Mainstream News

US plan calls for more scanning of private Web traffic, email

"The U.S. government is expanding a cybersecurity program that scans Internet traffic headed into and out of defense contractors to include far more of the country's private, civilian-run infrastructure. As a result, more private sector employees than ever before, including those at big banks, utilities and key transportation companies, will have their emails and Web surfing scanned as a precaution against cyber attacks. The Department of Homeland Security will gather the secret data and pass it to a small group of telecommunication companies and cyber security providers that have employees holding security clearances, government and industry officials said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUS plan calls for more scanning of private Web traffic, email

Crime Lab Scandal Leaves Mass. Legal System In Turmoil

"A scandal in a Massachusetts crime lab continues to reverberate throughout the state's legal system. Several months ago, Annie Dookhan, a former chemist in a state crime lab, told police that she messed up big time. Dookhan now stands accused of falsifying test results in as many as 34,000 cases. As a result, lawyers, prosecutors and judges used to operating in a world of 'beyond a reasonable doubt' now have nothing but doubt. Already, hundreds of convicts and defendants have been released because of the scandal. Now, the state's highest court may weigh in on how these cases should be handled." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCrime Lab Scandal Leaves Mass. Legal System In Turmoil

Bipartisan bill would require a warrant for police to search emails

"A bill introduced Tuesday by Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Mike Lee (R-UT) would require police obtain a warrant before scouring a suspect’s email accounts. The Electronic Communications Privacy Act Amendments Act (PDF), which was also introduced in the last Congress, returns right as the Obama administration has signaled readiness to update the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) of 1986 by applying the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition on unreasonable search and seizure to some emails stored on cloud services. Good news for Leahy and Lee: It appears the Obama administration agrees, at least in principle." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBipartisan bill would require a warrant for police to search emails

80-year-old with artificial knees dragged off ATV, slammed to the ground by police chief

"An 80-year-old man spent three days in the hospital after he was dragged off his ATV and slammed to the concrete by a Cedar Grove police officer, witnesses say. Cole said he thinks that McComb's difficulty hearing might have led to Walls pulling him off the ATV because McComb might not have responded to the officer. McComb was taken to the police station, then released to his friends. Walls told him he would get a summons in the mail stating the charges against him. McComb was taken to the hospital by ambulance with his daughter, Karen McComb, at his side." Continue reading →

Continue Reading80-year-old with artificial knees dragged off ATV, slammed to the ground by police chief

Newly Hired Detroit Emergency Manager Has Some Financial Issues Of His Own

"Records show that the new Detroit emergency financial manager, Kevyn Orr, has some unpaid taxes and two liens on his Maryland home. Orr has apparently not paid $16,000 in unemployment taxes. A spokesman for Governor Rick Snyder, who recommended Orr for the job, tells the Detroit News that there was an oversight by an accountant hired to file taxes for Orr. The spokesman says Orr has researched the issue and will pay in full as soon as possible. Some opponents of the EFM say it’s interesting that Orr believes he can manage Detroit when he’s having trouble handling his own affairs. Orr was part of the legal team that worked on Chrysler’s bankruptcy." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNewly Hired Detroit Emergency Manager Has Some Financial Issues Of His Own

Michigan governor appoints technocrat to run Detroit

"Michigan Governor Rick Snyder tapped a restructuring expert who helped successfully steer Chrysler through a government-backed bankruptcy to lead a state takeover of Detroit. The move by a white, Republican governor to take control of a predominantly black and Democratic city has drawn intense criticism and charges of racism. The choice of Kevyn Orr, an African American and Democrat who grew up in Michigan, should help stem some of that criticism. Emergency managers have the power to eliminate entire departments, change labor contracts, sell city assets and rewrite laws without any public review or input." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMichigan governor appoints technocrat to run Detroit

Kwame Kilpatrick guilty: For destitute Detroit, downfall of ex-mayor complete

"Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was found guilty Monday under federal corruption charges of scheming to enrich himself and his close confidants during his tenure in public office. The verdict, which was announced after 15 days of jury deliberations, concludes a saga that has gripped the destitute city for over two years and represents the staggering downfall of Mr. Kilpatrick. The tales of personal excess resulting from systemic graft arrives one day before the city tries to make a last-ditch attempt to fight the takeover of its troubled finances by an emergency financial manager." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingKwame Kilpatrick guilty: For destitute Detroit, downfall of ex-mayor complete

IMF Chief Christine Lagarde’s Flat Raided Over French ‘Payout’ Probe

"Police are investigating claims that Lagarde, when French Finance Minister under Nicolas Sarkozy, acted illegally in approving the €285m arbitration payout to Bernard Tapie. Lagarde denies any wrongdoing. It was conducted a day after France's budget minister resigned after being targeted in a tax fraud inquiry. Socialist President Francois Hollande came to power last May vowing to crack down on the cozy relationships between politicians and businessmen he said were rife under Sarkozy. Lagarde was in Frankfurt and not in her Paris flat at the time of the search, a spokesman for the IMF chief said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIMF Chief Christine Lagarde’s Flat Raided Over French ‘Payout’ Probe

U.S. complains about ‘excessive’ business class travel by UN staff

"The United States is taking aim at 'excessive' business class air travel by UN staff as it presses a campaign to restrain the global body’s multi-billion dollar budget. The United Nations spent at least $769 million of its general budget of more than $5 billion in 2010-11 on moving officials and staff around the world, according to UN figures. The peacekeeping department, which has its own budget, spent another $200 million. Some $54 million of the $74 million of air tickets bought at the main headquarters in New York and Geneva were business class. Diplomats say the figure is probably much higher as no clear figures have been given." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. complains about ‘excessive’ business class travel by UN staff

Soviet-era bonds: Paper chase [2000]

"Should kidnap victims pay their debts? That, roughly, is the question facing Estonia, which issued £700,000 ($3.4m) and $4m in 40-year bonds in 1927, but was then annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940. Most investors swallowed their losses. But not William Hardison, a Florida-based businessman, who holds around $90,000-worth of the septuagenarian paper. Estonia's booming, debt-free economy is one of the most successful in the ex-communist world. But the situation with Estonia's kidnapper is rather different. Russia took on the Soviet Union's assets and liabilities in 1991, and has since bargained hard to get out of paying the latter." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSoviet-era bonds: Paper chase [2000]