The following is a rundown of the day’s news drawn from other media sources with topics curated jut for Money and Markets readers: personal security and freedom, health and longevity, The Big Chill Continues
Personal Security and Freedom:
CIA Spied on Staff Members of Senate Committee
The Central Intelligence Agency’s attempt to keep secret the details of a defunct detention and interrogation program has escalated a battle between the agency and members of Congress and led to an investigation by the C.I.A.’s internal watchdog into the conduct of agency employees.
The New USA? Secession Movement Gains Steam
A number of conservative, rural Americans are taking about seceding and creating their own states. Government mandates on renewable energy, environmental policies restricting oil and gas drilling, and controversial social issues like gay marriage have led to this divide and talk of secession.
Pay Tax, Convert to Islam or Risk Death
For the first time in many generations, a dhimma (protection agreement) was signed between the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) — Â an Islamist branch of Al-Qaida — Â and leaders of Raqqa’s several thousand Christians. Members of ISIS gave the latter three options: accepting the agreement, converting to Islam, or risking death.
Edward Snowden to Speak About Privacy and Technology
Edward Snowden is making an appearance at next week’s South By Southwest Interactive event. The festival announced today that the international man of mystery will join former Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald and American Civil Liberties Union’s chief technologist Christopher Soghoian on a panel about technology and the culture of surveillance.
Marijuana Commercials may Start Airing
At the end of the 60 second spot is a promo for marijuanadoctors.com, where you can find physicians willing to review your medical records and if you qualify, write you a recommendation to smoke pot.
Health and Longevity:
Live to 100: DNA-Scanning Company Aims to Boost Longevity
“Our goal is to make 100-years-old the new 60,” said Peter Diamandis, who co-founded with Venter a company that aims to scan the DNA of as many as 100,000 people a year to create a massive database that will lead to new tests and therapies that can help extend healthy human life spans.
High-protein Diets: Bad for the Middle-aged, Good for the Elderly
Consuming high levels of protein — particularly animal protein — is a bad strategy if you’re at midlife and aiming to live into old age, new research finds. But a study out Tuesday reveals that in older age, fortifying one’s diet with more protein-rich foods appears to be a formula for extending life.
Patients at Risk of Deadly ‘Superbug’ Infections
Obama’s proposed budget, released today, includes $30 million annually for the next five years to detect and prevent “superbug” infections, which are resistant to even the strongest antibiotics, according to an announcement from the Department of Health and Human Services.
The Big Chill Continues
Niagara Falls Freezes
The flow of water over the falls typically can withstand icy temperatures like those that have frozen much of the country this winter, but Monday’s high of 9 degrees Fahrenheit brought Niagara Falls to a standstill — and photographers were there to snap some stunning images of the frozen waterfall.
Chipotle Warns it Might Stop Serving Guacamole if Climate Change Gets Worse
Chipotle Inc. is warning investors that extreme weather events “associated with global climate change” might eventually affect the availability of some of its ingredients. If availability is limited, prices will rise — and Chipotle isn’t sure it’s willing to pay.
New Orleans Endures One of the Coldest Mardi Gras Ever
The high temperature hit 41 degrees for the Big Easy, more than 20 degrees below the date’s average temperature of 69 degrees. It rests two degrees above the coldest high temperature on record for a Mardi Gras, which was 39 degrees on Feb. 14, 1899.
Pentagon Warns of Climate Change ‘Threat Multipliers’
The effects of climate change are “threat multipliers” that will force the Pentagon to rethink how it engages in training, missions and humanitarian aid around the world, the Defense Department said Tuesday in its Quadrennial Defense Review.
1884 Low Temperature Record Shattered in Des Moines
The temperature may not have dropped as low as the minus-12 degrees predicted Monday morning, but it fell far enough to break records set in 1884. Des Moines recorded a low of minus-7 early Monday, just barely beating the previous record low of minus-6 degrees, set on March 3, 1884.
Best wishes,
The Money and Markets Team
