Educational Institution to Accept Tuition in Bitcoin

"Draper University, a cutting edge boarding school for young entrepreneurs from all over the world, received its first tuition payment in Bitcoin for its summer session, which starts June 24. Draper University accepts various forms of tuition payments, including bartering for services, and now will also accept Bitcoin for tuition payments. The university, located in downtown San Mateo, offers an innovative program designed to inspire, cultivate, and educate students who dream to build companies that change the world around them. Draper University offers four sessions a year and is intended for young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 to 26." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDraper University Becomes the First Educational Institution to Accept Tuition in Bitcoin

Bitcoin among virtual currencies targeted in US crackdown on tax evasion

"Just weeks after US prosecutors shut down digital currency operator Liberty Reserve for allegedly running one of the biggest money laundering schemes ever uncovered, prosecutors are scrutinising the use of virtual currencies - which can be traded anonymously - to evade tax. In future, taxpayers could be forced to disclose to the IRS whether they are using PayPal accounts for the virtual transfer of money. The latest move follows a landmark decision by Switzerland last month, which accepted a settlement over alleged bank complicity in evasion by Americans. Switzerland had long considered bank secrecy laws untouchable." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBitcoin among virtual currencies targeted in US crackdown on tax evasion

Switzerland seeks US response over alleged CIA bank spying

"The Swiss government on Tuesday revealed that it has asked the United States to explain an alleged CIA blackmail operation to spy on Switzerland's banks, exposed by whistleblower Edward Snowden. The Swiss foreign ministry told AFP that it was aware of media reports about the issue and that it had sent the US embassy in the capital Berne a diplomatic note seeking 'clarification'. The ministry also confirmed that Snowden was accredited as a diplomatic attache at the US permanent mission to the United Nations in Geneva from March 2007 to February 2009." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSwitzerland seeks US response over alleged CIA bank spying

Ron Paul: Defending the NSA means embracing ‘dictatorship’

"Appearing on CNN with host Piers Morgan on Monday, former Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) said that NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has embarked on 'a heroic effort' in telling the world about the U.S. government’s spying capabilities, and warned that defending this type of unilateral, unchecked power means embracing 'dictatorship' moving forward. 'For somebody to tell the American people the truth is a heroic effort, and he knows that it’s very risky,' he continued. 'He knows he’s committing civil disobedience, and he knows that he could get punished.' Paul went on to say he believes there should be talk of penalties for officials who 'destroy the Constitution.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRon Paul: Defending the NSA means embracing ‘dictatorship’

Most Americans back NSA, prioritize surveillance over privacy

"A large majority of Americans say the federal government should focus on investigating possible terrorist threats even if personal privacy is compromised, and most support the blanket tracking of telephone records in an effort to uncover terrorist activity, according to a new Washington Post-Pew Research Center poll. Fully 45 percent of all Americans say the government should be able to go further than it is, saying that it should be able to monitor everyone’s online activity if doing so would prevent terrorist attacks. A slender majority, 52 percent, say no such broad-based monitoring should occur." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMost Americans back NSA, prioritize surveillance over privacy

US lawmakers call for review of Patriot Act after NSA surveillance revelations

"In unbroadcast elements of a transcript issued by NBC, the director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, said he had responded in the 'least untruthful manner' possible when denying that the NSA collected data on millions of Americans during congressional hearings. Clapper also confirmed that senator Dianne Feinstein, chair of the intelligence committee, had asked for a review to 'refine these NSA processes and limit the exposure to Americans' private communications' and report back 'in about a month'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUS lawmakers call for review of Patriot Act after NSA surveillance revelations

Bill O’Reilly suddenly opposed to NSA surveillance he supported under Bush

"The conservative host described the NSA’s surveillance programs as a 'massive intrusion.' O’Reilly warned that 'corrupt government officials' could leak sensitive data to hurt their political opponents. He said that keeping actual content of private conversations on file was 'flat out unconstitutional.' O’Reilly’s tune was far different under the Bush administration. At the time, he voiced strong support for the NSA’s warrantless wiretapping program, which collected the telephone records of millions of Americans. In 2006, after a judge ruled the program was unconstitutional, O’Reilly speculated that she didn’t care if Americans were killed by terrorists." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBill O’Reilly suddenly opposed to NSA surveillance he supported under Bush

Julian Assange praises Edward Snowden for exposing ‘mass surveillance state’

"Edward Snowden is a 'hero' who has exposed 'one of the most serious events of the decade – the creeping formulation of a mass surveillance state', Julian Assange said on Monday. The WikiLeaks founder said the question of surveillance abuses by states and tech companies was 'something that I and many other journalists and civil libertarians have been campaigning about for a long time. It is very pleasing to see such clear and concrete proof presented to the public.' Assange told Sky News that Snowden was 'in a very, very serious position, because we can see the kind of rhetoric that occurred against me and Bradley Manning back in 2010, 2011, applied to Snowden'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJulian Assange praises Edward Snowden for exposing ‘mass surveillance state’

Southwest flight diverted to Phoenix due to bomb threat

"A Southwest Airlines flight bound for Texas from Los Angeles with 143 passengers aboard was forced to land in Phoenix on Monday after a telephoned bomb threat and U.S. fighter jets were diverted to monitor the situation, authorities said. All passengers on board were taken off without incident, the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Southwest said. Phoenix police interviewed the passengers and bomb squad officers and dogs swept the aircraft. Police spokesman Sergeant Steve Martos later Tweeted that the search found 'nothing of concern.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSouthwest flight diverted to Phoenix due to bomb threat