Mainstream News

Glenn Greenwald and other NSA critics to testify before Congress

"Congress will hear testimony from critics of the National Security Agency’s surveillance practices for the first time since the whistleblower Edward Snowden’s explosive leaks were made public. Democrat congressman Alan Grayson, who is leading a bipartisan group of congressman organising the hearing, told the Guardian it would serve to counter the 'constant misleading information' from the intelligence community. The hearing, which will take place on Wednesday, comes amid evidence of a growing congressional rebellion [on] NSA data collection methods." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGlenn Greenwald and other NSA critics to testify before Congress

Halliburton pleads guilty to destroying Gulf spill evidence

"Halliburton Co has agreed to plead guilty to destroying evidence related to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the U.S. Department of Justice said on Thursday. The government said Halliburton's guilty plea is the third by a company over the spill and requires the world's second-largest oilfield services company to pay a maximum $200,000 statutory fine. Halliburton also agreed to three years of probation and to continue cooperating with the criminal probe into the April 20, 2010, explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig. Houston-based Halliburton also made a separate, voluntary $55 million payment to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHalliburton pleads guilty to destroying Gulf spill evidence

Chris Christie’s Attack on the Civil-Liberties Wing of the GOP

"Now it seems clear that Christie will adopt the neoconservative line on national security, embracing the most radical actions of both George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Speaking at the Aspen Institute on Thursday, Christie belittled the libertarian wing of his party for its take on NSA spying. 'As a former prosecutor who was appointed by President George W. Bush on Sept. 10, 2001, I just want us to be really cautious, because this strain of libertarianism that's going through both parties right now and making big headlines, I think, is a very dangerous thought,' he said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChris Christie’s Attack on the Civil-Liberties Wing of the GOP

House Democrat proposes police registration for neighborhood watchmen

"Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) said Wednesday that she would soon introduce legislation that would cut federal funding to any state that doesn't require neighborhood watch programs to register with police. 'We will … decrease the incidence of gun violence resulting from vigilantes by reducing by 20 percent the funds that would otherwise be allocated … to any state that does not require local neighborhood watch programs to be registered with a local [law] enforcement agency,' Jackson Lee said on the House floor. She said her bill would also use the threat of less federal money to entice states to change their 'stand your ground' laws." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHouse Democrat proposes police registration for neighborhood watchmen

Community organizers train to enroll the masses in Obamacare

"Their work is key to the success of the new law in its first year, when the Obama administration seeks to enroll as many as 7 million people, including 2.7 million young and healthy people who are cheaper to insure, for 2014. Oregon and Vermont have already begun training their enrollment advisers, while Connecticut and Washington are just starting up and other states, including Illinois and New York, will commence later this summer. The playbook for these ambassadors focuses on two main points: First, tell people how they will benefit from Obamacare; second, stay away from divisive political talk." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCommunity organizers train to enroll the masses in Obamacare

Manchester officials nab five illegal taxis in sting operation

"With most taxis grounded over maintenance issues, city police and licensing officials nabbed five gypsy or otherwise illegal cabs Friday in a sting operation, officials said. The culprits included an airport limousine service and a young woman who used her personal car as a taxi, said Kevin Kincaid, director of licensing and enforcement for the city Clerk's Office. As part of the sting, police used websites such as Craigslist and telephone searches to find a cab. But the owner of Amoskeag Airport Service said he was doing nothing wrong and has hired a lawyer to fight the $200 citation he received, as well as regain the Honda Accord that authorities confiscated." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingManchester officials nab five illegal taxis in sting operation

Switzerland pays billions to foreign governments in tax deal

"The Swiss finance ministry said that Britain had received a payment of 372 million francs, and Austria, 515 million. A ministry spokesman said the payments were just the first in a series of monthly instalments running until June 2014. Under bilateral deals with Britain and Austria, Switzerland has offered two options to people who fail to declare money placed in Swiss banks. They can either turn themselves in to their homeland's revenue services, or have their accounts taxed by the Swiss, who then transfer the funds without naming the clients. It was under the latter system that Switzerland handed over the sums revealed on Thursday." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSwitzerland pays billions to foreign governments in tax deal

Luxury private taxi app Uber launches in Zurich

"Uber produces an app which allows customers to book rides with limousine companies and private drivers using their mobile phone. Offering an alternative to taxis, the company claims to have hooked up thousands of drivers with thousands of customers using iPhone and Android technology. According to Liz Spengler of the Taxiverband Zurich, 'The taxi industry in Zurich is unhappy with the launch of Uber. We feel that customers will probably be deceived by the dishonest competition; the drivers charge will far too much and probably earn very little; and, on top of that, the taxi and limousine market here is already saturated.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLuxury private taxi app Uber launches in Zurich

Colombia Illegal Gold Mines Prosper in Global Rout

"Investments by companies are being held back as ambiguous local regulations exacerbate the effects of the global gold slump. In contrast, informal operations in remote rivers and jungle areas are flourishing. The government acknowledges that the number of producers without licenses probably has risen from the last census in 2010-2011, when they accounted for 87 percent of all gold mines. While authorities are shutting down unregulated producers at an unprecedented rate, the growth of new operations shielded from environmental and labor restrictions is even faster, police say. Armed groups can reap more profit from illegal gold mining than cocaine." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingColombia Illegal Gold Mines Prosper in Global Rout

Gold Scrap Supply to Drop Up to 25% as Lower Prices Deter Sales

"Recycling accounted for 37 percent of total supply last year, according to Barclays Plc, which forecasts recycled sales of the metal to fall by 174 tons this year. Gold is heading for the first annual drop in 13 years after some investors lost faith in the metal as a store of value, cutting bullion-backed fund holdings to the lowest since May 2010. Prices rebounded 13 percent from an almost three-year low last month as demand for jewelry and coins rose. Bullion dropped a record 23 percent in the second quarter as the Federal Reserve indicated it may slow its monthly debt buying if the economy improves." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGold Scrap Supply to Drop Up to 25% as Lower Prices Deter Sales