Feds indict Blagojevich on corruption charges in 19-count indictment

Updated Friday, April 3rd 2009, 8:09 PM

Huh/AP

Feds threw a 19-count indictment on corruption charges at former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, accusing him of a 'wide-ranging scheme to deprive the people of Illinois of honest government.'

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his closest advisers were indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday on a slew of corruption charges, including a conspiracy to sell President Obama's former Senate seat.

Blagojevich, who was impeached and removed from office earlier this year, was charged with 16 felony counts in connection with his role in a "wide-ranging scheme to deprive the people of Illinois of honest government," a statement from the U.S. attorney's office said.

"I'm saddened and hurt, but I am not surprised by the indictment," Blagojevich, who was at Walt Disney World with his family, said in a statement. "I am innocent. I now will fight in the courts to clear my name."

Blagojevich, 52, is accused of lying to the feds and using his gubernatorial powers to pressure a congressman to funnel money to his campaign. He's also charged with attempting to extort a children's hospital, a race track executive and a highway contractor.

The indictment also states Blagojevich discussed trying to trade the seat for an appointment to Obama's cabinet or a highly paid position at a private foundation. Blagojevich also allegedly attempted to get campaign money from potential appointees.

In addition to Blagojevich, the indictment lists Blagojevich's brother Robert, 53, two former top Blagojevich aides and two businessmen as co-defendants.

G20 seals trillion dollar deal

LONDON (Reuters) - World leaders clinched a $1.1 trillion (748 billion pound) deal on Thursday to combat the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and said financial rules would be tightened to stop it happening again.

U.S. President Barack Obama declared it a "turning point" for the world economy, even though he had won no promises for more government spending to combat a deepening world recession.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy celebrated the waning of the Anglo-Saxon model of lightly regulated capitalism, which many blame for excess that have triggered the crisis.

World stocks rallied on bold action that will help finance emerging markets, though economists cautioned against euphoria.

"We have agreed on a series of unprecedented steps to restore growth and prevent a crisis like this from happening again," Obama told a news conference.

"We've also rejected the protectionism that could deepen this crisis."

G20 leaders from the largest developed and emerging economies ticked off a raft of actions on politically sensitive topics -- -- new rules on bonuses, publishing a blacklist of tax havens that could lead to sanctions, imposing oversight on large hedge funds and on credit rating agencies. The tax havens marked a victory for France and Germany.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd hailed the actions. "Today's agreement begins to crack down on the cowboys in financial markets that have brought global markets undone."

Tiba di Surabaya, SBY Hadiri Kampanye Partai Demokrat

Setelah melakukan perjalanan ke London selama 5 hari, Presiden SBY tiba di tanah air. SBY langsung menuju Surabaya untuk menghadiri kampanye Partai Demokrat.

Pesawat Garuda Airbus A 330-341 yang mengangkut Presiden SBY dan rombongan mendarat mulus di Bandara Juanda Surabaya sekitar pukul 11.30 WIB, Jumat (3/4/2009).

Di musim kampanye, Presiden SBY memang selalu cuti di hari Jumat untuk kampanye. Dan kampanye di Surabaya ini akan digelar di Stadion Tambaksari.

Setelah SBY bersama Ibu Ani Yudhoyono beserta rombongan terbatas turun di Bandara Juanda, pesawat Garuda ini langsung terbang menuju Jakarta membawa rombongan lainnya. Di antara rombongan yang terbang ke Jakarta adalah Menneg LH Rachmat Witoelar, Ketua Komisi I DPR Theo Sambuaga, Ketua Kadin MS Hidayat, dan sejumlah staf menteri dan pejabat departemen.

Di bandara Juanda, SBY disambut oleh para pejabat negara. Antara lain Mensesneg Hatta Rajasa, Menko Kesra Aburizal Bakrie, Menteri Pariwisata Jero Wacik, Gubernur Jatim Soekarwo, Pangdam Brawijaya Mayjen Suwarno dan Kapolda Jatim Irjen Pol Anton Bachrul Alam.

SBY akan melakukan kampanye maraton hingga hari Minggu (5/4/2009). Selain di Surabaya, SBY juga akan menghadiri kampanye akbar di Yogyakarta dan Semarang.

Introducing Google Chrome with 3D

ntroducing Google Chrome with 3D

Powered by CADIE

1. 

   Print your glasses.

2. 

   Enable 3D browsing.

3. 

   Watch and enjoy.

How does it work?

Using technology known as stereoscopy, CADIE brings you the web in 3D. Stereoscopy provides the illusion of depth by presenting slightly different images to each eye. You’ll need to use our printable glasses in order to experience the web in 3D.

Why did you create this?

CADIE acknowledged the disconnect between the online world and the real world (one being three dimensional and the other two dimensional). In order to narrow this gap, she created a way to access the web in 3D.

Does it work on all sites?

Yes. We have developed technology that converts any existing web page into anaglyph format in real time.

Does it work for everyone?

The majority of people will be able to view the web in 3D immediately. Certain individuals with accommodative disorders (like Presbyopia) may have trouble viewing pages properly.

Beta User Testimonials

• 

  “Enabling Chrome’s 3D functionality allowed me to see so much more than I ever thought was possible.”

  Jason T., Student

• 

  “My architectural renderings pop out like never before (literally). My clients are very pleased, and so am I!”

  Anna Christina D., Architect

• 

  “Researching the Mayan ruins became much more interesting once I put on my 3D glasses and watched the history come to life.”

  Brett W., Paleontologist

• 

  “First 2D, now 3D... what’s next? 4D? Keep it coming, Google!”

  Christine T., Physicist