Mainstream News

France announces e-cigarette ban, then French study finds e-cigarettes harmful

"French Health Minister Marisol Touraine announced in May that the ban on smoking in public places would be extended to cover electronic cigarettes, and that they would be subject to the same controls as tobacco. The move has sparked outrage among sellers and users of the battery-powered devices which contain liquid nicotine that is turned into a vapor when inhaled. Ms Touraine said: 'The e-cigarette is not an ordinary product. We need to apply the same measures as there are for tobacco. That means making sure it cannot be smoked in public places, that its sale is restricted to over 18s and that firms are not allowed to advertise the products.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFrance announces e-cigarette ban, then French study finds e-cigarettes harmful

All-seeing eyes focus on the sea

"The center, operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, can track as many as 50,000 aircraft at any moment. Officials say the center has reduced illegal cross-border flights from thousands per year in the mid-1980s to a handful. Initially, the focus was on drug trafficking, but has expanded over the years to include human trafficking, the smuggling of counterfeit products, and terrorist activities. The center now is testing software that will allow similar scrutiny of maritime traffic. The system would provide a comprehensive view of marine vessels within 100 miles of the U.S. coastlines. The omniscient view allows for greater coordination of agencies that might respond to a potential emergency." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAll-seeing eyes focus on the sea

Pentagon requests more funding for Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’

"The Pentagon has requested $220.3 million in 2014 to bolster Israel’s 'Iron Dome' missile defense system despite broader cuts to US military spending, according to budget documents. The US Missile Defense Agency also is asking for an additional $175.9 million in fiscal year 2015 for Israel’s homegrown missile defense network, according to the agency’s budget proposal posted online. The Pentagon already invested $204 million on the system in 2011 and $70 million in 2012. US military assistance to Israel comes to about three billion dollars a year to ensure the country’s 'qualitative military edge' in the region, as mandated by Congress." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPentagon requests more funding for Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’

U.S. demands release of Americans imprisoned in Iran

"US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday called for the release of two American dual citizens jailed in Iran, saying Washington was 'deeply concerned' about their fate. He also again requested information on an American who went missing in Iran in March 2007. The United States is 'deeply concerned about the fate of dual US citizens Amir Hekmati and Saeed Abedini,' Kerry said in a statement." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. demands release of Americans imprisoned in Iran

Muslim leaders urge ‘decisive action’ against Syria

"The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Wednesday condemned alleged poison gas attacks in Syria, blaming the government and calling for 'decisive action' in response. The world’s largest grouping of Muslim nations 'stressed the need to hold the Syrian government legally and morally accountable for this heinous crime and to bring its perpetrators to justice'. The OIC called on the UN 'Security Council to discharge its duty of preserving international security and stability, taking a unified position against this monstrous crime and its perpetrators.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMuslim leaders urge ‘decisive action’ against Syria

Rand Paul: Syria lacks security connection

"Sen. Rand Paul said the U.S. has 'no clear national security connection' to the war in Syria and called for a debate in Congress over possible military action in the country. The Kentucky Republican — who has been an outspoken advocate against military action in Syria — said in a statement the U.S. should 'condemn' the use of chemical weapons and determine who deployed them. But the decision of whether the conflict demands U.S. action should come from Congress, he added, not President Barack Obama. 'The war in Syria has no clear national security connection to the United States and victory by either side will not necessarily bring in to power people friendly to the United States,' Paul said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRand Paul: Syria lacks security connection

NJ: Text Recipients Can Be Held Liable In Texting-And-Driving Accidents

"Drivers in New Jersey were left stunned, after state Appeals Court judges found that when a driver is texting and causes an accident, the recipient of the texts can also be held liable for negligence. As CBS 2’s Hazel Sanchez reported Tuesday night, the decision stemmed from a 2009 accident where a 17-year-old girl texted a friend just before that friend crashed his pickup truck into a Morris County couple on a motorcycle. A state Appeals Court ruled 'that a person sending text messages has a duty not to text someone who is driving if the texter knows, or has special reason to know, the recipient will view the text while driving.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNJ: Text Recipients Can Be Held Liable In Texting-And-Driving Accidents

American anti-virus mogul McAfee warns Canadians about government spying

"As an anti-virus software tycoon at the head of McAfee Security, he says his early clients ranged from the CIA to the American navy and air force. 'The first six years of McAfee, 90 per cent of our income came from the government. The First Gulf War I donated $40 million worth of software to the U.S. Army,' he says. McAfee said intelligence officials were worried that encryption technology would get out of the U.S. and into the wrong hands. McAfee also says the growth of electronic currencies like Bitcoin is unstoppable, despite efforts by governments to curb their use. 'It will be everywhere and the world will have to readjust. World governments will have to readjust.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAmerican anti-virus mogul McAfee warns Canadians about government spying

Facebook to pay 614,000 users $15 each over privacy concerns

"A lawsuit that accused Facebook of misappropriating users’ images ended with a settlement on Monday. The agreement states that the social media site has to pay approximately 614,000 Facebook users $15 each for using their information for advertising purposes. While approximately 150 million Facebook users’ images and likenesses were allegedly used to promote products and services through the Sponsored Stories program, only users who entered a claim form by May 2, 2013, were eligible to receive settlement funds. As part of the settlement, Facebook will give users greater information about and control over how they are featured in the Sponsored Stories." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFacebook to pay 614,000 users $15 each over privacy concerns

Sales Of Public Data To Marketers Can Mean Big $$ For Governments

"Spokesperson Andrew Cole confirms the Secretary of State sells business information for monetary amounts ranging from $200 to $12,000, depending on frequency and amount of information requested. The Secretary of State also sold voter registration information — including names, addresses and political party affiliation of voters — for $58,000, last year. The Denver Clerk and Recorder made $32,000 last year selling home sale data. It happens in college, too. The University of Colorado Boulder buys names from the SAT for 33 cents each and names from the ACT for 34 cents each. CU sells student information to private meal plans and storage companies for $15,000 a year." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSales Of Public Data To Marketers Can Mean Big $$ For Governments