Identity theft is still a problem, probe finds
Identity theft is still
a problem, probe finds
WASHINGTON — Nearly two years after an embarrassing flap in which veterans’ personal information was put at risk of identity theft, federal agencies are still not doing all they can to prevent further lapses, investigators have found.
Most of the two-dozen federal agencies examined by the Government Accountability Office, Congress’ investigative arm, had not implemented five federal recommendations aimed at protecting personal information. Only two agencies — the Treasury and Transportation departments — met each of those recommendations. Two others — the Small Business Administration and the National Science Foundation — had met none of them, the GAO found. The other 18 agencies met the recommendations to varying degrees.
The recommendations were among those issued by the White House Office of Management and Budget following the 2006 VA incident, when a computer hard drive containing millions of names, Social Security numbers and birth dates was stolen from a VA employee’s home in Maryland.
Serb demonstrators
attack U.N. police
KOSOVSKA MITROVICA, Kosovo — Violent protests rocked Serb-dominated northern Kosovo on Friday, as mobs chanting “Kosovo is ours!” hurled stones, bottles and firecrackers at U.N. police guarding a bridge that divides Serbs from ethnic Albanians.
The scenes evoked memories of the carnage unleashed by former Serb autocrat Slobodan Milosevic the last time Kosovo tried to break away from Serbia, which considers the territory its ancestral homeland. There were disturbing signs the riots in Belgrade, Serbia, and in Mitrovica have the blessing of nationalists in the Serbian government. The government hopes somehow to undo the loss of the beloved province, the site of an epic battle between Serbs and Turks in 1389.
Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica’s authorities have repeatedly vowed to reclaim the land, despite U.S. and other Western recognition of Kosovo’s statehood. Some hard-line government ministers have praised the violent protests as “legitimate” — and in line with government policies of retaining control over Serb-populated areas.
Quakes shake border area
between U.S. and Mexico
OCOTILLO, Calif. — The U.S. Geological Survey says two earthquakes have rattled a desert area straddling the U.S.-Mexico border. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage on the U.S. side. The first quake struck Friday morning in an area about 16 miles south of the Mexican border town of Mexicali. Its magnitude was measured at 4.8. The second quake hit three minutes later about 5 miles farther south. It measured at 4.4.
Former governor dies
PHOENIX — Evan Mecham, a firebrand conservative who served 15 months as Arizona’s governor before a dramatic impeachment trial removed him from office in 1988, has died, his son said Friday. He was 83.
Mecham had been in deteriorating health with symptoms of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases for years and died Thursday of circumstances consistent with his age, son Dennis Mecham said.
The former governor, who always blamed his downfall on political enemies, had been at the Arizona State Veteran Home in Phoenix until recent weeks, when he went into hospice care, friends and family said.
Ralph Nader to discuss
possible presidential bid
WASHINGTON — Ralph Nader could be poised for another third party presidential campaign.
The consumer advocate will appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday to announce whether he will launch another White House bid. Nader kicked off his 2004 presidential run on the show.
A spokesman for Nader did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Kevin Zeese, who was Nader’s spokesman during the 2004 presidential race, but is no longer working for him, said Friday that Nader has been actively talking to “lots of people on all sorts of levels” about the possibility of making another run.
Zeese said he could only guess what Nader might do, but added: “Obviously, I don’t think [“Meet the Press” host] Tim Russert would have him on for no reason.”
Associated Press