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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Visa is Exploring Biometric Payment Systems








Apple's iPhone 5S has a fingerprint scanner, and now Samsung's revealed a print-reading Galaxy S5. Each allows for payments to be verified using a swipe of your digits. Is this the possible future of all transactions? Perhaps, and Visa is now exploring the area too to ensure it will be ready for the possible sea-change.

"Smartphones equipped with fingerprint scanners are definitely useful. There are all kinds of technologies that we are seeing, and a lot of innovation in this space. We're working with these technologies, and they are all very interesting," said Jon White, Visa's Head of Marketing, Mobile Strategic Alliances.

For the time being at least, it seems any such system would still need to be linked to a mobile device, and Visa's current challenge is separating mobile device access authentication systems from the payment credentials -- were someone to infiltrate one system through biometric readings, Visa want to ensure your bank balance would not be compromised.

"It's a different consideration between drawing a squiggle to unlock a phone or putting in a four-digit password to access my mobile to what's required to access my bank account," continued White. "Secure management of payment credentials are the priority. I think there will be moves to form partnerships in this space though. That will continue, and we will pursue these technologies, but we need these multiple layers of encryption to preserve customer trust and integrity."

Consumer attitudes also need to be considered -- "Do users really want one password [in this respect an eye-scan or fingerprint - ed.] to access all of their services? One password for everything can sound quite romantic, but we all have our own eccentricities when it comes to authenticating passwords, and we need to recognise that," said White.

For now though, the focus at Visa remains on contactless, NFC payments. The company expects 50 per cent of the UK population to be using one of its contactless-enabled cards by the end of 2014, with more than 671,000 terminals now accepting the payment method.

Credit to Gizmodo UK

“Surrender Your Firearms,” Connecticut Tells Unregistered Gun Owners


The State of Connecticut is now demanding that gun owners across the state turn in all newly-banned, unregistered firearms and magazines or face felony arrest.
Connecticut is sending out this letter demanding that gun owners surrender their arms.  Click to enlarge.  Photo credit: capitalisminstitute.org
Connecticut is sending out this letter demanding that gun owners surrender their arms. Click to enlarge. Credit:capitalisminstitute.org
The State Police Special Licensing & Firearms Unit began mailing out notices to gun owners who attempted to register their firearms and accessories with the state but did not do so in time for the Jan. 1 deadline of Connecticut’s newly enacted gun control law.
The law bans the sale of magazines holding over 10 rounds and “assault rifles” manufactured after 1994 and requires that residents who possessed either before the ban to register them with the state.
“We are returning your application for [an] assault rifle certificate and/or [a] large capacity magazine declaration because it was not received or postmarked prior to January 1, 2014 as required by law,” the notice states.
The letter breaks down the gun owner’s “options,” including surrendering their firearms and magazines to the police, selling them to a gun dealer, removing them from the state or rendering them inoperable.
Because these owners attempted to register their guns and accessories, the state can now prosecute them at will because they know exactly who they are.
But when it comes to the vast majority of gun owners who did not register at all, Connecticut lacks clout.
Last month it was revealed that out of the over 2.4 million high-capacity magazines in Connecticut, only 38,000 have been registered.
“So, where did these millions of magazines go?” reporter Warner Todd Huston asked. “All that can be said is that it appears that gun owners in Connecticut are not quite the sheep that jackbooted government officials may have imagined they were.”
“After all, if there really were millions of high capacity magazines in the state – and it is very likely that there are – and they have now gone unregistered, that means that thousands of gun owners have refused to bow to this unconstitutional, anti-Second Amendment law.”
Likewise, only 50,000 semiautomatic rifles were also registered, further proof that Connecticut’s gun owners are revolting through civil disobedience.
These gun owners correctly realize that registration only leads to confiscation and that the overall agenda of gun control is to completely ban private gun ownership.
Last year, the New York Police Department began confiscating guns which were previously registered but are now banned under New York’s newest gun control law.
The NYPD knew exactly which gun owners to target by using the city’s centralized firearms registry which was already in place.
Connecticut’s anti-gun politicians want their own registry so they can eventually confiscate firearms in the exact same manner.
Credit to Infowars

The U.S. Stock Market: RIGHT NOW BE READY FOR ANYTHING!

Russian Foreign Ministry finds decisions of Ukrainian Parliament illegal




Russia's Foreign Ministry has published an official statement, in which the most recent actions of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine were found illegitimate.

The statement runs that Ukraine now "stamps" the laws violating the right of national minorities, including Russians. The Rada tries to ban the Russian language, non-loyal parties and media outlets, propagandizing Nazi values. All this is being down with reference to revolutionary reforms.

The ministry reminded that Ukraine threatens Russian-speaking individuals and conducts a struggle against monuments of Russian culture.

Earlier, the foreign ministry has expressed concerns about the desecration of monuments in Ukraine, pointing out the demolition of the monument to Kutuzov in the town of Brody on February 25th and the desecration of memorials to Soviet warriors.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also condemned the decision of the Rada to hold early presidential election on May 25th. To crown it all, the head of the ministry stated that the move to ban the broadcast of Russian TV channels in Ukraine would be a violation of freedom of speech. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev released similar statements yesterday.
Credit to Pravda

Haunting words and a warning behind a stream of tears



It’s admittedly bad form for a talk show host to be rendered virtually speechless during a live broadcast, but it happened to me during Monday’s breathtaking program with Dr. Ted Broer. Dr. Broer was a guest on The Hagmann & Hagmann Report to discuss, among other things, how we can prepare for the coming perilous times with particular focus on our personal health. That topic was sidelined, however, when Dr. Broer related an especially poignant account about being at the side of his elderly mother on September 11, 2001. 
His mother was a native of Germany during the time of Hitler’s rise to power. Having passed on, she was a resident in a nursing home as she watched the attacks unfold on the television in front of her. According to Dr. Broer, tears were streaming down his mother’s face as she watched the horrifying scenes play out for the world to see.
Concerned, Dr. Broer comforted his mother. He understood the emotional impact of the scenes she was watching, but sensed something much deeper. He asked her what was wrong. She turned her gaze upon him and replied, in perfect German, a statement that should haunt every rational and thinking person reading this in 2014: “I’ve seen this before. I’ve seen it happen before.”
Taken aback by the deep-seated emotion of his mother combined with the carnage being broadcast all across the world, he engaged her further. She was adamant, repeating in her native language that she had seen this before. The tears continued to stream down her cheeks, originating from the deepest recesses of her inner being.
“What do you mean, Mom?” Dr. Broer gently asked, his attention captured not only by the carnage being broadcast all across the world, but the deep reaction and concern of his mother. Could she be confused, perhaps triggered by the trauma to which she was witnessing?
No, she was not confused, nor was she the slightest bit perplexed by the images she was seeing. For indeed, she had seen it all before.
She told Dr. Broer that history is repeating itself, except now, it is happening right here, right now—to us—in what is supposed to be the beacon of freedom for the world. Her tears were not only for the present, but the past—a past in which she lived. The past cannot be changed, and the present is here before us. We must learn from the past and never forget the truth of previous events.
But it was not the past or the present for which her tears were flowing, but for the future, for she said, “and I know what will happen next.”
Behind her streaming tears also existed the journey of her years, a journey that history books and modern historians cannot do justice. The most important historical context of an event comes not from the pages of academic works, but from those who have lived through seminal events of modern history. The truth rarely emanates from the mouths of political pundits or those captured within the venue of the corporate media, but from those who experienced the event themselves. These survivors provide us precious opportunities to understand what is happening in a manner that cannot be duplicated, yet is squandered by a generation of fools, convoluted by groups with agendas, and forced-fed to an unthinking, unquestioning and intellectually-hobbled populace by a fully compromised media.
“It’s the Reichstag fire all over again,” she told him. “People must understand—they need to know what comes next.” The tears that streamed from her eyes originated from the depth of her soul, for she felt sorrow not just for the victims of 9/11, but for those who would fail to realize that they too would soon become victims of “what happens next.” Today, it is us, our children and future generations of Americans who are the victims. Her warning of “what happens next” is upon us, having arrived like a thief in the night in a household where the residents slumber.
As Dr. Broer related this poignant account along with the incomprehensible implications of her statements, I thought of my own reactions on 9/11 and those of others close to me. Personally and like Dr. Broer, I suspect, I found it inconceivable that any rational person would even attempt to reconcile the events unfolding before us with any so called “false flag” event such as the Reichstag fire.  That’s just crazy talk, I once thought, for anyone to even consider the possibility that the attacks of 9/11 were anything except what they appeared to be. After all, our government would never do such a thing and if they did, it would be readily discovered and exposed due to the complexity required to  pull off such an event.
Perhaps that describes you then, or maybe even today. I certainly understand, as I was completely convinced of the official version of events in the subsequent days, weeks, months and even years that followed. It took me a long time to come to grips with the reality that there are plots, plans and schemes being perpetrated by criminal elements of our government, just as there are in corporations and other organizations, that have the motive, means and opportunity to pull off an event in such a way that you must dig deep and long to get to the truth. But the truth is there, although you must not only be searching for it, but willing to accept it when you find it.
All of the signs exist that we are no longer living in a world where everything is normal, or where what is happening can be ascribed to pure incompetence by our leaders. To come to this conclusion, however, you must have the intellectual maturity to understand the enormity of the lie, and the courage to confront the lies in the face of personal and professional marginalization.
Some of you have reached this point long before others, yet many have failed to even identify the problems that exist directly in front of us. It is the latter group for whom this writing is intended. I urge you to look at the larger picture, to understand that we are being lied to, and not in any small way. It is only then that you can even begin to prepare for what’s coming.
What is coming, and what’s already here, was seen through the bleary eyes of Dr. Broer’s mother, who shed her tears for us. Now, it’s up to us to face what we’ve allowed to happen, and learn from her tears, so the tears of others might not have to be shed.

Related

The Reichstag Fire happened 81 years ago this week (February 27, 2014)
Credit to Hagmann and Hagmann

Ukraine Currency Crashes To Record Low

Following yesterday's admission by the new head of Ukraine's central bank of the considerable bank runs in recent days and the rapid dwindling of central bank reserves, Sergiy Kruglik - the director of international affairs for the bank - announced this morning that Ukraine has adandoned the dollar peg and will adopt a flexible exchange rate. The Hyrvnia collapsed through 10.00 on the news and is now trading 10.40 at record lows against the USD.







As The Economist notes, on February 7th the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU, the central bank) finally devalued the official rate of the hryvnya, to HRN8.7:US$1.

The policy was then to set the peg to the dollar roughly in line with trading on the interbank exchange. At the same time, the authorities introduced more foreign-exchange controls.

This has now changed and the currency is in free-fall. One cannot but think this is a desperate attempt to force the hands of a bailer-out to move before total chaos ensues (and of course, as the UAH plummets so import costs of energy will soar).



Charts: Bloomberg

Credit to Zero Hedge

Putin Launches Military Drill In Western, Central Russia




Lest it be confused that Russia has somehow forgotten about the Ukraine coup, and that it no longer concerns the bread basket (and key gas pipeline hub) of Europe a core strategic resource, moments ago Russian wire services blasted the following diplomatic summary of Russian bullish grace in a china store:


PUTIN ORDERS URGENT COMPREHENSIVE CHECKS OF TROOPS' COMBAT READINESS IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL MILITARY DISTRICTS, AND OF AEROSPACE, AIRBORNE TROOPS, LONG-RANGE AND MILITARY TRANSPORT AVIATION - SHOIGU

Bloomberg adds the following:

  • President Vladimir Putin issued orders to conduct immediate check of combat-readiness of central, western military districts, test of air defense, airborne troops, aviation, Interfax reports, citing Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
  • Test began at 2pm local time today: IFX
  • Exercise to be conducted Feb. 26-March 3 in 2 stages
  • Commander-in-chief ordered test of military capability to react to “crisis situations, posing a danger to the country’s military security,” Shoigu is cited as saying
  • Second test phase will include tactical exercises involving Northern, Baltic Fleets

Reuters adds:

President Vladimir Putin ordered an urgent drill to test the combat readiness of the armed forces across western Russia on Wednesday, news agencies reported, flexing Moscow's military muscle amid tension with the West over Ukraine.

"In accordance with an order from the president of the Russian Federation, forces of the Western Military District were put on alert at 1400 (0500 ET) today," Interfax quoted Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu as saying.

Putin has ordered several such surprise drills in various parts of Russia since he returned to the presidency in 2012, saying the military must be kept on its toes, but the geopolitical overtones could hardly have been clearer this time.

The western district borders Ukraine, which lies between NATO nations and Russia. Shoigu said the drill would be conducted in two stages, ending on March 3, and also involved some forces in central Russia.

Putin has made no public comment on Ukraine since President Viktor Yanukovich was driven from power over the weekend after months of political turmoil sparked by his decision to spurn deals with the European Union and improve ties with Russia.

The United States and European nations have warned Russia against military intervention in Ukraine, a former Soviet republic that Putin has called a "brother nation" and wants to be part of a Eurasian Union he is building in the region.

Russian officials have said Moscow will not interfere in Ukraine, while accusing the West of doing so, and Interfax cited the speaker of the upper parliament house, Valentina Matviyenko, as saying on Wednesday it would not use force.

But Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday that Russia's interests and its citizens in Ukraine were under threat, language reminiscent of statements justifying Russia's invasion of Georgia in 2008, when he was president.


Credit to Zero Hedge

Ruble Drops To Lowest Since 2009

In short, not only has the Russian bear woken from hibernation but is rather angry. Incidentally, Russia's ever-louder war footing rumblings have not been lost on investors who sent the USD/RUB to the highest level since March 2009, just north of 36.



As for the Ukraine Hryvnia, don't ask.

And now back to watching your regularly scheduled S&P500 all time high melt up. Becuase there is nothing at all concerning in the world.

Credi to Zero Hedge

Dad May Join Two Moms for Disease-Free Designer Babies



A new technology aimed at eliminating genetic disease in newborns would combine the DNA of three people, instead of just two, to create a child, potentially redrawing ethical lines for designer babies.

The process works by replacing potentially variant DNA in the unfertilized eggs of a hopeful mother with disease-free genes from a donor. U.S. regulators today will begin weighing whether the procedure, used only in monkeys so far, is safe enough to be tested in humans.

Because the process would change only a small, specific part of genetic code, scientists say a baby would largely retain the physical characteristics of the parents. Still, DNA from all three -- mother, father and donor -- would remain with the child throughout a lifetime, opening questions about long-term effects for this generation, and potentially the next. Ethicists worry that allowing pre-birth gene manipulation may one day lead to build-to-order designer babies.

“Once you make this change, if a female arises from the process and goes on to have children, that change is passed on, so it’s forever,” Phil Yeske, chief science officer of the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, said by telephone. “That’s uncharted territory; we just don’t know what it means. Permanent change of the human germline has never been done before, and we don’t know what will happen in future generations.”

Credit to Bloomberg

Temple Mount Violence as Rabbis Demand Control of Holy Site

Muslim youth congregated atop Jerusalem's Temple Mount exploded in violence on Tuesday, just days after leading rabbis demanded that Israel officially extend its sovereignty over the ancient Jewish holy site.

As Israeli police officers opened the Mughrabi Gate, the only Temple Mount entrance available to Jews and Christians, a mob of Muslim youth pelted the Israelis with stones and firecrackers.

Two Israeli police officers were wounded and three rioters were arrested in the ensuing melee.


Police officials believed the incident was linked to a Knesset debate regarding Israeli control of the Temple Mount that was scheduled for later in the day.

The Knesset debate was scheduled in response to an official complaint filed by MK Moshe Feiglin (Likud) over "the loss of Israeli sovereignty on the Temple Mount."

Feiglin and other Israeli lawmakers have increasingly lamented the lack of religious freedom for Jews and Christians at the Temple Mount. Non-Muslim are forbidden to pray or carry Bibles when visiting the compound for fear of provoking Muslim unrest.

After Israel reunified Jerusalem in the 1967 Six Day War, it immediately turned around and handed control of the Temple Mount back to the Jordanians who had previously occupied the city. Since then, the holy site has been administered by Jordan and the Palestinian Islamic Trust (Waqf).

Feiglin wants to see the government finally do away with that arrangement and place the Temple Mount under Israeli supervision. His position is backed by a petition signed last week by leading rabbis who insist the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest site, should be fully under Israeli sovereignty.

But Waqf head Sheikh Ikrima Sabri warned that any move by Israel to "harm the sanctity" of the mosques situated atop the Temple Mount would lead to more violence.

"We will not give up even one grain of earth (on the Temple Mount), since the Jews have no connection to it whatsoever," Sabri claimed in remarks to Gaza-based media. He insisted that control of the Temple Mount was a "red line" not only for Palestinian Muslims, but for Arabs across the Middle East.

Credit to bibleprophecyblog.com