Technology is forcing more than ever itself into everyday life. Now even one of the most conservative societies, the Catholic Church is resolving itself to technology.

Sean O'Malley, Boston's Cardinal, already has his own blog. But he does not intend to stop there. He is planning to start podcasting to the masses, starting with some Christmas messages. These will be available in three languages: English, Spannish and Portuguese from the Boston Archdiocese. The latter is also overhauling its newspaper and television Web Sites, apart from having assigned e-mail addresses to each and every priest (some of whom resisted using computers), and set up an intranet site that will replace monthly mailings to clergy.

One should note that O'Malley was touted as an unlikely technology pioneer, being a Capuchin Franciscan friar who has taken a vow of poverty and has frequently criticised consumer culture. Though, his blogCardinalseansblog.org has been a hit since now as it received global positive feedback.

The cardinal's first downloadable podcast messages will be available Christmas Eve at Boston Catholic Television's revamped Web site.

They will be followed by regular video messages from O'Malley starting in the new year.

Technology is forcing more than ever itself into everyday life. Now even one of the most conservative societies, the Catholic Church is resolving itself to technology.

Sean O'Malley, Boston's Cardinal, already has his own blog. But he does not intend to stop there. He is planning to start podcasting to the masses, starting with some Christmas messages. These will be available in three languages: English, Spannish and Portuguese from the Boston Archdiocese. The latter is also overhauling its newspaper and television Web Sites, apart from having assigned e-mail addresses to each and every priest (some of whom resisted using computers), and set up an intranet site that will replace monthly mailings to clergy.

One should note that O'Malley was touted as an unlikely technology pioneer, being a Capuchin Franciscan friar who has taken a vow of poverty and has frequently criticised consumer culture. Though, his blog Cardinalseansblog.org has been a hit since now as it received global positive feedback.

The cardinal's first downloadable podcast messages will be available Christmas Eve at Boston Catholic Television's revamped Web site.

They will be followed by regular video messages from O'Malley starting in the new year.

Dear Santa,

This has been one of my most successful year. I have been good and carried out my job successfully. Me and my colleagues were so successful that we cost an estimate US Businneses $62 billion in financial losses.

So, let's come to the point. The following is my Christmas Wish-list:

• Trojan program to steal online account information (worth £500 - £2,500)
• Credit card number with Pin (£250)
• Billing data including account number, address, Social Security number, home address and birth date (£40 - £150)
• Driver's licence (£75)
• Birth certificate (£75)
• Social Security card (£50)
• Credit card number with security code and expiration date (£3 - £12)
• PayPal account log-on and password (£3)
• Unsuspecting user (priceless)

I will leave you some milk and chocolate biscuits on the coffee-table just opposite the fireplace. And do not hesitate to switch on and use my computer if need be.

                                                                         Always Yours,

                                                                       A Cyber-Criminal

Sacha Baron Cohen's movie Borat is being sued after by some of its participant actors.

Last week, a Los Angeles judge dismissed a request by two South Carolina university students to block the DVD release of the movie. The judge also refused to order the removal of a scene that includes the two men, who claim they were duped into making racist and sexist remarks on camera. A trial date for an additional claim - demanding unspecified financial damages - has not been set.

Two Romanians used as extras in the film are also suing for $30m (£16m), claiming they and their neighbours were depicted as rapists and criminals.

Now, a man who says he was "accosted" at a urinal for a scene in this comedy is suing the film's producers for damages. The unnamed man was "humiliated" by the incident at an upmarket restaurant in October 2005. The scene is not in the movie, but has been shown on US cable channel Comedy Central and is available online.

A spokesman for 20th Century Fox dismissed the claims, saying the film was "clearly a satire".

Have you ever found yourself alone at home just a week before Christmas and been tempted to search for any hidden Christmas presents in the house? Surely you aren't the only one. But after what in South Carolina, you'd better think twice before starting your present-hunt.

A 12-year-old boy was arrested in South Carolina charged by his mother of opening the Christmas presents early. The boy was handcuffed and taken to a local police station on petty larceny charges after being caught by his mother entering his great-grandmother's house and taking presents from their hiding place.

 
Later on Brandi Ervin, the boy's mother, left an interview with the Associated Press news agency where she said that "He's been going through life doing things ... and getting away with it" and that she had acted to teach her son a lesson. The boy had repeatedly taken the present, a Nintendo video game console, from its hiding place at his great-grandmother's home.