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.
After $180K Fine, Marbury Returns
New York Daily News
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Nov 15, 2007 12:48 AM CST
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After losing his starting job and leaving the team, Stephon Marbury returned to the Knicks for their road game against the Clippers. Marbury had learned on the plane to Phoenix that he would be backing up second-year veteran Mardy Collins and subsequently stormed back to New York; the Knicks denied any bad blood between Marbury and coach Isiah Thomas.
Hornets Top Sixers with Peterson's 27
Associated Press
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Nov 14, 2007 11:52 PM CST
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With last night's third straight win, the Hornets' have matched their franchise best start, after defeating Philadelphia 95-76. The three was the weapon of choice for New Orleans: they had 11 on the night, with Morris Peterson responsible for five of those on his way to 27 points. The 76ers have dropped four straight games. In other NBA action:
FCC is Broken, Cable Group Chief Argues
Broadcasting & Cable
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Nov 14, 2007 11:44 PM CST
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The head of a cable television trade group bashed the head of the FCC today, accusing him of backing policies that “hurt the (cable) industry.” The issue causing most of the fuss, Broadcasting and Cable reports, is the proposed to mandate an a la carte pricing system, which would allow consumers to choose and pay individually for which...
Magic Down Cavs 117-116 in Overtime
Orlando Sentinel
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Nov 14, 2007 11:36 PM CST
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Dwight Howard got the better of LeBron James in a battle of young superstars. Howard, who finished with 35 points, sank two free throws with five seconds left in overtime to give Orlando a 117-116 victory over Cleveland. James recorded the 14th triple double of his career with 39 points, 13 rebounds and 14 assists, reports the Orlando Sentinel . Elsewhere...
No. 1 UNC Eeks Out W in Opener
Associated Press
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Nov 14, 2007 11:19 PM CST
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No. 1 North Carolina narrowly avoided joining the ranks of powerhouse programs upset by small schools, with a 72-68 win over Davidson. Wayne Ellington led the Tar Heels with 20 points and several key plays down the stretch to secure the victory. Stephen Curry paced with Wildcats with 24 but his team shot just 4-of-22 from 3-point range, reports the...
NFL Commish Reinstates Ricky Williams
Miami Herald
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Nov 14, 2007 9:57 PM CST
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Embattled running back Ricky Williams was reinstated to the NFL after an 18-month absence caused by his fourth violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. Miami coach Cam Cameron has not indicated whether the 0-9 Dolphins would reactivate Williams. Even if the team chooses not to use Williams this year, they could trade him in the offseason,...
House OKs War Funds Tied to Troop Withdrawal
Reuters
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Nov 14, 2007 9:45 PM CST
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The House tonight defied President Bush and tied a $50 billion bill to fund the war in Iraq to a timetable for troop withdrawal. The measure, which passed 218-203, is not expected to make it out of the Senate. If it does, however, Bush has promised to veto it. The bill requires troop withdrawals to start within 30 days, with a goal of completing the...
Broadway Stagehands, Producers Plan Talks
New York Times
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Nov 14, 2007 8:38 PM CST
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The stagehands striking on Broadway will resume talks with theater producers this weekend, the New York Times reports. The two sides were tight-lipped about whether the meeting would end the five-day strike, which has closed 27 shows on the Great White Way. But Michael Bloomberg called the negotiations “a very important step forward.”
Airport Screeners Miss Bombs
Associated Press
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Nov 14, 2007 8:29 PM CST
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Airport screeners fared poorly in an undercover test in which government investigators smuggled liquid explosives and detonators past checkpoints, the AP reports. As a troubling bonus, the investigators learned how to make the explosives on the internet and bought the parts for less than $150, showing that would-be terrorists could cheaply and fairly...
Blackwater Investigator's Brother Has Ties to Firm
Reuters
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Nov 14, 2007 8:17 PM CST
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The State Department’s top official investigating Blackwater withdrew from the probe today after a dramatic admission that his brother has links to the private security contractor. At a congressional hearing, Howard Krongard initially called the alleged ties “ugly rumors,” but after a recess during which he called his brother, the...
Global Warming Makes Spring Come Later?
New Scientist
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Nov 14, 2007 7:55 PM CST
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Global warming, a spark for spring's early arrival up north, appears to be delaying its appearance in southern states, the New Scientist reports. Southern leaves are coming later, not earlier, according to a Maryland researcher. "It's really surprising," says Xiaoyang Zhang of Earth Resources Technology. "Nobody had noticed how warming...
Economist 's Newest Writer: Angelina Jolie
Sun (UK)
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Nov 14, 2007 7:12 PM CST
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World leaders from Nicolas Sarkozy to the Dalai Lama have contributed their high-minded predictions for the coming year in an annual publication from the Economist . But for a magazine that normally eschews bylines, one name stands out, says the Sun : Angelina Jolie, who interviews Darfur refugees in Chad and says that international war crimes trials...
Judge Orders OJ to Stand Trial
Los Angeles Times
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Nov 14, 2007 6:45 PM CST
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Former NFL star OJ Simpson must stand trial on charges including armed robbery and kidnapping stemming from a September altercation inside a hotel room, a Las Vegas judge ruled today. The trial date was set for Nov. 28, the Los Angeles Times reports. Simpson could face life in prison if convicted on the kidnapping charges alone.
Competing With Neo-Nazis for the Youth Vote
Der Spiegel
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Nov 14, 2007 6:33 PM CST
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The government of one East German state is so concerned about the influence of neo-Nazi extremism on the young that it's handing out free CDs of leftist punk music as an antidote. Der Speigel reports that the tactic is borrowed from the far-right NPD party itself, which has been distributing skinhead compilations at schools and subsequently achieved...
Plants and Stooges Spike Town Halls
Salon
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Nov 14, 2007 6:06 PM CST
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The town hall meeting has long been an American tradition in which regular folk talk with political candidates, but Salon ’s Michael Scherer says our modern variant is so diluted by plants and stooges it should “be placed inside quotation marks.” Hillary Clinton’s campaign called attention to the “town hall” last...
SF Oil Spill Probe Finds Irregularities
San Jose Mercury News
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Nov 14, 2007 5:52 PM CST
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The crew of the ship that dumped 58,000 gallons of oil into San Francisco Bay last week wasn't tested for drugs until 53 hours after the crash—a delay well beyond the federally mandated 32 hours, the San Jose Mercury News reports. And a technician says the ship's radar system appears to have been operational despite the pilot's claims it wasn't...
The Man Behind the Smile
New York Times
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Nov 14, 2007 5:38 PM CST
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It's contemporary Chinese art's most indelible image—the smile so huge it becomes false, accusatory—and it belongs to Yue Minjun, the artist who uses the grinning self-portraits, often many of them, in his paintings. The New York Times chats with Yue, who is enjoying his first US show in New York after one of his paintings sold for $5.9...
Warner Boss Mea Culpa : P2P Problems Industry's Fault
PC Pro
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Nov 14, 2007 5:23 PM CST
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Warner Music’s boss has admitted he missed the Internet zeitgeist, even claiming some responsibility for the rise of online file sharing. “By standing still or moving at a glacial pace,” said Edgar Bronfman, “we inadvertently went to war with consumers.” The change of heart amounts to an “epiphany,” says MacUser’s...
Hybrids Lag in Resale Value
Los Angeles Times
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Nov 14, 2007 5:10 PM CST
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No hybrids cracked the top 10 in a new report on the projected resale value of vehicles, the LA Times reports. The Kelley Blue Book predictions have 3 models from Volkswagen and 2 from Honda, but none of the gas-saving newbies. Brand-new hybrids remain strong sellers, one analyst says, but with automakers cranking more of them out, their value is...
Writers Unlikely to Find Happy Ending in Strike
New Yorker
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Nov 14, 2007 4:58 PM CST
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Strikes typically cost both parties more than they’re warring over, but labor relations aren’t “economically rational,” explains the New Yorker ’s James Surowiecki, due to “asymmetric information.” Hollywood’s writers simply don’t know the underlying financial truth behind online revenues—the...
Georgia to Lift Emergency Rule
New York Times
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Nov 14, 2007 4:44 PM CST
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A state of emergency that began a week ago in the former Soviet republic of Georgia will be lifted Friday, the government announced today. The New York Times reports that the speaker of the Georgian Parliament said he hoped lifting President Mikhail Saakashvili's restrictions on free speech and public assembly would allow the country to "return...
Anthrax Probe Finds US ‘Poorly Prepared’
Reuters
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Nov 14, 2007 4:31 PM CST
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The US is ill equipped to deal with anthrax threats, a consulting firm said today, and must improve vaccines, drugs for victims of exposure and detection methods. The group, which includes a former CIA director, used several outbreak scenarios—in subways, movie theaters, theme parks and the Oscars—to illustrate America’s lack of preparedness,...
China, India Stick With Coal as Air Worsens
Associated Press
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Nov 14, 2007 4:19 PM CST
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Coal will remain the key source of power generation in China and India for the foreseeable future, the AP reports today from an energy conference in Rome, despite outside pressure on the countries to reduce carbon emissions. Leading officials urged the international community to help the booming Asian countries develop cleaner coal technology or suffer...
Niederauer Will Succeed Thain at Big Board
Wall Street Journal
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Nov 14, 2007 4:06 PM CST
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Duncan Niederaurer, current co-COO and president of the New York Stock Exchange, is poised to replace John Thain as CEO of the Big Board, reports the Wall Street Journal . Thain is expected to be named CEO of Merrill Lynch, replacing the departing Stan O'Neal. NYSE is expected to make an announcement later today.
Stocks Teeter, Dive Before Bell
Wall Street Journal
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Nov 14, 2007 3:53 PM CST
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Stocks wavered throughout today's session, finally falling well into the red before the bell. Despite relatively good news from the financial sector—including a hopeful outlook from Bear Stearns—surging oil prices and profit-taking in the tech sector brought the markets down. The Dow was off 83.16 to 13,223.93, the Nasdaq 29.33 to 2,644.32,...
Growing African Economies Could Lessen Poverty
Associated Press
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Nov 14, 2007 3:52 PM CST
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The growth of Africa's economy over the past 10 years is strong enough to "put a dent in a dent in poverty," according to a World Bank report. Growth over the past decade has averaged 5.4%, but more foreign investment is needed to keep that going. The report credits economic and governmental reforms for the good news.
United, Delta in Merge Talks
Associated Press
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Nov 14, 2007 3:47 PM CST
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United Airlines and Delta are in talks to merge and create the nation's largest airline, the AP reports. The new airline would keep the United name and surpass American as the nation's biggest. Delta's CEO denied that any specific talks are under way, but the company said it had formed a committee to consider all its options, including mergers, the...
Prenatal Binge Drinking May Have Little Risk, Study Finds
ABC News
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Nov 14, 2007 3:40 PM CST
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Pregnant women have been told to avoid alcohol for decades, but a new study suggests that occasional drinking and even a binge now and then could be OK, ABC News reports. Researchers at Oxford University looked at 35 years of studies and found no consistent link between sporadic binge drinking and birth defects. Doctors were quick to urge caution.
Matt Damon Is 'Sexiest Man Alive'
Associated Press
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Nov 14, 2007 3:33 PM CST
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Matt Damon has been named People's "sexiest man alive," the Associated Press reported today. The star of the "Bourne" franchise said he was a bit surprise to accept the honor, won twice each by buddies George Clooney and Brad Pitt. "You gave an aging suburban dad the ego boost of a lifetime," the 37-year-old wrote. The...
Diabetes Drug Given Strictest Warning Label
Wall Street Journal
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Nov 14, 2007 3:20 PM CST
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The FDA has applied its harshest warning to the diabetes drug Avandia, declaring the product potentially increases risk of heart attacks. Now marked with a “black box” warning, GlaxoSmithKline’s drug will stay on the market pending a continuing “safety assessment,” the Wall Street Journal reports; FDA officials say the...
Ford Workers Ratify Pact With UAW
Detroit Free Press
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Nov 14, 2007 3:16 PM CST
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UAW workers at Ford overwhelmingly approved a four-year contract today that shifts responsibility for some retiree health benefits to the union, the Detroit Free Press reports. The agreement also allows Ford to hire new employees for lower wages and fewer benefits. The contract approval follows similar deals at GM and Chrysler, though Ford was the...
Bushies Break Records in Rush to K Street
Politico
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Nov 14, 2007 3:06 PM CST
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Departing staffers of lame duck presidents have long filled the ranks of lobbying firms, but the Bush White House is providing K Street operatives in particularly high numbers, the Politico reports—raising a series of ethics questions about the revolving-door phenomenon. The key industries hiring outgoing Bushies are homeland security—seeking...
US Equity Firms Face Local Competition
Financial Times (UK)
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Nov 14, 2007 2:59 PM CST
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Increasing wealth worldwide will breed competitors for US private equity funds accustomed to being the only players in the lucrative buyout market, the Financial Times reports. “It is not preordained that the US will dominate private equity globally,” said the founder of one such firm, adding that governments could play a role in bankrolling...
A-Rod May Head Back to Yanks
New York Daily News
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Nov 14, 2007 2:47 PM CST
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The Yankees may get Alex Rodriguez back, and for a (relative) bargain. The slugger is in talks to stay in pinstripes for 10 years and $275 million—about $75 million less than he's been seeking—under a stipulation that his agent isn't involved. Sources tell the NY Daily News A-Rod is playing by the Yanks' rules to save his reputation,...
Doc of Kanye's Mom Was on Thin Ice
Los Angeles Times
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Nov 14, 2007 2:23 PM CST
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The mother of rap star Kanye West died Saturday "as a result of surgery or anesthesia," a preliminary autopsy showed yesterday—more bad news for her surgeon, the Los Angeles Times reports. Dr. Jan Adams—a talk-show regular—faces sanctions from various state agencies over a string of alcohol-related convictions, including...
New Media Player Centralizes Web Viewing
Fortune Magazine
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Nov 14, 2007 2:10 PM CST
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A media player publicly released today organizes Internet video programs and translates their feeds, centralizing your online viewing experience. Miro handily “solves a problem you didn’t know you had,” says Fortune ’s Josh Quittner. Not only can you subscribe to channels or programs from any video portal—YouTube, Blip.tv,...
UN Visitor Not Keeping Burma From Arrests
Guardian (UK)
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Nov 14, 2007 2:00 PM CST
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Burma's military junta has continued to detain protesters even as a UN human-rights investigator visits to probe September's crushed uprising, the Guardian reports. Three men distributing pro-democracy leaflets in a Rangoon market were arrested today; a leading female activist was detained yesterday as she posted fliers near the investigator's hotel—raising...
Melting Alaska, Tourist Hot Spot
Christian Science Monitor
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Nov 14, 2007 1:31 PM CST
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Tourists traditionally head to Alaska for cruises and fishing, but for a growing number, it’s a global warming pilgrimage. Heating up five times faster than anyplace else, Alaska has drawn politicians, scientists, and now tourists to see the melting future, the Christian Science Monitor reports. “This has immediate consequences,”...
'Family Guy' Gets Scabby
Hollywood Reporter
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Nov 14, 2007 1:12 PM CST
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Fox is producing new episodes of animated series "Family Guy" during the Writers Guild strike—without show creator Seth MacFarlane, who is on the picket lines. "I hope they don't do it," MacFarlane said Friday. The Hollywood Reporter says the first episode finished without MacFarlane's involvement was delivered to the studio...
UK Bird Flu Cull Widens to 22K
BBC
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Nov 14, 2007 12:43 PM CST
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Some 22,000 more birds are being killed in Britain after an outbreak of bird flu on a turkey farm in Suffolk, northeast of London. The cull has been extended to four nearby sites, although the disease has only been detected at the first farm. "This is a precautionary measure taken to prevent any spread of the disease," an official tells the...
Vets' Mental Issues Slow to Surface: Study
Washington Post
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Nov 14, 2007 12:36 PM CST
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US troops report worse mental health several months after returning from Iraq than immediately after getting home, an Army study shows. Upon return home, one general said, “you’re almost euphoric,” but later “the stress starts to resurface.” The study also found that National Guard reservists were at much greater risk...
New VC Fund Wants Only Facebook Apps
MarketWatch
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Nov 14, 2007 12:26 PM CST
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Venture capitalist Lee Lorenzen is so enamored of Facebook that he started an investment fund just to finance developers creating applications for the social network site. Not only is Lorenzen investing in a month-and-a-half-old industry, last month at a conference he said Facebook might be worth $100 billion, more than six times the $15 billion valuation...
John Thain to Be Merrill CEO
Wall Street Journal
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Nov 14, 2007 12:18 PM CST
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Merrill Lynch will name NYSE chief John Thain as its CEO as soon as today, an insider tells the Wall Street Journal . The former Goldman Sachs president, on Merrill’s shortlist since Stan O'Neal was shown the door two weeks ago, was also under consideration for Citigroup’s top post. The move comes as something of a surprise, as Wall Streeters...
Mom and Pop Go Big Brother
New York Times
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Nov 14, 2007 12:16 PM CST
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AT&T will sell technology that allows small businesses to remotely monitor their employees and places of business over the Internet. The Remote Monitor program lets a user check cameras, sensors, and other gadgets in real time over the net. “It is Big Brother, but in this day and age, you need these type of tools," says a Texas restaurant...
Scientists Clone Monkey Embryos
Associated Press
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Nov 14, 2007 12:00 PM CST
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Oregon scientists have successfully cloned dozens of monkey embryos and extracted stem cells from them, a long-sought breakthrough that raises hopes of doing the same in humans. After years of failure—and even fraud—scientists feared a fundamental barrier to primate cloning, the Independent reports. “To me, it’s a breakthrough,”...
Denmark Gives New Mandate to Prime Minister
Times (UK)
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Nov 14, 2007 11:36 AM CST
(Newser) -
Denmark's ruling coalition won a third term in government yesterday for right-leaning PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who called the election 15 months ahead of schedule, reports the Times of London. The party of Naser Khader, a Syrian-born legislator, did not win enough seats to force the ruling coalition to include it, but Rasmussen said today he might...
At Mukasey Ceremony, Bush Vows Justice Makeover
Associated Press
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Nov 14, 2007 11:15 AM CST
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President Bush looked on as Michael Mukasey was ceremonially sworn in today as attorney general today, the AP reports, and promised to rebuild the ravaged Justice Department behind him. “Michael Mukasey has my complete trust and confidence,” Bush said. “And he's going to have the trust and confidence of the men and women of the Department...
Gitmo Manual Leaked Online
Wired
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Nov 14, 2007 11:03 AM CST
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A sensitive manual from the military's Guantanamo Bay facility has surfaced online, Wired News reports. It lays out exacting instructions for psychologically manipulating detainees, dealing with hunger strikes, rewarding prisoners with “comfort items” like extra toilet paper, and evading Red Cross inspectors. The administration promised...
Major 7.7 Earthquake Shakes Chile
Reuters
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Nov 14, 2007 10:44 AM CST
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A magnitude 7.7 earthquake rattled through northern Chile this morning, the AP reports, cutting power and causing injuries, but no deaths. The US Geological Survey said the temblor was centered 780 miles north of the capital Santiago, and a government spokeswoman said it was felt across 1,300 miles. "It was horribly strong. It was very long and...
Bernanke Ups Fed Transparency
Wall Street Journal
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Nov 14, 2007 10:34 AM CST
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The Federal Reserve will issue more detailed reports twice as often, Ben Bernanke announced today. Starting next Tuesday, the Fed will release projections for inflation, GDP, and unemployment four times a year, accompanied by a “narrative” telling investors what the Fed is thinking. Bernanke also said he’d be looking at overall...
