Newser Story Index from November, 2007
Welcome to the Newser Story Index. Here you find stories written by Newser writers and editors, assembled with supporting photos and videos from the files of the news story.
Husband Skips After Winning the Lottery
Miami Herald
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Nov 19, 2007 6:09 PM CST
(Newser) -
A Florida woman is suing her husband for a share of the state lottery winnings he neglected to share with her—or mention to her—before disappearing, the Miami Herald reports. Donna Campbell, an ex-model, had no idea that her airline-mechanic husband had shared a $19-million jackpot with 17 buddies from work when she found a postcard in...
Vick Gets a Jump on Jail
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Nov 19, 2007 5:47 PM CST
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Scandal-dogged quarterback Michael Vick reported to federal custody today, starting his sentence before his Dec. 10 sentencing hearing so he can get out as soon as possible, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. "From the beginning, Mr. Vick has accepted responsibility for his actions and his self surrender further demonstrates that acceptance,"...
Google's Build, Don't Buy Ethos
CNET
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Nov 19, 2007 5:30 PM CST
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Is Google moving in the direction of writing its own platform software and building its own hardware? That's what Gordon Haff argues on CNET's The Pervasive Datacenter blog, citing recent news about Google designing its own network switches and writing its own virtual machine for its cellphone platform, on top of its longstanding practice of assembling...
Hate Crimes Up; Racial Incidents Dominate
Associated Press
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Nov 19, 2007 5:26 PM CST
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Hate crimes in the US rose 7.8% in 2006, with racially motivated attacks accounting for more than half of 7,722 reported incidents. Religious bias represented one-fifth of hate crimes, and cases of sexual orientation discrimination nearly 16%, the AP reports. Victims of racial bias are overwhelmingly black, according to the FBI's annual hate crimes...
80 Dead, 20 Missing in Ukraine
Reuters
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Nov 19, 2007 5:09 PM CST
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Rescuers today battled the fiery remnants of a deadly coal mine blast in Ukraine as the death toll was revised upward to at least 80, Reuters reports. Twenty miners are still missing, and given the intense temperatures and lack of air, chances of survival are slim. The explosion is the deadliest accident since Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet...
Goldman Sits High and Dry in Credit Crunch
New York Times
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Nov 19, 2007 4:48 PM CST
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When Goldman Sachs reported $2.85 billion in third-quarter profits, it sounded like an “I told you so.” As most financials reported credit-crunch pratfalls, Goldman alone had read the signs and gone the right way on mortgages. “You’d have to give them an A-plus,” said one Merril Lynch analyst. Many wish they didn’t...
Cyclone Death Toll Tops 3,100
Guardian (UK)
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Nov 19, 2007 4:27 PM CST
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The death toll from Cyclone Sidr surpassed 3,100 today, and relief officials in Bangladesh fear as many as 15,000 have been killed. Helicopters were dropping food, water, and medicine, but relief had yet to reach many remote areas, the Guardian reports. Some $25 million in initial aid has been pledged , and as many as 3.2 million people have been...
Be Your Own 'Rock Band'
Ars Technica
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Nov 19, 2007 4:20 PM CST
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The immensely popular Guitar Hero "rhythm game" franchise has a new competitor: MTV Games/Harmonix's Rock Band. The game ups the ante on the Guitar Hero concept by moving beyond guitars: a microphone and drumset controllers, along with guitar, are included in the game's $170 pricetag so that in multiplayer, users can put every part...
Edwards Could Lose Millions in Matching Funds
Politico
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Nov 19, 2007 4:08 PM CST
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A tricky online fundraising format could dent John Edwards’ clean donations reputation—and cost him millions in federal funds. Edwards is the only top-tier Democrat accepting public financing, which matches individual donations up to $250. The system's exclusion of funds “drawn on the account of a committee” may imperil...
Citigroup Leads Steep Nosedive
Wall Street Journal
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Nov 19, 2007 3:48 PM CST
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Stocks fell today—the Dow by more than 200 points—after a Goldman analyst downgraded Citigroup to "sell" in the morning, setting off a skid. The same analyst lowered target prices on Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and several other stocks, which fell by over 2%, the Journal reports. The Dow was down 218.35 to 12,958.44, the...
Prince vs. the Internet: Round 2?
Ars Technica
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Nov 19, 2007 3:47 PM CST
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Things are heating up for BitTorrent search site The Pirate Bay, as lawyers for Prince pressure advertisers to drop it and a Swedish prosecutor promises to sue site administrators. One admin tells Ars Technica that investigators driving cars with Danish license plates are following and photographing Pirate Bay operators -- a move he's inclined to...
Juan Carlos' 'Shut Up' Still Ringing
Guardian (UK)
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Nov 19, 2007 3:37 PM CST
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A diplomatic misstep by Spain's king has rung in a $2 million windfall: A ringtone of Juan Carlos asking Hugo Chavez "Why don't you shut up?" has been downloaded about 500,000 times. Many fans are student foes of the Venezuelan president. Several versions use actors to avoid copyright issues, but one lawyer says even using the expression...
MTV Banks on Vice Video
New York Times
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Nov 19, 2007 3:22 PM CST
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MTV has put its hippest foot forward with VBS.tv, the online video channel run by Vice magazine’s editors. The web presence, originally pitched as “‘60 Minutes’ meets ‘Jackass,’” is a toehold in youth web programming, the Times reports. “Our aesthetic is raw,” said a VBS editor. “If they’re...
Cable Stock Pounding Not Over Yet
Broadcasting & Cable
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Nov 19, 2007 3:07 PM CST
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Cable stocks are getting beaten up badly thanks to a combination of factors—subscribers fleeing to satellite and other services, a general market gloom that is compounded for often-complicated cable stocks, and news that the FCC plans to beef up its oversight. Led by industry giant Comcast, the group's stocks are falling fast after rising steadily...
Kangaroo Court Gives Musharraf Thumbs Up
Associated Press
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Nov 19, 2007 3:02 PM CST
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Pakistan’s Supreme Court today shot down opposition to Pervez Musharraf’s re-election, an unsurprising turn given that Musharraf packed the court with allies. But with the ruling in hand, Musharraf may be ready to end emergency rule, the AP reports, something the US has demanded he do before January’s elections. Meanwhile, opposition...
Boorish Boars Overrun Texas
Los Angeles Times
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Nov 19, 2007 2:45 PM CST
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Everything's bigger in Texas, and the pig population is no exception. They aren't cute porkers, either—wild boars wreck crops and cause some $52 million in annual damages in the state. For some, that means an opportunity for heavy-duty huntin', but the solo efforts aren't enough to slow a wave of some 2 million hogs.
Sony Halves Developer Fees for Struggling PlayStation 3
Associated Press
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Nov 19, 2007 2:27 PM CST
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In its latest effort to revive lagging sales, Sony has halved the price of a software development kit for its PlayStation 3 video game console. Last month, the company slashed the price of the console itself to consumers, in response to fierce competition from the better-selling Nintendo Wii, reports the AP. Sales of Microsoft's Xbox have also outstripped...
UN Agreement May Boost US Spectrum Bids
New York Times
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Nov 19, 2007 2:24 PM CST
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Thanks to an agreement at a month-long UN telecom conference in Geneva, the cost for rights to use new US wireless spectrum going on the block in January may have just increased. Google, Yahoo and Apple are among the companies expected to a battle for licenses to the 700 Mhz bandwith, and the UN deal could make products built for the US attractive...
Homeland Security Adviser Joins White House Exodus
Washington Post
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Nov 19, 2007 2:23 PM CST
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The president's homeland security adviser resigned today, extending the string of high-profile White House departures. Frances Frago Townsend was in charge of the president’s counterterrorism program for 4½ years, the Washington Post reports, managing the response to the London bombing and upgrading air transportation security. No reason...
Hedge Funds Bounce Back
Wall Street Journal
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Nov 19, 2007 2:01 PM CST
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Despite the uncertain economic climate, hedge funds are rebounding after a rough summer. The mercurial atmosphere is actually helping stock pickers play the markets, the Journal reports. The smart ones predicted the mortgage crunch and are making out well from oil and currencies. "The good managers are taking advantage of the market's volatility,"...
Missing Hoop Star's Body Found in Brazil
Seattle Times
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Nov 19, 2007 1:35 PM CST
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The body of a former Washington State University basketball star who had been missing in Brazil was found yesterday, reports the Seattle Times. Tony Harris' death is being investigated as a suicide, but police "are not ruling out homicide," a spokesman told the AP. Harris, 36, was in the country to play on a pro team in Brasilia but hadn't...
Dwarf Matadors Stand Tall
USA Today
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Nov 19, 2007 1:11 PM CST
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The image of a pint-sized bullfighter waving red at a calf might induce laughter among the more callous, but for Mexican little people, the bullfighting arena is serious stuff. The mini matadors acknowledge an element of humor in their act, but "if a little person can fight a bull, he can do anything," one fighter tells USA Today .
Everett Leaves Hospital, Thanks Buffalo Fans
Buffalo News
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Nov 19, 2007 1:00 PM CST
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Buffalo tight end Kevin Everett left the hospital last week and thanked his team and its fans for their support in a video message that played before last night's game. "Just letting you guys know it’s been special to me and I just want to say, come on let’s beat New England," Everett said before the Bills' 56-10 loss.
Is Our Children Reading?
Boston Globe
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Nov 19, 2007 12:46 PM CST
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As far as young people are concerned, books are so 20th century. Reading's popularity has fallen as gadgets have taken over modern life, according to a new National Endowment for the Arts report. Only a third of high school seniors read at a proficient level. “And proficiency is not a high standard,” the NEA’s chairman told the Boston...
Khmer Rouge President Busted
Reuters
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Nov 19, 2007 12:22 PM CST
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After almost a decade of delays, Cambodia’s UN-backed genocide court is in full swing, today arresting ex-Khmer Rouge president Khieu Samphan. Samphan, 76, who was seized from a Phnom Penh hospital, is the fifth member of Pol Pot’s bloody cabal arrested so far. In a book released last week, he defended Pol Pot and blamed the regime's atrocities...
Goldman Leads Wall Street Bonus War
Bloomberg
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Nov 19, 2007 11:56 AM CST
(Newser) -
The Big Five Wall Street securities firms will pay $38 billion in bonuses this year—up from $36 billion last year—while shareholders tote up $74 billion in losses, their worst year since 2002, Bloomberg reports. All but Goldman Sachs lost more than 20% of their market value, says an analyst, but "they're all going to have to fall into...
Secret Poll: Cubans Want Vote
USA Today
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Nov 19, 2007 11:26 AM CST
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Three-quarters of Cubans surveyed in an unorthodox poll want to vote on Fidel Castro’s successor, 79% say the current government can't fix the country’s problems, and 83% want changes in the economic system, USA Today reports. The 600 respondents weren’t told they were being polled—and the US government-funded, pro-democracy...
Blair Floats Palestinian Jobs Plan
Guardian (UK)
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Nov 19, 2007 11:00 AM CST
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In his first major undertaking as the international community's Mideast envoy, Tony Blair will disclose plans today to provide tens of thousands of jobs for Palestinians, the Guardian reports. The multimillion-dollar projects come in the lead-up to the peace talks in Annapolis next week. "This is part of the Blair mandate to find 'quick impact...
Noah's Flood Transformed Agriculture
Reuters
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Nov 19, 2007 10:33 AM CST
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The real-life inspiration for the biblical flood may have been responsible for the widespread adoption of agriculture in Europe, according to a new study. About 8,000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age, ice sheets melted, causing massive flooding in the Black Sea basin. That forced farmers to disperse, and they migrated to new areas where people...
Demand for Oil May Pass Output by 2012
Wall Street Journal
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Nov 19, 2007 10:07 AM CST
(Newser) -
Production limits, not supply, could prompt an oil crisis in less than a decade as efforts to reduce demand and introduce alternative fuels trail growth in the world’s oil needs, the Journal reports. Oil companies currently produce 85 million barrels daily; some experts say they'll hit a wall at 100 million barrels—far below projected...
Olmert Releases 441 Palestinian Prisoners
Reuters
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Nov 19, 2007 9:23 AM CST
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Ehud Olmert today requested the release of 441 Palestinian prisoners and promised to stop building new settlements on the West Bank, in the hope of bolstering Arab enthusiasm for upcoming talks on Palestinian statehood. But the gesture was received coolly: Mahmoud Abbas had asked for 2,000 prisoners, and the West Bank offer, which did not cover expansion...
Peterson Disputes New Autopsy
Chicago Tribune
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Nov 19, 2007 8:36 AM CST
(Newser) -
The doctor who concluded that Drew Peterson's third wife was murdered was a paid Fox commentator with a pre-existing opinion, and his findings were a "self-fulfilling prophecy," Peterson's lawyer told the Today show. Peterson himself sat largely silent during the interview, permitted by his handler to answer only a few questions, reports...
US Aims to Enlist Tribes in Pakistan
New York Times
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Nov 19, 2007 8:20 AM CST
(Newser) -
The US military would like to enlist Pakistani tribesmen in the fight against the Taliban and al Qaeda, importing the strategy that's been used successfully in Anbar province in Iraq. The classified proposal would see more American military trainers heading for Pakistan—where we have only 50 troops now—and financing for a tribal paramilitary...
AMD Unveils Spider Chipset
Wall Street Journal
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Nov 19, 2007 8:18 AM CST
(Newser) -
Advanced Micro Devices introduces its long-anticipated Spider desktop chip set today, including a new microprocessor, a graphics processor and chips to link system components that will give gamers access to ultrarealistic images and increase computing performance. But it still can’t match Intel’s latest chip offering, reports...
Analysts See Steep Sales Slide for Big 3 in '08
Reuters
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Nov 19, 2007 7:49 AM CST
(Newser) -
Automakers are predicting a mildly soft sales year for 2008, but analysts warn a “poverty effect” caused by an imploding housing market could send US light auto sales skidding as much as 9.4% to their worst year since 1993, Reuters reports. “I’m just not sure how bad it could be,” said one. “We all know housing is...
'Idol' Alums Clean Up at AMAs
E! Online
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Nov 19, 2007 7:12 AM CST
(Newser) -
In their 34th year, the American Music Awards looked suspiciously like the American Idol Music Awards. Idol alums Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry each won three times, and winners were determined, for the first time, by Idol-esque fan voting. Host Jimmy Kimmel, a WGA member, mostly idled in the wings, saying he was on strike “in my heart”...
Flickr Launches Search Map of World Photos
Reuters
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Nov 19, 2007 6:44 AM CST
(Newser) -
Beginning today, a new mapping feature will make it easier to view photos stored on Flickr by location. "Places," a new geographical sorting service on the massive photo-share website, pinpoints photo contributions to one of 100,000 locations on a global map, Reuters reports. The map also shows the latest hotspots for contributions.
Kanye Breaks Down on Stage
People
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Nov 19, 2007 6:11 AM CST
(Newser) -
Rapper Kanye West broke down weeping at his first concert since the death of his mother just a week ago. He was near the end of a performance in Paris Saturday night and was unable to begin his song "Hey Mama." "This song is dedicated to my mother," he announced, then began sobbing on stage in the spotlight as his band played....
Tips for Tasty In-Flight Fare
Budget Travel
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Nov 19, 2007 6:04 AM CST
(Newser) -
With no-frills flying leaving the provisions up to you, packing your own sandwich beats stale airport fare by a mile. Sisha Ortuzar, executive chef at New York's 'Wichcraft, gives Budget Travel tips for a tasty sandwich that'll survive hard travel: Use crusty breads like ciabattas or baguettes for tuna salad or other moist fillings....
TO Plus Romo Deliver 'Skins 28-23 Loss
Washington Post
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Nov 19, 2007 5:51 AM CST
(Newser) -
The Redskins were pushing for a comeback when Jason Campbell made his first big slip up of the game, getting picked off and letting the Cowboys stall the game at 28-23. Terrell Owens accounted for all of Dallas' touchdowns on four Tony Romo passes as the Cowboys improve to 9-1, reports the Washington Post. In other NFC action:
Patriots Juggernaut Flattens Bills
Boston Globe
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Nov 19, 2007 4:52 AM CST
(Newser) -
Randy Moss racked up his franchise-record four touchdown receptions before halftime last night in the Patriots' 56-10 trouncing of Buffalo, and Tom Brady lobbed five touchdowns to become New England's all-time leader with 185. As Bills fans threw curses down, the punt-eschewing Pats compiled 510 yards and cruised to tie a franchise-high score, reports...
Talks to End Strike Flop on Broadway
Los Angeles Times
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Nov 19, 2007 4:50 AM CST
(Newser) -
The lights of the Great White Way remain dark after talks to end the nine-day strike by Broadway stagehands broke off last night when producers abruptly walked out of negotiations. The 27 shows affected by the strike are now canceled through Nov. 25, costing Broadway the lucrative Thanksgiving weekend, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Flukey FG Gives Stunned Ravens 33-30 OT Loss
Baltimore Sun
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Nov 19, 2007 4:44 AM CST
(Newser) -
Baltimore fans and players alike thought the game was over when Buffalo's last-second field goal bounced harmlessly off the crossbar, but after five minutes of zebra-striped deliberation a tie was announced. Phil Dawson's kick had gone through the uprights before ricocheting, and his next kick gave the Browns a 33-30 overtime win, reports the Baltimore...
French Strikes Head Into Day 6
BBC
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Nov 19, 2007 4:43 AM CST
(Newser) -
The French transport strike headed into its sixth day today, with the unions losing some steam but hoping to hold out until tomorrow, when they will be reinforced by a separate strike of civil servants, lawyers and magistrates. Exasperated French commuters found some relief, as diminishing numbers of strikers meant more trains were running than last...
Man Dies After Police Zap Him With Taser
CNN
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Nov 19, 2007 4:26 AM CST
(Newser) -
A 20-year-old man died yesterday after Maryland police shocked him with a Taser during a confrontation with a sheriff's deputy, according to police. Deputies responded to a call to find four people fighting. Police used a Taser on one of the men, who fell unconscious and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital, police said.
Jesuits Settle Sex Suit for $50M
Seattle Times
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Nov 19, 2007 3:55 AM CST
(Newser) -
The Jesuits have agreed to pay $50 million to some 110 people living in remote Alaskan villages who claim they were sexually molested as children by 15 priests, brothers or men working for the Jesuits, reports the Seattle Times . Details of the settlements are still being negotiated, according to attorneys and a Jesuit spokesman. The victims were...
Johnson Extends NASCAR Reign
Associated Press
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Nov 19, 2007 3:47 AM CST
(Newser) -
With a conservative game plan in the top stock car circuit's finale at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, Jimmie Johnson cruised to a 7th-place finish, easily netting him the NASCAR season title. Johnson had won his previous four races and needed only to place in the top 18 in Florida. Mentor and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon finished second...
New Zealand to Japanese Whalers: Go Home!
Sydney Morning Herald
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Nov 19, 2007 3:42 AM CST
(Newser) -
As a Japanese whaling fleet churned to Antarctic waters, a furious New Zealand prime minister today blasted the "deception" of Japan's claim that the killing ships will conduct research rather than commercial whaling. It would be better "if the Japanese stayed home," said Helen Clark. The fleet will catch over 1,000 whales, reports...
Amazon's E-Book Gamble Gets Big Play
Newsweek
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Nov 19, 2007 3:24 AM CST
(Newser) -
News that Amazon would debut its new Kindle e-book leaked earlier this week, and a Newsweek cover story has the full hype on what Jeff Bezos and company hope to achieve with it. "This isn't a device, it's a service," Bezos says of of the Kindle, pointing to its "Whispernet" wireless connection, which uses Sprint's EVDO network,...
Dad: Predator Stalked Us, Snatched Maddy
Times (UK)
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Nov 19, 2007 3:10 AM CST
(Newser) -
The father of missing toddler Madeleine McCann says he thinks a "predator" was watching his family during a vacation in Portugal and snatched Maddy after seeing her parents leave their hotel for a nearby restaurant. "They've watched me go in, come back out and then they've thought, 'That's the window of opportunity to get in and get...
