Health Insurance in Los Angeles | Obamacare, Mandates and ...

Health Insurance In Los Angeles

A new finding by the Reason-Rupe Public Opinion Survey shows a majority of Americans dissatisfied with the health care law being debated in the Supreme Court while simultaneously confused about the role of government in current health care policy. ?About 40 percent [of Americans] thought it wasn?t regulated enough,? explains Reason Polling Director Emily Ekins. When it comes to health care reform, ?it?s hard to move forward if people aren?t clear as to what the market currently looks like.?Reason.tv?s Nick Gillespie sat down with Ekins to discuss the poll?s findings, what Americans think about the current health care system, and the misconceptions surrounding regulation in the health care market. The Reason-Rupe survey is online here: reason.com This Reason Foundation project is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation. Shot by Jim Epstein and Meredith Bragg; edited by Joshua Swain. About 6.38 minutes. Go to Reason.tv for downloadable versions, and subscribe to Reason.tv?s YouTube Channel to receive automatic updates when new material goes live.

Health Insurance in Los AngelesHealth Insurance in Los Angeles

Guide to Buy Individual Health Insurance in Los Angeles

Most individuals want to stay without any type of security than going for a personal strategy as the later is more costly Health Insurance in Los Angeles plan to buy.

WHEN TO GO FOR AN INDIVIDUAL PLAN?
Individual programs are not generally desired by individuals as they are not affordable. However if a individual is self applied, or his household insurance plan does not deal with him or if he is between tasks, then the only substitute that he has is to go for an personal specialist strategy.

TYPES OF INDIVIDUAL PLANS
While a individual in such a scenario has no other choice, but to go for an personal strategy, the selection can be found in the type of strategy he chooses. There are various specialist programs that are not too hefty on the wallet. Here is a look at the few of them.
- Preferred Provider Organization: This is the most popular personal strategy. Though there is a system of medical care suppliers, one can opt for a physician outside the system as well. In a case of crisis, the receiver may not even have to pay additional for referring with a physician outside the system.
- Overall Health Insurance in Los Angeles: It is a primary personal strategy and is the best choice when one has financial limit. The strategy specializes in offering main and protective treatment.
- Indemnity plan: It provides insurance plan according to insurance deductibles and up to the highest possible granted for that insurance plan.

QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
When looking to buy one of the more expensive types of specialist strategy, it is important that you are fulfilled that it provides you with exactly the type of security that you are looking. Quick guidelines on the following and you can be confident of the security.
- Is your selection of physician involved in the offered network?
- Will it deal with your specialist costs outside your state?
- Will your established scenario impact your coverage?
- What will be the Health Insurance in Los Angeles deductible, top quality and the co-insurance that I am expected to pay?
- What are the advantages specific to the strategy I am looking for?

Health Insurance In Los Angeles

TIPS TO GET YOUR INDIVIDUAL PLAN CHEAP
Agreed that personal programs are expensive, but that does not mean there is no way around. If you research properly, then you will absolutely come across programs that are relatively more cost-effective.
Agreeing to pay a higher Health Insurance in Los Angeles deductible instantly indicates that you are shelling out a smaller top quality. So if you looking for a strategy that hopefully you will never use, then this is a excellent permutation to look for.
One can also lower the top quality by eliminating certain health services in the strategy. For example, if you have no programs of maternity currently, then why pay more for pregnancy advantages in your specialist programs.
However, the sure taken way getting a strategy at a more cost-effective rate is to buy it as soon as possible. Premium will depend on the specialist position and age of the individual which generally indicates the mature you get, the more top quality you have to pay. Hence the idea is to buy your personal strategy now so that you don?t have to pay more for it later on.

INDIVIDUAL PLANS AFTER THE REFORMS
There is a common false impression that one has to pay more after the reforms are integrated. But in fact, rates could go down by 14 to 20 % after the Act is integrated. And with the tax credit being available to the citizens, personal rates could depreciate further by about 60%. Individuals do not have to pay more for co-pays and insurance deductibles either as there would be a cap on how much one will pay from his wallet.
Individual programs will also come with some other essential advantages. This will involve avoidance and Health Insurance in Los Angeles and fitness advantages at no additional cost, suggested vaccination and an access to the state-based Change. They will also allow individuals to select their own physician from the taking part suppliers. Also there would be no prior endorsement necessary to visit an ob-gyn.
Buying a personal specialist strategy can be hard no uncertainty, but with a careful strategy and the right analysis, one will be able to pick up a really wonderful deal for himself.

The Importance of

Before you publication your holiday, look into your health insurance with security. Most individuals expect their Credit score Card companies and life programs, deal with them while visiting or often individuals believe nothing will happen to them. It is best to analysis all of your alternatives, so that you are completely knowledgeable and can create the right choice for enough security. If you have already ordered your holiday, understand that buying insurance plan is a must.
There are many alternatives to select from before you publication your holiday. Shop around and discover out what you already have. Only then can you create a knowledgeable decision regarding what additional Health Insurance in Los Angeles you may need to be completely protected. Traveling is used to be a stress-free pleasant time. For example, your insurance plan could arrive at over $ 1000.00 if you have a pre-existing scenario, are over 65 and are vacationing for two several weeks. If you get in a nip, there are always third celebration loan companies that would allow you to go on that special holiday if you necessary a loan for your Health Insurance in Los Angeles plan security.

What does OHIP deal with if I depart the nation on vacation?
- OHIP highly suggests buying additional specialist insurance plan security.
-OHIP will only lead a part to the price if any sort of incident satisfies certain requirements. For example your ?pre-existing conditions? won?t be protected.
Credit Card Coverage: Concerns to ask?
-If I own cards with specialist insurance plan circumstances but do not publication a holiday using that card, am I still protected through them?
-Do I need to tell my Card company I am getting the holiday and do I have to identify all of the details?
-Is there a insurance deductible I have to pay should the need arise?
-What is the most covered? Will it deal with me to be traveled house if required?
-Do I have to be returned and pay up front for specialist expenses?
-Am I still protected if I am over 65?
-Is my household protected under the same card?

When buying a Take a travel Insurance plan that?s right for you, buy it with the attitude that you will use it. There are several aspects to consider in buying a personalized Health Insurance in Los Angeles plan. Most programs are according to age, the length of your energy and effort you will be out of the nation, and your historical past.
Banks can provide you with extremely specific guidelines that clearly magic out every possible scenario. They offer a wide range of alternatives from all-inclusive programs, to just crisis specialist offers, to holiday termination guidelines.
Things to keep in mind when shopping for the best fit through different Health Insurance in Los Angeles Providers
-The common supply for Medical/Hospital Insurance security is up to $ 5,000.000. Is that enough?
-Are you a individual of Canada? If you are not a individual you may not be qualified for certain programs.
-Take a content of the plan papers with you and create sure you have all assisting information. Ensure you involve a computer file of your own historical past such as a household physician?s contact information, and all drugs you are currently getting.
-Make sure someone at house has all of your information as well, so that he or she can help you should the need happen.
-Find out if you are accountable for shelling out the Medical or if your Health Insurance in Los Angeles plan company immediately covers that.
Take proper excellent you and your household so that you can enjoy your some time to effort overseas.

Health Insurance in Los Angeles

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Tips That Will Help Your Personal Finance Venture ? Seward2011.org

Getting your personal finances in order is the first step for many other goals. It leads to having more spending money in the bank, better credit and an overall better quality of life for you and your family. The rest of this article will give you some advice on how you can gain control of your finances. Coupons When it comes to saving money, one important point to consider is that you will want to look for coupons as often as possible. This will save you enormous amounts of money in the long run. Check newspapers, in-store fliers, and the store's website for money saving deals. Be smart when you shop. You can use coupons to save money on many different things. You should also look into products before you buy them. If the product is too cheap, there is a good chance that it is going to break soon after buying it and you will be out the money that you spent on it. Do some research online before making a major purchase. Even if you plan to buy the item at a local retailer, check the store's website for web-only coupons or special offers. If you're already a customer, don't forget to check your inbox because some retailers send sales announcements or coupons via e-mail. The best way to save money at a grocery store is by using coupons. Between in-store values and coupons, you could drastically reduce your grocery bills to ease finances. And nowadays coupons are not just available in newspapers, they are also available on many websites online. You can just print them out from your computer! With a little planning and putting these tips and hints into place, you too can see the results you are looking for. As we have outlined in this article, your finances are a matter of sound judgment and self discipline as you make a plan and stick to it.

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Android 4.0 arriving for HTC Rezound today, Droid RAZR update delayed

Android 4.0 set to arrive for HTC Rezound today, Droid RAZR and RAZR Maxx see delays
April 4th has come and gone, and sadly, both the Droid RAZR and RAZR Maxx remain without their promised bites of Ice Cream Sandwich. The latest communique from Best Buy confirms the delay, and similarly, a tweet from Motorola Mobility adds that a new release date has yet to be established. As a touch of silver lining to the otherwise gloomy news, the Best Buy crew reiterates that the HTC Rezound is set to receive Android 4.0 today -- in all its Sense 3.6 mediocrity. Cross your fingers, Rezound owners: this looks to be the big day.

[Thanks, VoxPCS]

Android 4.0 arriving for HTC Rezound today, Droid RAZR update delayed originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Learn To Deal With Your Love/Hate Relationship With Credit ...

I have a love/hate relationship with my credit card.?I loved using my credit cards in the past when I needed them, I hated paying off the debt over several years, and now I love using them responsibly and watching my credit score get stronger and stronger each month.

I have definitely made my share of financial mistakes in the past and after I finally hit rock bottom I decided to become a responsible young adult and change my financial life around.? I decided that I was sick and tired of having debt and?making monthly payments?onto my credit cards because that money could otherwise be better spent.? I started paying off all of my credit cards with automatic payments and I set a target date to become debt free.

I know that debt can be overwhelming, but it can also be overcome.? Financial mistakes are fixable and all we have to do is want to change. The financial system does give second chances and as long as we learn from our mistakes our financial future does not have to be a repeat of our financial past.

People can rebuild their credit history by continuously paying off their debts on a regular basis, keeping their balances low relative to the overall limit, and no maintaining more credit card than they need.

The key to building a strong credit history is to know when and why to use our credit cards. I used to misuse my credit cards in the past and that is how I found myself with tens of thousands of dollars in debt at a very young age.? Now every single time that I want to use my credit card I think about my purchase and I ask myself ?Would I have made this purchase in the past?? If the answer is ?yes? then I don?t swipe my card.

Here are Some Financially Responsible Reasons to Use Your Credit Card:

If the store does not accept debit cards as a form of payment and we?don?t have cash.? It?s ok to us our Credit Card in this situation because this is beyond our control. We just have to make sure that we make a payment to our Credit Card as soon as possible in order to avoid interest charges.

If we are a little bit short on cash for our purchase. This is a good reason to use our Credit Card because we do have the money, just not on us. We can make a payment to our Credit Card as soon as we get home.

For the Extended Warranty.? If we have saved up for a big purchase such as appliances or electronics it?s a good idea to charge the purchase on our Credit Card for the extended purchase warranty and pay off our purchase as soon as possible.? We purchase our item, we save on interest, and we still get a guarantee.

(Btw if you?re looking for a great new card check out Budgets Are Sexy?s list of?great credit card offers. Maybe you?ll find one you like there.)

Here are Some Reasons Why We Should Never Use Our Credit Card:

Just because an item is on sale. Unnecessary spending is a major reason why people accumulate debt.

If we constantly find our self short on cash. This is a budgeting issue and using our Credit Card until we receive our next pay check is not fixing the problem, it is only a temporary solution. We need to go over our budget and make cuts in our monthly spending to make sure that we can afford our daily living necessities.

As a personal loan or cash advance.? There is no grace period on cash advances and we are charged interest as of the day we take the money.? The interest rate on cash advances is also a lot higher and therefore we should try to avoid them.

This post originally appeared on Dinks Finance.

Don't miss: Why your money mindset is keeping you poor?and what you can do to change it >

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Discussion Phoning Phones | The most up-to-date Communication ...

Discussion Phoning Phones | The most up-to-date Communication Engineering On your Enterprise

You can anticipate crystal clear quality of sound by most up-to-date technology conference phoning mobile phones. The most recent within communications technological know-how such as land lines in addition to fiber content optics tend to be revolutionizing the way we interact nowadays. Though this goal for most company business call plans entails a decent finances, security ought to be reviewed thoroughly. The majority of business call firms give a 1800 variety and unique security access rule so that customers might display screen and also authenticate callers when they signing in on the talk.

Meeting Your small business Demands

Seminar dialling mobile phones are the excellent solution to developing company needs inside an increasingly reasonably competitive enterprise setting. Many companies out there offer a selection of cost-effective discussion phoning ideas and also possibilities that can satisfy ones conference call needs. That building function connected with connection will be simplifying how you talk with our own partners, customers and stakeholders. Whilst the technological know-how is becoming significantly easy to use, seminar calling organizations at this point offer you one-time fee solutions to be a full conference getting in touch with alternative for your small business.

Conference contacting firms present various rates for reasonable approaches to connect for your company needs. Attributes to look away for incorporate: no cost member-to-member international calls, level costs regarding neighborhood cell phone calls, various neighborhood and/or localised options recharged with the second and lower long distance call costs coming from as small as Three or more.In search of mere cents per range each and every minute.

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Amazon Goes Bilingual In The U.S. Kindle Store With Launch Of Spanish Tienda Kindle

KIndle en EspanolAmazon has been making some big strides in extending its footprint outside of the U.S. with its Kindle e-readers and Kindle bookstore, but today it took a step to improve how it caters to Spanish speakers closer to home, with the launch of a new section of its U.S. Kindle store dedicated to books in Spanish. Called "eBooks Kindle en Espa?ol," Amazon says the store features 30,000 e-books in Spanish along with a whole new level of customer support aimed at Spanish-speaking users, including help pages as well as phone and email customer support in the language. The move represents how Amazon is looking to take its Kindle offerings beyond the first tier of early adopters that have bought the product to date. It also underscores how companies like Amazon are trying to capitalize on the rise of e-readers and e-books. Research out today from Pew shows that at the moment only about 21 percent of adults in the U.S. have read an e-book in the last year. That number appears to be on the rise, going up by three percent just between December 2011 and February 2012.

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Syria forces hit rebels, Russia scorns opposition

[ [ [['beyond the incredible personal tragedy', 3]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/stand-ground-laws-not-just-gop-policy-records-053103956.html', '[Related: \?Stand your ground\? laws not just GOP policy\, records show]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Afghan security forces and police killed three', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/H9BcJE', '[Related: Bales\' wife on his alleged shooting: \'He would not do that\']', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['looking for fireworks between the opposing camps', 16]], 'http://yhoo.it/GSvEsj', '[RELATED:\?It?s going to be a circus\?: Activists begin protests outside Supreme Court]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 8]], 'http://yhoo.it/GE6jSh', '[RELATED: Obama\?s health care law passed 2 years ago, but where are we now\?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Witnesses said the gunman pulled up on a black scooter', 7]], 'http://yhoo.it/GzwOIW', '[Related: New York police tighten security at Jewish sites]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['test Zimmerman for alcohol or drugs', 11]], 'http://yhoo.it/Gzn6VF', '[Related: White House says Trayvon Martin is local issue]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['This is as serious of a tornado', 7]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/tornadoes-touch-down-in-texas-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120403/trucksdallas.jpg', '630', ' ', 'Reuters', ], [ [['Oikos University', 8]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/deadly-oakland-university-shooting-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120402/shooting.jpg', '450', ' ', 'REUTERS/Reuters TV/KNTV/Handout', ], [ [['Trayvon Martin decked the Neighborhood', 7]], 'http://yhoo.it/GUovUP', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/2/61/261d2c36bccf0971c2734a4d4398aa5a.jpeg', '512', ' ', 'AP/David Goldman', ], [ [['Can you create commerce in order to regulate it', 9]], 'http://yhoo.it/GSgtu8', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/7/78/778e2416573870cd705774e92403447d.jpeg', '630', ' ', 'AP/Charles Dharapak', ], [ [['associated with such a small earthquake', 4]], 'http://yhoo.it/GTco9z', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/0/b4/0b493c1a47b6e3f97f8f48a2b251d7d4.jpeg', '630', ' ', 'AP Photo/Carrie Antlfinger', ], [ [['Fox News host Geraldo Rivera sparked outrage', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GKMVTk', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/2/7c/27c7367bc512d233ae1790b320a5e92c.jpeg', '630', ' ', 'AP Photo/John Minchillo', ], [ [['The charges signed against Bales include', 1]], 'http://yhoo.it/wZT5zV', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/7/a0/7a07c51b2aa0f39b1a23355046d13870.jpeg', '512', ' ', 'AP Photo/DVIDS\, Spc\. Ryan Hallock\, File', ], [ [['George Zimmerman, if I had a son', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/thousands-protest-fla-teen-death-1332387124-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/os/152/2012/03/22/d761a49f3fcc99080a0f6a70670053cd-jpg_150905.jpg', '500', ' ', 'AP Photo/John Minchillo', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]

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U.S. officials debate virulence of Iran-backed Hezbollah's threat

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The warning last month from Representative Peter King, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, was blunt: An investigation by his staff had determined that "hundreds" of people he described as "Iranian and Hezbollah terrorists" were in the United States. But interviews with U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials, as well as private experts, about the Iranian-sponsored group paint a more nuanced picture. There is a threat, though whether it is imminent or extensive is far from clear, they say.

An alarming part of the officials' assessments focuses on the apparent surveillance missions that Iranian diplomats and possible Hezbollah operatives have been seen conducting at sensitive targets such as New York subways and bridges, and at nuclear power plants and tunnels elsewhere in the United States in the?past 10 years.

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For a video clip see http://link.reuters.com/rug57s

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At the same time, U.S. officials caution that Hezbollah, a Shiite militia based in Lebanon, has largely avoided attacking U.S. targets since it carried out mass-casualty bombings in the 1980s against the U.S. Embassy and Marine barracks in Beirut. One reason may be that it does not want to endanger its lucrative North American fund-raising operations.

The renewed focus on Hezbollah - which U.S. counter-terrorism officials regard as the most potent and disciplined of Islamic militant groups, even more so than al Qaeda - comes amid a growing confrontation over Iran's nuclear program.

An Israeli or U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear sites could prompt Hezbollah to change strategy, moving from surveillance and fund-raising in North America to launching retaliatory attacks on either country, several U.S. officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss security matters.

BROADER RISKS DOWNPLAYED

Israel's leaders, while acknowledging the likelihood of retaliation by Iran or its agents, have sometimes downplayed the risk of a broader conflict.

Iranian-inspired surveillance missions in the United States have been scattered over a period of years. But, when combined with a handful of recent attacks or plots around the world, they have contributed to an assessment within the U.S. government that considerable violence directed against U.S. targets - at overseas installations or businesses, or at American soil - could follow any strike on Iran's nuclear program.

U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials, along with private experts, say there is little doubt Hezbollah has an extensive network of supporters, fund-raisers and potential operatives in the United States.

A law enforcement official said that the New York Police Department, whose monitoring of Muslim communities has prompted political controversy, believes that between 200 and 300 Hezbollah sympathizers live in New York City. Between 10 and 20 of those are relatives of Hezbollah leaders or fighters who were killed in action, said the official.

The NYPD's knowledge of Hezbollah's infrastructure is sufficiently detailed that it has identified three Lebanese towns - Bint Jbeil, Yanoun and Yatar - to which suspected sympathizers of the group have ties. At least a handful of people in New York connected with Hezbollah have also undergone military training in Lebanon, the official said.

A preliminary report issued by investigators for King, a New York Republican, said that pinpointing the number of Hezbollah operatives inside the United States was difficult because of the group's operational security. The committee report nonetheless cited the estimates of "some officials" that the group "likely" has "several thousand sympathetic donors" in the United States as well as "hundreds" of operatives.

But other officials familiar with up-to-date U.S. intelligence on Hezbollah said there was a big difference between a Hezbollah "supporter" and someone who would be willing to engage in violent activity. The officials said such distinctions have been blurred in public discussions about the domestic threat the group allegedly poses.

CRIMINAL CASES

Over the years, U.S. federal authorities have brought numerous criminal cases against alleged Hezbollah operatives, most of them related to fund-raising or other support activity rather than plotting against U.S. targets.

The access to potential funding sources is one reason why Hezbollah has avoided targeting the United States or its interests, said Evan Kohlmann, an investigator who monitors militant websites for the government and private businesses.

"For the last 15 years, Hezbollah has regarded North America as a piggy bank," Kohlmann said.

Reliable figures for Hezbollah's fund-raising, which is done covertly, are not available.

Because the United States is such a critical source for funds and equipment such as night-vision devices that might be useful to its paramilitary operations, Kohlmann said, Hezbollah might be reluctant to embark on attacks inside the United States - even if prodded to do so by patrons in Iran. Attacks against U.S. targets overseas might be more likely, he said.

Kohlmann said that Hezbollah regards the U.S. as such an important supply point that the group supposedly has planted its own "procurement manager" somewhere in North America.

One factor heightening U.S. officials' concern about Hezbollah-related attacks is the accumulation of accounts of alleged attempts by Iranian operatives to "case" potential U.S. targets.

According to a New York law enforcement source, there have been several notable incidents of this nature involving individuals who turned out to be accredited to Iran's U.N. mission.

In a 2003 incident, New York police patrolmen observed a group of men videotaping the tracks out of the front window of a subway train traveling between Queens and Manhattan at 2 a.m. The Iranians were arrested, but later released after they produced diplomatic credentials. The law enforcement source said they were asked to leave the country.

In a 2006 incident, the captain of a sightseeing boat became suspicious after a group of Iranians taking his cruise along the East River broke into two smaller groups and started snapping pictures of the undersides of the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. The six men all turned out to be covered by diplomatic immunity, the law enforcement source said.

In September 2008, three more Iranians with diplomatic status were observed taking pictures of rail tracks going into Grand Central Station that are not routinely accessible to members of the public.

And in a 2010 incident, security personnel at a heliport near Wall Street observed a group of men who claimed to be affiliated with an Iranian broadcasting network taking pictures of the framework supporting the heliport deck which was cantilevered over the river.

A federal official said that similar surveillance incidents had been reported in other cities such as Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Targets under observation included nuclear power plants, tunnels and casinos.

Some of the officials said that anxieties about possible Hezbollah- or Iranian-related attacks were increased in the wake of an alleged plot by Iranian agents to kill the Saudi ambassador in Washington and other alleged Iranian plots uncovered recently in Thailand, India, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

(This version of the story has been corrected in the 11th graph to change the number of towns to three from four, and name of one, Bint Jbeil)

(Editing by Philip Barbara)

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Volcanoes' plumbing holds clues to eruptions

The secret to predicting a volcano's eruptions may lie in its plumbing.

New research looking at volcanoes in Iceland and the Afar region of Ethiopia ? the two areas where mid-ocean ridges, where Earth's tectonic plates are moving apart, are visible at the surface of the Earth ? found that the underground caverns holding a volcano's magma aren?t buried as deeply as scientists had thought. These caverns, called magma chambers, also swell, shrink and pulse every now and then, yielding possible clues about the size and timing of a volcano's next big eruption.

"The study shows that the deep magmatic plumbing of each volcanic segment, as well as the numbers of individual magma chambers and their connections, is more complicated than we expected," said Carolina Pagli, a geologist at the University of Leeds in England. Pagli led one of two studies on spreading-center volcanoes published this month in the journal Nature Geoscience.

The majority of Earth's volcanoes are located at spreading centers, which form a 37,000-mile-long (60,000 kilometers) network, splitting the Earth into its major tectonic plates. Most of these spreading centers are underwater, which makes detailed observations very difficult. But the spreading centers exposed in Ethiopia and Iceland offer a rare glimpse into the inner plumbing of the Earth.

Mapping magma chambers and figuring out how they behave can help identify early warning signs hours ? or even months ? before an eruption.

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For example, the ground started uplifting (elevating) four months before a 2008 eruption in Ethiopia, because an influx of new magma increased pressure in an underground chamber. An increase in earthquake activity was another signal, Pagli said.

The researchers found that separate magma chambers can feed a single eruption, and those chambers can be oriented both horizontally and vertically, allowing magma to spew in multiple directions. They also found that the magma chambers feeding the 2008 Ethiopia eruption lie only half a mile (1 km) below ground. Earlier models had assumed those chambers were more than 2 miles (3 km) deep.

The 2010 Eyjafjallajokull eruption in Iceland is an example of a successful forecast using these signals, Pagli said. Researchers monitoring the volcano detected precursory swelling and changes in earthquake patterns, and they were able to coordinate with officials to evacuate high-risk areas.

"Examples from Iceland teach us that a successful forecast is based on longtime series of observations and an effective monitoring network," Pagli told OurAmazingPlanet. "European countries should invest in the knowledge that arises from the events in Iceland and Afar to better understand how volcanoes work."

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