A federal appeals court on Tuesday ruled that prosecutors did not break the law in negotiating a plea agreement with Jeffrey Epstein while keeping his victims in the dark more than a decade ago.

A three-judge panel on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that federal prosecutors, led at the time by former Trump administration Labor Secretary Alexander AcostaAlex Alexander AcostaAppeals court finds prosecutors’ secret plea agreement with Epstein didn’t break law Florida sheriff ends work release program criticized over Jeffery Epstein The Hill’s Morning Report — Presented by National Association of Manufacturers — Whistleblower complaint roils Washington MORE, did not violate victims’ rights laws in negotiating a lenient and secretive plea agreement for the late financier.

But the ruling tore into the prosecutors for their handling of Epstein’s case, which the judges called a “national disgrace.”

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“Despite our sympathy for Ms. Wild and others like her, who suffered unspeakable horror at Epstein’s hands, only to be left in the dark—and, so it seems, affirmatively misled—by government lawyers, we find ourselves constrained to deny her petition,” the court ruled, referring to Courtney Wild, a victim of Epstein’s who brought the case against the prosecutors. 

“Because the government never filed charges or otherwise commenced criminal proceedings against Epstein, the CVRA [Crime Victims’ Right Act] was never triggered,” the opinion reads. “It’s not a result we like, but it’s the result we think the law requires.”

The ruling overturns a federal judge’s decision last year that found that the Miami U.S. Attorney’s Office, under Acosta, had broken the law by keeping Epstein’s dozens of victims in the dark about the plea agreement in 2008. The judge had also found that the prosecutors illegally lied to the victims by telling them that a sex trafficking investigation that had been closed was still ongoing.

After a federal law enforcement investigation found that Epstein had been sexually abusing dozens of girls as young as 14 over the course of a decade, he reached an agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s office to plead guilty to two state prostitution charges and he ended up serving just 13 months in Palm Beach County jail. 

The scandal resurfaced last year after Epstein’s arrest in New York and led to Acosta resigning from his Cabinet post.

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Tuesday’s ruling holds that the victims’ rights law requires that prosecutors keep victims informed only when a criminal case is underway. Because Acosta’s office never filed federal charges against Epstein, it was under no legal obligation to keep his victims updated on new developments, the two-judge majority reasoned.

Judge Frank Hull, the dissenter on the panel, lashed out at the majority in her own opinion, warning of the repercussions the decision will have for crime victims.

“The Majority’s new blanket restriction eviscerates crime victims’ CVRA rights and makes the Epstein case a poster-child for an entirely different justice system for crime victims of wealthy defendants,” Hull wrote.

Epstein was found dead in a New York City jail cell last year of apparent suicide while being held on separate charges from the Manhattan U.S. Attorney. 

HAPPY TUESDAY! Welcome to Overnight Energy, The Hill’s roundup of the latest energy and environment news. Please send tips and comments to Rebecca Beitsch at rbeitsch@thehill.com. Follow her on Twitter: @rebeccabeitsch. Reach Rachel Frazin at rfrazin@thehill.com or follow her on Twitter: @RachelFrazin.

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AIRING TODAY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed making no changes to certain air quality standards even though members of its staff raised questions about whether one of the standards is adequate. 

The agency on Tuesday proposed keeping the maximum acceptable levels of both fine and coarse forms of a pollutant known as particulate matter at Obama-era levels. 

Assessments have linked long-term exposure to fine particulate matter to as many as 52,100 premature deaths and suggested that stricter standards could save thousands of lives. 

Particulate matter includes substances such as dust, dirt, soot and smoke and has been linked to heart and lung issues, according to the agency. 

EPA Administrator Andrew WheelerAndrew WheelerDemocrats slam EPA proposal not to tighten air quality standards Overnight Energy: EPA declines to toughen air quality standards | Trump to rent 27M barrels of storage space to oil companies | States, green groups sue Trump over efficiency rollback EPA retains Obama-era air quality standards despite staff questions of adequacy MORE told reporters that the decision to retain the standard was made with the consideration of scientific evidence and analysis.

“We believe that the current standard is protective of public health,” he said. 

Critics on Monday blasted the EPA’s decision, saying the agency should have tightened the standards. 

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“This administration is passing up an opportunity to make the air cleaner for millions of Americans–choosing instead to do nothing. That’s indefensible–especially amid a health crisis that is hitting people who live in communities with high levels of air pollution the hardest,” said a statement from Gina McCarthyRegina (Gina) McCarthyDemocrats slam EPA proposal not to tighten air quality standards Overnight Energy: EPA declines to toughen air quality standards | Trump to rent 27M barrels of storage space to oil companies | States, green groups sue Trump over efficiency rollback EPA retains Obama-era air quality standards despite staff questions of adequacy MORE, who led the agency under the Obama administration.

Members of the EPA staff said in January that new evidence has been “calling into question” whether the standard for fine particulate matter is adequate. 

“A conclusion that the current primary [fine particulate matter] standards do provide adequate public health protection would place little weight on the broad body of epidemiologic evidence reporting generally positive and statistically significant health effect associations,” they wrote. 

Wheeler, however, said that such evidence contained “uncertainties” including a lack of certain evidence, possible bias and error and other limitations. 

The announcement comes on the heels of a Harvard study that determined that people who lived in areas with more exposure to fine particulate matter are more likely to die from the coronavirus pandemic.  

Wheeler told reporters Tuesday that he expects the standards to be finalized by December.

 

A group of Democrats were opposed to the EPA proposal:

A group of 18 senators wrote a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler expressing concerns about the proposed decision. 

“Today, EPA announced its decision to maintain current national ambient air quality standards that EPA’s own staff say fail to protect public health – and that research links with higher COVID-19 mortality,” they wrote. 

“The Environmental Protection Agency should be taking actions that will further protect health during this crisis, not put more Americans at risk,” they added. 

The letter was led by Sen. Maggie HassanMargaret (Maggie) HassanDemocrats slam EPA proposal not to tighten air quality standards Overnight Energy: EPA declines to toughen air quality standards | Trump to rent 27M barrels of storage space to oil companies | States, green groups sue Trump over efficiency rollback Warren, Casey urge protections for disabled and older adults amid coronavirus pandemic MORE (D-N.H.) and its signatories include Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersOcasio-Cortez says it’s ‘legitimate to talk about’ allegation against Biden Hillicon Valley: Amazon workers fired after criticizing company | Apple sharing mobility data to track virus | Tax pros targeted by hackers Sanders: Progressives who ‘sit on their hands’ and don’t support Biden would enable Trump reelection MORE (I-Vt.), Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenBiden needs a history-making women’s agenda in response to COVID Democrats slam EPA proposal not to tighten air quality standards The Hill’s Campaign Report: Obama gives Biden boost with endorsement MORE (D-Mass.) and Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisDemocrats slam EPA proposal not to tighten air quality standards Overnight Energy: EPA declines to toughen air quality standards | Trump to rent 27M barrels of storage space to oil companies | States, green groups sue Trump over efficiency rollback Picking black woman as running mate could boost Biden in battleground states: poll MORE (D-Calif.). 

Sen. Tom CarperThomas (Tom) Richard CarperDemocrats slam EPA proposal not to tighten air quality standards Overnight Energy: EPA declines to toughen air quality standards | Trump to rent 27M barrels of storage space to oil companies | States, green groups sue Trump over efficiency rollback Weakening air quality standards threatens to exacerbate COVID-19 health disparities MORE (D-Del.), who signed on to the letter to Wheeler, also released his own statement saying that the agency is “choosing polluters over public health.”

“This EPA is demonstrating a dangerous level of willful ignorance whose cost will be measured in people left unprotected and, ultimately, lives lost,” he said. 

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) also criticized the decision on Tuesday, saying in a statement that the decision to not strengthen the standards is “an insult, both to Americans and to all that EPA stands for.”

 

However, the move received praise from industry groups:

The American Chemistry Council, a trade group representing chemical companies said in a statement that “with air quality improving, EPA’s decision will enable further environmental progress under the current standards and emissions controls.”

And Frank Macchiarola, the American Petroleum Institute’s senior vice president of policy, economics and regulatory affairs said in a statement that the proposal “is a smart balance that will further reduce emissions and help protect public health while meeting America’s energy needs.”

Read more about the proposal here and the reactions to it here.

 

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NEW LEASE ON LIFE: The Department of Energy (DOE) is moving ahead with its plan to rent storage capacity to struggling oil companies that are running out of space amid a steep drop in demand due to the coronavirus.

DOE is negotiating contracts with nine oil companies that want to use space in the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). The deal will use 23 million barrels of capacity in the 77 million barrel tanks.

“When producing oil you have two options — you either use it or you store it. With the impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing an enormous decrease in demand as our country works to contain the virus,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette.

“Providing our storage for these U.S. companies will help alleviate some of the stress on the American energy industry and its incredible workforce,” he said.

The administration’s efforts to fill the reserve comes as oil-producing countries have struck a deal to reduce global oil production by 10 million barrels a day, a roughly 10 percent cut in overall production.

However, experts say the production decline won’t be enough to offset the 30 percent drop in demand, leaving the administration eager to fill to reserve.

Companies will pay for the rental space in oil. That payment method was decided after Congress refused to supply the $3 billion the Trump administration requested to buy oil to fill up the reserve.

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Read more about the plan here.

 

AN EFFICIENCY DEFICIENCY?: Thirteen states and several environmental groups filed separate lawsuits against the Trump administration on Tuesday seeking to block a rule they say will impede efforts to make a number of products more energy efficient.

The rule finalized by the Department of Energy (DOE) in January begins the lengthy process of updating standards for appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners only if the new standards provide a 10 percent improvement over existing ones.

But critics say even single-digit improvements in energy efficiency can collectively save consumers billions of dollars on utility bills while helping to avoid excess pollution.

“The Trump Administration is irresponsibly rewriting a rule that helps consumers save money and decreases pollution to our environment,” California Attorney General Xavier BecerraXavier BecerraOvernight Energy: EPA declines to toughen air quality standards | Trump to rent 27M barrels of storage space to oil companies | States, green groups sue Trump over efficiency rollback 13 states, green groups sue Trump administration over energy efficiency rollback Group of pastors sue California officials for ‘criminalizing’ church attendance MORE (D) said in a release announcing one of the lawsuits.

“Americans sheltering in place are already struggling with higher electricity bills, they shouldn’t have to worry about the federal government jacking up the price by blocking standards that make lightbulbs, refrigerators, and washing machines cheaper to run.”

A DOE analysis produced under the Obama administration estimated the so-called process rule now being rolled back would save 3 billion metric tons of carbon pollution by 2030.

“Household and business budgets will feel the harsh blow, as will the environment, because of this DOE’s relentless efforts to undermine the energy efficiency standards program and benefit industry,” the Natural Resources Defense Council said in a statement. 

Read more about the lawsuits here. 

 

OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY:

Railroad Commission of Texas considers regulating oil companies to combat crashing prices, CBS Austin reports

Climate Change Won’t Stop for the Coronavirus Pandemic, ProPublica reports

Saudi energy minister: pragmatic actions by producing countries will stabilize oil market, S&P Global reports 

Chicago mayor says coal plant developer acknowledged not following its demolition plan, The Chicago Tribune reports

 

ICYMI: News from Tuesday (and Monday night)…

Ukraine wildfires creep closer to Chernobyl

Amazon fires two climate organizers who criticized warehouse conditions

Trump administration to rent 27M barrels of storage space to oil companies amid falling prices

EPA retains Obama-era air quality standards despite staff questions of adequacy

13 states, green groups sue Trump administration over energy efficiency rollback

Democrats slam EPA proposal to not tighten air quality standards

 

FROM THE HILL’S OPINION PAGES:

Clean energy is facing a new attack, but can evade it, says Sylwia Bialek, an economist at the Institute for Policy Integrity at the NYU School of Law.

Americans stranded abroad are accusing airlines of overcharging on repatriation flights, as desperate citizens shell out thousands of dollars for a one-way ticket home.

The flight costs are adding financial stress to travelers who are already attempting to leave countries that have closed their borders and imposed strict lockdowns due to the coronavirus.

Citizens are asking the State Department to waive the airfares, but the agency is beginning to shift its strategy toward putting commercial airlines in charge of remaining repatriation efforts, providing little government oversight of the cost to consumers.

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Nonprofit groups working to help repatriate Americans say tickets are hundreds and in some cases thousands of dollars more expensive than early price quotes.

Deepti Singh Suri, a self-employed yoga teacher from the Chicago area, said she has signed a promissory note with the State Department to repay the U.S. government more than $1,900 for her repatriation flight back home from India. But she’s unsure if she’ll be reimbursed for the canceled roundtrip ticket she initially booked.

“I’m only one person — my total expenses are maybe around $3,000 — but there are other families who are four or five [people]. It’s going to take a big hit,” she said.

Airlines say their tickets reflect the cost of operation, with high prices often stemming from the fact that at least one leg involves flying a plane with no passengers.

State Department-chartered repatriation flights — which typically operate as a response to natural disasters or military conflict – have guidelines to ensure airfares are consistent with the cost of a full-fare economy flight.

The State Department has largely taken responsibility for repatriating American travelers — more than 60,000 from more than 100 countries since Jan. 29 – who were stranded abroad amid short-notice border closures.

All travelers are required to sign a promissory note to repay the U.S. government. Some are told the cost upfront, while others are expecting a future invoice for an unspecified amount.

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More than 1,900 people have signed an online petition asking for the State Department to waive repatriation fees.

“It is expected that the repatriation cost could be upward of $2000 or more per person,” the petition description reads, adding that many citizens “can’t even afford to pay during this time of crisis and wonder how our government could even be asking so much money to cover the expenses.”

Stranded and repatriated travelers are hoping Congress will act quickly on a bipartisan bill introduced last month by Reps. Chris SmithChristopher (Chris) Henry SmithStranded Americans accuse airlines of price gouging Lawmakers propose waiving travel fees for coronavirus evacuations abroad Cheese, wine importers reeling from Trump trade fight MORE (R-N.J.) and Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) that directs the State Department to cover the costs for repatriation flights.

But that’s unlikely as Congress postpones normal legislative sessions until next month at the earliest.

“It is my hope that this bill’s introduction moves the State Department to take steps on its own to remedy this problem,” Velázquez wrote in an email to The Hill.

The State Department is beginning to shift its operations toward having stranded Americans book flights directly with airline carriers for repatriation, putting the financial burden on the traveler upfront.

A State Department official told The Hill on Tuesday that the agency has found “commercial rescue, passenger-paid charter model” one of the most “essential” options in helping with repatriation efforts, but ticket pricing is at the discretion of the airline.

“While we remain in constant contact with our private sector partners, ultimately, private airlines set their own prices,” the person said. “The prices the carriers charge are commercial decisions that factor in the costs associated with operating non-standard flights as well as the risk each airline is assuming in arranging these flights. Travelers are free to decide themselves whether to purchase.”  

Charter flights for repatriation efforts can be a tricky calculation.

Short-haul flights from the Caribbean cost around $400 for citizens returning to the U.S., and long-haul flights from South America cost about $800.

Baseline expenses for charter flights include fuel, crew, maintenance and any taxes or fees charged by foreign governments and airport authorities. Each ticket price is then calculated by the sum total divided by the number of seats.

But airlines say those prices can increase based on third-party operators.

An official for LATAM, a Chilean-based airline, said while the company has worked with travel agencies to facilitate repatriation, it is “not responsible for the marketing, pricing or ticketing of said charter flights.”

American Airlines, which ran repatriation flights for the State Department, said it regularly capped ticket prices to keep the cost low for stranded travelers.

Valerie Edmondson Bolaños, who is founder of the nonprofit Warrior Angels Rescue and working to repatriate Americans in Peru, said she had received quotes from multiple airlines for a Lima to Miami flight with prices ranging from $590 to a little more than $700 per passenger.

In other instances, a $1,000 ticket could be halved if the return leg of the trip was filled with Peruvians flying from the U.S. to Peru.

Bolaños shared her itinerary with the State Department and offered to cover costs, but the agency went with alternative plans.

She is now working to gain permission from the Peruvian government to run repatriation flights for at least 356 people remaining in the country, especially for those who say they can’t afford a ticket.

While the State Department has helped repatriate more than 6,800 Americans from Peru, it has started directing any remaining U.S. citizens to book directly with Eastern Airlines, a small U.S.-based carrier.

The airline’s website shows a one-way ticket from Lima to Miami costing between $2,000 and $2,500.

“We recognize that the price of these flights is higher than the pre-COVID-19 market price,” the U.S. Embassy Peru wrote on its website Tuesday, and instructed travelers to apply for emergency repatriation loan assistance to help with costs. 

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An official for Eastern Airlines said the lowest base fare for the Lima flight departing on Tuesday is $1,697 plus taxes, which also reflects the plane flying empty from the U.S. to Peru.

“Eastern Airlines is proud to partner with the State Department and various Embassies in South and Central America to bring home as many Americans as possible and reunite them with their families,” the person wrote in an email to The Hill.

The official added that the airline is preparing to absorb the cost if all 240 seats are not filled.

The coronavirus pandemic has put airline travel in an unprecedented situation, with airlines struggling to stay afloat — receiving a $25 billion bailout from Congress — and passengers both domestically and internationally fighting to recoup lost travel expenses.

Democratic senators on March 31 urged the CEOs of 11 major U.S. airlines to issue cash refunds for travelers over canceled flights and provide an “affordable price” for repatriation flights.

The Department of Transportation has the power to investigate unfair or deceptive practices by airline carriers. A DOT official referred an inquiry by The Hill to the State Department.

But lawmakers say they are watching how airlines treat Americans during this crisis, and they’re urging carriers to work with the State Department.

The top lawmakers on the House Foreign Affairs Committee last week called on American, Delta and United Airlines to “participate to the fullest extent possible” with the State Department in ongoing repatriation efforts.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on Tuesday warned that hackers are looking to take advantage of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to target tax professionals in a bid to steal financial information.

The IRS and its partners in the “Security Summit” program, including state tax agencies and private-sector tax groups, jointly noted that they had seen an uptick in efforts to steal data from tax professionals, as tax season continues in the midst of the pandemic.

Click Here: COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES 2019

“Identity thieves view the pandemic as a chance to exploit tax professionals as well as taxpayers,” IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in a statement on Tuesday. “They are using every trick of their criminal trade to con people as well as steal valuable personal and financial information to help enable tax-related identity theft.”

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Rettig emphasized that “in many ways, tax pros are one of the first lines of defense. We urge the entire tax community to take additional steps and protect their sensitive data.”

The IRS strongly urged tax professionals to take steps to secure themselves, such as using multi-factor authentication, or two steps, to log-in to secure systems.

Cyber criminals are also increasingly using malicious phishing emails posing as potential clients to tempt tax professionals to click on links or attachments to either input sensitive information, or that contain computer viruses, an issue the IRS also warned individuals to be on guard against. 

The hackers may also use unsecured networks to access and steal financial information or even complete and file client tax returns while changing the bank account information for refunds. 

The agency also strongly emphasized that it will never call, text, or email any American about economic impact payments that are scheduled to begin going out to the public this week as part of the coronavirus stimulus package signed into law by President TrumpDonald John TrumpPompeo says WHO needs ‘to do its job’ as Trump moves to halt funding Trump campaign fundraising pitch seeks donations to ‘hold China accountable’ Schumer: Trump thinks coronavirus crisis ‘revolves around him’ MORE last month.

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Cyber criminals have increasingly used the pandemic to target health care and financial centers, with the latest IRS warning not representing the first the agency has put out in regards to cyber risks. 

The agency warned the public last week that hackers would likely attempt to target financial information during the COVID-19 outbreak, in particular, to try to get their hands on the relief money from the government. 

CyberScoop reported Monday that hackers accessed the personal information of clients of California-based accounting firm Weber and Company, using information potentially including Social Security numbers to file fake tax returns for these clients. 

Cybersecurity groups have seen a jump in phishing emails since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, while major agencies including the World Health Organization and the Department of Health and Human Services have been targeted by hackers in recent weeks.  

MONEE, IL — A fire in Monee destroyed a stable and horse arena and killed 15 show horses and a dog, the Will County Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies were dispatched to the 27200 block of South 80th Avenue at 4:10 a.m. Tuesday. When deputies arrived, they saw a fully-engulfed structure, police said.

Monee Fire Department, as well as several other area departments, responded and the fire was extinguished at 6:15 a.m., the sheriff’s office said. The owner told police the loss is $1.5 million from the fire.

The building is a complete loss, the sheriff’s office said. The cause of the fire is not yet known, and the State Fire Marshal will investigate.

TOUTLE, WA — After months of seismic activity, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck Mount St. Helens at around 8:30 a.m. on May 18, 1980. The quake triggered a collapse of the north side of the mountain, triggering a debris slide and lahars that rushed across 200 square miles around the mountain.

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It was the beginning of what would be the most costly and destructive volcanic eruption on mainland U.S. soil ever.

Next, a plume of ash shot 15 miles into the sky. Within hours, wind carried the ash to Seattle and the rest of the Pacific Northwest soon after. Thousands of animals and 57 people died, and entire forests were flattened. Like a bad snowstorm, the falling ash closed highways around the region, even as far north as I-90 between Seattle and Spokane. The cost of damage exceeded $1 billion.

That eruption wasn’t the last from Mount St. Helens.

The volcano continued to erupt throughout the summer of 1980, followed by small eruptions in 1981, 1989, and 1990. After a swarm of tiny earthquakes in 2004, Mount St. Helens sent a plume about 10,000 feet into the sky. The mountain’s lava dome continued to build through 2008, but St. Helens has been seismically active with small quakes ever since.

Here’s a look back at the 1980 eruption to more modern events.

Dormant since 1857, Mount St. Helens erupts Sunday morning, March 30, 1980, sending a cloud of black smoke and ash more than 16,000 feet into the atmosphere in southwestern Washington. Oregon’s Mount Hood can be seen in background at right. (AP Photo)

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Mount St. Helens, an active volcano since March 27, stands silent against the skyline Friday, April 4, 1980 after erupting for a short time. This view looking North features Mount Rainier, Washington’s tallest mountain in the background. Mount St. Helens is 45 miles northeast of Portland. (AP Photo)

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In this May 18, 1980 file photo, Mount St. Helens in Washington state, sends a plume of ash, smoke and debris skyward in a violent eruption. As the 30th anniversary of the eruption approaches on May 18, 2010, scientists are still learning from studying how the area devastated by the blast continues to recover from the eruption. (AP Photo/File)

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This area near Spirit Lake at the base of Mount St. Helens takes on a new moon-like form following the eruption and massive mud flows of from Mount St. Helens, Tuesday, May 20, 1980 in Washington state. At least six persons are dead and many more missing. (AP Photo)

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Bob Brown, right and John Brown, are shown May 19, 1980 climbing onto railroad car, center, heads down the train along with two additional would be horse rescuers, giving up their efforts as they flee for their lives as flood waters from the Toutle River begin a sudden rise. All four people reached safety but the horses are presumed to have drowned. (AP Photo/Gary Stewart)

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George Barker, of the Skamania County Sheriff Dept., tells residents of homes at Spirit Lake that the road was closed due to earthquakes on nearby Mount St. Helens, March 26, 1980. The mountain has been sealed off in case it does erupt as tremors up to four on the Richter scale have been occurring in past days. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)

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A new steam and ash eruption from Mount St. Helens, captures the colors of early morning sunlight as seen from Castle Lake Viewpoint in southwest Washington Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004. The volcano is sporting a new coat of snow after several days of blustery, wintery weather. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

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A reporter, left, and a Washington State geologist walk toward the crater of Mount St. Helens in May 1981, almost one year after the volcano exploded causing dramatic destruction for miles around. The two walk toward the steaming lava dome and the snow-covered crater wall beyond. (AP Photo/Gary D. Stewart)

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An information board explains some of the properties of the volcano at the Johnston Ridge Observatory at Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Friday, May 14, 2010, near Toutle, Wash., where behind is the huge open crater left from a blast nearly three decades ago. Tuesday will mark the 30th anniversary of the big eruption of May 18, 1980, that killed 57 people, knocked down a forest, filled local rivers with mudflows and rained ash far downwind. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Si vous pensez que votre compte Facebook a été piraté, sachez qu’il y a des chances pour que ce soit l’œuvre d’un de vos amis, selon les résultats d’une nouvelle étude de l’université de Colombie-Britannique au Canada.

Presque une personne sur quatre espionne secrètement ses amis Facebook.

Pour cette étude, les chercheurs ont interrogé 1308 utilisateurs américains adultes de Facebook au sujet de leur comportement sur les réseaux sociaux.Près d’un quart des participants utilisent le compte d’une tierce personneAprès avoir analysé les réponses, les chercheurs ont constaté que 24 % des participants reconnaissaient implicitement avoir utilisé l’appareil d’une personne qu’ils connaissaient (ami, partenaire amoureux, membre de leur famille) afin d’accéder à son compte Facebook sans sa permission.Victimes et espions, surtout chez les jeunesIls sont 21 % à déclarer avoir été plutôt victimes d’un espion dans leur entourage.Utiliser un téléphone portable pour espionner est plus fréquent chez les jeunes, surtout chez ceux qui utilisent davantage leur téléphone que leur ordinateur pour aller sur les réseaux sociaux.Une pratique répandue”La pratique est clairement répandue. Les messages privés, photos et vidéos présents sur Facebook sont des cibles faciles lorsque le propriétaire du compte a laissé son profil ouvert sur son ordinateur ou son smartphone“, commente Wali Ahmed Usmani, auteur principal de l’étude et étudiant en master d’informatique.Des intrusions à tout âgeEn outre, l’équipe de chercheurs a découvert que plus les participants vieillissent, plus la probabilité qu’ils mènent de telles attaques décline. Cependant, ce lien avec l’âge n’a pas été constaté en ce qui concerne les victimes de ces intrusions, qui ne semblent pas entrer dans une classe d’âge déterminée.Jalousie ou ressentimentLes participants ont également admis avoir déjà piraté le compte d’une de leurs relations par simple curiosité ou pour s’amuser, par exemple pour lui faire une blague en modifiant son statut ou en changeant sa photo de profil.Mais certaines raisons de pirater un compte sont plus sérieuses et plus menaçantes, en particulier la jalousie ou le ressentiment.L’intrusion peut provoquer la fin d’une relation”Les espions jaloux planifient généralement leur action et se concentrent sur les messages privés, restant sur le compte ciblé au moins 15 minutes”, explique le co-auteur de l’étude, Ivan Beschastnikh, avant d’ajouter : “Les conséquences d’une telle action sont importantes : dans bien des cas, l’intrusion signifie la fin de la relation.”Pas assez de protection des réseauxKonstantin Beznosov, l’autre auteur principal de l’étude, souligne quant à lui que les résultats expliquent non seulement les raisons du piratage de profil, mais aussi l’inefficacité des mots de passe et des codes PIN pour se protéger.”Il n’y a pas de stratégie de défense miracle, même si changer régulièrement de mot de passe, se déconnecter de son compte ou suivre d’autres mesures de sécurité peut vraiment être utile“, termine-t-il.Les résultats de l’étude sont disponibles en ligne (en anglais) via le site de l’Université de Colombie Britannique.Click Here: COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES 2019

Une étude américaine publiée par la North American Menopause Society (NAMS), montre que faire de l’exercice régulièrement permettrait aux femmes ménopausées de réduire leur poids et la fréquence des bouffées de chaleur.

Après 5 mois d'activité physique, les femmes ont réduit leur poids et amélioré leur humeur.

Alors que les femmes ménopausées voient le plus souvent ce cap et les désagréments qui vont avec (fatigue, prise de poids, irritabilité, bouffées de chaleur) comme une fatalité, il y aurait un moyen efficace et naturel de contrer ce bouleversement hormonal, dû à la baisse d’œstrogènes: faire du sport.Des chercheurs américains se sont intéressés à l’évolution de la qualité de vie de 234 femmes ménopausées espagnoles, âgées de 45 à 64 ans, sédentaires depuis au moins 12 mois.Pour les besoins de l’étude, les participantes ont suivi un programme d’exercices cardio et fitness pendant 5 mois.À l’issue de l’expérience, ces femmes ont connu à court terme des changements positifs et ont amélioré leur santé physique et mentale sur le long terme, notamment au niveau de leur santé cardiovasculaire, leur souplesse et leur humeur.Leur

IMC (indice de masse corporelle) et leurs poids ont réduit légèrement, mais de manière significative.Parmi les symptômes les plus handicapants de la ménopause, les bouffées de chaleur et leur fréquence sont particulièrement présentes chez les femmes qui ne prennent pas de traitements hormonaux substitutifs. Là encore, l’activité physique a eu un effet bénéfique.Pour conclure, les chercheurs invitent les femmes qui vivent cette période avec difficulté de passer à l’action, car il est tout à fait possible de perdre du poids tout en améliorant sa santé de manière globale.Click Here: United Kingdom Rugby Jerseys

L’Agence du médicament a annoncé avoir ordonné le retrait du marché d’un sérum anti-âge du laboratoire Promicea, estimant que ce produit répondait à la définition d’un médicament et non d’un cosmétique et qu’il pouvait présenter "un danger pour la santé humaine".

L'agence sanitaire souligne par ailleurs "les effets toxiques connus liés à l'usage thérapeutique de la pravastatine" ainsi que de l'alendronate de sodium.<br />
©Image Source / Istock.com

Les produits incriminés, Neostem serum et sa version pour le contour des yeux Neostem Pocket Lift, contiennent de l’alendronate de sodium et de la pravastatine.L’association de ces deux substances “joue un rôle clé pour inhiber la synthèse de la progérine à l’origine de la sénescence cutanée”, affirme sur son site internet Promicea, laboratoire basé à Marseille.La progérine est une protéine impliquée dans le processus de vieillissement cellulaire.De telles allégations, ainsi que la concentration de ces deux substances, impliquent que “les produits Neostem Serum et Neostem Pocket Lift répondent à la définition du médicament” et non d’un produit cosmétique, argumente l’Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé (ANSM).Or ces produits “n’ont pas fait l’objet, avant leur commercialisation, d’une autorisation de mise sur le marché”, obligatoire pour tous les médicaments. Ils sont dont “commercialisés et promus en infraction avec les règles qui leur sont applicables”, ajoute l’ANSM.L’agence sanitaire souligne par ailleurs “les effets toxiques connus liés à l’usage thérapeutique de la pravastatine” (troubles neurologiques, du système immunitaire, gastro-intestinaux ou encore musculo-squelettiques) ainsi que de l’alendronate de sodium (troubles gastro-intestinaux, réaction cutanée, troubles métaboliques, etc.)Aussi, l’ANSM estime que les deux produits sont “susceptibles de présenter un danger pour la santé humaine” et ordonne leur retrait auprès des distributeurs et la suspension de leur fabrication et de leur distribution “jusqu’à leur mise en conformité avec la réglementation du médicament qui leur est applicable”.Promicea commercialise ces produits via son site internet, à 89 euros pour le Neostem Sérum et 69 euros pour le Neostem Pocket Lift, ainsi que dans une cinquantaine de pharmacies en France.(AFP/Relaxnews)Click Here: All Blacks Rugby Jersey

La violence à laquelle sont exposés les adolescents à travers les médias constitue un facteur de risque de comportement agressif, au même titre que l’insécurité ou un milieu familial maltraitant, quelle que soit la culture, suggère une

étudeaméricaine menée dans sept pays dont l’Allemagne, le Japon et les Etats-Unis.

L''étude précise que les conditions culturelles et sociales locales peuvent "influencer de tels processus quand ces conditions sont plus extrêmes".

2154 adolescents, dont 38% d’hommes, âgés de 21 ans en moyenne, ont été interrogés en Australie, au Japon, en Chine, aux Etats-Unis, en Allemagne, en Croatie et en Roumanie sur le degré de violence rencontré dans les émissions télévisées, séries, films ou jeux vidéo qu’ils regardaient.En plus de cette échelle d’évaluation, la récurrence et le type de comportement agressif ou à l’inverse empathique ont été répertoriés via des questionnaires.D’après les conclusions, 

publiées dans Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, les contenus violents ont été associés à des comportements agressifs dans tous les pays ainsi qu’à une augmentation des pensées agressives et une diminution des capacités à faire preuve d’empathie.Par ailleurs, parmi les six facteurs de risque examinés par l’étude, la violence dans les médias arrive en deuxième position (23%) derrière la délinquance (28%), mais largement devant la victimisation (17%), la criminalité/insécurité (12%), le sexe (11%) ou la maltraitance parentale (9%).”La violence médiatique ne mérite pas une attention particulière, mais il faut la considérer comme un facteur de risque à part entière, au même titre qu’un contexte familial défavorisé. Ce qui compte le plus, c’est de voir comment combinés aux autres facteurs, l’exposition répétée aux images violentes peut augmenter le risque d’agression“, explique Douglas Gentile de l’université de l’Iowa aux Etats-Unis.Enfin, l’étude précise que les conditions culturelles et sociales locales peuvent “influencer de tels processus quand ces conditions sont plus extrêmes“, notamment dans des pays en guerre où les enfants sont exposés à une violence quotidienne réelle.Click Here: cheap INTERNATIONAL jersey