25 October 2013

The spy who read your email

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Since the revelations of NSA spying run amok the world has forever been changed with the US seemingly losing more than it gained from the initial spying.

The Snowden cometh


It all started with Edward Snowden leaking top secret documents revealing the extent to which the US was spying on foreign nations. Snowden broke the news while in Hong Kong but was soon on the run.

Eenie, meenie, miney... Moscow


Having blown the whistle Edward Snowden had an elaborate escape plan to avoid US authorities. There were various countries available to avoid extradition but after a few weeks stuck in a Russian airport Snowden ended up with temporary asylum in Russia.

Pen meet sword


Glenn Greenwald, the reporter from The Guardian who broke the initial story didn't get away unscathed with authorities harassing him with smear campaigns. No good deed goes unnoticed/unpunished.

They just want to know what love is


Foreign nations where outraged condemning the US with France and Mexico demanding answers.

Recent allegations of phone tapping of German Chancellor Angela Merkel have added to the existing strain on US foreign relations.

But it hasn't ended there with Germany and Brazil attempting to limit US spying with a UN resolution.

You scratch our back, we won't shut down your business


It was revealed many of the big tech companies (Yahoo, Google, Microsoft and Facebook) had been co-operating with NSA providing access to user data.

Some of the aforementioned companies tried to placate the public by providing "transparency reports" on the data requested but the public was not amused.

Ctrl + Alt + Repeat


The original email service, Lavabit, Snowden used was forced to shutdown or face legal action.

But it seems shutting down wasn't enough with the courts ordering Lavabit to hand over it's private encryption key jeopardizing internet privacy as a whole.

With privacy concerns over US based services alternatives have been sought with Brazil creating a secure email alternative.

Surveillance, huh, yeah. What is it good for. 1.6% give or take.


With nations uneasy and people paranoid the NSA revealed it "touched" 1.6% of all internet information with only 0.025% of that information selected for review.

I guess the only information the NSA can't find is whether it was all worth it.


18 October 2013

US Government shutdown, please insert coin to discontinue

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After 2 weeks of shutdown shenanigans the US Government finally agreed to play nice and get everything up and running again, but what was the overall cost of political disobedience?

What do we want? Laws! When do we want them? Later!


It all started with Republicans digging in their heels adding superfluous legislation to the budget to delay Obama care resulting in no deal and a shutdown of all things government.

Debt ceiling has skylight installed


After the initial budget delay those most impacted were furloughed government workers. But it was the approaching debt ceiling that raised eyebrows and finally resulted in an agreement.

Guess who s*** in the woods


National parks and other government services were allowed to open as government employees returned to work.

Patients running the institutions finances


Not only did the shutdown impact current governance of the country it also impacted on the US future global standing. China has called on the Dollar to be replaced as the global reserve currency.



11 October 2013

The 3 Business Stories you need to read this week

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Even with the US Government closed business carried on as usual, but how much longer?

Debt be damned


The US edged closer to defaulting on it debt thanks to the same guys who closed down government last week.

Somthing to tweet about


With Twitter ready to go public there's money to be made in 140 characters.

Making it rain


For those of you lucky enough there is a new $100 bill with extra security features.

5 October 2013

Our pick of Paris Fashion Week's best

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Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014 is over. With all the big names from Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Jean Paul Gaultier and more below are our favourites.

More McCartney hits

 

Stella McCartney latest spring/summer collection is light a airy with subtle flesh and muted colours.

Isabel thrills with frills


Isabel Marant brought femininity to the runway with frilly tops for a more romantic feel.

Lagerfeld shines in his shades


Black and White dominated Karl's spring/summer collection with splashes of colour to bring out the rock attitude.

Who were your favourite designers?