CLibertyC

Turkey’s Garanti Bank losing customers in anti-government protest

"Tens of thousands of people have staged protests in cities across Turkey and many have complained that domestic broadcasters and newspapers are not adequately covering their action out of fear of government reprisals. Dogus Holding, which owns a major stake in Garanti, also controls the NTV television station, which has angered the protesters with its coverage. 'Some customers have cancelled their cards and accounts, but it has been limited,' Chief Executive Ergun Ozen told Reuters. He said 35-40 million lira in funds had been withdrawn in the past week, from total accounts of 95 billion, while around 1,500 of Garanti's 8.5 million credit cards had been cancelled." Continue reading →

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Costa Rica Probes Liberty Reserve Founder Marriage

"The man who allegedly founded currency transfer firm Liberty Reserve may have paid a Costa Rican woman to marry him so he could get citizenship in this country, which lacks an extradition treaty with the United States, authorities said Wednesday. Deputy director of judicial investigations Gustavo Vega said officials were still investigating the 2010 marriage between millionaire Arthur Budovsky and a woman who local media identified only by her last names of Valerio Vargas." Continue reading →

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So far, D.C. feeling little pain from sequester’s bite

"In the months since the automatic federal spending cuts known as the sequester took effect, the Washington area has added 40,000 jobs. Income-tax receipts have surged in Virginia, beating expectations. Few government contractors have laid off workers. It’s too early to be certain, but initial indications are that the damage from the sequester has been modest and slow to develop. The pace of job growth from January to April was only slightly slower this year than last year. Large government contractors are reporting relatively modest revenue hits and few layoffs due to reduced contracts." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSo far, D.C. feeling little pain from sequester’s bite

National weather agency spared from furloughs after rash of tornadoes

"Forecasters at the National Weather Service (NWS) will not be forced to take furloughs during the summer hurricane season following the recent destruction caused by tornadoes in Oklahoma, CNN reported on Saturday. The NWS was part of the initial plan by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to impose as many as 20 mandatory days off without pay for its 12,000 employees in July and September, a move caused by federal budget cuts. The cuts would have taken effect during what forecasters predicted would be an abnormally severe hurricane season." Continue reading →

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Bilderberg Cancels Hotel Reservations of Journalists Covering Secret Meeting

"The Bilderberg Group ordered a hotel at which journalists from Infowars were set to stay to cover the organization’s secretive confab next week to cancel the reservations, reports Infowars. Alex Jones and his reporters all received phone calls from the Grove Hotel in Watford, England today informing them that their reservations – which ran until the day before Bilderberg are set to meet in the same location – had been cancelled." Continue reading →

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‘Virtual’ Currencies Draw State Regulator Scrutiny

"State banking regulators are scrutinizing companies that let people buy and sell virtual currencies such as bitcoin, and some are looking at requiring costly licenses, according to people familiar with the efforts. Texas is one of 48 states that require companies to obtain money-transmission licenses to operate. South Carolina and Montana don't have such rules. New York bank regulators said they are also discussing the issues with virtual currency exchanges operating in the state. State money-transmission licenses can be costly. In Texas, companies seeking a license must provide a surety bond of between $300,000 and $2 million, depending on transaction volume." Continue reading →

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Looking to spend those hard-earned Bitcoins? Victoria diner takes cybercurrency

"Cabin 12 is calling itself the first 'bricks and mortar' business in Victoria to accept cybercurrency Bitcoin as payment for meals. The restaurant has been accepting Bitcoin payments since February. And while co-owner Dan Del Villano says it's in the early stages and few have taken advantage of the option — four customers have used it and Cabin 12's Bitcoin wallet now has about $150 — he's optimistic it could become a more regular option for some customers as it garners mainstream attention." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLooking to spend those hard-earned Bitcoins? Victoria diner takes cybercurrency