US & World News, Friday 4/18

US & World Summary: Pope Talks About International Issues (New York, NY) -- The Pope told the UN General Assembly today that it needs to protect the environment and human rights. Benedict told the UN in New York City that human rights must be respected as an expression of justice and must include religious expression. The speech also included a caution to nations to work together to confront international problems rather than taking individual action. The Pontiffs schedule for the rest of his time in New York City includes a visit to Ground Zero and a Mass at Yankee Stadium. --- Homeless Man Finds Confidential Blueprints For Freedom Tower In Trash (New York, NY) -- A homeless New Yorker scrounging for cardboard to make a bed found a treasure trove of confidential information in the trash. The "New York Post" reports the recovering drug addict found blueprints for the planned Freedom Tower at Ground Zero in a city garbage can. Architects say the plans contain enough detail for terrorists to plot an attack. New York Port Authority officials said the plans represented a serious security breach. --- Stocks Rise On Earnings Reports (New York, NY) -- Solid earnings reports from the industrial and tech sectors made for a good day on Wall Street. Google added to its net earnings by 30-percent, while profits for Honeywell rose 22-percent. The Dow was up 229 points to close at 12-849. The S&P 500 closed at 13-90 after a 25-point gain as the Nasdaq added 61 points to close at 24-03. Oil prices were trading over 116-dollars a barrel. --- Wall Street Prepares For Massive Layoffs (New York, NY) -- Wall Streeters could be heading to the unemployment lines in larger numbers. Experts are saying layoffs from Citigroup, Merrill Lynch and Company and Wachovia could increase as losses get larger. Those financial companies already have announced 12-thousand-400 job cuts this week. A consulting firm says that throughout the industry, 36-thousand jobs have been eliminated. --- Key Chain Charms Recalled Due To High Lead Levels (Washington, DC) -- Some 12-thousand charms attached to a key chain sold by Wal-Mart stores are being recalled due to high levels of lead in the paint. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says lead in the "Hip charms" can be toxic if ingested and result in adverse health effects. The Illinois Attorney General reported earlier this month a nine-month-old child was found mouthing one of the charms and was later determined to have high blood-levels of lead. Consumers are asked to keep the charms away from children and return them to the store for a refund. --- Lawmakers Weigh Bill To Stop Stalking (Springfield, IL) -- Crazed lovers in Illinois might have to wear GPS tracking devices. The Illinois House approved a plan that would place the GPS devices on potential stalkers to keep them from violating protection orders. A lawmaker says the idea for the bill stemmed from a stalking victim who died last month. The woman had a protection order against a former boyfriend who stalked her several times before killing her and then himself. The measure is on its way to the Illinois Senate. --- Eddie Van Halen Returns To Performing Rocker Eddie Van Halen is back from a health hiatus. "People" reports the guitarist performed with his band Van Halen Thursday night in Reno, Nevada, after taking about six weeks off due to medical issues. When the band was forced to postpone concert dates last month, they explained in a statement that Eddie was, quote, "undergoing a battery of comprehensive medical tests to determine a defined diagnosis and recommended medical procedures." Fifty-three-year-old Eddie Van Halen spent time in rehab last year and battled tongue cancer in 2002. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-04-18-08 1656CDT