| Locking down financial security
One might reasonably expect the finance services sector to be well in credit when it comes to electronic security. But losses from online fraud continue to rise. Danny Bradbury combs through the books. Finance is one of the most heavily regulated industries, so electronic security in this sector should be exemplary. But why is online fraud on the rise and what are financial services firms doing about this and other kinds of financial scams? While overall card fraud is falling, instances of online fraud are rocketing, according to UK payment association Apacs. In 2006, internet fraud reached 154.4m, accounting for 73 per cent of card-not-present fraud. That's up from 117m the previous year, when it accounted for just 65 per cent of card-not-present fraud. Overall card-not-present fraud is expected to rise again in 2007.
Basics may be $1,400 more in Italy in '08
And unless the government steps in, the group Codacons says many families will "find themselves on the verge of bankruptcy" because of the increased spending for life's basics, the Italian news agency ANSA reported Monday.
Codacons calculated the figure by adding roughly a $585 increase for food and beverages, and $470 for vehicle and heating fuels, ANSA said.
"Given all these additional costs, it is clear that the government must intervene to help families balance their budgets," said Carlo Rienzi, Codacons chief officer. "Without adequate measures to reduce these costs as well as those for other goods and services, thousands of families risk bankruptcy in the coming year."
Copyright 2007 by UPI .
Scientists Protect Corals from Warming Oceans
Even a small rise in ocean temperature can kill the tiny animals whose skeletons form the reefs. That is a grim prospect for The Maldives — a nation of 1,200 islands in the Indian Ocean. Coral supports the country's two main industries: tourism and fishing. A Maldivian scientist, Abdul Azeez Abdul Hakeem, is on a mission to help corals survive climate change. Azeez is the director of conservation for an eco-friendly resort called the Banyan Tree Maldives. The resort is located on the tiny island of Vabbinfaru. It's a five-star destination, popular with newlyweds and divers. There's an elegant spa, intimate cabanas nestled among the palm trees, and white sand beaches. But there's also a world-class marine laboratory, overseen by Azeez. Coral Gardens Azeez and his staff spend much of their time studying and maintaining coral.
Dulles Rail Eminent Failure - Both Unexpected and Not
The apparent collapse of Federal funding for the Dulles Rail Project is both unexpected and not, in my view.On the one hand, it's easy to understand the Fed's concerns about the $900 Million funding they're being asked to contribute. Their concern about the lack of MWAA's experience, technical ability, and longer-term financial stability in managing the program is probably accurate, as such a large program is best managed by those with fairly current experience in related and current contexts and very deep pockets - that's not the local or Federal government, in my opinion, but is best found in private industry. Additionally, the $900M contribution estimates are probably segnificantly lacking in factual bases or precedent - the recent $300 million estimate cut to me is a simple evidence of typically unfounded, politically-driven and hyper-optimistic Budgeting processes rampant across the Federal Government.
From Vick's fight ring to 'love time' in foster home, an unlikely ...
His back resting comfortably against her chest, Hector nestles his massive canine head into Leslie Nuccio's shoulder, high-fiving pit bull paws against human hands. The big dog — 52 pounds — is social, people-focused, happy now, it seems, wearing a rhinestone collar in his new home in sunny California. But as Hector sits up, deep scars stand out on his chest, and his eyes are imploring. "I wish he could let us know what happened to him," says Nuccio, the big tan dog's foster mother. Hector ought to be dead, she knows — killed in one of his staged fights, or executed for not being "game" enough, not winning, or euthanized by those who see pit bulls seized in busts as "kennel trash," unsuited to any kind of normal life.
The RFID Hacking Underground
James Van Bokkelen is about to be robbed. A wealthy software entrepreneur, Van Bokkelen will be the latest victim of some punk with a laptop. But this won't be an email scam or bank account hack. A skinny 23-year-old named Jonathan Westhues plans to use a cheap, homemade USB device to swipe the office key out of Van Bokkelen's back pocket. .
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