Mainstream News

Sikh man cites religion in lawsuit against gun controls

"Gursant Singh Khalsa, a practicing Sikh for 35 years, charges in the lawsuit filed this month that California’s laws banning military-style, semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity magazines violate mainstream Sikh doctinre requiring Sikhs 'be at all time fully prepared to defend themselves and others against injustice.' 'We’re required to wear what’s called a kirpan' or dagger, he said Thursday. 'I feel, as far as my religion goes, it dictates that we should have all weapons of all kinds to defend ourselves. By not being able to carry an assault rifle or weapon that has a high-capacity magazine, I don’t feel that I can defend myself or my family.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSikh man cites religion in lawsuit against gun controls

Home-schooling family who fled to U.S. from Germany face deportation by Obama administration

"When they took their three oldest children out of school in 2006, police showed up at their house within 24 hours, only leaving after a group of supporters showed up and organized a quick protest. But their legal troubles were just beginning. Germany began fining the family, ultimately racking up a bill of more than 7,000 Euros ($9,000). After they fled to the United States in 2010, the Romeike family initially were granted political asylum and found a home in Tennessee. They had a sixth child. But then U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) appealed the asylum decision in 2012. The federal Board of Immigration Appeals sided with the government." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHome-schooling family who fled to U.S. from Germany face deportation by Obama administration

UPS receives $40 million fine for shipping prescription drugs for online pharmacies

"UPS Friday agreed to forfeit $40 million and implement a compliance program after a Department of Justice probe found the company delivered drugs on behalf of illegal online pharmacies. The agreement followed an investigation that showed that UPS was shipping drugs on behalf of Internet pharmacies that were distributing controlled substances and prescription drugs that were not supported by a valid prescription. Despite being on notice from employees that such illegal shipments were being delivered, UPS 'did not implement procedures to close the shipping accounts of Internet pharmacies,' said a Department of Justice statement." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUPS receives $40 million fine for shipping prescription drugs for online pharmacies

Kansas couple: Indoor gardening prompted pot raid

"Two former CIA employees whose Kansas home was fruitlessly searched for marijuana during a two-state drug sweep claim they were illegally targeted, possibly because they had bought indoor growing supplies to raise vegetables. April 20 long has been used by marijuana enthusiasts to celebrate the illegal drug and more recently by law enforcement for raids and crackdowns. But the Hartes' attorney, Cheryl Pilate, said she suspects the couple's 1,825-square-foot split level was targeted because they had bought hydroponic equipment to grow a small number of tomatoes and squash plants in their basement." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingKansas couple: Indoor gardening prompted pot raid

Texas Women Subjected to Roadside Cavity Search Speak Out After Troopers Indicted

"Angel and Ashley Dobbs say they’re relieved and pleased two state troopers now face criminal charges after this controversial traffic stop caught on dashcam video last July. It shows trooper Kelly Helleson conducting a body cavity search of both women on an off-ramp of the Bush Turnpike in Irving last July. A Dallas County Grand Jury charged Helleson with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of official oppression. If convicted, she would have to register as a sex offender. The other trooper, David Farrell, who initiated the traffic stop, is charged with theft. Angel Dobbs says her bottle of prescription pills was stolen during the traffic stop." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTexas Women Subjected to Roadside Cavity Search Speak Out After Troopers Indicted

Most Consumer Complaints Come From Boca Raton, Upper West Side

"When U.S. officials began collecting consumer complaints about credit cards, one goal was to identify patterns that could help them write rules protecting families with low and moderate incomes. Nearly two years later, it’s the well-to-do neighborhoods of Florida and New York that are supplying the most grievances to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an analysis of agency data shows. Almost 60 percent of complaints originated in zip codes where the median household income is higher than the national median of $52,762, according to the analysis." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMost Consumer Complaints Come From Boca Raton, Upper West Side

French workers hold company heads captive after they’re fired without pay

"Workers at a French greetings card firm on Friday sequestered the head of their company and the chief of the Dutch firm which owns it after sacked employees were told they would not get their dues. The protest at the office of French firm Edit66 and the Dutch owner Mercurius, targeted their two chiefs Paul Denis and Merthus Bezemer. The town’s socialist mayor Jean Vila said he backed the action. France’s economy, the second biggest in the eurozone, has been stagnating in recent months. Unemployment is just shy of the record level of 3.195 million last reached in 1997 and the spending power of French households fell in late 2012 for the first time since 1984." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFrench workers hold company heads captive after they’re fired without pay

Amazon, Overstock Lose Challenge to N.Y. Web Sales Tax

"Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), the world’s biggest online retailer, and discount Internet seller Overstock.com Inc. (OSTK) lost a challenge to New York’s Internet sales tax law as the state’s highest court rejected their arguments that it was unconstitutional. Amazon, based in Seattle, and Overstock, based in Salt Lake City, sued the state’s Department of Taxation and Finance separately in 2008, seeking to overturn a law requiring retailers to pay taxes if they solicit business in New York through a link to a website. Justice Eileen Bransten dismissed the suits in January 2009. An appeals court in Manhattan affirmed her rulings in 2010, and the state Court of Appeals agreed today." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAmazon, Overstock Lose Challenge to N.Y. Web Sales Tax

European Union delays carbon tax for one year

"The EU will put its controversial carbon tax on intercontinental airline flights on hold for a year to give time for international talks to reach a compromise on the issue. Almost all ICAO members have objected to the EU carbon tax on airline flights, which formally took effect in January 2012, saying it violated international law. China even threatened reprisals against European aircraft maker Airbus. The US rejects the EU’s methodology which calculates the tax based on the entire flight, but could possibly accept basing it on the portion through European air space. US airlines lost a complaint against the tax before the European Court of Justice." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEuropean Union delays carbon tax for one year

Bank of Cyprus head fired under bailout deal

"The chief executive of the Bank of Cyprus, the island’s biggest lender, has been sacked by the central bank governor as part of an international bailout deal, state media said on Wednesday. Yiannis Kypri was fired on the instructions of the so-called troika of the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund, the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) reported. It said his departure was ordered as part of the restructuring of the Bank of Cyprus under the bailout deal, which involves the bank absorbing the remains of Laiki, the second biggest bank in Cyprus that has been wound down." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBank of Cyprus head fired under bailout deal