A federal judge ruled Friday that a voter-approved restriction on where sex offenders can live can't be applied retroactively, potentially freeing thousands of parolees from a ban on living within 2,000 feet of a school, park or place where children gather. U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton said there was nothing in Proposition 83, commonly known as Jessica's Law, that specified its provisions were intended to be applied retroactively. "The court finds that the law does not apply to individuals who were convicted and who were paroled, given probation or released from incarceration prior to its effective date," he wrote. Proposition 83, approved Nov. 7 by 70.5 percent of voters, took effect the next day. Lifetime satellite tracking In addition to barring sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of places where children gather, the measure increases prison terms for sex offenders and requires lifetime satellite tracking for rapists, child molesters and other ...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com
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Editor - 17:25:00 02-09-07
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 'Doomsday' vault design unveiled |
The final design for a "doomsday" vault that will house seeds from all known varieties of food crops has been unveiled by the Norwegian government. The Svalbard International Seed Vault will be built into a mountainside on a remote island near the North Pole. The vault aims to safeguard the world's agriculture from future catastrophes, such as nuclear war, asteroid strikes and climate change. Construction begins in March, and the seed bank is scheduled to open in 2008. The Norwegian government is paying the $5m (£2.5m) construction costs of the vault, which will have enough space to house three million seed samples. The collection and maintenance of the collection is being organised by the Global Crop Diversity Trust, which has responsibility of ensuring the "conservation of crop diversity in perpetuity". "We want a safety net because we do not want to take too many chances with crop biodiversity," said Cary Fowler, the Trust's executive director....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6335899.stm
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Editor - 17:11:00 02-09-07
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| 3,500 schools now use finger print scanners in 'Big Brother state by stealth' |
As many as 3,500 schools are taking fingerprints from pupils, often without their parents' permission, a new poll revealed yesterday. Soaring numbers require pupils to undergo biometric identity checks before they can register in the mornings, buy canteen meals and use the library. But the trend has prompted furious complaints from parents who are concerned their children's data will be stored on insecure databases. Under current laws, schools do not have to seek parental consent before taking pupils' fingerprints, although they should notify them. In an attempt to ease parental worries, schools are soon to be issued with new guidance urging them to gain permission as it is "best practice". But campaigners claim the move does not go far enough and are demanding a change in the law to abolish biometric scanners completely from school premises....
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23384743-details/3,500+schools+now+use+finger+print+scanners+in+%27Big+Brother+state+by+stealth%27/article.do
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Editor - 16:56:00 02-09-07
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| Senate panel reacts to firings of U.S. attorneys Bill would limit Justice Department’s ability to replace federal prosecutors |
A Senate panel advanced a bill Thursday to curb the Justice Department’s power to replace federal prosecutors after seven forced resignations sparked accusations of political favoritism. The Judiciary Committee voted 13-6 to send the measure to the Senate floor, where it is certain to face opposition from Republicans who oppose giving more appointment power to federal judges. “I’m going to do everything I can to get it to the floor next week,” said Senate Majority leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. “It’ll be over my objection,” shot back Republican Conference Chairman Jon Kyl of Arizona. The House is expected to begin hearings on a similar bill next month. Three Republicans, Sens. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, Charles Grassley of Iowa and Orrin Hatch of Utah, joined all the panel’s Democrats in backing the bill....
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17064552/
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Editor - 11:42:00 02-09-07
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| Pentagon Will Extend U.S. Troop Buildup in Afghanistan Well Into 2008, Military Official Says |
The Pentagon plans to extend its buildup of combat troops in Afghanistan, initially announced as lasting until late spring, well into next year, a senior U.S. military official said Friday. The move comes as U.S. and allied commanders anticipate a renewed offensive this spring by the Taliban. It means American troop levels, which increased this month to about 26,000 the highest of the war with the arrival of a brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division, will remain roughly the same into 2008 rather than returning to the 22,000-to-23,000 level that had prevailed through much of last year. The decision, expected to be announced in Washington as early as next week, entails sending an Army combat brigade to replace the 3rd Brigade of the 10th Mountain Division when it leaves this spring. If no replacement were sent, the only full combat brigade in Afghanistan would be the 82nd Airborne brigade. ...
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2863642
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Editor - 11:37:00 02-09-07
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| Iraq Qaeda groups posts video of U.S. copter downing |
An al-Qaeda-backed group on Friday released an Internet video of what it said was the shooting down of a U.S. helicopter in Iraq this week, which killed seven military personnel. The video, posted on a Web site used by insurgents, showed an apparent missile hitting the helicopter. The footage also showed the plane pulling away while trailing smoke before being engulfed in flames and crashing behind distant trees. The U.S. military said it had no immediate comment but was checking the video of the crash of the Marine transport helicopter, one of six helicopter that came down in Iraq in three weeks. The insurgent group -- the Islamic State in Iraq -- on Wednesday claimed responsibility for downing the helicopter in eastern Anbar province. U.S. officials said then they were probing the crash of a Marine transport helicopter in Anbar. The video's soundtrack carried militant chants and what appeared to be an old speech by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden....
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070209/ts_nm/iraq_helicopter_qaeda_dc
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Editor - 11:29:00 02-09-07
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