Secret Service expands security at White House after Boston explosion

Published April 15, 2013

Associated Press

The Secret Service says it has expanded its security perimeter at the White House following the explosions at the Boston Marathon. 

Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan says the measure was taken "out of an abundance of caution." He says it is not unusual to expand or contract the security perimeters. 

Shortly after the explosions Monday, Secret Service shut down Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House, cordoning off the area with yellow police tape. Several Secret Service patrol cars also blocked off the entry points to the road. 

The White House was not on lockdown and tourists and other onlookers were still able to be in the park across the street from the executive mansion.

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Secret Service probing claim new director's information was hacked

Published April 04, 2013

FoxNews.com

The Secret Service confirmed Thursday that it is investigating whether personal information on newly appointed agency Director Julia Pierson had been hacked. 

The Service told Fox News it is investigating the claim, after a website posted a list of details -- including a Social Security Number and credit report -- purportedly belonging to Pierson. 

The site has previously posted information on a string of other high-profile figures including first lady Michelle Obama. 

The Secret Service would provide no further comment. 

The target in this case, Pierson, was sworn in as the first female director of the Secret Service during a March 27 ceremony. 

In addition to a Social Security Number and credit report, the website posted a list of phone numbers and addresses supposedly belonging to the new director.

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Apple issues apology in China over service policies, but state media attacks seen backfiring

Published April 01, 2013

Associated Press

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  Apr. 1, 2013: A statement posted to Apple's website said complaints from China had prompted "deep reflection" and persuaded the company of the need to revamp its repair policies and boost communication with Chinese consumers.FoxNews.com / Apple.com

BEIJING –  Apple has issued an apology to Chinese consumers after government media attacked its repair policies for two weeks in a campaign that reeked of economic nationalism.

A statement posted in Chinese to Apple's website on Monday said the complaints had prompted "deep reflection" and persuaded the company of the need to revamp its repair policies, boost communication with Chinese consumers and strengthen oversight of authorized resellers.

State broadcaster CCTV and the ruling party's flagship newspaper People's Daily had led the charge and portrayed Apple as just the latest Western firm to exploit the Chinese consumer.

The attacks started backfiring almost as soon as they began and were mocked by the increasingly sophisticated Chinese consumers who revere Apple and its products. Nonetheless, Apple responded with an apology from CEO Tim Cook.

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Google testing Shopping Express, a live same-day delivery service

Published March 28, 2013

AllThingsD

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  A screenshot of the website for Google Shopping Express, a new program by the web giant that offers free, same-day deliver of products.FoxNews.com / Google

Google today called for San Francisco Bay Area residents to sign up for six months of free, unlimited same-day delivery of purchases from national and local retailers.

The company is calling the program “a new experiment” — more specifically, it’s named Google Shopping Express.

Users can browse in an online storefront and then select a delivery window for a “Google courier partner” to arrive at their home later that day.

Get more tech news and reviews at AllThingsD.com.

Google has not yet had a home run from its many shopping, wallet, commerce and payment efforts. But same-day delivery is looked at as a sort of holy grail for online retail, since it can bring near-instant gratification to shoppers. As such, Amazon, eBay, Walmart and startups like Postmates are already trying it. Users who sign up for Shopping Express are told they may be selected through a gradual rollout “over the coming months.”

Participating retailers include national brands like Target and Walgreens and local brands like Blue Bottle Coffee and Palo Alto Sport Shop and Toy World.

News of the service was first reported earlier this month by TechCrunch.

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Obama names first female director of Secret Service

Published March 26, 2013

FoxNews.com

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  Shown here is Julia Pierson, whom President Obama has appointed to lead the Secret Service.Secret Service

President Obama plans to appoint agent Julia Pierson as the first female director of the Secret Service, a senior official confirmed to Fox News -- marking a shift for an agency marred by last year's prostitution scandal. 

The appointment of Pierson to the top job in the agency that protects the president and other top officials could help to address concerns about the agency's culture. 

Pierson, who most recently served as Secret Service chief of staff, will take over the top job from Mark Sullivan, who announced his retirement last month. The agency faced intense criticism during Sullivan's tenure for the prostitution scandal during preparations for Obama's trip to Cartagena, Colombia, last year. 

The incident raised questions within the agency -- as well as at the White House and on Capitol Hill -- about the culture, particularly during foreign travel. In addition to protecting the president, the Secret Service also investigates financial crimes. 

Obama is expected to announce Pierson's appointment Tuesday. Pierson does not need to be confirmed by the Senate. 

Thirteen Secret Service employees were caught up in last year's prostitution scandal. After a night of heavy partying in the Caribbean resort city of Cartagena, the employees brought women, including prostitutes, back to the hotel where they were staying. The incident became public after one agent refused to pay a prostitute and the pair argued about payment in a hotel hallway. 

Eight of the employees were forced out of the agency, three were cleared of serious misconduct and at least two have been fighting to get their jobs back. 

The incident took place ahead of Obama's arrival in Colombia and the service said the president's safety was never compromised. But news of the scandal broke during his trip, overshadowing the summit and embarrassing the U.S. delegation. 

The incident prompted Sullivan to issue a new code of conduct that banned employees from drinking within 10 hours of starting a shift or bringing foreign nationals back to their hotel rooms. 

Sullivan apologized for the incident last year during testimony before a Senate panel. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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