Mainstream News

Feds will continue to jail pot dealers ‘in all states’

"The White House has pledged to continue to jail those who traffick in marijuana or sell it to minors — even in two US states where its recreational use is now legal. Deputy Attorney General James Cole defended the federal decision not to challenge new laws legalizing marijuana in Colorado and Washington states. Cole pledged that in addition to blocking cannabis cultivation and distribution, US authorities would work to prevent the export of marijuana to places where the substance is still illegal, 'whether the state has legalized it or not.' And he added that Justice Department officials 'reserve the right… to challenge the state laws at a later time.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFeds will continue to jail pot dealers ‘in all states’

Mobile Crime-Fighting App Gives Police Instant Database Access

"More than 600 San Francisco Police Department officers started using the app Monday, giving them access to internal SFPD, California DOJ and federal law enforcement databases. An additional 1,000 officers with the department are expected to participate in the initiative by the end of 2013. Emergency 911 call histories will also be accessible via the device, along with data records used by law enforcement including booking photos, DMV records and criminal histories. Agents can use JusticeMobile on their iPads to check potential gun buyers at weekend firearms shows statewide by checking names against the Bureau of Firearms Armed Prohibited Persons (APPS) database." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMobile Crime-Fighting App Gives Police Instant Database Access

Record return of Arctic ice cap as it grows by 60% in a year

"A chilly Arctic summer has left nearly a million more square miles of ocean covered with ice than at the same time last year – an increase of 60 per cent. The rebound from 2012’s record low comes six years after the BBC reported that global warming would leave the Arctic ice-free in summer by 2013. Some eminent scientists now believe the world is heading for a period of cooling that will not end until the middle of this century – a process that would expose computer forecasts of imminent catastrophic warming as dangerously misleading." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRecord return of Arctic ice cap as it grows by 60% in a year

Rooftop urban gardeners in Bangkok grow edible algae

"Three times a week, Patsakorn Thaveeuchukorn harvests the green algae in the barrels. 'The algae is growing so fast, normally the doubling time is around 24 hours,' said Patsakorn, whose employer EnerGaia uses Bangkok’s rooftops to grow spirulina. The empty space on top of Bangkok’s many skyscrapers provide suitable growing conditions for spirulina as the constant high temperatures and sunlight are ideal breeding conditions. The algae also helps combat carbon dioxide levels through photosynthesis, its champions say, and growing it in cities means it can reach consumers the same day it is harvested. The company says it is the only producer of fresh spirulina in the world." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRooftop urban gardeners in Bangkok grow edible algae

The ‘sharp decline’ in U.S unemployment was actually a glitch

"US jobless claims fell sharply last week mainly due to technical problems that affected some states supplying data, the government said Thursday. Initial claims for unemployment benefits dived by 31,000 to 292,000 in the holiday-shortened week ending September 7, the Labor Department reported. The sharp drop in claims reflected technical problems in some states in collecting claims data, the official said. The drop was due to upgrading of computer systems in two states that resulted in fewer claims being processed, as well as the Labor Day holiday, analysts noted." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe ‘sharp decline’ in U.S unemployment was actually a glitch

Bern’s backing of FATCA ‘hits financial sector’

"Walter Boss, a tax lawyer with Poledna Boss Kurer AG in Zurich, said uncertainty was 'one of the worst enemies in the financial world.' But more clarity could come at a steep price, even for banks that maintain they have done nothing wrong. Forced to cough up US client records, they are basically being 'deemed guilty until proven innocent,' Boss said. Hornung was even more critical. 'It's not really an agreement, but more of a dictate from the United States,' he said. And after suffering the onslaught from Washington, the biggest danger could lie ahead if European tax authorities decide to take the same route as their American counterparts, Hornung warned." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBern’s backing of FATCA ‘hits financial sector’

Swiss MPs endorse US tax compliance deal

"FATCA only addresses current and future accounts held by Americans, but Bern also recently agreed to a controversial deal focused on making amends for past wrongdoings by the banks. That deal offers individual Swiss banks the opportunity to avoid US prosecution if they agree to pay 'substantial fines', and provide details on US citizens' accounts, including the sources and destinations of funds transferred to and from the accounts. The agreement, which is expected to erode Swiss bank secrecy laws, has come under widespread criticism, tempered by recognition that without a deal the country's all-important financial sector could lose access to the US market." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSwiss MPs endorse US tax compliance deal

Rather than pay ridiculous taxes, Americans renouncing citizenship

"As Americans live and work overseas, they find themselves facing onerous tax reporting requirements designed to crack down on tax evaders. However, the paperwork and reporting requirements are exhausting. For a few Americans, it is easier to renounce their citizenship and escape the burden. Americans living overseas say they are weary of the paperwork and burdensome requirements. Most countries have lower tax rates and caps, which make it more attractive to become citizens elsewhere. Some citizens only retain their American passports for travel purposes, which makes the document very expensive." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRather than pay ridiculous taxes, Americans renouncing citizenship

Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer defends tech company NSA cooperation

"Mayer said she was 'proud to be part of an organisation that from the beginning, in 2007, has been sceptical of – and has been scrutinizing – those requests [from the NSA].' Yahoo has previously unsuccessfully sued the foreign intelligence surveillance (Fisa) court, which provides the legal framework for NSA surveillance. In 2007 it asked to be allowed to publish details of requests it receives from the spy agency. 'When you lose and you don’t comply, it’s treason,' said Mayer. 'We think it make more sense to work within the system,' she said. The meeting came as Yahoo and Facebook filed suits once more to force the Fisa court to allow them to disclose more information." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingYahoo CEO Marissa Mayer defends tech company NSA cooperation

7 Reasons Why the Public Is Right to Mistrust Obama on Syria

"1. What Iraq taught Americans -- what Vietnam taught before that -- is that Washington foreign-policy planners cannot accurately say beforehand just how long a war will last, how much it will cost, or how many Americans it might ultimately kill, even though many of them earnestly believe that their prognostication is accurate. They're asking us to believe their assurances about how limited the conflict will be, even though many of them got Iraq wrong on that same metric. They talk about intervention in Syria as if they know just what will happen. That's part of why they can't be trusted: their delusions of control." Continue reading →

Continue Reading7 Reasons Why the Public Is Right to Mistrust Obama on Syria