Military Honours: Code-Breaker Receives MBE

A soldier who cracked codes used by Afghan insurgents to hide deadly weapons is among those recognised in the latest military honours.

Private Lewis Treloar, a 23-year-old former builder, volunteered for the role as lead IED (improvised explosive device) searcher on his second tour of Afghanistan last summer, despite his wife expecting their second baby.

"I didn't want to witness anything bad happening to anyone else," he said.

After cracking the coded warning signs used by the Taliban, Pte Treloar, of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, went on to find more than 40 stores of IEDs and weapons.

He said he was "shocked" to receive an MBE but added: "The real reward is seeing these weapons off the streets."

Pte Treloar is one of 118 members of the Armed Forces honoured for their bravery.

Others include Flight Lieutenant Christopher Gordon, who receives the Distinguished Flying Cross for rescuing 30 British and Afghan troops while under heavy fire.

Flt Lt Gordon said receiving his medal was "very humbling"

The 29-year-old flew his Chinook into an insurgent "safe haven" in Helmand Province, despite one of the helicopter's two engines being disabled.

He made his way back to Camp Bastion at a height of less than 20ft, creating a dust cloud that meant he "couldn't see anything".

On Friday, it emerged Lance Corporal Lawrence Kayser would receive the Military Cross after single-handedly clearing an entire compound of insurgents.

Medic Lance Corporal Abbie Martin receives the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service for treating a British soldier on the battlefield while under fire.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: "In a changing world, the bravery and commitment to duty of our servicemen and women remains unswerving.

"Whether fighting for our security on operations abroad or rescuing mountaineers and sailors within the British Isles, they deserve our gratitude and respect.

"I hope that the awards ... go some way to underlining how much this country values the efforts and sacrifices of our Armed Forces."

Source: http://news.sky.com/story/1069112

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Carnegie Mellon, NSA seek high school hackers

PITTSBURGH (AP) ? Bored with classes? Carnegie Mellon University and one of the government's top spy agencies want to interest high school students in a game of computer hacking.

Their goal with "Toaster Wars" is to cultivate the nation's next generation of cyber warriors in offensive and defensive strategies. The free, online "high school hacking competition" is scheduled to run from April 26 to May 6, and any U.S. student or team in grades six through 12 can apply and participate.

David Brumley, professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon, said the game is designed to be fun and challenging, but he hopes participants come to see computer security as an excellent career choice.

At a glance of its webpage, the contest seems lightweight.

"When a robot from space crash lands in your backyard, it's up to your hacking skills to fix him and uncover the secrets he carries," the webpage says. But, it adds, students "will learn how to identify security vulnerabilities and perform real-world attacks" on computer. And there is the small tag that reads: "Sponsorship provided by the NSA."

National Security Agency representative Vanee Vines said the U.S. has a great need for cyber security professionals.

"America increasingly needs professionals with highly technical cyber skills to help keep the country safe today ? and to help the country meet future challenges and adapt with greater agility," Vines said in an email to The Associated Press. "When it comes to national security, there is no substitute for a dedicated, immensely talented workforce. We need the best and brightest to help us outthink and defeat our adversaries' new ideas."

The NSA, based in Maryland and part of the Defense Department, is responsible for code breaking, monitoring overseas communications, and protecting the U.S. from cyberattack. Last month, then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said cyber attacks are "the battlefield of the future," and security experts said massive amounts of data and corporate trade secrets, likely worth hundreds of millions of dollars, were being stolen from government and corporate computers.

"The government has a huge number of concerns," Brumley said. "Computer security isn't growing fast enough to keep up with all the threats. If you call any business, they're going to say we can't hire enough security people."

Carnegie Mellon released news of the hacker contest just days after the Obama administration's national security adviser called for China to take "serious steps" to stop cyber theft and after a top officer at the U.S. Cyber Command warned that the federal government and the private sector need to be more aggressive in building the country's cyber defenses.

"Toaster Wars" organizers acknowledge that world-class computer hackers don't get such skills just by going to class, but they also note that getting such know-how on one's own carries some legal concerns.

"Computer security is a difficult field to get into," the webpage says. "Those who are interested may find it hard to hone their skills legally."

Brumley described the contest as a capture-the-flag-type game. Pieces of information, called flags, are encrypted or hidden somewhere difficult to find. The game includes computer forensics, cryptography, web exploitation and binary exploitation, described as "the art of bending a computer program to your will."

Organizers say aspiring young hackers probably don't want to sit around and protect a server from outside attacks so the contest was developed to keep their interest.

"We do both offense and defense. We think that brings an additional level of excitement," Brumley said. "That's how you get intuition on how to solve problems."

Brumley said he is seeking corporate sponsors and hopes to offer a cash prize to the winners.

____

Online:

http://www.picoctf.com/

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/carnegie-mellon-nsa-seek-high-school-hackers-220854816.html

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The Weirdest Thing on the Internet Tonight: A Story About Robots

It was only as he slowly wound down did the robot finally realize, "What is love? Baby don't hurt me, don't hurt...me no...mo..." More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/0t0gwltZDrY/the-weirdest-thing-on-the-internet-tonight-a-story-about-robots

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Friends family community say goodbye to former El Paso Mayor Raymond L. Telles

El Paso Times - Sunday 17th March, 2013

A 26-year-old man died after losing control of his vehicle and then rolling it early Saturday morning, police said. Police said that about 12:25, Sergio J. Iniguez-Olivio, of the 4200 block of Flory, was driving a sport utility vehicle west at Interstate 10 and Lee Trevio. Police said Iniguez-Olivio was speeding when the SUV left the roadway, crossed the shoulder and rolled over. He was thrown ...

Socorro police officer out of jail a day after turning himself in

KFOX - Sunday 17th March, 2013

A Socorro police officer who turned himself in Friday for state felony theft charges is out of jail.Sgt. Refugio Orta was released early Saturday afternoon.Orta and Socorro City Representative Jesse Gandara Jr. were indicted Friday for an incident that happened in June of 2011. This comes 8 months after El Paso Sheriff's deputies raided both the Socorro Administrative building, and Gandara ...

Police investigate deadly car accident in Northeast El Paso

KFOX - Sunday 17th March, 2013

El Paso police are investigating a deadly car accident in Northeast El Paso Saturday night.The accident happened at 8:29 p.m.KFOX14 was told a car -- possibly an older BMW model-- rolled over on U.S. 54 southbound between Hondo Pass and Diana, before catching on fire.Reports indicate the occupant of the vehicle was dragged out of by witnesses, and was pronounced dead at the scene.U.S. 54 was ...

17 dogs dumped in desert found with testicles tied

KFOX - Saturday 16th March, 2013

Seventeen dogs were dumped in the desert out in Hudspeth County with no food, water or proper care.But an even closer look revealed something much more disturbing than just neglect."I've never seen anything like this. This is definitely our biggest rescue to date," said D. Sanders, with Doggie Do Overs.Sanders says it all started after people spotted squatters on their land in ...

McClellan out 3-4 weeks with ribcage injury

Texas Rangers - Saturday 16th March, 2013

LAS VEGAS -- Rangers right-hander Kyle McClellan has been diagnosed with a strained muscle in his right ribcage and will not throw for 3-4 weeks. McClellan, who signed a Minor League contract with the Rangers in the offseason, was a candidate for the fifth starter spot or the bullpen. But this latest setback takes him out of the picture on both fronts. He will likely start the season on the ...

Holland returns after stint with Team USA

Texas Rangers - Saturday 16th March, 2013

Email LAS VEGAS -- Derek Holland is returning to the Rangers after Team USA was eliminated by Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. But Holland is still recovering from a case of food poisoning and the Rangers won't know when he'll pitch again until he gets checked out in Surprise. Holland came down with the ailment on Thursday while with Team USA in Miami, and was sent back to ...

Olt looking to find his niche with Rangers

Texas Rangers - Saturday 16th March, 2013

Email LAS VEGAS -- There are Major League teams sitting on Mike Olt this spring and have sent scouts to watch him play. If the Rangers feel the need to reinforce their pitching staff from outside the organization -- either the rotation or the bullpen -- they could find a market for Olt. Two problems exist. The Rangers don't appear any more inclined to trade Olt now than they did in the ...

Man dies in rollover crash on I-10

KFOX - Saturday 16th March, 2013

One man is dead after a rollover crash that happened on I-10 west near Lee Trevino early Saturday morning.Police said around 12:23 a.m. Sergio J. Iniguez-Olivio, 26, was driving a 2001 GMC Yukon on I-10 west at a high rate of speed when he drove off the roadway and rolled several times.Police said Iniguez-Olivio was ejected from the Yukon and died at the scene.Iniguez-Olivio was the only person ...

Friday rollover in northeast El Paso sends boy to hospital

KFOX - Saturday 16th March, 2013

The impact of a rollover crash ejected a 2-year-old boy from an SUV, said El Paso police. The crash happened at about 1:20 p.m. Friday on Martin Luther King Boulevard near Stan Roberts Drive. The SUV swerved off the road at Martin Luther King Boulevard, rolled and ejected the toddler, said police.They also said that the boy was not in a car seat. He was taken to a nearby hospital in critical ...

Bond reduction denied for accused El Paso police officer killer

KFOX - Saturday 16th March, 2013

A judge denied bond reduction for a teen who is accused of killing an El Paso police officer last year. Judge Angie Juarez Barill denied Juan Antonio Gonzalez, 18, a bond reduction in a hearing Friday morning. It was a full house in the courtroom. Many El Paso police officers and Gonzalez's family members attended the bond reduction hearing. Gonzalez faces a capital murder charge for the ...

Audit reveals cheating attempt in San Elizario ISD

El Paso Times - Saturday 16th March, 2013

An internal investigation and an outside audit of the San Elizario Independent School District revealed that several students' credits were manipulated and students were reclassified inappropriately into different grade levels in an attempt to cheat federal accountability measures. The district received the report on Wednesday and released a statement about the findings to the news media ...

Source: http://www.elpasonews.net/index.php/sid/213276739/scat/258053fc9499c3e9

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Cardinals begin pre-conclave meetings amid scandal

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, cardinals attend a meeting, at the Vatican, Monday, March 4, 2013. Cardinals from around the world have gathered inside the Vatican for their first round of meetings before the conclave to elect the next pope, amid scandals inside and out of the Vatican and the continued reverberations of Benedict XVI's decision to retire. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, ho)

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, cardinals attend a meeting, at the Vatican, Monday, March 4, 2013. Cardinals from around the world have gathered inside the Vatican for their first round of meetings before the conclave to elect the next pope, amid scandals inside and out of the Vatican and the continued reverberations of Benedict XVI's decision to retire. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, ho)

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, cardinals attend a meeting, at the Vatican, Monday, March 4, 2013. Cardinals from around the world have gathered inside the Vatican for their first round of meetings before the conclave to elect the next pope, amid scandals inside and out of the Vatican and the continued reverberations of Benedict XVI's decision to retire. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, ho)

Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer, of Brazil, center, is followed by compatriot Cardinal Geraldo Majella Agnelo, left, as they arrive for a meeting, at the Vatican, Monday, March 4, 2013. Cardinals from around the world have gathered inside the Vatican for their first round of meetings before the conclave to elect the next pope, amid scandals inside and out of the Vatican and the continued reverberations of Benedict XVI's decision to retire. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn smiles as he arrives for a meeting, at the Vatican, Monday, March 4, 2013. Cardinals from around the world have gathered inside the Vatican for their first round of meetings before the conclave to elect the next pope, amid scandals inside and out of the Vatican and the continued reverberations of Benedict XVI's decision to retire. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Italian Cardinal Renato Martino waves to reporters as he arrives for a meeting, at the Vatican, Monday, March 4, 2013. Cardinals from around the world have gathered inside the Vatican for their first round of meetings before the conclave to elect the next pope, amid scandals inside and out of the Vatican and the continued reverberations of Benedict XVI's decision to retire. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

VATICAN CITY (AP) ? They came, they took an oath of secrecy, and they agreed to send a message to the previous pope, whose resignation has thrown the church into turmoil and unleashed a new wave of scandals.

The cardinals meeting to choose the next pope started work Monday on planning their conclave. Benedict XVI remained holed up at the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo, his temporary retirement home while cardinals pick his successor.

And in a sartorial symbol of the impending transition, a tailor on Monday unveiled three new white papal cassocks ? small, medium and large ? that will be sent to the Vatican so the new pope has something to wear as soon as he's elected.

"We need to deliver these three garments before the conclave starts because obviously we cannot enter inside the conclave once it starts," tailor Lorenzo Gammarelli said Monday.

Of the 115 cardinals who can vote, 103 were on hand for Monday's inaugural pre-conclave meeting, which over the coming days will discuss the problems of the church and give the cardinals a chance to get to know one another better.

And so they prayed together, chatted over coffee and 13 of them intervened to discuss organizational matters.

The fact that 12 more cardinals are still en route to Rome will mean a delay in setting a date for the conclave since the dean of the College of Cardinals has said a date won't be finalized until all the cardinals have arrived.

Among the first orders of business was the oath of secrecy each cardinal made, pledging to maintain "rigorous secrecy with regard to all matters in any way related to the election of the Roman Pontiff."

The cardinals then agreed to send Benedict XVI a message on behalf of the group; the text was being worked on, the Vatican said.

The core agenda item is to set the date for the conclave and put in place the procedures to prepare for it, including closing the Sistine Chapel to visitors and getting the Vatican hotel cleared out and de-bugged, lest anyone try to listen in on the secret conversations.

The first day of discussion was rocked by revelations of scandal, with Scottish Cardinal Keith O'Brien admitting that he had engaged in sexual misconduct not befitting a priest, archbishop or cardinal.

O'Brien last week resigned as archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh and said he wouldn't participate in the conclave after four men came forward with allegations that he had acted inappropriately with them ? the first time a cardinal has stayed away from a conclave because of personal scandal.

The Vatican refused to confirm or deny whether it was investigating O'Brien, and refused to say when it learned of the allegations against him.

The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi repeated his statement from last week that the original four accusers had sent their complaint via the papal ambassador to Britain, and that the then-pope had been informed.

Pressed to respond to reports of a purported fifth accuser, who reportedly approached the Vatican directly in October with accusations, another spokesman, the Rev. Thomas Rosica read O'Brien's statement admitting to sexual misconduct and said the Vatican would say no more.

Separately, the Vatican is still reeling from the fallout of the scandal over leaked papal documents, and the investigation by three cardinals into who was behind it.

Italian news reports have been rife with unsourced reports about the contents of the cardinals' dossier. The leaks themselves confirmed a fairly high level of dysfunction within the Vatican bureaucracy, with intrigues, turf battles and allegations of corruption, nepotism and cronyism at the highest levels of the church hierarchy.

In one of his last audiences before resigning, Benedict met with the three cardinals who prepared the report and decided that their dossier would remain secret. But he gave them the go-ahead to answer cardinals' questions about its contents.

Another topic facing the cardinals is the reason they're here in the first place: Benedict's resignation and its implications. His decision to end 600 years of tradition and retire rather than stay on the job until death has completely altered the concept of the papacy, and cardinals haven't shied from weighing in about what that means for the next pope.

___

Follow Nicole Winfield at www.twitter.com/nwinfield

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-03-04-Vatican-Pope/id-cf37a788c4ff496baad5bdf70ee72de9

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