Facebook, states set bullying, predator safeguards

Posted: 05/09/08 08:09:14 AM

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The world's second-largest social networking Web site is adding more than 40 new safeguards to protect young users from sexual predators and cyberbullies. The measures from Facebook are included in an agreement with officials nationwide that was announced today. They include banning convicted sex offenders from the site and limiting older users' ability to contact subscribers under the age of 18. Officials from Washington, D.C., and 49 states, including Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, have signed on. Texas did not participate. Facebook has more than 70 million active users worldwide. A spokesperson says the site has already enacted many of the changes and others are in the works.

Johanns: Senate victory will be statewide effort

Posted: 05/09/08 08:08:54 AM

SURPRISE, Neb. (AP) - Mike Johanns says he's proud of his three years in President Bush's Cabinet, and thinks most Nebraskans are, too. But he's not afraid to differ with other Republicans on some points. He spoke out recently about a comment from the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, John McCain. Nebraskans don't want government running their health care decisions, he said, and predicts a national health care system would create a massive bureaucracy. McCain expressed frustration with the farm bill, saying it's loaded with unnecessary subsidies for farmers Johanns says that sends a dangerous signal to other nations that could use the suggestion of cutting subsidies against U.S. trade negotiators.

Food crisis provides opening for array of ethanol opponents

Posted: 05/09/08 08:08:34 AM

WASHINGTON (AP) - Unlikely partners, including oil refineries, environmentalists and food producers, are opposing the country's ethanol policy. The groups say the increased output of the alternative fuel is inflating food costs and contributing to higher prices at the pump. Farmers and other ethanol supporters dispute these claims. But lobbyists seem to be convincing some in Congress. Twenty-four Republican senators, including presidential candidate Senator John McCain, last week sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency urging it to repeal or roll back ethanol output targets. Most analysts say Congress is unlikely to alter the ethanol mandate, given the political importance of farm states in an election year. The top - ethanol producing states -- including Nebraska - account for half the electoral votes needed to win the White House.

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