WASHINGTON
Clinton exits Cabinet post
Hillary Rodham Clinton formally resigned Friday as America’s secretary of state, capping a four-year tenure that saw her shatter records for the number of countries visited. John Kerry was sworn in to replace her. In a letter sent to President Barack Obama shortly before she left the State Department for the last time in her official capacity, Clinton thanked her former opponent for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination for the opportunity to serve in his administration. Clinton said it had been an honor to be part of his Cabinet. Her resignation became effective at 4 p.m. EST, when Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan swore in John Kerry as the top U.S. diplomat. The former Massachusetts senator and 2004 presidential candidate is the 68th secretary of state.
SAN FRANCiSCO
Twitter database hacked
In the latest online attack, Twitter says hackers may have gained access to information on 250,000 of its more than 200 million active users. In a blog posting Friday, Twitter said it detected attempts this week to gain access to its user data. It shut down one attack moments after it was detected. But it discovered that the attackers may have gained access to usernames, email addresses and encrypted passwords belonging to 250,000 users. Twitter has reset the pilfered passwords and sent users email advising them that they’ll have to create a new one.
DALLAS
Former first pooch dies
Former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, announced in a news release Friday that their famous 12-year-old pooch, Barney, had died after suffering from lymphatic cancer. Thanks to a tiny video camera on his collar, Barney offered a dog-level holiday tour of the White House in 2002 while shuffling from room to room and menacing the Christmas tree. The video starring President George W. Bush’s black Scottish terrier was a hit, drawing 24 million online tourists the first day. Barney’s video also helped reopen the White House after it was closed to tourists the previous holiday season following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Compiled from wire reports.
