All posts by nedhamson

Activist, writer, researcher, addicted to sharing information and facts.

Credit Card, Debit Card Data Stolen From 40 Million Target Shoppers: Gothamist

Yesterday, it was revealed that retailing giant Target suffered a major security breach. As KrebsOnSecurity first reported, it involves \”millions of customer credit and debit card records… The sources said the breach appears to have begun on or around Black Friday 2013 — by far the busiest shopping day the year.\” And now Target says it looks like 40 million customers\’ information may have been compromised between November 27 and December 15 of this year.

via Credit Card, Debit Card Data Stolen From 40 Million Target Shoppers: Gothamist.

9-Year-Old Boy Shot On Way Home From School: Gothamist

A 9-year-old boy took a bullet to the foot while walking home from school with his cousins in the Bronx yesterday. One of his cousins tells NBC New York, \”I came out the store, I had my back turned. By the time I turned around, there was two shots and my cousin was on the floor. He said \”I\’m shot, I\’m shot.\’\” Witnesses say they heard at least five shots, and the unidentified boy was caught in the crossfire.

via 9-Year-Old Boy Shot On Way Home From School: Gothamist.

Boston Zoning Commission Approves Urban Farming Guidelines | WBUR

To someone passing through the concrete and traffic on Blue Hill Avenue, the rows of lush lettuce, peppers and tomatoes tucked behind the Sportsmen’s Tennis Club in Dorchester are an unlikely sight.

Unlikely, but for Kafi Dixon, a farm apprentice at City Growers, not unimaginable.

“I did see myself farming, I just didn’t see it happening in Dorchester,” Dixon said.

Until now, Boston’s zoning code did not address urban farming, which technically meant it was forbidden. But after years of work and more than a dozen neighborhood meetings to gather public opinion, the Boston Zoning Commission on Wednesday approved a final set of guidelines for farmers looking to set up shop within city limits. It’s now headed to Mayor Thomas Menino’s desk for final approval.

via Boston Zoning Commission Approves Urban Farming Guidelines | WBUR.

The System of Rice Intensification

The benefits of SRI have been demonstrated in over 50 countries (see map). They include: 20%-100% or more increased yields, up to a 90% reduction in required seed, and up to 50% water savings. For additional information, visit the Africare/Oxfam/WWF report, More Rice for People. SRI principles and practices have been adapted for rainfed rice as well as for other crops (such as wheat, sugarcane and teff, among others), with yield increases and associated economic benefits.

via The System of Rice Intensification.

Sustainable Rice Farming in Tanzania

Mwajuma Ramadhani, a farmer from Kiroka village can now plan for her children\’s education better than before as she doesn\’t have to worry about food for her family anymore.

The 47-year-old widow is among farmers who can testify on the benefits of the new system. “I am very happy with this technique because since I started using it, my crop yields have gone up, she told DW,” I can now get enough food for my family and sell the surplus.”

From her humble beginnings, Ramadhani hardly got 5 bags of rice per acre when she was still using the old method, but with SRI her yields have remarkably improved.

“I harvested 30 bags of rice last season and that was the highest since I started using this method” she said.

via .

The Gun Report: December 17, 2013 – NYTimes.com

A 30-year-old woman was shot in both legs in the Bayview area of San Francisco, Calif., early Saturday. The victim was coming out of a store when she heard gunshots and ran. She made it a block before she realized she had been shot. Her boyfriend drove her to the hospital. The shooter’s identity is unknown and no arrest has been made.

via The Gun Report: December 17, 2013 – NYTimes.com.

The Gun Report: December 17, 2013 – NYTimes.com

A 22-year-old woman was shot in the leg while taking a gun from her toddler in a home in Rapid City, S.D., Thursday night. Police said the victim discovered her 23-month-old son playing with an unsecured revolver, and when she attempted to take the weapon, it discharged, firing twice. Police reminded gun owners to safely secure their firearms.

via The Gun Report: December 17, 2013 – NYTimes.com.

The Gun Report: December 17, 2013 – NYTimes.com

James Tyler Wisdom, 19, was fatally shot when a friend’s gun discharged from an upstairs bedroom and traveled through the floorboards downstairs in a home in Colombia, Tenn., early Sunday. Ryan Frederick, 24, who served in the Army Reserve for 7 years and holds a gun permit, was showing off his new handgun to a friend when it accidentally went off. “It was an accident, but it shouldn’t have happened and I’m going to miss him,” Frederick said.

via The Gun Report: December 17, 2013 – NYTimes.com.

The Gun Report: December 17, 2013 – NYTimes.com

A 10-year-old boy was shot and wounded in Harrisburg, Pa., Monday night. The victim was sitting on the couch in his living room watching TV when he was struck in the face by a bullet. There were four other children in the room, but no one else was injured. Police determined that seven shots were fired at the house. No word on suspects.

via The Gun Report: December 17, 2013 – NYTimes.com.