Mainstream News

ECB’s Weidmann: pressure on central banks risks FX competition

"Loading central banks with more tasks and pressing them to pursue more aggressive monetary policies could risk a round of competitive devaluations, European Central Bank policymaker Jens Weidmann said on Monday, citing pressure on the Bank of Japan. Weidmann is the latest in a string of policymakers worldwide to warn of the threat of a 'currency war' as central banks pump out cash to support their economies, reducing their value in the process." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingECB’s Weidmann: pressure on central banks risks FX competition

China’s Securities Regulator Says Stock Intervention Needed at Times

"China’s securities regulator said intervention in the nation’s stock market is necessary at 'key moments' because it isn’t mature. 'Volatility is high and don’t forget, China is still a developing country,' Xinhua quoted China Securities Regulatory Commission Chairman Guo Shuqing as saying at a national securities and futures supervision meeting. Net share purchases by China’s social security fund were 42.8 billion yuan ($6.9 billion) last year and totaled 42.7 billion yuan by qualified foreign institutional investors, Xinhua cited Guo as saying. They were the biggest net purchasers, Xinhua reported." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChina’s Securities Regulator Says Stock Intervention Needed at Times

Google reports ‘steady increase’ in gov’t requests for user data

"Google on Wednesday reported a 'steady increase' in government requests to hand over data from Internet users in the second half of 2012. The Web giant’s semiannual 'transparency report' showed the most requests came from the the United States, with 8,438 requests for information about 14,868 users. In releasing details of requests in the United States, Google said 68 percent of the requests it received from government entities were through subpoenas, which 'are the easiest to get because they typically don’t involve judges,' according to Salgado." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGoogle reports ‘steady increase’ in gov’t requests for user data

Library of Congress to archive Americans’ tweets

"The Library of Congress, repository of the world’s largest collection of books, has set for itself the enormous task of archiving something less weighty and far more ephemeral — Americans’ billions of tweets. The venerable US institution is assembling all of the 400 million tweets sent by Americans each day, in the belief that each of the mini-messages reflect a small but important part of the national narrative." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLibrary of Congress to archive Americans’ tweets

65% See Gun Rights As Protection Against Tyranny

"The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of American Adults think the purpose of the Second Amendment is to make sure that people are able to protect themselves from tyranny. Only 17% disagree, while another 18% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) Not surprisingly, 72% of those with a gun in their family regard the Second Amendment as a protection against tyranny. However, even a majority (57%) of those without a gun in their home hold that view." Continue reading →

Continue Reading65% See Gun Rights As Protection Against Tyranny

Women join ranks of Assad’s new paramilitary force in Syria

"The force is voluntary and the fedayat serve four-hour shifts in the morning from or in the afternoon to permit the women to carry on with their normal profession. Etidal Hamad, a 34-year-old government employee and mother of three girls, says while her husband also encouraged her, her primary motivation to sign up three months ago was 'a desire to support the army and defend the fatherland'. In the stadium parade that marks the end of the training, the women shout at the top of their lungs: 'With our blood and our souls, we sacrifice ourselves for you, O Bashar!'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWomen join ranks of Assad’s new paramilitary force in Syria

Women to assume combat roles in U.S. military

"Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta issued an order on Wednesday removing the military’s ban on women in combat roles. Panetta’s order overturns a 1994 rule barring women from combat roles in the military and directs military officials to begin crafting a plan to fully integrate all of the jobs currently available. The military loosened some rules on women in combat last February, saying an additional 14,000 jobs in the Army and Marine Corps were being opened up to women, but not all. Wednesday’s order should do exactly that, the AP noted, opening an additional 230,000 jobs — including special forces roles — that were not previously available to women." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWomen to assume combat roles in U.S. military

Hit us with your best shot, Andy!

"Assault-rifle owners statewide are organizing a mass boycott of Gov. Cuomo’s new law mandating they register their weapons, daring officials to “come and take it away,” The Post has learned. Gun-range owners and gun-rights advocates are encouraging hundreds of thousands of owners to defy the law, saying it’d be the largest act of civil disobedience in state history. Officials estimate at least 1 million semiautomatic rifles are owned in the state, sources said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHit us with your best shot, Andy!

Missouri Sheriffs Pledge To Not Enforce Obama’s Gun Control Laws

"In the letter Heiss tells the president that he has a duty to protect his constituents from incidents of crime, and has the responsibility to protect and preserve their rights and liberties. Newly elected Sheriff Michael Dixon, R-Osage County is one of about a dozen sheriffs in Missouri to have signed and sent Heiss’ letter. Dixon also announced his support of Missouri house bill (HB 170). The bill, introduced last week, would make criminals of any law enforcement official, local, state or federal, who tried to enforce any of President Obama’s gun control initiatives, whether executive orders or passed by Congress." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMissouri Sheriffs Pledge To Not Enforce Obama’s Gun Control Laws

Ex-cop accused of groping women gets two-year sentence

"Former Metro police officer John Norman is going to prison for two years. Norman was in court this morning to face his punishment after pleading guilty to charges of coercing women to expose their breasts after stopping them on the road. One woman says she still suffers from panic attacks. The other says she’s afraid of male officers pulling her over again." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEx-cop accused of groping women gets two-year sentence