Controversial Cybersecurity Bill Known As CISA Advances Out Of Senate Committee

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence voted Tuesday to approve a controversial cybersecurity bill known as the Cyber Information Sharing Act (CISA). The bill is intended to help companies and the government thwart hackers and other cyber-intrusions.  The bill passed by a 12-3 vote, moving it one step closer to a floor debate.

Lawmakers have been struggling for years to move cybersecurity legislation.  Civil liberties advocates have opposed CISA, arguing that it fails to adequately shield Americans’ privacy.  Proponents of the bill say it will help stop attacks by encouraging data-sharing between businesses and the government.  The bill achieves data-sharing by protecting businesses from lawsuits if they voluntarily disclose cyberthreat details for the purpose of assisting government or industry partners.

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Alabama introduces marijuana legalization bill

Alabama seeks to join Colorado and Washington in becoming the third state to fully legalize marijuana and regulate it for retail sale under the same rules as alcohol.

Rep. Patricia Todd (D) of Birmingham introduced a bill this week called the Alabama Cannabis and Hemp Reform Act of 2013 that will legalize up to an ounce of marijuana for anyone over 21. The bill would also allow for the cultivation of up to 12 marijuana plants at home.

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As many as 478 civilians have been killed and 1,392 more injured in the area of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) in eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian Health Ministry has reported.

Ukraine Luhansk - A resident looks at a hole on July 9, 2014 in the ceiling of his apartment, in a building damaged the day before by Ukrainian forces' mortar fire, in Luhansk, eastern Ukraine.

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