Ex-Brazilian president convicted of corruption
Ex-Brazilian president convicted of corruption
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was found guilty of corruption and money laundering Wednesday and sentenced to almost 10 years in prison, the highest-profile conviction yet in the sprawling graft investigation that jailed dozens of Brazil’s elite. The decision by Judge Sergio Moro was widely expected. Silva left office Dec. 31, 2010. He will remain free while an appeal is heard. The case is part of the huge “Operation Car Wash” corruption investigation centered on state-operated oil giant Petrobras that has led to the convictions of dozens of business executives and politicians.
Novel leukemia treatment could be 1st US gene therapy
(AP) A treatment for a common childhood blood cancer could become the first gene therapy available in the United States. A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted 10-0 Wednesday in favor of the leukemia treatment developed by the University of Pennsylvania and Novartis Corp. The therapy could be the first of a wave of treatments custom-made to target a patient’s cancer. Called CAR-T, this type of therapy involves removing immune cells from a patients’ blood, reprogramming them to create an army of cells that can zero in on and destroy cancer cells and injecting them back into the patient.
Face scans for US citizens flying abroad stir privacy issues
HOUSTON (AP) — If the Trump administration gets its way, U.S. citizens boarding international flights will have to submit to a face scan, a plan privacy advocates call a step toward a surveillance state. The Department of Homeland Security says it’s the only way to successfully expand a program that tracks nonimmigrant foreigners. They have been required by law since 2004 to submit to biometric identity scans — but to date have only had their fingerprints and photos collected prior to entry. Now, DHS says it’s finally ready to implement face scans on departure — aimed mainly at better tracking visa overstays but also at tightening security. But, the agency says, U.S. citizens must also be scanned for the program to work.
Heatwave closes Acropolis, ancient sites
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek authorities closed the ancient Acropolis in Athens to visitors for several hours Wednesday along with other popular archaeological sites throughout the country because of a heat wave. The Culture Ministry said all archaeological sites closed between 1 and 5 p.m., which will be repeated on days when temperatures reach 102 degrees. The main archaeological sites will be open from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. The heat wave is forecast to continue today and Friday.