Mainstream News

Snowden’s father criticizes Congress, Obama over spy programs

"Lonnie Snowden, in an interview with NBC's 'Today' show, said lawmakers were 'complicit or negligent' in allowing the National Security Agency's massive electronic surveillance program to continue. 'I am extremely disappointed and angry,' he said. 'The American people - at this point, they don't know the full truth, but the truth is coming.' Lonnie Snowden told NBC he was confident in his son's actions. 'I believe that my son, when he takes his final breath whether it's today or 100 years from now, he will be comfortable with what he did because he did what he knew was right.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSnowden’s father criticizes Congress, Obama over spy programs

Ex-President Jimmy Carter plans to visit North Korea to negotiate prisoner’s release

"Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is planning to visit North Korea soon to try to win the release of a U.S. citizen held for committing crimes against the reclusive state. Carter has made contact with the North to arrange for the visit, and he is likely to make the trip in a personal capacity to secure the release of Kenneth Bae, the U.S. citizen, a source in Washington was quoted as saying. Carter has made trips to the North on diplomatic missions and in 2010 helped earn the release of another American, Aijalon Mahli Gomes, a Boston native who had been sentenced to eight years hard labor for illegally entering the country." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEx-President Jimmy Carter plans to visit North Korea to negotiate prisoner’s release

New Zealand military told to soften manual that equates media with extremist groups

"Opposition defence spokesman Phil Goff said it was 'utterly wrong and intolerable' for the military’s top brass to display such paranoia about journalists, showing they did not understand the media’s role in a democratic society. Goff said the situation raised further doubts about moves to expand the power of intelligence services so they can spy on New Zealanders, particularly after it was revealed that Internet mogul Kim Dotcom was illegally snooped upon before his arrest in January last year. The expanded powers, backed by Prime Minister John Key, are due to go to parliament this week and are expected to be passed by a narrow majority." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew Zealand military told to soften manual that equates media with extremist groups

Oklahoma prosecutors return $21,227 more to Interstate 40 travelers

"District Attorney Jason Hicks agreed Thursday to return the funds in the three cases, dropping efforts to have the money forfeited to law enforcement use. Hicks is under fire for hiring a private company, Desert Snow LLC, to assist in his drug interdiction effort. After hiring the Guthrie company in January, his task force seized more than $1 million in the stops, mostly along a 21-mile stretch of I-40 in Caddo County. Hicks agreed to pay the company 25 percent of all forfeited proceeds from stops involving its trainers. Hicks said he does not plan to return nearly $850,000 seized in one stop in May. No one was arrested in that stop." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOklahoma prosecutors return $21,227 more to Interstate 40 travelers

More countries abolishing capital punishment, but some returning to it

"Although 33 of the 40 countries that still have the death penalty are ruled by despots, some 'liberal democracies' returned to capital punishment in 2012, the report said. 'While China seems to be progressively improving, some liberal democracies seem to be going the opposite way,' said Sergio d'Elia, Hands off Cain secretary. In 2011, of the 'liberal democracies', just the United States and Taiwan carried out executions, while in 2012 Japan, Botswana and India began using capital punishment again after many years in which the practice was suspended. This year, Indonesia joined them, carrying out its first death penalty for five years." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMore countries abolishing capital punishment, but some returning to it

In Bitcoin we trust: The Berlin district where virtual currency is as easy as cash

"Start-ups like Berlin-based 9flats.com, a 'share economy' platform, say that the Bitcoin concept is working in their favor. 'The main advantage for our business is that we do not lose money on transaction fees because with Bitcoin there are none,' said Alexander Lossenko, lead developer at 9flats.com. To avoid the risk of devaluation and strong fluctuation in Bitcoin prices, companies like 9flats.com often use services that convert bitcoins into euro or dollars instantly. 'It also opens new markets for us. In Russia, for example, PayPal does not exist, so Bitcoin offers another alternative for payments,' Lossenko added." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIn Bitcoin we trust: The Berlin district where virtual currency is as easy as cash

Police arrest woman after request to see warrant

"Slaton police came to this woman's house, who wishes to remain anonymous, to arrest her son. But by asking one simple question, she found herself behind bars instead. The complainant said she was aware police would be coming to apprehend her 11-year-old son based on a criminal complaint, and that she just wanted to see the warrant. As it turns out, that warrant didn't exist. She spent the night in jail while her son was left at home." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPolice arrest woman after request to see warrant

State Department has hired agents with criminal records, memo reveals

"The State Department has hired an alarming number of law-enforcement agents with criminal or checkered backgrounds because of a flawed hiring process, a stunning memo reveals. The background problems are severe enough that many of the roughly 2,000 agents in State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security can play only limited roles in agency efforts to police bad conduct and prosecute wrongdoers. The problems in the bureau are the latest revelation in an exploding scandal that also involves accusations that members of former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s security detail and those of the US ambassador to Belgium solicited prostitutes overseas." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingState Department has hired agents with criminal records, memo reveals

Eyewitnesses describe the terror of DWI checkpoint shooting

"Jarred and Rose Cleerdin found themselves right in the middle of a shootout at what should have been a routine DWI checkpoint. Days after the dramatic shootout in Brunswick County, they are still shaken by what they saw. 'Every cop turned around and started unloading like super trigger happy as if their training was coming into full effect and they were being able to utilize it,' said Cleerdin. 'Everybody was just blasting this car to pieces. It was absolutely terrifying.' They were stunned with what was happening, as officers reportedly shot dozens of rounds - in the direction on-coming traffic." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEyewitnesses describe the terror of DWI checkpoint shooting

Alabama Gov. orders investigation after DNA, blood samples collected at roadblocks

"Alabama Governor Robert Bentley's office reacted Tuesday to news that roadblocks were setup in two counties at which point commuters were offered compensation for saliva and blood samples. Drivers in St. Clair and Bibb counties were stopped at roadblocks in the area and were asked to give DNA and blood samples as part of a study. Officials say giving samples was voluntary and participants were paid $10 for mouth swabs and $50 for blood samples. Governor Robert Bentley is ordering an investigation in to the roadblocks." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAlabama Gov. orders investigation after DNA, blood samples collected at roadblocks