Cyber security plan

Cyber security plan

WASHINGTON — The digital battlefield is proving to be difficult terrain for President Barack Obama.

As he unveiled his plan Friday to make the nation’s computer networks more secure, he fulfilled a campaign pledge to make cybersecurity a top priority. But he fell short on another promise to create a cyber adviser “who will report directly to me.”

Obama said Friday he will personally choose his new cyber coordinator, and that person will have “regular access” to the Oval Office.

But the White House has yet to apply a formal title to the post and specify the coordinator’s line and level of authority within the complex government structure.

Official S.C. manual lists ‘Negro,’ ‘scalawag’

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The official manual of South Carolina’s Legislature continues to label some of the state’s former politicians as “Negro” or “scalawag” — apparent remnants of disgruntlement over Reconstruction that are drawing fresh scrutiny.

A spokesman for the state’s lieutenant governor, who is eyeing a run for the top office, has sent a letter asking for an update. But civil-rights leaders don’t seem too bothered by the listings, which even led to portraits of the state’s two black speakers being put on display in the house chamber.

The lists of former governors, lieutenant governors and speakers included in the nearly 700-page manual are taken from historical documents maintained by the state, said House Clerk Charles Reid, who is in charge of compiling the book.

The reason why “Negro” and “scalawag” are included — when the first woman to be lieutenant governor or a recent officeholder convicted of a felony isn’t noted — is lost to history.

Bush, Clinton team up

TORONTO — Former President George W. Bush called former President Bill Clinton “his brother,” and the two rarely disagreed in their first appearance together on stage.

The Republican and Democratic ex-presidents defended each other at a Toronto forum Friday, disappointing some in the crowd of 6,000 who expected a more heated debate.

Bush said that he never liked it when previous administration officials criticized his government but said Clinton was respectful and never did.

Bush declined to criticize the Obama administration, in contrast to former Vice President Dick Cheney, who has been a vocal critic of Obama. Bush, who wasn’t asked about Cheney, said there are “plenty of critics in America.”

Cuba blasts Microsoft

HAVANA — Cuba criticized Microsoft on Friday for blocking its Messenger instant-messaging service on the island and in other countries under U.S. sanctions, calling it yet another example of Washington’s “harsh” treatment of Havana.

The technology giant recently announced it was disabling the program’s availability in Cuba, Syria, Iran, Sudan and North Korea to come into compliance with a U.S. ban on transfer of licensed software to embargoed countries.

Prince Harry visits NYC

NEW YORK — Prince Harry bowed his head in prayer at ground zero Friday “in admiration of the courage shown by the people of this great city” — as he wrote on a wreath he placed at the site of the Sept. 11 terror attack.

The 24-year-old prince — famed for his youthful, at times embarrassing, escapades — is on his first official trip to the United States.

Clearly, Harry had a different agenda as he started his two-day New York visit.

Dressed somberly in a blue suit, red-and-blue striped tie and black toe-cap shoes, he arrived at the World Trade Center just after noon.

Harry was greeted by New York Gov. David Paterson and Christopher Ward, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the site. The prince then spent about 15 minutes quietly speaking to a half-dozen relatives of Sept. 11 victims.

2 more swine-flu deaths

EL PASO, Texas — Health officials in Texas are reporting that a pregnant woman and man who died earlier this month both had swine flu.

State health officials said Friday the deaths bring the number of swine-flu victims in Texas to five, more than any other state.

The El Paso Department of Public Health says laboratory tests confirmed the virus in a 24-year-old woman and 42-year-old man. Joanne Bates, a spokeswoman for the agency, says the woman’s baby was delivered at 31 weeks and was doing OK.

Associated Press