Hack reveals illegal phone records
A hack of Securus Technologies’ cloud storage system reveals the company reveals over 70 million records of phone calls, placed by prisoners to at least 37 states, in addition to links to downloadable recordings of the calls. The calls span a nearly two-and-a-half year period, beginning in December 2011 and ending in the spring of 2014. The data includes up to 14,000 phone calls between inmates and their lawyers. Normally, prisons are allowed to record phone calls of the inmates, but are not allowed to record calls from their lawyers. ACLU:
This may be the most massive breach of the attorney-client privilege in modern U.S. history, and that’s certainly something to be concerned about. A lot of prisoner rights are limited because of their conviction and incarceration, but their protection by the attorney-client privilege is not.
Securus:
Securus is contacting law enforcement agencies in the investigation into media reports that inmate call records were leaked online. Although this investigation is ongoing, we have seen no evidence that records were shared as a result of a technology breach or hack into our systems. Instead, at this preliminary stage, evidence suggests that an individual or individuals with authorized access to a limited set of records may have used that access to inappropriately share those records…It is very important to note that we have found absolutely no evidence of attorney-client calls that were recorded without the knowledge and consent of those parties. Our calling systems include multiple safeguards to prevent this from occurring. Attorneys are able to register their numbers to exempt them from the recording that is standard for other inmate calls. Those attorneys who did not register their numbers would also hear a warning about recording prior to the beginning of each call, requiring active acceptance.
France bombs Syria
French fighter planes carry out their biggest bombing raid in Syria, dropping 20 bombs on the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa. The fighters were launched from the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. French foreign minister Laurent Fabius said France had the “legitimacy” to take action against ISIS after the terror attacks in Paris. ISIS casualties are reported, but no civilian casualties. The French Defence Ministry
The first target destroyed was used by ISIS as a commanding post, a jihad recruitment center and a depot for arms and munitions. The second target housed a terrorist training camp.
Police: 153 dead
Police say that 153 people have died in the attacks. 112 killed at Bataclan venue; 14 at Petit Cambodge restaurant; 19 outside La Belle Epuipe bar; 4 on Ave de le République 4 outside stadium.
Petit Cambodge shooting
The attack starts at the Petit Cambodge (“Little Cambodia”) restaurant in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, as popular nightlife area. Shots are fired from a car into the restaurant. 14 people die in the attack.
Tirs à la Kalash au petit Cambodge dans le 10 ème à #Paris plusieurs morts. Secours et police sur place #tir pic.twitter.com/BBKaYocMz7
— Vincent Berthézène (@VinBerth) November 13, 2015
$1million for Tor users identities
Operators of the Tor network accuse Carnegie Mellon of accepting up to $1million from the FBI to help help track users running illegal operations on websites. Tor director Roger Dingledine questions the university’s ethics
We think it’s unlikely they could have gotten a valid warrant … [since it] appears to have indiscriminately targeted many users at once… The mere veneer of law enforcement investigation cannot justify wholesale invasion of people’s privacy… If academia uses ‘research’ as a stalking horse for privacy invasion, the entire enterprise of security research will fall into disrepute.
Kurds launch offensive
A Kurdish force of up to 7,500 soldiers is on the offensive to reclaim Sinjar from ISIS. With help from collation air strikes the Kurdish forces attack from three fronts to recapture the town. By recapturing the town they will cut off ISIS main supply line to Mosul, allowing for a future attack on Mosul sometime in the future. By controlling Highway 47, which is used by ISIS to transport weapons, fighters, illicit oil, and other commodities that fund their operations, the Coalition intends to increase pressure on the group and isolate their components from each other
Orders doping investigation
President Putin has orders an investigation into claims by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), that the country’s athletes were using performance enhancing drugs during the 2012 London Olympics. WADA wants to ban Russian athletes from competing. Athletes who are found to be doping would have their Olympic Medals taken away from them and be banned from participating in future Olympic events. Putin said athletes should be punished individually, rather than collectively.
Sportsmen who don’t dope – and never have – must not answer for those who break the rules. If we find that someone must be held responsible for something of the sort that breaks the rules in place against doping, then the responsibility must be personalised – that’s the rule…The battle must be open. A sporting contest is only interesting when it is honest. It is essential that we conduct our own internal investigation and – I want to underline – provide the most open professional co-operation with international anti-doping structures
Agents arrested for cocaine smuggling
Three TSA officers are arrested for smuggling cocaine through San Francisco International Airport. They were bribed to turn their heads while drug traffickers had cocaine in their carry on luggage, but did not know that the “drug trafficking” was actually part of an undercover operation by the DEA. The officers are charged with conspiring to defraud the TSA by obstructing a lawful government function, which warrants up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. They are also charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, which has a minimum of ten years in prison and a maximum life sentence, along with a fine of up to ten million dollars.
Marijuana bill passed
The Senate approves funding bill to allow doctors in the Veterans Administration to recommend medical marijuana to their patients in states where it is legal. It passed through the Senate Appropriations Committee with an 18-12 vote. Marijuana has been shown to help veterans who are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Nine companies, 44 people charged
New York City officials charge 44 people and nine companies with cheating thousands of residential and commercial customers out of $34million of heating oil for nearly a decade. The defendants include company owners and executives, truck drivers and dispatchers. They face charges of grand larceny, fraud, falsifying business records and enterprise corruption. Indicted companies are F&S Distribution, G&D Petroleum Transportation, G&D Heating Oil, Casanova Fuel Oil, Express Petroleum, 4th Avenue Transport, All-Boro Transportation, Enterprise Transportation and Century Star Fuel.
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance told a press conference that the companies would charge customers for more fuel than was delivered using rigged trucks in a practice known as “shorting.”
Drops tips
Joe’s Crab Shack drops tipping at its restaurants, one of the first chains to do so. The chain will increase server wage to $14 an hour, offset by 12%-15% increase in food. The company says the move should reduce staff turnover, improve service quality, and actually lower prices for customers who are typically more generous with their tipping. CEO:
We’re really leading in our industry with regards to national brand going out and testing this thing in a meaningful way. So we want to be somewhat cautious.
Announces free video streaming plan
T-Mobile CEO, Legere, announces “Binge On,” a cell phone service that allows users to stream video services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and others, without it counting against their data plans. The service starts over the next two weeks and is free with any new or existing plans. The Company is in talks with YouTube, but the Google-owned video platform hadn’t quickly agreed to technical terms. The company also doubled data caps on its plans to 2 gigabytes, 6 gigabytes and 10 gigabytes, without changing prices. Legere:
Customers have a huge and increasing appetite for new and innovative ways to use their smartphones. But what I see is there’s amazing content being created, but it’s being created for movie and TV screens. All content is going to the Internet, and I’m trying to get it mobile. It’s a huge disconnect. A big, big portion of data is wasted…This makes huge economic sense. Both investors and customers are going to be real happy. This could be the biggest thing we’ve announced.
NSA loses phone metadata ruling
Federal judge Leon orders the NSA to stop collecting the phone metadata of California attorney J.J. Little and his small legal practice. While the injunction takes effect immediately, the scope is limited. Leon says that the case may be the last court evaluation of the NSA’s bulk metadata collection program.
It will not, however, be the last chapter in the ongoing struggle to balance privacy rights and national security interests under our Constitution in an age of evolving technological wizardry. [I did not stay the decision] because it has been almost two years since I first found that the NSA’s bulk telephony metadata program likely violates the Constitution.
Russia destroys 448 ISIS targets
Through the last three days, Russia has been targeting and destroying key ISIS facilities in Syria. Kremlin has been using airstrikes to target key terrorist facilities. At least 448 facilities have been destroyed throughout the country. A Kremlin spokesman warned that Russia’s ongoing campaign has meant terrorists have changed their tactics
Russia sends 4000 troops to Syria
President Putin is sending 4000 troops to Syria to fight the Islamic State. Russia’s foreign ministry has stated that these troops will not serving a combat role, and are to guard Russian bases and working with the Syria military. The figure has doubled since Moscow began airstrikes against the terror group, according to US officials
Policeman kills U.S. trainers
A Jordanian policeman shoots and kills two of his American instructors in Jordan. The attacker is said to be a Captain with the Jordan police force is also said to have killed a South African along with injuring two others Americans and four Jordanian. An investigation had been launched. U.S. Embassy:
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of all of the victims. The investigation is ongoing and it is premature to speculate on motive at this point. We are working closely with the government of Jordan and local security services on a full and comprehensive investigation. We strongly condemn this incident and we deeply appreciate the co-operation and support received from our Jordanian partners.
France: gay men can donate blood
By Spring of 2016, gay men in France will be allowed to donate blood, ending a 33 year ban that was put in place in1983. Under new rules, men who haven’t had sex in four months before donating, or have only had one partner will be allowed to donate. If this restriction shows no risk within the year, they will be able to donate blood regularly like the general population. French health minister:
Giving blood is an act of generosity, of citizenship, which cannot be conditioned to sexual orientation. While respecting complete patient safety, today we are ending a taboo and discrimination
Scholarships funded by marijuana
Starting in 2017, graduates from Pueblo County, CO, high schools can be eligible to receive a scholarship funded by the states marijuana tax. With 60% of the county voting in favor, growers should be expecting to pay 5% more in taxes by 2020. These taxes are expected to generate $3.5 million in taxes, half of which will go towards funding towards scholarships. Pueblo County spokesperson:
The whole point of the scholarship program was to make higher education a reality for families who can’t afford to send their kids to school because of debt.
Officers arrested
The Louisiana State police arrest Greenhouse and Stafford for their involvement in Mardis’ killing and charge them with second degree murder and attempted second degree murder. Police say 18 rounds had been fired by two different guns. Police:
We took some of the body cam footage. I’m not gonna talk about it, but I’m gonna tell you this. It is the most disturbing thing I’ve seen and I will leave it at that…As a father, much less the head of the State Police, [it was] extremely disturbing, and it is partly why we’re here tonight with these charges…Let’s make tonight about Jeremy Mardis. That little boy was buckled in the front seat of that vehicle, and that is how he died…Justice has been done tonight, but the investigation is far from over.
Keystone XL pipeline rejected
President Obama announces that he will not allow TransCanada Corp a cross border permit. This prevents the company from building the pipeline. Although the pipeline would be creating new jobs, others cited environmental damages that could occur during construction and general maintenance. Obama:
America’s now a global leader when it comes to taking serious action to fight climate change. And frankly, approving this project would have undercut that global leadership. And that’s the biggest risk we face — not acting.
Kerry:
The reality is that this decision could not be made solely on the numbers — jobs that would be created, dirty fuel that would be transported here, or carbon pollution that would ultimately be unleashed. The United States cannot ask other nations to make tough choices to address climate change if we are unwilling to make them ourselves.
TransCanada CEO Girling:
Today, misplaced symbolism was chosen over merit and science — rhetoric won out over reason. TransCanada is reviewing the decision and its rationale.