Archive for May, 2009
Russia Stockpiles Diamonds, Awaiting the Return of Demand
May 12th, 2009Via: New York Times: The global recession sapped demand for all kinds of commodities — like steel and grain — yet small burlap bags are still arriving by the planeload at Russia’s state-owned diamond company. Each day, the contents of the bags spill into the stainless steel hoppers of the receiving room. The diamonds are […]
Spitzer on New York Fed: “The Most Powerful Financial Institution Most Americans Know Nothing About”
May 12th, 2009Via: Slate: A quasi-independent, public-private body, the New York Fed is the first among equals of the 12 regional Fed branches. Unlike the Washington Federal Reserve Board of Governors, or the other regional fed branches, the N.Y. Fed is active in the markets virtually every day, changing the critical interest rates that determine the liquidity […]
U.S. Federal Reserve Inspector General on Who Received the Bailout Money
May 12th, 2009Via: YouTube: Rep. Alan Grayson asks the Federal Reserve Inspector General about the trillions of dollars lent or spent by the Federal Reserve and where it went, and the trillions of off balance sheet obligations. Inspector General Elizabeth Coleman responds that the IG does not know and is not tracking where this money is.
Ford Engineer Builds 125 MPG 3-Wheel Vehicle at Home
May 12th, 2009Via: Ecomodder: What does a Ford Motor Company fuel economy technical expert do for fun at the end of the day? He heads home to his own shop and custom builds an aerodynamically efficient, two-passenger, 3-wheel motorcycle capable of 125 mpg (US) at 65 mph (1.9 L/100 km @ 105 km/h) and a top speed […]
Blind Interpreter Detained at Philly Airport for Questioning Flight Delay; Luckily His Visit to the U.S. Only Resulted in Minor Physical Injuries and Nightmares
May 12th, 2009Via: Philadelphia Daily News: A BLIND INTERNATIONAL interpreter who says he was dragged off a Belgium-bound flight, arrested and held in custody in Philadelphia for hours without food or water faces an arraignment Thursday. His crime: He questioned why his U.S. Airways flight was delayed nearly two hours. Nicola Cantisani, 61, of Brussels, Belgium, a […]
Shelling Kills Dozens at Sri Lankan Hospital
May 12th, 2009Via: Guardian: At least 47 people were killed today and more than 50 injured when a shell struck a makeshift hospital treating casualties of the fighting in north-eastern Sri Lanka. A doctor working in the hospital said the shell appeared to have been fired from government positions. The UN described the attack as a war […]
Iraq: GI in Custody Sfter Killing 5 at Camp Liberty ‘Stress Clinic’
May 11th, 2009Via: MSNBC: A U.S. soldier opened fire on fellow troops Monday, killing five before being taken into custody, the U.S. command said. NBC News reported that the shooting took place at a “stress clinic” on the main base in Baghdad. Contrary to earlier reports, the soldier did not kill himself but was overpowered and taken […]
Roxana Saberi’s Plight and American Media Propaganda
May 11th, 2009Via: Slate: Saberi’s release is good news, as her conviction occurred as part of extremely dubious charges and unreliable judicial procedures in Iran. And, as Ambinder suggested, her release most likely is a positive by-product of the commendable (though far from perfect) change in tone towards Iran specifically and the Muslim world generally from the […]
UK: Lockheed Martin Gets Contract to Build Internet Surveillance System for GCHQ
May 11th, 2009Via: Times: SPY chiefs are pressing ahead with secret plans to monitor all internet use and telephone calls in Britain despite an announcement by Jacqui Smith, the home secretary, of a ministerial climbdown over public surveillance. GCHQ, the government’s eavesdropping centre, is developing classified technology to intercept and monitor all e-mails, website visits and social […]
Wisconsin Court Upholds Warrantless GPS Tracking by Police
May 11th, 2009Via: Chicago Tribune: Wisconsin police can attach GPS to cars to secretly track anybody’s movements without obtaining search warrants, an appeals court ruled Thursday. However, the District 4 Court of Appeals said it was “more than a little troubled” by that conclusion and asked Wisconsin lawmakers to regulate GPS use to protect against abuse by […]
