Wandering of a difficult mind...: 2011

NASCAR has informed more than 1,000 drivers and crew members that a laptop computer containing social security numbers, driver's license numbers and other personal information was stolen last month from an employee of Aegis Laboratories, the company that oversees the sanctioning body's substance abuse testing program. Aegis administers planned and random drug tests to NASCAR license holders throughout the season, screening samples for banned substances and reporting back to the sanctioning body. The laptop computer was reported stolen on November 22nd, but many licensees were not informed of the theft until this week. NASCAR Director of Communications Kerry Tharp said the stolen laptop contained no medical or lab records, only driver's license and Social Security numbers. He said there have been no reports of any identity theft, adding, "in all likelihood, the person who stole the laptop sold it at a local Pawn Shop without ever knowing what was on it." Since the computer file in question was created in 2009, NASCAR and Aegis have instituted a new data-processing system that prevents such an incident from happening again. Aegis is revising its security procedures, encrypting data on laptop computers, and retraining affected employees on confidentiality and security procedures. Aegis has also agreed to supply all involved parties with two years of complimentary credit monitoring. NASCAR said it "apologizes to the affected individuals for this unfortunate incident involving one of our vendors, and we are pressing Aegis to do everything necessary to mitigate this situation."(Sirius Speedway)

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Korea says a fierce snowstorm paused and the sky began glowing red above sacred Mount Paektu just minutes before leader Kim Jong Il's death. State media say the ice on volcanic Lake Chon at the mountain in the far north cracked with a load roar. And in the city of Hamhung, a Manchurian crane circled a statue of Kim's father, late President Kim Il Sung, before alighting on a tree, its head drooping before it took off toward Pyongyang. State media say Kim died Saturday morning at age 69. His death was announced two days later. Similar myths and legends also surround Kim Jong Il's birth on Mount Paektu. Official biographies say he was born on Paektu and that a double rainbow filled the skies when he was born.

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