Mainstream News

Mother takes son’s police shooting case to UN Human Rights Committee

"Tyler Cassidy was armed with knives, intoxicated and in a distressed state when he confronted four police officers in a deserted Melbourne skate park in December 2008 and was shot dead in little more than a minute. The police, who between them emptied two cans of capsicum spray and fired 10 bullets at the teen, were cleared of blame in 2011 by a coroner who ruled that they acted within the limits of their training. But Tyler’s mother, Shani Cassidy, has taken the case to the United Nations Human Rights Committee alleging Australia breached its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMother takes son’s police shooting case to UN Human Rights Committee

Woman Handing Out Samples at Va. Costco Shot Dead by Police

"A Sterling, Va., Costco has resumed normal business hours Thursday, less than a day after sheriff's deputies fatally shot a woman who came at officers with scissors and a knife. The melee began at about 3 p.m. Wednesday, when store employees noticed the woman acting oddly while handing out pizza samples, said Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman. Deputies were called to the store to handle the disturbance. One officer tried to use a stun gun on Scott, but Chapman said the stun gun 'did not work,' and one of the deputies fatally shot her. A sheriff's deputy also was wounded in the leg, possibly by a ricochet. The only shots fired were by one of the deputies." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWoman Handing Out Samples at Va. Costco Shot Dead by Police

Police Shoot & Kill Grandfather While Responding To False Burglar Alarm

"A 72-year-old Woodhaven resident fatally shot by police officers investigating a burglary call was pronounced dead inside his garage, the Tarrant County medical examiner said Wednesday. Police have said that two patrol officers encountered an armed Jerry Waller at the back of his house 'near the garage-driveway area.' They have not specifically said where Waller was when he was shot. But Waller’s son, Chris Waller, said in an email to the Star-Telegram that the police account of the shooting is inaccurate. 'My father never stepped outside of his garage. He was shot multiple times in the chest only a few steps away from the doorway to his kitchen,' Chris Waller said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPolice Shoot & Kill Grandfather While Responding To False Burglar Alarm

Man who knew Boston bombing suspect was unarmed when killed by FBI during questioning

"A Chechen man who was fatally shot by an FBI agent last week during an interview about one of the Boston bombing suspects was unarmed, law enforcement officials said Wednesday. An air of mystery has surrounded the FBI shooting of Ibragim Todashev, 27, since it occurred in Todashev’s apartment early on the morning of May 22. The FBI said in a news release that day that Todashev, a former Boston resident who knew bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was killed during an interview with several law enforcement officers. The FBI has provided few other details, saying that the matter is being investigated by an FBI review team." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMan who knew Boston bombing suspect was unarmed when killed by FBI during questioning

Chinese hackers jeopardize secrecy of U.S. weapons programs

"Chinese hackers have gained access to secret designs for a slew of sophisticated US weapons programs, officials said Tuesday, possibly jeopardizing the American military’s technological edge. The breaches were part of a broad Chinese campaign of espionage against top US defense contractors and government agencies, officials said, confirming a Washington Post account of a Pentagon report. The Defense Science Board, a senior advisory group with government and civilian experts, concluded that digital hackers had gained access to designs for two dozen major weapons systems critical to missile defenses, combat aircraft and naval ships." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChinese hackers jeopardize secrecy of U.S. weapons programs

Israeli defense chief indicates if Russia ships advanced missiles to Syria, they could be hit

"Israel’s defense chief said Tuesday a Russian plan to supply sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles to Syria was a 'threat' and signaled that Israel is prepared to use force to stop the delivery. The warning by Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon ratcheted up tensions with Moscow over the planned sale of S-300 air-defense missiles to Syria. Earlier in the day, a top Russian official said his government remained committed to the deal. Israel has been lobbying Moscow to halt the sale, fearing the missiles would upset the balance of power in the region and could slip into the hands of hostile groups, including the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, a close ally of the Syrian regime." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIsraeli defense chief indicates if Russia ships advanced missiles to Syria, they could be hit

Welfare Case Manager Accused Of Offering Benefits For Sex

"A state welfare worker is facing charges after allegedly offering benefits in exchange for sex. The District Attorney’s office says the Department of Public Welfare case manager John Geary told a woman he would give her extra cash and extra benefits if she engaged in sexual acts with him. According to the police criminal complaint, Geary also repeatedly asked the woman to smoke crack with him on the weekends when his wife was working and his children were asleep in their North Versailles home." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWelfare Case Manager Accused Of Offering Benefits For Sex

Swiss government agrees to settle tax evasion dispute with US

"The Swiss federal government has accepted a United States demand to settle a dispute over the alleged complicity of Swiss banks in tax evasion by Americans that will reportedly cost the banks billions of francs. Swiss media have reported that the overall figure could hit 10 billion francs ($10.3 billion). 'If a bank has done a lot of business involving undeclared American funds, it will be a big problem for it,' Finance Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said. She indicated that the Swiss government had been presented with a take it or leave it offer by Washington. 'It was a unilateral offer, one that we couldn't negotiate,' she said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSwiss government agrees to settle tax evasion dispute with US

IRS targets First Caribbean International Bank thanks to ‘voluntary disclosure’ program

"A witness statement filed in support of the summons by IRS agent Cheryl Kiger details how, during her investigation into a leak of offshore data, she came across information suggesting FCIB and Barclays accounts may have been used by tax evaders. Kiger also disclosed information obtained from a programme allowing individuals who have previously evaded US tax to voluntarily disclose this information and receive less stringent penalties. She identified at least 129 such cases which had involved the use of bank accounts with FCIB 'its predecessors in the Caribbean'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIRS targets First Caribbean International Bank thanks to ‘voluntary disclosure’ program

Members Of LAPD SWAT Team Caught Selling Department Guns

"The FBI is investigating whether members of the Los Angeles Police Department’s elite SWAT and Special Investigations Section units violated the law by purchasing large numbers of custom-made handguns and reselling them for profit, according to interviews. The move comes after an earlier LAPD investigation found no wrongdoing on the part of officers. But on Friday, Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck acknowledged that that probe was 'clearly lacking' and said the department has opened a second investigation of the weapons transactions that is still ongoing." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMembers Of LAPD SWAT Team Caught Selling Department Guns