US & World News, Friday 2/22

US & World Summary --- Clinton And Obama Debate In Texas (Austin, TX) -- Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama locked horns last night in Longhorn country. The first question the Democratic Presidential candidates fielded during their debate in Austin, Texas was about Cuba after Fidel Castro. Clinton said she would only meet with Cubas new leaders under certain conditions. Obama, on the other hand said he would be willing to take part in talks without any preconditions as long as there was ample preparation. Obama also added U.S.-Cuba policy has been a failure and should be revised. --- Iraqi Cleric Extends Cease Fire Another Six Months (Baghdad) -- A ceasefire in Iraq has been extended by about six months. Thats the word from Iraqs firebrand Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who has extended his Mehdi Army militia ceasefire. Todays decision was welcomed by both U.S. and Iraqi officials who attribute a dramatic drop in sectarian violence and attacks on ally forces to the initial six-month truce. Despite the truce, some Medhi Army members and political leaders loyal to Sadr oppose the action. They claim it has allowed U.S. and Iraqi forces to arrest the clerics followers in southern Iraq. --- Officials Say Drew Petersons Third Wife Was Murdered (Joliet, IL) -- Authorities now say Drew Petersons third wife was murdered. Kathleen Savios drowning in 2004 was initially ruled accidental, but that ruling was reversed after Savios remains were exhumed and an autopsy performed. Investigators are not yet calling Drew Peterson a suspect in the case, although he has been named as a suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson. Illinois State Police are investigating Savios death and Stacy Petersons disappearance. Drew Peterson is a former Bolingbrook, Illinois Police Sergeant. --- Attorneys In "50-Shot" Case To Focus On First Two Shots The bench trial begins Monday against the suspects accused in the shooting death of Sean Bell. Detectives Michael Oliver and Gescard Isnora have been charged with manslaughter after the unarmed 23-year-old was killed while leaving his bachelor party in 2006. He was shot 50 times by police officers after an altercation broke out at a Queens, New York nightclub. According to the "New York Times," the defense team will attempt to show the two detectives werent acting recklessly or with criminal intent. --- Columbia Professor Cited For Plagiarism (New York, NY) -- A Columbia University Teachers College professor under investigation for plagiarism says the charges are racially motivated. According to the college, there were numerous instances in which Madonna Constantines papers were published without acknowledging a former colleague and students as the source. Constantine is denying the allegation, and according to the "New York Times," reportedly sent an e-mail to her students claiming race played a factor in the colleges investigation. The plagiarism allegations come after an 18-month investigation. --- Researchers Crack Popular Encryption Technologies (San Francisco, CA) -- Leaving your laptop computer on and in the sleep mode may leave it vulnerable to hackers. Thats the word from a team of researchers, who say theyve discovered a major security flaw in several popular computer disk encryption technologies. Electronic Frontier Foundation and Princeton University researchers were able to crack several widely-used encryption technologies used by Microsoft and Apple in a manner of minutes. The researchers say laptops are the most vulnerable to attacks especially when they are in "sleep" or "hibernation" modes. --- Mega Millions Jackpot Stands At 270-Million If youre hoping to strike it rich theres still time to get your tickets for tonights Mega Millions drawing. The payout for a win is now estimated at 270-million-dollars, after no one walked away with Wednesdays 220-million-dollar jackpot, The chances of winning are fewer than one in 175-million. Mega Millions is played in a dozen states nationwide. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-02-22-08 0741CST