G20 will ignore G7 demands on currency wars

"The currency market was thrown into turmoil this week after the G7 - the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Canada and Italy - issued a joint statement stating that domestic economic policies must not be used to target currencies. The G20 draft merely sticks to previous G20 language on the need to avoid excessive foreign exchange volatility, the delegate said. Others have noted that the United States has created new money in a very similar way to the Bank of Japan, although Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke insisted the U.S. central bank was acting in line with the G7 statement, 'using domestic policy tools to advance domestic objectives'." Continue reading

Continue ReadingG20 will ignore G7 demands on currency wars

Man’s lawsuit contends his son accosted by deputy over toy pistol

"A Bonita Springs man is suing the Collier County sheriff and a deputy, alleging his civil rights were violated when he was arrested after questioning why his 5-year-old son couldn't bring a lime green toy gun into the county fair. Maytham Mahmoud, 47, contends sheriff's Sgt. Gaines Myers, who was then the fair's security director, used excessive force and violated his rights by throwing him to the ground and kneeing him after he asked why the toy gun wasn't allowed." Continue reading

Continue ReadingMan’s lawsuit contends his son accosted by deputy over toy pistol

Man’s lawsuit contends his son accosted by deputy over toy pistol

"A Bonita Springs man is suing the Collier County sheriff and a deputy, alleging his civil rights were violated when he was arrested after questioning why his 5-year-old son couldn't bring a lime green toy gun into the county fair. Maytham Mahmoud, 47, contends sheriff's Sgt. Gaines Myers, who was then the fair's security director, used excessive force and violated his rights by throwing him to the ground and kneeing him after he asked why the toy gun wasn't allowed." Continue reading

Continue ReadingMan’s lawsuit contends his son accosted by deputy over toy pistol

Idaho, Arizona Schools Go Into Full Prison Mode

"Schools in Meridian, Idaho went into full 'prison mode' after a student who brought a folding shovel to Heritage Middle School in Meridian, Idaho prompted the school’s 'resource officer' to call for a full lockdown. On February 5, three schools in Yuma, Arizona were placed on lockdown as the result of what was later described as a 'rumor' of a gun on campus. Officers from two local law enforcement departments and two federal agencies – many of them kitted out in full combat attire – were mobilized for the operation. The students were held in custody for more than three hours before being released." Continue reading

Continue ReadingIdaho, Arizona Schools Go Into Full Prison Mode

Idaho, Arizona Schools Go Into Full Prison Mode

"Schools in Meridian, Idaho went into full 'prison mode' after a student who brought a folding shovel to Heritage Middle School in Meridian, Idaho prompted the school’s 'resource officer' to call for a full lockdown. On February 5, three schools in Yuma, Arizona were placed on lockdown as the result of what was later described as a 'rumor' of a gun on campus. Officers from two local law enforcement departments and two federal agencies – many of them kitted out in full combat attire – were mobilized for the operation. The students were held in custody for more than three hours before being released." Continue reading

Continue ReadingIdaho, Arizona Schools Go Into Full Prison Mode

The DEA Wants to Use a $37 Pot Sale to Seize a $1.5 Million Anaheim Building

"As it happens, the building owners are the kind of clients whom defense attorneys love to represent: law-abiding citizens. Specifically, they are married, in their late middle age and from Irvine. The wife is a dentist; the husband a computer engineer who holds a government security clearance, which is why the latter asked to remain anonymous. Although he feels he has done nothing wrong, he explains, even being accused of allowing his property to be used to break the law is embarrassing to him." Continue reading

Continue ReadingThe DEA Wants to Use a $37 Pot Sale to Seize a $1.5 Million Anaheim Building

Armed cops storm house after owner posts picture of TOY weapon on Facebook

"Mr Driscoll's picture showed an Action Man plastic figure and in the background was a toy mortar gun, around six inches tall. The mortar gun was next to a TV remote control clearly showing its small size but someone who saw it contacted police. Five officers, including two armed with submachine guns, then arrived at his home in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. Mr Driscoll said: 'I was shocked and stunned. It was just mad. Five officers turned up in unmarked police cars. They flashed the search warrant in my face and said it was lucky I was in so they didn't have to break my door down.'" Continue reading

Continue ReadingArmed cops storm house after owner posts picture of TOY weapon on Facebook

Cyber security battle looms after Obama issues executive order

"President Barack Obama’s order aimed at ramping up protection from cyberattacks will address only a small portion of threats and sets up a fresh battle in Congress over legislation. Obama acted this week after two failed attempts in Congress to pass measures to protect critical infrastructure from computer attacks. Because most of the networks in question are in private hands, officials say they must rely on voluntary reporting by industry of any cyber threats or attacks. Legislation would be needed to shield businesses from liability when they do report potential malware threats." Continue reading

Continue ReadingCyber security battle looms after Obama issues executive order

Afghan official: NATO airstrike kills 9 civilians, five children and four women

"A NATO airstrike struck two houses, killing as many as nine Afghan civilians and four insurgents in an eastern province near the Pakistani border, officials said Wednesday. The attack occurred about 10 p.m. Tuesday during a joint NATO-Afghan operation in the Shigal district of Kunar province, a lawmaker from the area said. The U.S.-led military alliance in Kabul said it was looking into the reports. Wagma Sapay, a member of parliament from Kunar, said the civilians killed were in one house while four senior Taliban leaders were slain as they were gathering next door in the village of Sharpool in the Chawkam area." Continue reading

Continue ReadingAfghan official: NATO airstrike kills 9 civilians, five children and four women

Pentagon to Start Awarding Medals for Drone Strikes and Cyberattacks

"The Defense Department is reportedly inventing a new medal designed to reward soliders who fight battles from the safety of their computer consoles. The Associated Press says the Pentagon is creating a new ribbon, called the Distinguished Warfare Medal that will be given for 'extra achievement' related to a military operation. That would include drone pilots operating unmanned planes from halfway around the world, or even hackers who launch a successful cyberattack on an enemy. Unlike all other combat-related medals, this would be the first one that you can be awarded without actually putting your life on the line." Continue reading

Continue ReadingPentagon to Start Awarding Medals for Drone Strikes and Cyberattacks