Daily Archives: March 23, 2017

March 22, 2017 When the cold war ended a quarter century ago, and with it the division of the world into two camps, the United Nations decided to start measuring the progress of humanity as a whole. Thus was born the Human Development Index, a gauge that looks beyond mere economic growth and tries to tally up changes in quality of life, or well-being.

Twenty-five years later, the UN is still looking for the qualities that can make a difference.

In its latest development index for 188 countries, the UN notes impressive progress in very tangible categories from 1990 to 2015. More than 1 billion people have escaped poverty. People live longer, more children go to school, and more people have access to basic services such as clean water. The proportion of women in legislatures is now 23 percent. More than 50 nations have improved access to official information. And the rate of deforestation has been felled by half.

And all this happened even as global population has increased by 2 billion. Over the last decades, we have witnessed achievements in human development that were once thought impossible, says Selim Jahan, author of the UN Development Report.

Other indices have since been invented to try to capture the nonmaterial aspects of progress, such as the National Happiness Index, the Global Innovation Index,the Social Progress Index, the Global Peace Index, and the Inclusive Development Index as well as a ranking of nations by political freedom. The hope behind such alternative indicators is that an attempt to measure something might help reveal what causes it or could push it along.

Yet not everything that can be reduced to a number has lasting value. And this years UN report acknowledges the importance of intangible aspects of progress other than physical or social well-being. These include each persons voice in shaping a community or the autonomy to make choices that open up opportunities.

The report thus highlights agency, or the freedom of both individuals and groups to enhance their potential: People have the liberty of choosing their identities, an important liberty to recognize, value and defend. Many countries, the report notes, have improved their well-being but not their agency.

Each different index on progress has also helped bring progress on one aspect of agency. Despite all the worlds challenges (1 in 9 people, for example, is still hungry), humanity has achieved the hope that fundamental changes are possible, the UN report states. And this has created a nascent global consensus to ensure a sustainable world for future generations.

Originally posted here:

Can you tally up world progress? - Christian Science Monitor

Rep. Jim Jordan, a past chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, on Thursday said theres progress being made on health care, as President Trump and House Republican leadership try to round up last-minute votes for the GOPs bill repealing parts of Obamacare.

I think theres progress being made, but well see if we can actually get an agreement thats going to do what weve always had as the goal and frankly, as weve said beforewhat the American people sent us here to accomplish, which is repeal it and bring down the cost of insurance, Mr. Jordan, Ohio Republican, said on CNNs New Day.

Mr. Trump is scheduled to meet with members of the Freedom Caucus at the White House Thursday morning.

One last-minute change to the bill reportedly being floated to woo more conservatives is to strip out the essential benefits provision of Obamacare that requires most insurance plans to cover certain items, such as maternity care and emergency services.

Conservatives say coverage thats more tailored to individuals needs, rather than across-the-board requirements, could help lower costs.

But Democrats say inserting such a provision would run afoul of the rules governing the Senate process that limit the extent to which non-budget items can be considered.

Any changes made to win over conservatives at this point also run the danger of alienating other members. Rep. Charlie Dent, a leader of a group of moderate Republicans in the House, announced late Wednesday hes opposed to the House Republican bill.

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Rep. Jim Jordan: 'Progress being made' on health care, but 'we'll see' if we get agreement - Washington Times

The Dutch Liberals, Christian Democrats, the centrist D66 party and the Greens will investigate whether they can form a coalition government despite policy disagreements, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said.

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Ive said that Im prepared to continue talks, but we have also spelled out to each other that the political differences between these parties are substantial, Rutte, the Liberal party leader, said on Dutch television on Thursday. He spoke after a meeting in The Hague with Health Minister Edith Schippers, whos heading the preliminary talks, Christian Democrat leader Sybrand Buma, D66 head Alexander Pechtold and Jesse Klaver of the Greens.

Schippers, who was appointed by parliament as the so-called scout to investigate coalition options after the March 15 election, previously had separate meetings with the four party leaders. Thursday was the first time they all gathered jointly for talks.

At least four parties will be needed to form a government with a parliamentary majority. The Liberals, Christian Democrats and the centrist D66 have 71 lawmakers between them; adding the Greens would give them 85 seats for a 20-seat cushion over other parties in the lower house.The Liberals remain the largest party after the election, while the other three posted the biggest seat gains.

The talks under Schippers are the first part of a coalition-forming process that has lasted an average of 72 days in the Netherlands since World War II.The next step is for the new lower chamber to appoint an informer to take discussions further.

I told the scout that there are various reasons, despite the differences, to appoint an informer to go into the next round, Buma said after the meeting. There was not much about the content, but it was rather about looking at whether this could be a fruitful step and I think weve established that, Pechtold said.

The coalition that is now being looked at would also have a majority in the smaller upper house of parliament. Still, the leader of the Greens, who have never formed part of a Dutch government before, expressed less enthusiasm.

For us this is far from an ideal coalition, Klaver said. Hes questioned whether the other parties share the Greens commitment to tackling global warming, among other issues. There are huge differences between the parties. We will see whether we can bridge the differences and well see whether we can realize our ideals together.

Link:

Dutch Four-Way Coalition Talks Progress With Greens on Board - Bloomberg

Noon Thursday update on Bryceville fire

First Coast News , WTLV 10:27 AM. PDT March 23, 2017

A fire in the Bryceville area has destroyed or damaged at least 10 homes. PHOTO: Florida Forest Service

A 696-acre wildfire in Bryceville, known as the Garfield Road Fire in Nassau County, has threatened several homes and has caused residents to evacuate. As of 12:00 p.m., the Florida Forest Service (FFS) said the fire is 65 percent contained.

Officials said while assessing the damage in the daylight, thesituation looks better than previously thought. In the Thursday noon press conference crews said they are "getting the situation better under control." We have learned two structures were destroyed, six damaged and about 19 barns or sheds were destroyed or impacted as a result of the fire.

Nassau County Emergency Management has ordered the evacuation of all residents in the areas of CR-121 and CR-119 in Bryceville. SR-121 has been shut down north to DB Hicks and CR-119 due to zero visibility.

Fire officials said in a press conference early Thursday morning that they will continue to monitor the fire and evacuate more residents if they need to. Authorities said there's still a lot of hot concentrated heat sources in some of the rubble that's burning.

Some of what #JFRD was faced with helping in @NassauEM Tough to see the loss of homes and property as we worked throughout the night. pic.twitter.com/slNwlsiwg4

Fortunately, there were no casualties as a result of this fast- spreading fire. Officials said there were minor injuries to First Responders as they were battling the blaze.

LISTEN TO THE FIRST 911 CALL

The fire began around 2 p.m. as an illegal yard burn off of Wills lane. In the 911 call, the wife told dispatch the fire started when her husband started burning moving boxes, as they had just moved into their home. Authorities said Wednesday night it was started by someone burning paper and books off CR-121, but got out of control and grew quickly from five acres to696-acres.

According to Florida Forest Service the person who started the 696-acre wildfire is "remorseful."

Hitting CR119 earlier today #GarfieldRoadFire in Nassau County pic.twitter.com/sDw7zXBttf

#GarfieldRoadFire was caused by someone burning paperback books off CR121 in Nassau County. Burning household garbage is illegal in Florida

FFS said folks in Florida can only burn clean, dry wood. As a result, the individual has been issued a notice for violation for an illegal burn. A forestry bill will also be issued and could be thousands of dollars. FFS said they could also be liable for damages, including houses and livestock lost.

Winds are driving the Bryceville wildfire in Nassau toward Countryside Acres. All residents should evacuate immediately!

@FCN2go Footage of the wildfire from CR 121 pic.twitter.com/XA56VgT224

FFS and the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department, crews from Georgia, St. Johns County and Duval County responded and are on the scene assisting Nassau firefighters. Authorities estimate that there are about 150 to 175 first responders on the scene, some of them from the Red Cross assisting folks who have evacuated.JFRD said more than 20 units are on the scene with 50 to 60 firefighters.

Seventeen bulldozers are also out on the scene with one tractor damaged and flipped. The person operating the tractor is ok.

Residents seeking shelter can go to Bryceville First Baptist Church at 7732 US-301 where the Red Cross is assisting evacuees.There are other shelters at Gray Gables Church on Church Road, Callahan First Baptist Church on Green Ave and Brandy Baptist Church. If you can help please call 904-329-7231 or you can drop off all donations.

PHOTOS: Missing and found pets following Bryceville evacuation

Crossview mortgage is collecting items such as clothes sheets beds furniture food water dog cat food for all familys of the Bryceville fires and are asking the city to come together and support these families who lost everything.

Bryceville First Baptist Church in Nassau County has room for fire evacuees if you're unable to return to your home this morning @FCN2go pic.twitter.com/QW6sl1Fg4W

NE FL American Red Cross is establishing a host shelter in cooperation with Bryceville Baptist Church, 7732 US Hwy 301

Three shelters have now opened for people in need from Nassau Fire. pic.twitter.com/rud7Md5sKz

Pet owners and livestock owners can drop their animals off at Diamond D Ranch on Solomon Road in Jacksonville. Right now, employees at Dimaond D Ranch say it hasn't received any evacuated livestock, but people can still call their cell phone number: 904-591-3289. Thursday morning, folks can call their office number at 904-289-9331. The Duval County Extension Office has trucks and trailers to help transport livestock if need be and you can reach them at 904-240-8675.

Nassau authorities have set up a hotline for residents to call with questions or information: 904-548-0500.

Fire officials said the fire appears to have been accidental and the individual will face notice of violation, as well as have to repay the state the cost of the fire fight.

2017 WTLV-TV

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Firefighters making progress against 696-acre Bryceville wildfire - KING5.com

Android suffers from a reality-based reputation problem, with reports of malicious apps stealing user data and critical security vulnerabilities that can take over user devices. Over the years, Google has been working to improve its mobile operating system with new security features, the release of monthly security updates, and better tools to detect and remove malicious apps both on devices and in the Google Play app store. As a result, Android is safer than you may believe, the company says in its annual Android Security Year in Reviewreport.

Google does deserve credit for improving Android security last year: The release of Safe Browsing API, file-based encryption, verified boot, and media server hardening has tremendously improved the overall security of Android devices.

But Googles report shows mixed results for the overall state of Android security.

There are lots and lots (and lots!) of warnings about malicious apps and mobile malware. Theyre mostly found on unsanctioned third-party app marketplaces, but some manage to bypass security controls and sneak into Google Play.

Still, getting apps only from Google Play is very safe. Google calculates that only 0.05 percent of all Android devices that got apps only from Google Play had a potentially harmful app installed at the end of 2016. Trojans accounted for more than half of such apps installed on Android devices in 2016.

A big fear factor from security vendors is device rooting, which gives apps access to core Google services and to other apps by bypassing Androids security mechanisms. But Google found that most devices are either rooted by the user or the manufacturernot by malware. And even user-initiated rooting is not all that common: just 0.346 percent of all installs. A teeny-tiny percent of those installs0.0001 percentcame from apps found on Google Play. As for apps that can root the device without user permission, they accounted for just 0.002 percent of all installs in 2016.

Although most potentially harmful apps come from third-party markets, Googles goal in 2017 is to better protect users even from those apps, too.

To be clear Googles definition of potentially harmful apps does not include annoying apps, such as those that are overly aggressive in collecting device identifiers and metadata because they dont put Android users, user data, or devices at risk, the report said.

Although the company releases security patches monthly, about half of devices in use at the end of 2016 had not received a platform security update, Google saidthat is, they hadnt received any updates at all.

Google relies on manufacturers and carriers to push out updates to most devices; Google can only ensure that its own Nexus and Pixel devices get updates on a regular schedule. So Google is trying to make it easier for device makers and carriers to deliver security updates to their customers.

Users are more likely to get security updates if they use popular Android models, according to data gathered by Duo Labs, the research arm of mobile authentication provider Duo Security. Duos analysis suggests that, among the top 50 Android models used by businesses, 46 percent of devices received a security patch in the previous 90 days, and 81 percent had received one in the previous 180 days. Although its better to patch devices with each update, the Android updates are cumulative, so users who eventually update are covered up till that patch version.

Still, the overall numbers for Android security arent great. A substantial percentage of Android devices remain at risk. Thats even true for critical security vulnerabilities. For example, Duo found that at the end of 2016,40 percent of affected Android devices hadnt applied patches for four vulnerabilities (CVE-2016-2503, CVE-2016-2504, CVE-2016-2059, and CVE-2016-5340) that affected a widely used Qualcomm chipset, even though the patches were released between July and October.

The percentage of unpatched Android devices is particularly troubling when you realize that the vast majority96 percentof Android devices support getting the monthly updates, said Rich Smith, R&D director of Duo Labs. The unfortunate reality seems to be that carriers just have to wait 30 days for the hype to die down and then everyone forgets, he said.

Although Google didnt say what devices are included in its top 50 devices list, the report gives some indication of what devices are receiving regular updates: Asus Zenfone 3, BQ Aquarius M5, Google Pixel, Google Pixel XL, LG V20, Motorola Moto Z Droid, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, OnePlus OnePlus3, Oppo A33W, Samsung Galaxy S7, Sony Xperia X Compact, and Vivo V3Max all had an update rate between 60 percent and 95 percent by the end of 2016.

Over 78 percent of active flagship Android devices on the four mobile major network operators had a security patch level from the last three months. Those devices include Samsungs Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy S7 Active, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy S6 Active, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note Edge, and Galaxy A5 (2016); LGs G5, G4,G3, and V10; Lenovos Moto X Play, Moto X Style, Moto X Force, Droid Maxx 2, and Droid Turbo 2: Huaweis Mate 8, Mate S, P8, and P9; and Sonys Xperia Z4, Xperia Z5 Compact, and Xperia Z5 Premium.

Although the Android update process covers all devices running Android KitKat 4.4.4 and later, which accounts for 86.3 percent of all active Android devices worldwide, its a sure bet that updates still depend on geographic location, carrier, and manufacturer. So anyone in the market for a new device should consider that some manufacturers appear to be better about updates than others.

Smart Lock, introduced back in 2014 as part of Android Lollipop 5.0, lets devices remain unlocked if it is in the users possession. Smart Lock depends on a combination of security signals including facial recognition, trusted places such as the users home or office, and the presence of a paired Bluetooth device such as a smartwatch. The idea is to reduce the number of times a user has to manually entering a password, while still encouraging users to adopt a secure lock screen that protects the device when its not nearby. Google estimates that the use of Smart Lock can reduce the number of times people have to manually unlock the device by 90 percent.

But just fewer than half of Android devices worldwide have enabled Smart Lock, according to the report. The country breakdown is even more wackywith Somalia having the highest adoption rate at 82 percent, followed by Samoa at 78 percent.

Smart Lock adoption rates get more interesting when you combined it with the data from Duo Labs. Duo found that 70.7 percent of Android devices it tracks have enabled Smart Lock. The difference is due to Google tracking all Android devices and Duo tracking ones used by businesses. Businesses tend to require the use of passwords, which they can enforce through Exchange or mobile management policies. Such requirements impose a burden on users that seems to drive them to using Smart Lock to ease that burden.

Continued here:

Google reports mixed progress on Android security - InfoWorld

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Report: Lewiston schools making progress on new standards - Lewiston Sun Journal