A new cyber surveillance virus has been found in the Middle East that can spy on banking transactions and steal login information for social networking sites, email and instant messaging, according to a leading computer security firm, Kaspersky Lab.
Saturday, 11 August 2012
Virus can spy on bank transactions
Virus can spy on bank transactions:
A new cyber surveillance virus has been found in the Middle East that can spy on banking transactions and steal login information for social networking sites, email and instant messaging, according to a leading computer security firm, Kaspersky Lab.
A new cyber surveillance virus has been found in the Middle East that can spy on banking transactions and steal login information for social networking sites, email and instant messaging, according to a leading computer security firm, Kaspersky Lab.
UN urges US to cut ethanol production
UN urges US to cut ethanol production: Intervention will be seized on by state governors, lawmakers and meat and livestock industry, who have expressed alarm at surging prices for corn
Supermercado italiano vende garrafas com foto de Hitler
Supermercado italiano vende garrafas com foto de Hitler:
ROMA — Um promotor público de Verona, na Itália, abriu um inquérito depois que um casal de judeus americanos, que passava férias na cidade, se queixou de um supermercado que colocou à venda garrafas de vinho com a foto de Adolf Hitler no rótulo. O promotor Mario Schinaia Giulia abriu uma investigação para saber se o caso se trata de “apologia ao fascismo”, de acordo com a agência de notícias italiana Ansa.
“Neste momento seria oportuno inventar o delito de estupidez humana. Vemos que para ganhar dinheiro todos os caminhos são seguidos, mesmo aqueles que vão contra a cultura e consciência das pessoas”, disse o promotor à agência.
O casal, da Filadélfia, disse que ficou chocado quando encontrou os rótulos.
- Não é apenas uma afronta para os judeus. É uma afronta para toda a humanidade - disse Cindy, filha de um sobrevivente do Holocausto.
A loja, por sua vez, informou que se tratam de artigos históricos, da vinícola Lunardelli, que mostra em seus rótulos figuras históricas controversas, desde meados da década de 1990. Benito Mussolini e Joseph Stalin, assim como o revolucionário argentino Che Guevara são alguns dos que já foram retratados.
ROMA — Um promotor público de Verona, na Itália, abriu um inquérito depois que um casal de judeus americanos, que passava férias na cidade, se queixou de um supermercado que colocou à venda garrafas de vinho com a foto de Adolf Hitler no rótulo. O promotor Mario Schinaia Giulia abriu uma investigação para saber se o caso se trata de “apologia ao fascismo”, de acordo com a agência de notícias italiana Ansa.
“Neste momento seria oportuno inventar o delito de estupidez humana. Vemos que para ganhar dinheiro todos os caminhos são seguidos, mesmo aqueles que vão contra a cultura e consciência das pessoas”, disse o promotor à agência.
O casal, da Filadélfia, disse que ficou chocado quando encontrou os rótulos.
- Não é apenas uma afronta para os judeus. É uma afronta para toda a humanidade - disse Cindy, filha de um sobrevivente do Holocausto.
A loja, por sua vez, informou que se tratam de artigos históricos, da vinícola Lunardelli, que mostra em seus rótulos figuras históricas controversas, desde meados da década de 1990. Benito Mussolini e Joseph Stalin, assim como o revolucionário argentino Che Guevara são alguns dos que já foram retratados.
Farmers Deplete Fossil Water in World's Breadbaskets
Farmers Deplete Fossil Water in World's Breadbaskets:
Irrigation has helped farmers feed a population that has now reached 7 billion people . But in many places farmers have overused underground aquifers that have taken thousands of years to form, drawing down the fossil water much faster than it can be replaced. The Ogallala aquifer in the American high plains, along with similar aquifers in Mexico, Eastern Europe, Egypt, Arabia, Iran, India and China, represent the crisis zones for humanity’s groundwater footprint, according to a new analysis published in Nature on August 9. ( Scientific American is part of Nature Publishing Group.) Here’s what the world’s groundwater footprint looks like:
View a Larger Version of the Map
[More]
Irrigation has helped farmers feed a population that has now reached 7 billion people . But in many places farmers have overused underground aquifers that have taken thousands of years to form, drawing down the fossil water much faster than it can be replaced. The Ogallala aquifer in the American high plains, along with similar aquifers in Mexico, Eastern Europe, Egypt, Arabia, Iran, India and China, represent the crisis zones for humanity’s groundwater footprint, according to a new analysis published in Nature on August 9. ( Scientific American is part of Nature Publishing Group.) Here’s what the world’s groundwater footprint looks like:
View a Larger Version of the Map
[More]
World Briefing | The Americas: Mexico: Bodies of 14 Men Found in Van
World Briefing | The Americas: Mexico: Bodies of 14 Men Found in Van: The men were kidnapped Wednesday in the northern state of Coahuila, where the vehicle had been stolen, the official said.
Paediatrician accused of waterboarding daughter
Paediatrician accused of waterboarding daughter: Melvin Morse and wife arrested after claims he used technique associated with interrogating terrorists on 11-year-old
A paediatrician has been arrested over claims he disciplined his 11-year-old daughter by waterboarding her.
Melvin Morse, 58, a doctor known for his research into near-death experiences of children, is accused of subjecting the girl to the simulated drowning technique more typically associated with the interrogation of terrorist suspects.
He and his wife Pauline Morse, 40, were arrested at their home in Georgetown, Delaware, on Tuesday on charges of endangering the welfare of a child, reckless endangerment and conspiracy.
The paediatrician, who was held in lieu of $14,500 bail, was accused of waterboarding the girl four times over two years starting in May 2009. Police said she had so much water poured on her face that it would go up her nose.
They said Pauline Morse, who was released after arrest, saw some of the punishment but did not stop it.
Police learned of the alleged waterboarding earlier this week when they spoke with the girl about a separate incident.
The Morse family drove home on 16 July and the 11-year-old refused to get out of the car for an unknown reason. Melvin Morse opened the door and dragged her by the ankles over a gravel driveway to the house, police said.
Later, the child ran to a neighbour's house, and police were called. He was charged with assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
While the girl was being questioned by authorities on Monday, she told them that her father would discipline her by what he called waterboarding, police said.
After their arrest, both parents were ordered to have no contact with the 11-year-old and her 6-year-old sister. Both girls were placed in care.
Melvin Morse, who heads the Institute for the Scientific Study of Consciousness, had appeared on television on Oprah, Good Morning America and Larry King Live. He is also the author of a book called Closer to the Light.
A paediatrician has been arrested over claims he disciplined his 11-year-old daughter by waterboarding her.
Melvin Morse, 58, a doctor known for his research into near-death experiences of children, is accused of subjecting the girl to the simulated drowning technique more typically associated with the interrogation of terrorist suspects.
He and his wife Pauline Morse, 40, were arrested at their home in Georgetown, Delaware, on Tuesday on charges of endangering the welfare of a child, reckless endangerment and conspiracy.
The paediatrician, who was held in lieu of $14,500 bail, was accused of waterboarding the girl four times over two years starting in May 2009. Police said she had so much water poured on her face that it would go up her nose.
They said Pauline Morse, who was released after arrest, saw some of the punishment but did not stop it.
Police learned of the alleged waterboarding earlier this week when they spoke with the girl about a separate incident.
The Morse family drove home on 16 July and the 11-year-old refused to get out of the car for an unknown reason. Melvin Morse opened the door and dragged her by the ankles over a gravel driveway to the house, police said.
Later, the child ran to a neighbour's house, and police were called. He was charged with assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
While the girl was being questioned by authorities on Monday, she told them that her father would discipline her by what he called waterboarding, police said.
After their arrest, both parents were ordered to have no contact with the 11-year-old and her 6-year-old sister. Both girls were placed in care.
Melvin Morse, who heads the Institute for the Scientific Study of Consciousness, had appeared on television on Oprah, Good Morning America and Larry King Live. He is also the author of a book called Closer to the Light.
Finland's PM proposes bank-funded EU crisis fund
Finland's PM proposes bank-funded EU crisis fund: HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finland's prime minister has proposed a banking sector-funded European crisis fund to recapitalize troubled banks as part of Europe's plans for a banking union to tighten supervision.
Honduras names new finance minister after scandal
Honduras names new finance minister after scandal: TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Wilfredo Cerrato was named Honduras' new finance minister on Thursday, replacing Hector Guillen who resigned last week after his wife was arrested with the equivalent of more than $57,600 in her vehicle.
El Nino emerges, raising fears over food prices
El Nino emerges, raising fears over food prices: TOKYO (Reuters) - An El Nino weather pattern is underway and will last until winter, Japan said on Friday, foreshadowing disruptive conditions that could harm crops from Australia to India at a time of rising fears about global food supplies.
Spain 'foils Mexican drug plot'
Spain 'foils Mexican drug plot': Four suspected members of Mexico's feared Sinaloa drug cartel are seized in Spain, while allegedly trying to set up a European operation.
Grapefruit Juice and the Fight Against Cancer
Grapefruit Juice and the Fight Against Cancer: There are always claims over fruit or fruit drinks and their health benefits. A daily glass of grapefruit juice lets patients derive the same benefits from an anti-cancer drug as they would get from more than three times as much of the drug by itself, according to a new clinical trial. The combination could help patients avoid side effects associated with high doses of the drug and reduce the cost of the medication. Researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine study the effects that foods can have on the uptake and elimination of drugs used for cancer treatment. In a study published in August in Clinical Cancer Research, they show that eight ounces a day of grapefruit juice can slow the body’s metabolism of a drug called sirolimus, which has been approved for transplant patients but may also help many people with cancer
Could cuffed man have shot self?
Could cuffed man have shot self?: CNN's Randi Kaye reports on the controversy surrounding a man police say shot himself in the head while in handcuffs.
Vast volcanic 'raft' in Pacific
Vast volcanic 'raft' in Pacific: A vast "raft" of buoyant volcanic rocks covering 10,000 sq miles (26,000 sq km) of the Pacific Ocean is spotted by a New Zealand military aircraft.
Google Translate can now read text through the phone's camera
Google Translate can now read text through the phone's camera: Google's Android translation app can now recognise and translate text just by looking at it - a feature that has actually been around in the company's Goggles app for over two years
Janet Napolitano's aides 'sexually humiliated' male agents
Janet Napolitano's aides 'sexually humiliated' male agents: The US Secretary of Homeland Security ran her department like a female "frat house" where men were routinely bullied and sexually humiliated, according to a lawsuit filed by a former official
Ebola 'under control' in Uganda
Ebola 'under control' in Uganda: An outbreak of Ebola in western Uganda appears to be under control, says the medical charity, Medecins Sans Frontieres
KOTOK: The Corn Price Shock Will Have Serious Implications Around The World For Years
KOTOK: The Corn Price Shock Will Have Serious Implications Around The World For Years:
Two expert agricultural economists joined this year's gathering in Maine. Their expertise is worldwide. Each of them has years of experience forecasting various ag scenarios and resulting global impacts. One is chief economist of a major, worldwide trading company; the other is affiliated with a bank that is involved in agricultural lending.
We discussed corn, soybeans, and drought effects on world prices. We examined emerging economies, where food is a large component of the price index. We talked about how food spending drives the political constituencies in those countries. Bottom line: the geopolitical risk premium rises as food prices consume increasing amounts of household budgets.
The biggest take-away for me was the explanation that this decline in food production is likely to be a multi-year cycle. And this is not just one in one drought-stricken region of the world. The impact of food price increases is now global. Moreover, we have run down the inventory cushions.
Weather-induced price hikes are an exogenous shock, meaning that they are caused by factors from outside the system. Central bank monetary policy can do nothing about an outside shock. Central banks cannot grow corn. At a zero-bound policy interest rate, all the central bank can do is watch the price index climb above its targets. Any action it takes is likely to be counterproductive.
Governments often use fiscal policy to deal with food issues. Politicians act because they feel the heat from hungry constituents. In some cases, they implement food price controls that end up exacerbating shortages. In other cases there is turmoil in the streets, and it may lead to regime change, or at least the threat of regime change. But fiscal policy is constrained by large deficits in most OECD mature economies. Agree or not, we already see it being used as a subsidy in developing countries. The outcomes of fiscal response are questionable since they amount to a forced transfers payment.
The bottom line for me is to take this food price shock seriously. It flows beyond grain itself and into animal and energy feed stocks. It affects the rearing of the four-legged critters and the ubiquitous poultry found around the world.
Household budgets are impacted at many levels. That causes consumer retrenchment in other spending streams. This developing food price spike piles on top of the energy shock that is also underway.
In response, Cumberland Advisors is maintaining a cash reserve in our US ETF accounts. We have ratcheted back our exposure to the consumer discretionary sector. We expect food and energy costs to negatively impact household budgets in the mature economies of the world. In the frontier and emerging and developing nations, we expect food and energy costs to restrict household budgets severely.
A personal note: I recall conversations several years ago with the chief economist of the Central Bank of Zambia. I met with him while planning the Global Interdependence Center conference at Victoria Falls in Livingstone. A number of sub-Saharan African nations participated in that conference.
He described to me how the economy of his country was maize-based. He said, "Here I am trying to advise the governor of my central bank about what interest rate he should use for monetary policy. Half of my price index is being driven by rising corn prices." At the time, Washington's ethanol subsidy policy was creating those rising corn prices. He looked at me hard and said, "What would you do if you had to advise my governor on central bank policy?" The question had no clear answer, and left both of us perplexed.
Today we confront a similar but even more extreme issue. Ethanol mandates still exist, although a political attack on them is gaining momentum in Washington. The outright subsidies stopped after billions were wasted by our Congress and presidents (Bush and Obama), but the mandate continues. Washington is still causing corn to burn in automobiles. Meanwhile, Washington's politicians starve hundreds of millions of people in the developing world.
Dear reader, this makes no sense and never has to this writer. But the reason the destructive policy persists is clear to me. Our American political system is corrupted by money, including contributions to politicians who put themselves ahead of most constituents and ahead of the lives of people around the world.
The shock this time is not due to an extreme subsidy. Yes, the subsidy is still there in the mandate. But this time the shock is weather, and nobody can control the weather. We may debate if it is anthropogenic but, alas, we cannot control it.
We may have only begun to experience the food price shocks and to see the steeper prices flow through to the entire food apparatus. Some models that we discussed in Maine indicate that corn could exceed $10 a bushel in a spike.
Two expert agricultural economists joined this year's gathering in Maine. Their expertise is worldwide. Each of them has years of experience forecasting various ag scenarios and resulting global impacts. One is chief economist of a major, worldwide trading company; the other is affiliated with a bank that is involved in agricultural lending.
We discussed corn, soybeans, and drought effects on world prices. We examined emerging economies, where food is a large component of the price index. We talked about how food spending drives the political constituencies in those countries. Bottom line: the geopolitical risk premium rises as food prices consume increasing amounts of household budgets.
The biggest take-away for me was the explanation that this decline in food production is likely to be a multi-year cycle. And this is not just one in one drought-stricken region of the world. The impact of food price increases is now global. Moreover, we have run down the inventory cushions.
Weather-induced price hikes are an exogenous shock, meaning that they are caused by factors from outside the system. Central bank monetary policy can do nothing about an outside shock. Central banks cannot grow corn. At a zero-bound policy interest rate, all the central bank can do is watch the price index climb above its targets. Any action it takes is likely to be counterproductive.
Governments often use fiscal policy to deal with food issues. Politicians act because they feel the heat from hungry constituents. In some cases, they implement food price controls that end up exacerbating shortages. In other cases there is turmoil in the streets, and it may lead to regime change, or at least the threat of regime change. But fiscal policy is constrained by large deficits in most OECD mature economies. Agree or not, we already see it being used as a subsidy in developing countries. The outcomes of fiscal response are questionable since they amount to a forced transfers payment.
The bottom line for me is to take this food price shock seriously. It flows beyond grain itself and into animal and energy feed stocks. It affects the rearing of the four-legged critters and the ubiquitous poultry found around the world.
Household budgets are impacted at many levels. That causes consumer retrenchment in other spending streams. This developing food price spike piles on top of the energy shock that is also underway.
In response, Cumberland Advisors is maintaining a cash reserve in our US ETF accounts. We have ratcheted back our exposure to the consumer discretionary sector. We expect food and energy costs to negatively impact household budgets in the mature economies of the world. In the frontier and emerging and developing nations, we expect food and energy costs to restrict household budgets severely.
A personal note: I recall conversations several years ago with the chief economist of the Central Bank of Zambia. I met with him while planning the Global Interdependence Center conference at Victoria Falls in Livingstone. A number of sub-Saharan African nations participated in that conference.
He described to me how the economy of his country was maize-based. He said, "Here I am trying to advise the governor of my central bank about what interest rate he should use for monetary policy. Half of my price index is being driven by rising corn prices." At the time, Washington's ethanol subsidy policy was creating those rising corn prices. He looked at me hard and said, "What would you do if you had to advise my governor on central bank policy?" The question had no clear answer, and left both of us perplexed.
Today we confront a similar but even more extreme issue. Ethanol mandates still exist, although a political attack on them is gaining momentum in Washington. The outright subsidies stopped after billions were wasted by our Congress and presidents (Bush and Obama), but the mandate continues. Washington is still causing corn to burn in automobiles. Meanwhile, Washington's politicians starve hundreds of millions of people in the developing world.
Dear reader, this makes no sense and never has to this writer. But the reason the destructive policy persists is clear to me. Our American political system is corrupted by money, including contributions to politicians who put themselves ahead of most constituents and ahead of the lives of people around the world.
The shock this time is not due to an extreme subsidy. Yes, the subsidy is still there in the mandate. But this time the shock is weather, and nobody can control the weather. We may debate if it is anthropogenic but, alas, we cannot control it.
We may have only begun to experience the food price shocks and to see the steeper prices flow through to the entire food apparatus. Some models that we discussed in Maine indicate that corn could exceed $10 a bushel in a spike.
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