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Thursday, June 6, 2013

Secret Verizon records collection: What is NSA looking for?

It's possible that the National Security Agency's collection of Verizon records is related to a cybersecurity probe. Or, it could be related to the Boston Marathon bombing investigation.

By Peter Grier,?Staff writer / June 6, 2013

Pedestrians are reflected in the store window of a Verizon Wireless store near the New York Stock Exchange in lower Manhattan, Thursday, in New York. The National Security Agency is currently collecting the telephone records of all Verizon business customers under a top secret court order, according to government documents leaked to Britain?s Guardian newspaper.

John Minchillo/AP

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The Obama administration is secretly collecting all telephone records of Verizon business customers under a sweeping classified court order, according to government documents leaked to Britain?s Guardian newspaper.

Skip to next paragraph Peter Grier

Washington Editor

Peter Grier is The Christian Science Monitor's Washington editor. In this capacity, he helps direct coverage for the paper on most news events in the nation's capital.

Hey ref, it is a noisy game-be prepared. You may not avoid the ...

Working as a sports offici cartoon referee al, or referee, is a noisy job. In fact, a recent study suggests that referees who use whistles are more likely to suffer from symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss compared to people in a similar age group in the general population. Whistles commonly used by referees can be as loud as 106 decibels, and science tells us that regular exposure, even briefly, to sounds above 85 decibels can lead to permanent hearing loss. Nearly half of the referees who participated in the survey reported ringing in their ears after a game, which is a symptom of damage to sensitive inner ear sensory cells that can lead to noise-induced hearing loss. The findings were published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.

Gordon B. Hughes, M.D., program director for clinical trials at the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders at the National Institutes of Health, has first-person experience of the perils of loud whistles acting as a referee at club soccer matches. ?Everyone on the field needs to hear the whistle, so I would blow it hard,? says Dr. Hughes. ?No matter how brief the sound was, it would hurt my ears every time. That?s a warning that the sound is too loud and potentially harmful.?

So what can referees do to protect their hearing? Dr. Hughes suggests using ?vented? ear molds. ?They are custom-fitted to the ear canal and reduce sound by up to 25 decibels,? he says. ?That reduction will let referees perform their duty while protecting their ears all day.?

Whistles aren?t the only things making loud noises at sporting events, however. Cheering fans, marching bands, or other signaling devices such as starter pistols, add to the cacophony. So, whether you?re a professional referee or a spectator, think about wearing hearing protectors to save yourself from hearing damage.

What do you do to protect your hearing? Molded vented plugs do work so you can enjoy the noise and excitment as well as protect your hearing. It is a Win Win!

Health Services

Source: http://blogs.rrc.ca/wellness/2013/06/hey-ref-it-is-a-noisy-game-be-prepared-you-may-not-avoid-the-bumps-but-protect-those-ears/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hey-ref-it-is-a-noisy-game-be-prepared-you-may-not-avoid-the-bumps-but-protect-those-ears

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Ancient trapped water explains Earth's first ice age

June 5, 2013 ? Tiny bubbles of water found in quartz grains in Australia may hold the key to understanding what caused Earth's first ice age, say scientists.

The Anglo-French study, published in the journal Nature, analysed the amount of ancient atmospheric argon gas (Ar) isotopes dissolved in the bubbles and found levels were very different to those in the air we breathe today.

The researchers say their findings help explain why Earth didn't suffer its first ice age until 2.5 billion years ago, despite the Sun's rays being weaker during the early years of our planet's formation.

"The water samples come from the Pilbara region in north-west Australia and were originally heated during an eruption of pillow basalt lavas, probably in a lake or lagoon environment," said author Dr Ray Burgess, from the University of Manchester's School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences.

"Evidence from the geological record indicates that the first major glaciations on Earth occurred about 2.5 billion years ago, and yet the energy of the Sun was 20 per cent weaker prior to, and during, this period, so all water on Earth should already have been frozen.

"This is something that has baffled scientists for years but our findings provide a possible explanation."

The study, done in collaboration with the CRPG-CNRS, University of Lorraine and the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, revealed that the ratio of two argon isotopes -- 40Ar, formed by the decay of potassium (40K) with a half-life of 1.25 billion years, and 36Ar -- was much lower than present-day levels. This finding can only be explained by the gradual release of 40Ar from rocks and magma into the atmosphere throughout Earth's history.

The team used the argon isotope ratio to estimate how the continents have grown over geological time and found that the volume of continental crust 3.5 billion years ago was already well-established being roughly half what it is today.

Dr Burgess said: "High levels of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the early atmosphere -- in the order of several percent -- which would have helped retain the Sun's heat, has been suggested as the reason why Earth did not freeze over sooner, but just how this level was reduced has been unexplained, until now.

"The continents are a key player in the Earth's carbon cycle because carbon dioxide in the atmosphere dissolves in water to form acid rain. The carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere by this process is stabilised in carbonate rocks such as limestone and if a substantial volume of continental crust was established, as revealed by our study, then the acid weathering of this early crust would efficiently reduce the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere to lower global temperatures and lead to the first major ice age.

He added: "The signs of the Earth's evolution in the distant past are extremely tenuous, only fragments of highly weathered and altered rocks exists from this time, and for the most part, the evidence is indirect. To find an actual sample of ancient atmospheric argon is remarkable and represents a breakthrough in understanding environmental conditions on Earth before life existed."

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment/~3/BHhtqFFPLik/130605133510.htm

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Wednesday, June 5, 2013

APNewsBreak: Mogul to pay $2.5M in settlement

In this Feb. 11, 2012 file photo, Sean Parker, left, and Alexandra Lenas arrive at the Pre-GRAMMY Gala & Salute to Industry Icons with Clive Davis honoring Richard Branson in Beverly Hills, Calif. Facebook billionaire Sean Parker?s lavish, $10-million Big Sur wedding just got even more expensive. The California Coastal Commission and Parker on Monday said they reached a $2.5 million settlement to pay for coastal conservation programs after the Napster co-founder built a large movie-set like wedding in an ecologically sensitive area of Big Sur without proper permits. (AP Photo/Vince Bucci, file)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ? Facebook billionaire Sean Parker's lavish, $10 million Big Sur wedding got even more expensive Monday.

The California Coastal Commission and Parker said they have reached a $2.5 million settlement to pay for coastal conservation programs after the Napster co-founder built a large movie-set-like wedding site in an ecologically sensitive area of Big Sur without proper permits.

The parties reached the agreement after officials were tipped that Parker had built a cottage, fake ruins, waterfalls, staircases and a huge dance floor near iconic redwoods and a stream with threatened steelhead trout.

The commission learned about the construction at a closed campground owned by Ventana Inn & Spa after a county investigation spurred by neighbor complaints. The Ventana is negotiating a separate settlement for allowing the construction to occur.

"Despite the continued unauthorized closure of the campground to the public, earlier this year, the property owner entered into an agreement giving Sean Parker exclusive use of the campground for several months to construct a sizeable wedding venue," the commission's staff wrote in a report.

Ventana spokesman Francisco Carrasco did not return a call or email seeking comment.

The Ventana is located within the coastal zone, an area regulated by the commission, an independent state agency that oversees coastal development. Any significant construction within the zone has to be permitted.

When staff inspected, they found the temporary structures had already been built, but they allowed the wedding to proceed anyway.

The commission started negotiating a settlement with Parker and his representatives instead of shutting the event down.

"Mr. Parker has been extremely cooperative and actively involved in working with Coastal Commission staff to reach this resolution which both addresses our Coastal Act concerns and will result in greater coastal access and conservation in the Big Sur and Monterey Peninsula areas," Charles Lester, the commission's executive director, said in a statement.

Parker, 33, the former president of Facebook Inc. who was portrayed by Justin Timberlake in the movie "The Social Network," married singer-songwriter Alexandra Lenas on Saturday in a ceremony with gowns and sets made by a designer for the "Lord of the Rings" films.

Rick Zbur, Parker's representative during negotiations with the commission, said Parker worked diligently to address the issue once it came to his attention.

"So as soon as he was made aware of the Coastal Commission's concerns, he immediately stepped forward to discuss how he could protect the coastal area and resolve these issues," Zbur said in an email.

Parker also asked his guests, many of them extremely wealthy entrepreneurs and celebrities, to donate to Save the Redwoods or the California League of Conservation Voters in lieu of giving gifts, according to a program.

Since Parker did not get permits for the construction, commission staff will oversee the breakdown of the vast set so no damage is done to the environment. The commission said no major damage had yet been done, but it wanted to reach a deal quickly so the violating structures could be removed safely.

"Normally (negotiations) happen over a couple of months, but because of the nature of the violations here we wanted to get it out as soon as possible so Mr. Parker could go ahead and do the work the way it should be done," said Lisa Haage, the commission's chief of enforcement.

Money from the agreement may be used to purchase public easements and hiking trails in the Big Sur area and as grants for nonprofits doing conservation projects.

Also, as part of the settlement, Parker offered to produce and distribute a public education video or create a mobile app aimed at helping to identify areas where the public can access the coast.

Haage said the commission is hopeful Parker's assistance will help it spread more information about California's coastal resources.

In a statement, Parker said he was delighted to help the commission achieve its conservation goals and to help Big Sur area businesses.

The commission will vote on the agreement at its next meeting scheduled June 14.

___

Follow Jason Dearen on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/JHDearen . Associated Press writer Alicia Chang in Los Angeles contributed to this story.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/495d344a0d10421e9baa8ee77029cfbd/Article_2013-06-03-Facebook%20Billionaire-Wedding/id-103ef62eca9f41508309f5491bed2ac6

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TNS Canada: Canadians seek convenience from home ...

Canadians have convenience on their minds when they choose where to buy items to fix up their homes, a new study suggests.

The study by TNS Canada found that the bulk of Canadians regularly stock up on do-it-yourself (DIY) items at Canadian Tire (61%), ahead of home improvement retailer Home Depot (51%). That was followed by Walmart, at 41%. While Rona (34%) and Home Depot carry primarily home improvement goods, Canadian Tire and Walmart have a much broader assortment of categories, including automotive, sporting goods and apparel.

?This reach is aided by the fact that Canadian Tire?s store presence is unparalleled,? the Kantar report said. ?With 490 Canadian Tire stores nationwide, the retailer itself asserts that it has a store within a 15-minute drive for 90% of Canadians. The Home Depot and Walmart are comparatively less accessible, with 180 and 379 stores, respectively.?

The April survey of 500 Canadians found that Canadians nevertheless said Home Depot is their favourite home improvement retailer (28%), followed by Canadian Tire at 20%.

Also noteworthy was the relatively low ranking of the retailers who deal strictly in home improvement merchandise compared to more general merchants, such as Walmart and Canadian Tire.

Source: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/06/03/canadians-look-for-convenience-from-home-improvement-retailers-study-says/

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Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Cybersecurity tops Obama's agenda for China talks

WASHINGTON (AP) ? President Barack Obama will be looking for signs from China's leader at their upcoming meeting that Beijing is ready to address its reported high-tech spying, which the White House sees as a top threat to the U.S. economy and national security.

The talks between Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping will be followed by a July meeting between U.S. and Chinese officials focusing on cyberespionage, along with other strategic and economic issues. Secretary of State John Kerry announced the U.S.-China meetings when he visited Beijing in April.

The summit Friday and Saturday at a California estate also is aimed at establishing personal ties between Obama and Xi as relations between the two global powers grow increasingly complex.

Obama needs Xi's help in stemming nuclear threats from North Korea and Iran, combating the violence in Syria, and continuing the U.S. economic recovery.

The meeting at the 200-acre Sunnylands estate once owned by late publishing tycoon Walter Annenberg is their first since Xi took power in March. The talks also are coming months before the leaders originally had planned to meet, underscoring growing concern in both countries about potential fractures in the relationship.

Cybersecurity is likely to be the prickliest issue, given new reports on the extent and regularity of China's cyberhacking and increasing interest in Congress about how the U.S. can punish Beijing for its actions.

The Chinese government denies it engages in such spying against the U.S. But analysts say Beijing has started to indicate some willingness to address the problem during private talks with Kerry, national security adviser Tom Donilon and others.

The Chinese have been "much more positive in private meetings," James Lewis, a cybersecurity expert and former State Department official. The goal during Obama's meeting, Lewis said, will be to "test whether the Chinese have really moved to a better position where they want to engage."

A senior Obama administration official said that in recent talks, the Chinese seem to be less dismissive of U.S. concerns about cyberattacks, but that the matter would be not settled in one meeting.

Despite subtle signs of progress in private talks, security analysts say there is little evidence that Chinese-based hacking has eased.

"If the Chinese government wanted to signal to the United States that it wanted to curb its activity, the U.S. government would see it and we would see it," said Richard Bejtlich, chief security officer at the U.S.-based firm Mandiant. "But it's the same as it's always been."

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Saturday at a security conference in Singapore that the U.S. has expressed its concerns about "the growing threat of cyberintrusions, some of which appear to be tied to the Chinese government and military."

Obama and Xi were not expected to meet until September, on the sidelines of an international economic summit in St. Petersburg, Russia. But the U.S saw signs that Xi was able to organize his government more quickly than previous Chinese leaders, according to the administration official, and that led the U.S. to conclude that it was best for Obama to meet Xi as early as possible.

The official insisted on anonymity in order to discuss internal administration discussions.

The White House hopes the relaxed setting at Sunnylands will lend itself to a more direct and free-flowing discussion. The presidents' wives will join them at the estate.

"The meeting represents a huge investment by both sides in the relationship and the health of the relationship," said Nina Hachigian, a China expert at the Center for American Progress. "This is viewed as extremely special by the Chinese side."

The logistics of Xi's visit have been negotiated intensely, as is the case with all meetings between the U.S. and China. The Chinese government often pushes for limited media access, though the White House said Friday that U.S. officials were working to arrange an opportunity for reporters to ask questions of the two leaders at the end of the summit.

President George W. Bush held a somewhat similar meeting in 2002 when he hosted then-Chinese President Jiang Zemin at Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas.

There's little expectation the summit will result in any concrete policy decisions. But Kurt Campbell, who until recently served as assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said the discussions on both cybersecurity and North Korea have a "real potential for progress, not because of some enormous good will, but because China is badly positioned on both."

In a shift from his predecessor, Xi has taken a stern tone with North Korea. He has told the North to return to nuclear talks with the U.S. and other world powers, and has warned its young leader that no country "should be allowed to throw a region and even the whole world into chaos for selfish gain."

The U.S. long has pushed China to take more aggressive action against North Korea and welcomed Xi's comments. China is the North's strongest ally and biggest trading partner.

Financial issues also are expected to be a prominent topic in the talks between the leaders of the world's largest economies. Xi probably will press China's claims of business discrimination in the U.S. market.

Xi is likely to express deep discomfort over Washington's shifting of military assets to Asia and renewed emphasis on alliances with other countries within the region. China sees the strategy, referred to by Obama as his Asia "pivot," as an effort to contain Beijing's rising power.

At the Singapore conference, a Chinese military leader questioned the expanded U.S. role in the Pacific after Hagel said he hoped for better military ties between the two countries.

Xi and Obama first met last year when Xi, then vice president, visited the White House. Xi has a warm relationship with Vice President Joe Biden after their travels together throughout China during Biden's 2011 visit.

Xi has deeper ties to the U.S. than his predecessors. He's visited the country frequently, and stays in contact with families he stayed with in Muscatine, Iowa, while a visiting provincial official in 1985. His daughter attended Harvard.

___

Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/cybersecurity-tops-obamas-agenda-china-talks-113627361.html

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