Vatican: Gene technology enables new racism

GENEVA (Reuters) - Technology allowing parents to choose the genetic characteristics of their babies threatens to breed new forms of racism, the Vatican told a United Nations race conference on Wednesday.

Wait...since when did this technology exist?

Pope Benedict earlier this week said the heated U.N. forum, which several Western powers are boycotting to avoid giving legitimacy to criticism of Israel, was an important initiative to confront all forms of modern discrimination.

"The Holy See is also alarmed by the still latent temptation of eugenics that can be fueled by techniques of artificial procreation and the use of 'superfluous embryos'," Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, Vatican observer to the U.N. in Geneva said.

Wait...since when did this technology exist?

Armed robber receives year in Concord

Christopher Johnson received a sentence of one to two years in the Massachusetts Correctional Institute in Concord for armed robbery on Thursday.

Johnson has a “history of drug abuse related to crime,” Judge Judith Fabricant said before giving a reduced sentence.

The commonwealth had recommended a sentence of more than two years, but Johnson’s lawyer, Deborah Shopteese, briefly spoke with Fabricant to reduce it. The sentencing took place at Suffolk County Courthouse, and comes after a guilty plea from Johnson at a Mar. 16 hearing. Johnson appeared in court after serving 38 days before his family bailed him out with $1,500.

The casually dressed trio of Johnson and his relatives appeared tired as they waited for the sentencing. They sat through a few pre-trial conferences between Fabricant and some attorneys before their session began. The family quietly asked officers how they could get their bail money back, and that matter was settled at session’s end.

As Johnson was cuffed and escorted to Concord, he mumbled “I have a broken wrist,” as his upset family watched.

The family learned it had to pay a $150 legal fee before getting the bail money back, and was visibly upset as they could not pay the fee at that time.

100 countries declare end to racism

From VOA News...

More than 100 countries with delegates at a global conference on racism have agreed on a declaration calling for an end to intolerance and xenophobia.

WOO! Racism's officially over!

...

That's what this means, right?

The declaration, adopted Tuesday in Geneva, reaffirms a 2001 statement issued at the first United Nations conference on racism in Durban, South Africa.

The decision Tuesday by consensus came a day after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stirred controversy with an address in which he described Israel as "cruel, repressive and racist." Mr. Ahmadinejad's address sparked a walkout by delegates from 23 European Union nations.

The United States and eight other Western countries boycotted the conference over fears that it would become a forum for anti-Semitism.

...

...speaking of racism...

Republicans devour book criticizing New Deal

From Politico...

There aren’t any sex scenes or vampires, and it won’t help you lose weight.

But House Republicans are tearing through the pages of Amity Shlaes’ “The Forgotten Man” like soccer moms before book club night.

Shlaes’ 2007 take on the Great Depression questions the success of the New Deal and takes issue with the value of government intervention in a major economic crisis — red meat for a party hungry for empirical evidence that the Democrats’ spending plans won’t end the current recession.

That's the thing...there's no way of telling if the New Deal really worked because WWII came along and ended the Depression. And of course the Democrats' economic policy is GD dirty socialism - but in these times it's worth a shot. Or even better...let's start World War Three!

Iran convicts American journalist of espionage

From Politico...

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday called for the immediate release of Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi — convicted two days ago of spying by a court in Tehran — saying “the charges against her are baseless.”

“We hope that the actions will be taken as soon as possible by the authorities in Iran, including the judiciary, to bring about the speedy release of Ms. Saberi and her return home,” Clinton told reporters, adding that her trial was “nontransparent, unpredictable and arbitrary.”

Saberi, a 31-year-old freelancer who has worked for several news organizations, including National Public Radio and the BBC, was convicted of espionage on Saturday and sentenced to eight years in prison during a one-day, closed-door trial. She was initially detained about three months ago for working as a journalist without proper credentials.

Gotta have one of these.

Otherwise you're no journalist...you're just a damn spy.

School security ten years after Columbine

(CNN) -- In the wake of the tragic shootings at Columbine High School, some schools across the country turned themselves into near-fortresses.

They installed metal detectors and security cameras, banned backpacks, required students to carry IDs and posted police in the hallways -- all in the name of keeping students safe.

Now, 10 years after those highly publicized shootings in which two young men killed 13 people and themselves, school security has taken another dramatic turn.

Some of the noticeable security measures remain, but experts say the country is exploring a new way to protect kids from in-school violence: administrators now want to foster school communities that essentially can protect themselves with or without the high-tech gear.

Give the kids guns so they can defend themselves. I'm going to Hell.

Obama to visit CIA amid criticism

(CNN) -- President Obama on Monday will visit CIA headquarters amid criticism from an ex-CIA chief that he compromised national security last week by releasing Bush-era memos on interrogation tactics.

What was in that memo that people didn't already know about? Do we interrogate suspected terrorists by peeing on their faces?

Clinton: US policy towards Cuba failed

Eh! Ooh! Damn commies![/old man]

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that US policy towards Cuba has failed, welcoming an offer to talk from the Cuban president.

She said the US was "taking a serious look" at how to respond to President Raul Castro's comments, which she called an "overture".

Mr Castro had said he was ready for discussions covering human rights, political prisoners and press freedom.

The US passed a law this week easing restrictions on Cuban Americans.

The move will allow Cuban Americans to visit relatives in Cuba and send money home more easily.

Thailand revokes passport of former premier

Another blow for anti-government protesters in Thailand.

BANGKOK (AFP) — Thailand revoked the passport of Thaksin Shinawatra on Wednesday, escalating a campaign against the fugitive former premier and his allies for allegedly inciting deadly anti-government protests.

Police said they were also hunting the main organisers of the demonstrations that left two people dead and 123 injured this week, after a court issued arrest warrants for Thaksin and 12 top supporters.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has vowed to prosecute all leaders of the rallies, which broke up on Tuesday after troops threatened to use force against thousands of demonstrators camped outside his offices.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said Thaksin's passport was withdrawn for inciting protests that forced the cancellation of a summit of Asian leaders on the Thai coast on Saturday.

"The ministry can cancel or recall a passport if it can prove that a person has caused damage to the country," he told AFP.

Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and lives in exile to avoid a two-year jail term for corruption. He has made a series of speeches to his supporters in Thailand in recent weeks calling for a "revolution".

In a television interview filmed in Dubai before the passport announcement, the billionaire tycoon denied the official charges that he had incited violence.

"I feel very tragic on what is happening among the Thai people. But I am not instigating it," he told Al-Jazeera English. "I keep telling them every day, the message is peaceful, peaceful, peaceful."

The 59-year-old added that he would be prepared to return to Thailand to face justice if numerous cases against him, which also include previous charges of graft, were investigated by a "neutral body".

The government cancelled Thaksin's diplomatic passport in December.

Thai police said earlier they were searching for the other protest leaders named in arrest warrants. Three have been charged and are in detention while the others remain at large.

The warrants accuse them of breaching the emergency measures put in place in Bangkok on Sunday, threatening acts of violence and inciting others to break the law.

"An investigation team is looking for them and checking their home towns to present warrants," said Bangkok police commander Lieutenant General Worapong Shewpreecha.

"Police have checked with immigration and found that there are no records of them leaving the country," he said.

Troops and police on Wednesday manned security checkpoints around the capital but Panitan said Abhisit wanted to lift the state of emergency "as soon as he can" to help local businesses.

Bangkok residents celebrated the end of the protests with the traditional pastime of soaking each other with water on final day of Buddhist New Year celebrations Wednesday.

Demonstrators loyal to Thaksin, known as "Red Shirts" because of their trademark attire, surrounded Abhisit's offices three weeks ago to demand his resignation before moving to the resort of Pattaya to disrupt the Asian summit.

They accuse British-born Abhisit of being a stooge of Thailand's military and of coming to power illegally after Thaksin's allies were removed from government by a court in December.

Somali pirates attack another U.S. ship

Somali pirates have attacked and damaged an American ship carrying humanitarian aid. But the ship and crew are safe under Navy escort.

A US Central Command spokesman says the Liberty Sun reported being attacked around 11:30 yesterday morning. The vessel's owner, Liberty Maritime Corporation, said the pirates fired rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons. The ship was en route from Houston to Mombasa, Kenya.

The military spokesman, Navy Captain Jack Hanzlik, says the Liberty Sun has a crew of about twenty.

New investigation into Easter jam

Governor Deval Patrick and Transportation Secretary James Aloisi are calling for an investigation into Sunday night's huge traffic jam on the Mass Turnpike. Traffic was bumper to bumper at the Weston tolls, backing up for five to seven miles at times.

Some suggest the backups were caused by a toll-collector sickout, but the Turnpike Authority says it was more likely caused by a change in policy combined with heavy holiday traffic.

Accused Nazi accessory remains in U.S.

John Demjanjuk, who is accused of being a Nazi death camp guard is back home after his deportation to Germany was stopped by a federal court.

Family spokesman Ed Nishnic, who's also Demjanjuk's former son-in-law, says his family will continue to fight the deportation.

"Don't forget he was extradicted back in 1986 wrongfully for something he didn't do by the very same people that tried to have him extradicted again," Nishnic says.

The arrest warrant in Germany claims Demjanjuk was an accessory to about 29,000 deaths.

Obama names "border czar"

A former federal prosecutor will oversee issues on the US-Mexico border, including drug violence and illegal immigration through the Southwest.

An anonymous Obama administration official says Alan Bersin will be named the so-called border czar today. Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano is expected to announce his appointment.

The Obama administration has promised to crack down on border violence and drugs and arms trafficking.

Bay State faces more budget cuts

More tough times are ahead for the Bay State.

Governor Deval Patrick says the state is facing a budget deficit of $156 million - costing the state more than 750 jobs. It may even grow by another $400 million before June.

During a news conference Tuesday, the governor said he would close the current gap with federal recovery funds, budget cuts, and spending controls. Included are mandatory unpaid furloughs, and Patrick will take a five day leave himself.

This marks the third round of budget cuts in Massachusetts.

Tax day - with hours to go

It's tax day, and procrastinators have one day to file federal income tax returns or seek an extension.

But if you haven't done it yet, you can do it online for free. Internal Revenue Service spokesman Eric Smith says many people are eligible to file their taxes electronically, for free, through the IRS website.

"You can do your return for free, fill it out for free, send it to the government for free," Smith says. "If your income is $54,000 or less, you qualify."

The IRS also says if it's been tough financially, failing to file will just make things worse.

Here in Boston, only the Fort Point Post Office branch near South Station will remain open until midnight for last-minute paper filers.

Rescued ship captain returns home today

Capt. Richard Phillips, the American cargo ship captain rescued by the American Navy from Somali pirates, will return to the United States on Wednesday with his crew after reuniting with them in the Kenyan port of Mombasa, his company said.

Good job, troops.

Italy earthquake death toll reaches 283

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.

L'AQUILA, Italy (AP) — This quake ravaged medieval city took a limping step toward normalcy Thursday as butchers, bakers and other shopkeepers reopened for business, three days after a deadly earthquake made the historic center uninhabitable and halted nearly all economic activity.

The death toll from Italy's worst quake in three decades reached 283, including 20 children and teens, police said.

Sad that so many people died, but it's good to hear that the city is rebuilding.

Families move away to find work

Unable to find work in Keosauqua, Iowa, Dustin and Michelle Wellman took their last $200, packed their belongings into a 1999 Dodge Neon and drove 1,000 miles with their four-year-old son back to Robertsdale, Ala., the town where Mr. Wellman grew up.

Sucks that jobs are harder to find.

China staying calm after Korean launch

China on Tuesday repeated its call for calm after North Korea's latest test of a multistage rocket, attempting to defuse anger in the U.S. and elsewhere at a time when its own economic interest in the neighboring state is soaring.

Buyout?

Kim Jong-Il launches rocket, is crazy

North Korea's state-run media reported Tuesday that Kim Jong-Il shed tears of regret during the country's controversial rocket launch because he could not use the launch funds to provide aid to his people, the AFP reported.

And you used that money on a rocket instead of people because...

The country on Tuesday also released footage of the weekend launch, along with the first video of Kim since his reported stroke in August, according to South Korean media.

Kim "felt regret for not being able to spend more money on the people's livelihoods and was choked with sobs," AFP quoted ruling communist party paper Rodong Sinmun as saying.

"Chants of jubilation are reverberating throughout the country on the news that our satellite is beaming back the 'Song of General Kim Il-Sung' and the 'Song of General Kim Jong-Il,'" the paper said, according to AFP.

Because a satellite radio channel of two songs about you and your father is WAY more important than providing for a financially struggling country.

Alleged bank robber caught in taxi

Cabbie Sharad Aryal may have been in line for a hefty tip this morning when he picked up an impatient, out-of-breath man in the Fenway. The fare ended abruptly after a few blocks, however, when police stopped the white taxi and dragged the man out of the backseat, spilling $20 bills onto the street.

Police say the man had just robbed a bank.

Crime doesn't pay. Especially if the passenger gets pulled out before the fare ends.

G20 leaders work to reach agreement

From BBC NEWS...

World leaders will strive to reach an agreement on how to confront the worst global financial crisis since the 1930s at the G20 summit in London.

So far they only agree that they should listen to what fiscally conservative authorities or pundits say should be done about the economy, and then do the opposite.

Second day of G20 protests expected

From BBC NEWS...

A second day of protests are expected as world leaders gather for the G20 summit at the ExCel Centre in London.

Because governments should stay out of private enterprise's business! Wait...that's why they're protesting, right?

From 0700 BST there are plans to disrupt traders at the London Stock Exchange, and from 1100 BST anti-war protests are planned near the summit.

Or not.

President Obama Faces Busy Schedule in London

President Barack Obama will have a busy day in London. He has already made a joint appearance with Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

In that conference, the morning before the G-20 economic crisis summit, Obama urged world leaders to take action for the economy, saying, "We can only meet this challenge together."

"I came here to put forward ideas," Obama said, "but I also came here to listen, not to lecture. Having said that, we must not miss an opportunity to lead."

The president disputed criticism that the US was feuding with other nations about the need to pump more money into economic stimulus policies, saying any differences are vastly overstated.

"I am absolutely confident that this meeting will reflect enormous consensus about the need to work in concert to deal with these problems," Obama said.

Obama urged nations to spur growth and work together on regulation reform, and not to fall into the protectionism that helped fuel the Great Depression.

"That is a mistake we cannot afford to repeat," Obama said.

He assured reporters that he still believes in the country's economic system.

"I think that there is a vibrancy to our economic model, a durability to our political model, and a set of ideals that has sustained even through the most difficult times."

Brown emphasized unity as well, saying never before has the world come together in this way to deal with an economic crisis.

"We are within a few hours, I think," Brown optimistically added, "of agreeing a global plan for economic recovery and reform."

Obama will also squeeze in talks with Brown's main rival, David Cameron, the leader of Britain's conservative party. The president will also have face-to-face talks with the leaders of China and Russia. Officials in both of those countries have called for a global currency to end the dollar's dominance.

Finally, an Answer on Bank Lending

How are banks using the aid they have received from the federal government? A chief investigator, Neil Barofsky, told Congress in a hearing yesterday that banks are providing new loans to customers, retiring debt, or buying mortgage-backed securities. This answer is the first of its kind since the government launched the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Barofsky dismissed the doubts that banks could disclose such information.

"One thing is clear," he said. "Complaints that it was impractical, impossible, or a waste of time to require banks to detail how they use TARP funds were unfounded."

Barofsky told the Senate Finance Committee that some responses were general, but others provided granular detail on spending, including identification of specific loans made possible with TARP money.

The government has given some $300 billion to the banks so far, and has committed to spending billions more. Barofsky's testimony came as the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, released its own assessment of the bailout and called on the Treasury Department to increase transparency and oversight.

Treasury's Neel Kashkari, manager of the bailout, called these recommendations a thoughtful step forward in a letter to GAO.

But some lawmakers are frustrated with the freedom that TARP has given banks. Barofsky estimated that $2.9 trillion in taxpayer money is at risk.

This is a huge, unprecedented financial commitment, said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., the committee's chair.

"It strains the comprehension of taxpayers and policymakers alike," Baucus said.

Lawmakers showed willingness to increase G.A.O.'s power to follow the money wherever it goes. Baucus and Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican on the Finance Committee, have introduced legislation that would give GAO access to financial records and other data of banks participating in the aid program.

"I start with the premise that the public's business ought to be public," Grassley said, "and the expenditure of this money Ive put in the category of public."

April Fool's Virus Prompts Concern

Officials are worried about a computer virus that could take effect later today.

"The big concern right now is that there's a date inside of it, that something may or may not happen sometime on April 1st," said Mark Shavlik, computer security expert, president, and CEO of Shavlik Technologies in an AP interview.

"Now maybe, sometimes, nothing happens, maybe a lot of things happen."

Shavlik says the Conficker worm is already on millions of computers and can hijack computers without users even noticing. Among other things the worm blocks PCs from accessing the web sites of antivirus vendors and Microsoft. That keeps its victims from getting updates about the worm and downloading removal tools. If you can surf the Internet freely except for those websites, that's a good sign your computer is infected. Mac users so far seem to be immune.

"[I]t spreads by no password or very, very simple ones," said Mark Harrison, global director of SophosLabs in an interview with eWeek.

Microsoft has also issued a patch for the flaw targeted by the worm, so PC users who downloaded Microsoft's automatic updates recently should be protected.

Botnet detection company Damballa said Conficker is not a major problem in the typical enterprise.

"We do see Conficker compromises in enterprises," said Tripp Cox, Damballa's vice president of engineering, "but they comprise a minority of the total number of compromises we see in these environments. The majority is the long tail of small botnets."

Cox said Conficker was neither targeted nor "low-and-slow", so existing defenses performed well.

"Our experience with enterprises has been that they tend to do a good job of patch management," Cox said, "which diminished the propagation effects of Conficker in the networks. What compromises did occur, most enterprises were able to quickly track down based on their noisy, brute-force attempts to guess employee passwords."